Friends and employees of Rural Health Services celebrated one of their own April 16 at the Clyburn Center, gathering to cheer the near-completion of a new facility and to honor Carolyn Emanuel-McClain, RHS' chief executive officer.
The CEO, in the front row of a gathering of about 115 people, was announced as the new building's namesake, as visible near the main entrance, on Clyburn Place, in bold white letters on red brick: Emanuel-McClain Women and Children's Health Center. Plans are for the facility to open in early May.
"She was the genesis of all this," said Liz Stewart, the chairman of the board of directors, in helping announce the honor. "This beautiful new facility will ensure for generations to come that Rural Health Services will continue to provide the opportunities for our community that Carolyn envisioned. Our organization and our community are inspired by the legacy and the leadership of Carolyn, and we're going to commit to working to sustain and build on that legacy."
Stewart said she and her fellow board members are "honored to recognize her inspiring example" and name the facility in the CEO's honor. A standing ovation followed.
Emanuel-McClain also addressed the gathering. "I'm honored to the utmost," she said, expressing gratitude to board members of the past and present alike.
She also acknowledged that the salute came as a surprise. "Everyone that kept this from me, it wasn't easy. Y'all know you can't pull things over on me, but you did it this time."
Among the new building's biggest features, as unveiled in Tuesday's event, is a mural with white text on a purple background, offering a professional biography of the CEO, from her completion of a master's degree at the University of North Carolina up through the past couple of years, including being named as Aiken's "Woman of the Year" for 2022 by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken, was among the event's speakers and acknowledged support from a wide range of neighbors. "If you just look around in this room, you will see those who are interested in maternal health and a child's growth and development. I see so many of my friends. I see contractors, I see elected officials, I see employees and, of course, I see bankers," he said, triggering a wave of laughter.
"This just didn't happen," he said, referring to the health center's expansion and Emanuel-McClain's advocacy. "It took a lot of courage, a lot of effort and a lot of dignity. I know what you went through. We appreciate it. If it were not for you, I don't think it would have been possible."
The Clyburn Center, about 100 yards from the new building, has two stories, and one observer noted Tuesday that the new facility can be seen as a third story, in terms of helping address the need for more space to carry out the RHS mission. The aim is "to provide accessible, quality, comprehensive primary healthcare services in a dignified and culturally-competent manner to the population in Aiken County and surrounding area," as stated on the RHS website.
Among the festivities' sponsors were such organizations as Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Molina Healthcare, Paragon Builders, Augusta Business Interiors and Absolute Total Care.
