In 1984, Healthy Charlotte Alliance established the James Gray Cannon Award. We present this award to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, on a voluntary basis, toward the advancement of medical care and good health in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Past recipients include hospital volunteers, organization founders and board members – people who, through their unselfish dedication to an organization or cause, have made a difference in our community.
Recipients of the Cannon Award are honored at our Annual Meeting and given the opportunity to choose a local non-profit to receive a $1000 donation from Healthy Charlotte Alliance.
The nomination window is now open for the 2019 Cannon Award and we will accept nominations until February 28, 2019. We invite you to nominate anyone who meets the criteria outlined by submitting an online nomination form. Nominees will remain on active file for consideration for three years. Volunteers, as well as health care professionals volunteering outside their paid positions, are eligible. Members of Healthy Charlotte Alliance are not eligible.
We look forward to receiving your nomination for this humanitarian award. If further information is needed, please feel free to contact Cannon Award Chairperson, Mimi Compton.
Previous Cannon Award Winners
2019 Dr. John Klimas has been the visionary behind Physicians Reach Out, an initiative of Care Ring. In the early 2000s, Dr. Klimas led the Mecklenburg County Medical Society Board of Directors to build a local network of physicians, volunteering to care for patients who were low-income, uninsured or otherwise excluded. Over the past 15 years, what began as a small but mighty physician recruitment team, has grown into a thriving, comprehensive network of 1,600 primary and specialty care providers who treat more than 4,000 patients each year. In May 2018, the amount of donated care since Physicians Reach Out began in 2004, exceeded $150 million! Even general surgery and oncology care are now provided to qualified patients. Thousands of people have received vital care since the inception of PRO and this incredible initiative would not exist today if not for the passion and leadership of Dr. Kilmas.
2018 Suzy Garvey has served multiple terms on the board of Hospitality House of Charlotte for the past 21 years. She has chaired and still serves on the Advisory Committee, Strategic Planning and Development Committee. Thank you Suzy for your service to the community.
2017 Meghan Hampton founder of “In the NIC of Time” which supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at Levine. Meghan is a fierce advocate for the smallest fighters in our community.
2016 Laura Funderburg for her work with Arts for Life, both in helping to launch the program at Levine Children’s Cancer Center and for her dedication, compassion and dependability as a volunteer.
2010 Mr. Howard C. “Smoky” Bissell for his leadership in the $85 million capital campaign for the Levine Children’s Hospital
2007 Ann Maulden Elliot, co-founder of what would become Friendship Trays, Charlotte- Mecklenburg’s nonprofit meals-on-wheels program
2006 Elizabeth “Lib” Harkey for her work with Florence Crittenton Services
2005 Edward T. Hinson for his work with Bioethics Resource Group
2004 Dr. Bill Cody- quietly worked to insure healthcare for the underserved, including homeless women and children and people living with HIV/AIDS
2003 Daphne Ledford-Founder of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Celia Support Group
2002 Quay Youngblood-Volunteer at Presbyterian Hospital for over 24 years.
2001 Barbara Hautau-Afflicted with MS since the late 70’s, formed a Christian based MS support group in 1993 and, with her husband, organized an annual banquet at Calvary Church for people with disabilities.
2000 Rex Welton-A prime force in the establishment of the Buddy Kemp Caring House which offers unique support for cancer patients, involved with the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Leukemia Society of America, the YMCA, Dalton Village, the Duke University Cancer Center, and the Presbyterian Hospital Foundation.
1999 Bruce Parker-Community philanthropist with a long-standing interest in hunger relief as well as support for housing and other health-related activities.
1998 Barbara Novell-Carolina Medical Center volunteer oncology floor, “Tea Lady”
1996 Charles G. (Chuck) Richards-Board Member Mecklenburg Medical Alliance’s Inn (MMAE’s Inn), recognized for constant support of MMAE’s Inn, raising funds through Wine and Food Weekend 1997
Previous Cannon Award Winners (continued)
1995 Sharon O. Dixon-Hospice nurse volunteer, Nurse Coordinator, Director, Professional Services, Hospice
1994 Thereasea Elder- founder, Cleo Young Scholarship Award in Nursing (Queens College), Drafting team for 50% by 2000 program to reduce teen pregnancy, organizer of health fairs and educational programs for women and pregnant adolescents.
1993 R. Stuart Dickson-Chairman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority; Director, Dickson Foundation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Health Services and Hospital Authority Foundation, Heinemann Medical Research Center and Foundation for Carolinas
1992 Dr. Linda A Berne-Founder and President, Mecklenburg Council on Adolescent Pregnancy, March of Dimes, NC Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy.
1991 Jan and Darrell Hargett-Founders and Presidents, “Wish I Could” (an organization for granting wishes of chronically and terminally ill children)
1990 Deborah Crouch McKeithan-Founder and President, “Learning How, Inc.” (an organization dedicated to helping physical handicapped persons achieve fullest potential)
1989 Hilda Hemby-Charlotte Memorial Hospital volunteer, Intensive care waiting room, active in the implementation of the Patient Representative Program
1988 Donald Simpson-Founder and President, Mission Air Industries, Inc. (an organization to provide air ambulance service for the sick and insured that would not be available financially or “in time”)
1987 Mary Elizabeth Crook-Founder, Presbyterian Hospital Auxiliary Sales Room, volunteer at Presbyterian Hospital for 44 years, board member, Barium Springs and Alexander Home
1986 Sarah B. Bryant-President, Florence Crittenden Home Board of Directors; Founder, Planned Parenthood of Charlotte; Chairman, Charlotte Rehabilitation Hospital Board of Advisors
1985 Austin Theis-Chairman, Mercy Hospital Board
1984 James G. Cannon-Commissioner for Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority; Chairman Charlotte Memorial Hospital Board of Managers, Director of Heinemann Foundation (Dec.)
