About the Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Foundation?
A. The Johnston Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization set up to raise money for the hospital. Its 25 members represent a cross section of the county.
Q: How does the Foundation raise money?
A: After organizing in 1992, the Foundation adopted the popular Dr. Hubert Poteat Golf Tournament. The event started in the early 1980s as a fundraiser for the hospital. It was named in honor of Dr. Hubert Poteat, a prominent general surgeon, after his passing in 1992.
Q: Who was Dr. Hubert Poteat?
A: A native of Wake Forest, Dr. Poteat was a Navy doctor. Early on, his career carried him to New York.
When Johnston Memorial opened in 1950, then Hospital Administrator Lloyd Gilbert called Dr. Poteat to ask if he was interested in a job as general surgeon. He jumped at the offer to return to North Carolina and ended up practicing in Smithfield until his retirement.
At the peak of his game, Dr. Poteat was a scratch golfer, says his daughter, Barbara King. At 75, he was shooting his own age, she says.
Q: Where does the money go?
A: Over the years, proceeds from Foundation fundraisers have paid for numerous items, including:
- Construction of Johnston Health's SECU Hospice House
- Linear accelerator, which is a piece of equipment used in radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Nurse call system for the Cancer Center
- Cardiac rehab equipment for HealthQuest
- Audio/visual equipment for Johnston Medical Mall and Conference Center
- Construction needs for Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield and JMC-Clayton