Mary Harrigan, who has lead the Jefferson Cary Foundation as its Executive Director for nearly two decades has left her position to spend more time with family. Harrigan, who is the wife of Cary Medical Center long time Emergency Department physician Dan Harrigan, MD, has left her work with the foundation at a true high point of success. In addition to establishing the Executive Director position and managing a volunteer board of directors she has helped to build an endowment fund of more than $600,000 and total assets of nearly $900,000.

Throughout her career with the foundation Harrigan has coordinated capital campaigns raising more than $1 million dollars. The campaigns included the Center for Women and Children’s Health, the Women’s Imaging Center, and the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center. She began her work with the foundation as a member of the board of directors and was very involved with the foundation’s first campaign that lead to the creation of the Chan Center. Named for the late Dr. Francis Chan, the County’s first Orthopedic Surgeon, the Center has hosted hundreds of meetings and events over the past 25 years. Harrigan also coordinated the ‘Cary Classic’ Benefit Golf Tournament which is now in its 35th year. Pam Scheppele, who served as President of the foundation’s Board of Directors during most of her tenure said that Harrigan brought a steady hand and an organized approach to her work.

“Mary was very meticulous about acknowledging donors, keeping accurate records and making sure to remain on top of our investments and other financial issues. She was very dedicated to her work and has certainly established a legacy upon which we can build for generations to come”.

A highlight of Harrigan’s work with the foundation was the establishment of the ‘Tree of Life’ which is displayed in the main lobby of the hospital. The tree combines images of bronze and brass to create a warm and elegant appearance. Donors reaching $1,000 in donations to the foundation receive a leaf on the tree. Larger donations are recognized with stones that surround the tree. The effective recognition has been inspirational for many donors who make donations in memory or in honor of individuals.

Peter Doebener, now president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation Board, said that Harrigan has been so dedicated to her work that she will be hard to replace and will be missed.

“Cary Medical Center has this tradition of family”, said Doebener who also sits on the Board of Directors at Pines Health Services. “The Jefferson Cary Foundation has also taken on that sort of culture and over the years with a very solid board and where many of the directors have served for years you can’t help but establish some powerful relationships. We have come to rely on Mary to guide the ship, often through challenging economic times and she has set a very steady course. We wish her the very best as she now gets to spend more time with her own family and celebrate a new grandchild. As an organization we are very grateful for her leadership”.

Tami Kilcollins

With uncertain times ahead, particularly for rural hospitals in America, the success of the Jefferson Cary Foundation has provided Cary Medical Center with the ability to add new infrastructure and to grow services including the new Jefferson Cary Cancer Center and the Women’s Imaging Center. Kris Doody, RN, and Chief Executive Officer at Cary and Pines Health Services said that Mary Harrigan can leave her position knowing she has had a major impact on the future of the hospital.

“Having this permanent endowment now established and building towards $1 million dollars Mary has created a legacy that we can now nurture over the coming years that will be a great asset for the hospital providing additional financial support to meet a growing demand for services”, said Doody, who also sits on the foundation board. “She has also built great credibility and trust in our generous donors which is a critical factor in securing their future support.”

Tami Kilcollins, formerly with the Public Relations office at Cary, has been appointed as the new Executive Director for the Jefferson Cary Foundation and began work in her new position in May. For more information on the foundation and how you can contribute contact Tami Kilcollins at 207-493-4849 or online at carymedicalcenter.org.