Salisbury, N.C. - North Carolina has always been home to Gregg Evans. Even when his service in the United States Air Force took him to places hundreds of miles away and across oceans, he never forgot where he came from and the people who guided him throughout his life. It is that type of personal connection that brought Evans to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center as a volunteer in 2008.
Born and raised in Rowan County, Evans lost both his parents at an early age. His mother when he was 12 years old and his father at 16. After moving to Salisbury at 16, he went to work bagging groceries at Food Town, the local supermarket co-founded by Wilson L. Smith – the same Wilson L. Smith for whom the Rowan Medical Center Wilson L. Smith Outpatient Center is named. Smith would become a very close mentor and friend to Evans during his life.
Immediately after high school graduation, Evans, like Smith many years before, joined the Air Force. During his military career, Evans was stationed in Japan and Cape Canaveral, Florida. His first day of basic training, Evans learned his sergeant was from Rowan County and knew Evans’ whole family. While in Japan, he realized his commander taught at the high school in Salisbury from which Gregg had recently graduated. Even though he was traveling the world, Evans recalls he had this constant connection to home during his military career and it was a gift.
After completing his time with the Air Force, Evans knew the only place he wanted to be was back home. He returned to work for Food Town once again under Smith. In 2008, Smith asked Evans if he was interested in helping at the hospital. Evans responded that if Smith’s name is attached to it, then whatever it is, it’s worth doing. Evans has been volunteering at Rowan Medical Center ever since.
Now 74, Evans has been married 50 years and has three children (two sons and a daughter) and nine grandchildren. He spends 24 hours a month at the medical center volunteering in the family support center’s surgical waiting area. In this role, he coordinates between family members and medical center staff, as well as helping to answer questions from family members.
“Gregg is a shining example of an individual who enjoys giving back to his community,” said Rick Parker, executive director of the foundation at Rowan Medical Center. “Not only does he volunteer for the medical center, but each year he participates in our Veterans Day ceremony.”
Evans remains very involved in local military groups, specifically the military honor guard, a group of 12 veterans who put on their uniforms 60 to 70 times a year and attend the funerals of former servicemen and women.
Evans said that volunteering at the medical center has made him a better person since the doctors and nurses set such high standards for themselves and really care about what they do. Likewise, working alongside Evans has made his colleagues at Novant Health better people, too
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