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SLIDESHOW: Big crowd celebrates Pardee's 60th

Marnie McClung and Dr. Ken Shelton enjoy Pardee Hospital's Diamond Jubilee.

Pardee Hospital Foundation recognized the annual philanthropist of the year and its first physician of the year during a Diamond Jubilee dinner and dance that marked the hospital's 60th birthday at the Blue Ridge Conference Hall at BRCC.

Philanthropist of the year Don Holder was honored for his service to the hospital for more than 30 years, including his leadership on the hospital board and as a founder of the hospital foundation, while radiologist Ken Shelton was recognized for his service to the hospital and leadership in the community in health care, fitness and anti-tobacco programs aimed at youth.
Pardee Hospital Foundation's board of directors presents the philanthropy award each year to a member of the community that has made an outstanding contribution to Pardee Hospital, the Pardee Hospital Foundation and the improvement of the community's health care. Past winners include Bob and Doris Eklund, Dr. Colin Thomas, Grace Vineyard, Dr. Phillip Sellers, Dot Marlow, Kenneth Youngblood and Eleanora Meloun.
Holder has been an active member of the Hendersonville community for over 30 years. Along with founding and serving as president of Four Seasons Financial Services Inc., he has actively volunteered for a litany of organizations in the area, truly exemplifying what it means to serve one's hometown. Don has been a longtime active member of Pardee Hospital's Board of Trustees, including three-term President, founding President and Chairman of the Pardee Hospital Foundation and Pardee Urgent Care Board member.
Pardee also honored radiologist Ken Shelton as its first Physician of the Year.

"I don't why it's taken us this long to present this award," Pardee CEO Jay Kirby said.
Shelton, a receiver on the University of Virginia football team, has served at Pardee Hospital since 1987 with the Hendersonville Radiological practice. He has served as chief of staff at Pardee Hospital, among other medical appointments, and is an advocate of biking and walking as a transportation alternative.

He has worked with local government to consider expansion of biker friendly roads within the region, and to educate the public on alternative transportation methods.
He founded the Tobacco Free for Life program in Hendersonville and was instrumental in bringing the New Zealand Olympic Swim Team to Hendersonville for a two-week training camp before the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Diamond sponsors of the event were First Citizens Bank and Shelley's Jewelry, and gold sponsors were law firm Carlton Fields, MagMutual insurance company and WTZQ radio.