By Betsy Finklea
Dr. J. Phillip “Phil” Wallace was honored by McLeod Health on Thursday evening with a portrait unveiling and reception at the City of Dillon Wellness Center.
Donna Isgett, Senior Vice-President of Quality and Safety at McLeod Health, gave the welcome. She said two words described Dr. Wallace – “courageous” and “devoted.” She said Dr. Wallace was courageous because he does what it takes to make a difference and to improve the health and wellness of the community. She said Dr. Wallace was devoted to his family and the community.
John R. Braddy, vice-chairman of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and a City of Dillon councilman, recruited Dr. Wallace to the hospital 31 years ago. He said it is rare that a doctor stays in a community to which he has no ties for his whole career. He said it was a tribute to Dr. Wallace and his wife, Linda, who came to Dillon and reared their family here that their children have come back to Dillon.
Braddy said Dr. Wallace has served 20 years on city council. He said Dr. Wallace “dreams big” and wants a better quality of life for all of us. He said the Wellness Center came about due in large part to Dr. Wallace’s efforts. Braddy said Dr. Wallace fought to keep the Country Club open. He said Dr. Wallace recognizes quality of life brings industries, professionals, good doctors, and young people back to Dillon.
The excellent financial condition of the city is due in part to Dr. Wallace reminding the council to put aside money for depreciation. He said the City of Dillon is in better financial condition than communities the same size.
He said Dr. Wallace provided free sports physicals to students at all the schools. He has sponsored numerous youth sports teams.
Braddy said Dr. Wallace is an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church. He helped reactivate the men’s group, who does many projects to help the community such as the golf tournament that benefits the American Red Cross. He has also supported the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, and others.
“Dr. Wallace loves Dillon and has given back to the community in ways that many will never know about,” said Braddy. He called Dr. Wallace “godly” and “unselfish” and said that he was so glad that he and Linda made the choice to come to Dillon.
Joan Ervin, Associate Vice-President of Quality and Safety at McLeod Medical Center Dillon, talked about how instrumental Dr. Wallace is to the hospital and how she couldn’t do her job without him. She spoke about his service on the Medical executive Committee, which is the physician board that is responsible for the medical care and quality of care for the hospital. She said Dr. Wallace asks the hard questions and provides thoughtful reviews. He knows the community and its healthcare needs and is interested in doing what is best for the patient. Ervin said he was very instrumental in working out the hospitalist program and its processes.
Ervin said he had done so many things behind the scenes in healthcare and had a commitment to quality. She said he exemplified McLeod’s core values – the Value of Caring, the Value of the Person, the Value of Quality, and the Value of Integrity. She said she was incredibly grateful for his leadership.
Dr. Nicholas Wallace thanked everyone who came to honor his father, who had worked at McLeod since it was St. Eugene. He said Dr. Wallace came to Dillon via Miami and Charleston and made Dillon their home. He said Dr. Wallace does have big dreams. He said Dr. Wallace enjoys city council and has a vision. He said it was truly an honor to call him “dad” and said they were so proud of him.
After these remarks, the Wallace family unveiled the portrait, which will hang in the hall at McLeod-Dillon.
Dr. Wallace then made remarks about how he appreciated this recognition. He recalled the days before he actually came to live in Dillon when he would come in and fill in at the emergency room. He thanked the community for their support as well as his wife, Linda, and partner, Dr. Jim Kelly. He spoke about his love for Dillon.
Charles J. Bethea, chairman of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees, spoke about the consideration given when bestowing this honor.
He said Dr. Wallace was a champion of medical excellence and that he had “blessed and honored us with his distinguished career.”
After Bethea’s comments, a reception was held and guests spoke to the Wallace family.
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About Dr. Wallace
Provided by
McLeod Dillon
Dr. Phil Wallace is a compassionate physician, dedicated leader, inspiring mentor, and loyal friend to both McLeod and the Dillon Community.
Dr. Wallace earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Miami, Miami, Florida. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. In 1984, he made Dillon his home, establishing his practice, Dillon Internal Medicine, PA, where he has been providing quality care and compassion for his patients. In the same year, Dr. Wallace joined the Medical Staff of Saint Eugene Community Hospital, which is now known as McLeod Medical Center Dillon.
Over the past three decades Dr. Wallace has served on numerous hospital and medical staff committees with leadership roles as Medical Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He is in his eighth year serving as the Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness. Dr. Wallace has led the way for electronic medical records and reconciliation. He is an avid supporter of implementing evidence-based practices and has worked tirelessly to improve health outcomes at the Medical Center. Dr. Wallace’s commitment to providing the people of Dillon the best care available has been a driving force to the success of the hospital. His dedication, loyalty, and compassion for his patients, colleagues, and community earned him the prestigious McLeod Merit Award in May 2009.
Dr. Wallace is a civic leader serving his community in a number of ways. He has been on City Council for more than two decades, worked to support the building of the local community based fitness center, has provided free sports physicals for local schools and has been the high school team physician since 1984.
He has also chaired the annual golf tournament fundraiser for the local American Red Cross, and has been supportive of the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes.
Dr. Wallace is a very active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, starting and serving as Chairmen of the Methodist Men, a teacher for the men’s Sunday School class, and travels abroad for medical missions. Needless to say, Dr. Wallace has been a vital part of this town, with his unprecedented leadership and contribution to the Dillon Community.
Dr. Wallace and his wife of 36 years, Linda, have three children; Dr. Nicholas Wallace, Jennifer Wallace Easterling, and Dr. Kelley Wallace Jacobs, as well as six grandchildren.
