Dinner for Betty Winslow

8/20/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tammy G. Love

Director of Marketing & Medical Staff Development

Phone: (336) 651-8116

June 21, 2007

By CHARLES S. WILLIAMS

Wilkes Journal-Patriot Staff

A dinner to honor the long career in radiology of Betty Winslow was held Saturday night at the Stone Center for the Performing Arts in North Wilkesboro.

Mrs. Winslow took over the radiologic technology training program at Wilkes Regional Medical Center as program director in 1972. The program was started by Dr. John Bennett in 1956. Though she is not formally retiring, she recently cut back her work hours to part-time status.

Approximately 150 friends, co-workers and graduates of the WRMC program attended the dinner. Several friends and program graduates spoke during the program. Linda Vickery, who succeeded Mrs. Winslow as program director for the WRMC school on July 1, was the emcee for the program and introduced the guests.

Ted Chapin, the hospital's chief executive officer, said in his opening remarks, "I first met Betty nine years ago when I was hired to be the hospital's chief operating officer. She was very pleasant, but I could tell she was sizing me up. I could almost hear her mind saying, 'good grief, I have to train another administrator.'"

"But I was immediately struck by her passion for the program and her love for her students. Over the years, I have seen her challenge the students to be the best they can be. She does not take acceptance into the program lightly. If you are fortunate enough to gain entry, she will do everything in her power to help you succeed. But, she pushes hard."

Chapin added, "I have come to admire and respect Betty. She has developed a radiology program second to none and is widely respected throughout the state. She has impacted countless lives, and, at the end of the day, that is what it's all about."

The invocation was given by the Rev. Dr. Tom Miller, a longtime friend of Mrs. Winslow and her late husband, attorney Doug Winslow, who died on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002. He said Mrs. Winslow "never talked very much. She didn't toot her own horn. But she has built a radiologic training department that is touted to be one of the top programs on the East Coast."

Mrs. Vickery, who was the first married student to be admitted into the program, commented that Mrs. Winslow "gives freely of her time for the betterment of others. She has helped many young students in their metamorphosis from young students into young adults."

Betty Love, a longtime friend, also spoke of Mrs. Winslow's "devotion to the school and all of the students. She helped me through some tough times when I was young, and we became friends for life."

Also speaking were local residents Nancy and Arnold Simpson, who have been friends with the Winslows for many years. Simpson noted that the two couples had eaten many meals together and had also traveled together extensively.

According to Mrs. Simpson, "Betty's motto is that she would rather wear out than rust out. She has worked hard for each of her students to give them the knowledge they need to be successful."

Winslow scholarship

Mike Newton, representing Valley Radiology Associates (VRA, which operates the radiology department at Wilkes Regional), said when he came to Wilkes with VRA in 2003 with Dr. Carl Hoffman, "I knew that they had an X-ray school at the hospital here, but I didn’t know that they had THE school."

He said the radiologists of VRA "wanted to best recognize Betty's accomplishments with a student scholarship for academic excellence and professionalism. It will be an annual award given to a rising senior, and the names of those students will be placed on a plaque in the radiology school."

The first scholarship was presented by Newton to Dannie Handy.

Also speaking were Rene Parrish, the program director for Moses H. Cone Hospital's radiologic technology program, who has worked with Mrs. Winslow in the N.C. Society of Radiologic Technologists, and Nancey Privette Cost, a graduate of the WRMC program.

Ms. Parrish said that Mrs. Winslow "has never been afraid of a challenge. She jumps in with both feet. She causes others to step into the unknown and discover their greatness. She has a legacy that will continue in so many ways."

She noted that Doug Winslow had established an award, the "Winslow Cup," to honor his wife and to recognize academic excellence.

According to Mrs. Cost, "as students here, we could not have asked for anyone who wanted any more for us to excel. She taught us etiquette, respect, and to believe that anything is possible. She didn't expect us to do the impossible, just the best we could do all of the time. She ruled with an iron fist, but it was wrapped in a satin glove. She only wanted the best for us. I felt myself wanting to do well because I didn't want to disappoint her."

A farewell toast was presented by Sharon Kralick, also a program graduate, who said, "I don't know who has influenced my life more, other than my parents. Betty has boundless energy and a formidable wit that keeps everyone challenged."

A special guest at dinner

Among the guests at the dinner were Dr. John Bennett and his wife, Charlotte. As she was visiting with friends prior to the start of the program, Mrs. Winslow greeted her former boss and Brushy Mountain neighbor and said, "thank you for hiring me." With a smile, he responded, "you're very welcome. You were a good hire."

CHARLES S. WILLIAMS/STAFF PHOTO

PROGRAM DIRECTORS-Betty Winslow (left), who started the Wilkes Regional Medical Center radiologic technologist training program in 1972, is shown with Linda Vickery, who has succeeded her as the program director.

CHARLES S. WILLIAMS/STAFF PHOTO

WINSLOW SCHOLARSHIP-Valley Radiology Associates (VRA) has established a scholarship to honor Betty Winslow (right) for her work with the Wilkes Regional Medical Center radiologic technologist training school. The first scholarship, valued at $2,500, was presented Saturday night by Mike Newton (left) of VRA to Dannie Handy, a rising senior in the program.