The HRMC Foundation selects Jean Frans as 2012 Philanthropist of the Year
2/19/2013
The HRMC Foundation selects Jean Frans as 2012 Philanthropist of the Year
Clyde, N.C. – The Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation has selected Jean Frans as the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year. Ms. Frans, a part-time resident of Haywood County, was unanimously approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees as the Philanthropist of the Year for her long time service on the board, commitment to volunteering, and financial support of the hospital.
Frans was born in Hickory, NC. After graduation she attended Lenoir Rhyne College and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She taught in the public schools of Winston Salem for three years and decided to return to college and received an Associate Degree in Radiology Technology from Baptist College in Winston Salem, NC. She worked at Baptist Hospital for thirteen years before returning to Hickory to work in the family business.
Her father Lee P. Frans, who owned the Orange Crush Bottling Company Franchise in Hickory, NC, was approached by a small startup company that had gone through bankruptcy twice to purchase a bottling franchise. In 1937, her father purchased a franchise to bottle Pepsi-Cola in Hickory, NC. By many accounts the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company her father started today is one of the most successful franchises within the Pepsi system and services all of Western North Carolina.
Frans enjoyed playing golf and was an accomplished player who competed in numerous golf tournaments in WNC. In fact she participated in the prestigious Country Club of Asheville Ladies Invitational for many years and met women from all over the country. She doesn’t remember who invited her to visit Haywood County, but said that once she visited she knew she wanted to spend more time in this beautiful area. Jean became a member of Laurel Ridge Country Club and made residence here for the summer months.
Frans became a Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation board trustee in 2005 and along with her friend Phyllis Prevost endowed a scholarship fund for continuing education for nurses. She has been a leading sponsor of the HRMC Foundation Golf & Gala Event for many years and also supported the Outpatient Care Center and the Emergency Department.
“Jean Frans is the 3rd recipient of this prestigious award and well deserving of this honor. “She has given tirelessly to the mission of the HRMC Foundation and has committed her talents and financial resources to show her support, said Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Chairman of the HRMC Trustees. "This community and hospital is forever in debt to Jean for her unwavering support over the years".
Her long time friend Phyllis Prevost, who received the first prestigious award, said “Jean is a dear friend and she believes that people who live in a community should support endeavors that improve the quality of life.”
In November of 2012, Jean was going to be honored at a surprise reception but due to health issues the reception was cancelled. Recently, representatives from the board traveled to Hickory to present her with this award. Dr. Leatherwood felt that it was important to visit her and thank her for her support and generosity. The permanent plaque is displayed at the entrance to the hospital. Past Philanthropists of the Year include, Beatrice Medford and Phyllis Prevost.
For more information about the HRMC Foundation please contact the Foundation office at 452-8343. The HRMC Foundation is a 501-C# whose mission is to promote and administer charitable gifts to advance and strengthen MedWest Haywood.