To see pictures from the ceremony click here access code Breast_Cancer_Gift1
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Chester Arzell Montgomery, a beloved Stokes County civic leader and U.S. Air Force veteran, established an endowed fund of more than $3 million through the Novant Health Foundation to advance breast cancer care across the Triad.
“This incredibly generous gift is rooted in gratitude and entirely focused on paying it forward,” said Alisha Hutchens, president of Novant Health’s acute care facilities in the Triad Region, and president of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health Medical Park Hospital. “Expressing gratitude was important to Chester, and this gift was something he wanted to see through before he passed. Both Chester and Helen recognized the powerful role that expert, personalized and compassionate care plays throughout a patient’s life. Because of the care they received, they found hope here, and Chester wanted to leave a gift that would help spark that same hope in the hearts of others.”
The endowment will advance several breast health initiatives, including research, expanded patient support services and the addition of another breast cancer nurse navigator position at the Novant Health Derrick L. Davis Cancer Institute in Winston-Salem.
Nurse navigators guide patients through their treatment journeys — from removing barriers to care, such as transportation challenges, to scheduling appointments and connecting patients with support programs.
“We care for nearly 800 new patients with breast cancer each year in the Triad,” said Dr. David Rizzieri, physician in chief of the Novant Health Cancer Institute. “Breast cancer is, unfortunately, common – one in eight women will face this diagnosis. Our commitment is to provide expert, individualized care for every patient we serve. This gift allows us to expand that commitment by not only adding an additional full-time breast cancer nurse navigator right here in the Triad, but also investing in clinical research to discover better ways to treat patients in need.”
A deep appreciation
Novant Health also provided care for Montgomery’s first wife during her battle with breast cancer in the 1970s. Over the years, these care experiences built a framework of respect, trust and gratitude between Montgomery and the care team at Novant Health.
Montgomery worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and supported numerous civic planning initiatives in Walnut Cove, North Carolina. He was also an active member of First Baptist Church of Walnut Cove and enjoyed volunteering through the United Way.
Through this remarkable act of generosity, the Montgomery family’s legacy of service and compassion will continue to support patients and families across the region for generations to come.
To learn more about how you can support Novant Health Foundation and advance healthcare in the Triad region, visit SupportNovantHealth.org.
The Novant Health Cancer Institute is nationally recognized for providing leading-edge care across the Carolinas. To learn more or find a location near you, visit NovantHealth.org/Cancer.
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About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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