Thirty years ago, two local medical groups made a decision that would shape healthcare in Iredell County for generations. Piedmont HealthCare began as a simple idea when leaders from Statesville Medical Group and Iredell Medical Associates recognized the potential of working together and proposed a merger. That idea became reality in June 1996, when the two groups officially united to form Piedmont HealthCare.
At the time, Dr. Ralph Bentley, chairman of the organization’s first board of directors, explained the purpose behind the merger: “The merger stems from a mutual desire to help patients maintain control over their choice of physician.” That patient first philosophy continues to guide Piedmont HealthCare three decades later.
What began with 55 physicians across several specialties has since grown into a network of more than 200 providers representing over 20 specialties, serving patients throughout Iredell and surrounding counties. This growth has brought care closer to home—reducing travel, improving access to specialists, and strengthening collaboration among providers to deliver coordinated, patient-focused care.
Dr. Walter Meadors, a founding member of Piedmont HealthCare and its current medical director, has witnessed nearly every chapter of that growth firsthand. After practicing as an OBGYN in Statesville since 1987 and with PHC for nearly 30 years, Dr. Meadors reflects on what has remained constant. “From the very beginning,” he shares, “this was about physicians working together to protect the doctor-patient relationship. We believed then, and still believe now, that care is best when decisions are made locally by doctors who truly know their patients.”
That same philosophy continues to guide leadership today. CEO Jeffrey Smith emphasizes that growth has never been about expansion for its own sake, but about stewardship: “Our responsibility is to honor what was built 30 years ago while making thoughtful decisions to ensure Piedmont HealthCare remains strong, independent, and patient focused.”
At its heart, Piedmont HealthCare’s strength lies in the people who have helped build it. Lorraine Lambert, office manager at PHC Pediatrics, began her career with Statesville Medical Group 39 years ago.
“I started in pediatrics as a receptionist with Dr. Bentley, Dr. Willhide, and Dr. Lewis, without any medical experience,” Lorraine recalls. “Those doctors, and nurses Darlene and Sandy, taught me so much.”
When asked what has kept her at PHC for nearly four decades, her answer reflects the lasting relationships formed through pediatric care. “My favorite part of my job is the babies—watching them grow and reach milestones,” she smiles. “Then those babies come back as parents with babies of their own, and I get to see them again (and get hugs, of course!). That’s why I’ve stayed so long. Pediatrics has been my second home for nearly 40 years, and the doctors and staff are absolutely amazing.”
As Piedmont HealthCare celebrates 30 years of service, it remains rooted in stories like Lorraine’s—stories of dedication, compassion, and enduring relationships with patients and families. Looking ahead, PHC remains committed to its physician-owned legacy and to building a healthier future for the communities it serves.
