Dr. C. Franklin Church…Key Friend

Veteran’s Day…!

Remembering my fallen friends:  Danny Watkins, Michael Charles, Kenny Delaney, and Frank Campbell, Jr.. Each served and gave their all! Also, remembering all my other fellow veterans, here and those that have passed on.

Key Friend…!

In a previous Post, I identified three “Key Friends” recognized for having an extraordinary impact on “Friends of Copey’s” success. This week I highlight one of the three and provide some of the background and reasons for the distinction of “Key Friend”.

Dr. C. Franklin Church has worked in the medical field over 30 years. He spent time in the clinical and the administrative fields, both in practice and in the health plan perspective. He received his medical degree and postgraduate training at Duke University. His work

history includes family physician and medical service with a health care provider. Other titles include founding partner of Raleigh Family Physicians, Senior VP and NC Medical Director affiliated with United Healthcare Group Company.  And, he is a former President of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. Even today while in semi-retirement, he is the Chief Medical Officer for IndUShealth, located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dr. Church’s connection with my family goes back much further than his days of medicine. In the early 1940’s, when Dr. Church was still a toddler, he and his sibblings were under the watchful eye and care of my mother while my father was employed by Dr. Church’s father. The relationship between my mother and Dr. Church continued right up to the day my mother passed away in 2013.

Before officially launching the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund (AGBSF) in late 2013, I asked Dr. Church to co-chair this scholarship project with me. He agreed and both his moral and financial support has been a true blessing. Last Febuary 2019, we completed our sixth year of the AGBSF. We, “Friends of Copey”, estimate the scholarship funds raised has provided financial assistance to the equivalent of 100 students or more.

Although this is a staggering level of support provided voluntarily, we believe the more remarkable benefit has been our ability to help the Copey Learning Center keep their educational doors open over these six years. In doing so, our support has allowed both those capable of paying and those needing some help to have this rare opportunity in the rural community to learn English. 

Dr. Church’s reputation as a leader in the medical profession is well established. And for me, he is also well established as a “Friend of Copey”.  The AGBSF would not have gone this far and done this much without his close and personal interest and support. To have him as co-chair has provided the scholarship fund and other projects we support, the stability and sustainability needed to be effective and successful.

And, working together to honor the memory of Anne G. Broady is an added blessing. We know she would be amazed to see our unanticipated alliance working closely with 2,500 miles of separation for a cause that is even outside this country…all done to honor her memory. Thanks Lin!

A Follow Up Note!

Thanks to you who sent such warm and heartfelt messages regarding the passing of Lou Peery, my dear friend. I appreciate having some of the very best people out there being “Friends”.

Last but Certainly Not the Least!

Katherine Johnson continues to rack up awards and recognitions. This week, President Trump signed the “Hidden Figures Congressional Gold medal Act” into Law. This law will serve to honor Katherine (age 101), Dorothy Vaughan, Christine Darden, and Mary Jackson for their contributions to NASA during the Space Race.