UNC Burn Center Unit Celebrates 10 Years

The Acute Burn and Wound Care Unit was funded by NC electric co-ops

In May, the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals acknowledged the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Acute Burn and Wound Care Unit, made possible with funding from North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

The Acute Burn and Wound Care Unit opened in 2011, allowing staff to cross-train in burn care, providing space for a new round treatment area, and adding 15 beds to increase the Center’s total capacity to 36 beds.

“Through our long-standing partnership with the UNC Jaycee Burn Center, we’re honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NC Electric Cooperative’s Acute Burn and Wound Unit and are thankful for the generous sponsors who made it possible,” said Dale Lambert, CEO of Randolph EMC and Burn Center Advisory Board member. “It’s important to provide care for the patients while they are in the burn unit and after they go home. We are fortunate to have such a world-renowned hospital in our state and are proud to have annually supported the Burn Center for over 20 years.”

The virtual celebration featured patient stories; remarks from Lambert; and welcoming words from Dr. Booker T. King, medical director at the NC Jaycee Burn Center.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have been a proud partner of the NC Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals since 1972 when the cooperatives’ Board of Directors pledged $40,000 to help create the center. Since then, the co-ops have contributed more than $2.2 million in support of youth burn prevention and education outreach programs, improvements in the pediatric playroom, research for wound care and healing processes, and other projects.

Fountain Honored for Burn Center Support

Ginny Fountain, retired director of Meeting Planning for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, was recently presented The Twelfth Person Award by the NC Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals. The annual award recognizes an individual who consistently supports the Burn Center, and has also demonstrated a high level of distinction as a role model in terms of integrity, humility, kindness, and service.
Over the years, Fountain has worked with three North Carolina cooperative CEOs serving on the Burn Center Advisory Board— Buddy Creed with South River EMC (retired); Randy Brecheisen with Piedmont Electric (retired); and Dale Lambert with Randolph EMC. “I am just a small part of the team who gave tirelessly to make our fundraisers bigger and better every year,” Fountain said.