Carolyn Leak, LPN began her nursing career with Scotland Memorial Hospital nearly 41 years ago, when the hospital was on McLean Street, about five miles from the current hospital location.

It was the year Richard Nixon was elected president, the first man walked on the moon, Woodstock took place on a New York farm, and the Vietnam war was at its height.

Though she started nursing as a graduate practice nurse, Leak soon passed her boards and became an LPN. At a retirement celebration Scotland Health Care System President and CEO Greg Wood spoke of Leak’s career.

“We can attribute Carolyn’s 40 plus years primarily to her commitment to her profession, her patients and her ability to continue to find joy as well as reward in what she did, particularly being a nurse, which is extremely hard and labor intensive work," Wood said. "She is a talented and committed individual and we are delighted to honor her and very sorry to see her go. We thank you, Carolyn, for modeling excellence for us for almost 41 hard years.”

Leak described her career as "great."

"I’m leaving with mixed feelings," she said. "I tried to treat my patients as I would want to be treated myself. You have become my family and I’m going to miss all of you. I thank God who safely led me to travel from Richmond County to Scotland County these 40 years. I plan to stay busy in my community and my church, doing what I can to help my fellow man. I love people and enjoy helping people.”

On June 24 Wayne Lampley ended her 21- year career and began a new phase in life with her husband, Mitchell Lampley. The couple is eagerly looking forward to their retirement years together.

Lampley has served as an administrative assistant to Vice Presidents Ruth Glaser and Matt Pracht and at times, Greg Wood.

“I have worked with Wayne for the past ten years,” said Ruth Glaser, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “She is the most pleasant person to be around. I often hear from contractors, vendors, consultants and others who call or visit the hospital about how delightful Wayne is each and every time they speak with her. For me, personally, I am going to miss her incredible organizational skills because she helps keep me organized. She has a wonderful, outgoing personality and is always very professional. She is going to be greatly missed.”

Lampley says she will miss the people with whom she has worked for so many years and who have become her friends.

“I will miss many things about Scotland Memorial but my husband and I are very much looking forward to our retirement together.”

“Scotland Health Care System is a special place and we are a special family,” Wood said. “Our people serve our patients day in and day. Some people, such as Carolyn and Wayne, choose to give many years to this institution. Thankfully, their families allow them to do so.”