Retiring Board Chair Reflects on Years with Carilion, New Chair Committed to Service

"Medicine is about the future…" wrote George B. Cartledge, Jr., in an editorial published in the Roanoke Times in October 2006. The words are also a fitting way to describe his contribution to Carilion and the community as he served as chairman of the Carilion Clinic Board of Directors.

A long-time resident of Roanoke and chairman of Grand Home Furnishings, Cartledge’s interest in community service led him to accept a position on the board of directors for Roanoke Memorial Hospital in 1975. As a member of the board’s Finance Committee, he encouraged dialogue between Roanoke Memorial and its rival, Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley, leading to a historic merger and the creation of Carilion Health System in 1990.

In January 1990, Cartledge became chairman of the Carilion Health System Board of Directors. Over the next ten years, Carilion grew into one of the largest healthcare organizations in Virginia, while maintaining its focus on patient care and community development.

"The responsibility of the board of directors is to understand and address the mounting pressures in healthcare," Cartledge said. "We must assure each and every member of our community that we have the best possible healthcare available, now and in the future."

Cartledge guided the organization to create a regional investment fund, expand facilities and healthcare services, consolidate the Roanoke hospitals and develop the riverside Center. He also played a critically important leadership role in the development of the Carilion Clinic strategy, including the planned joint medical school and research institute, which will yield significant benefits to the region.

"We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Cartledge for his commitment and contribution, and welcome his continued participation on the board as we move forward into a promising future," said Edward G. Murphy, M.D., Carilion Clinic’s president and CEO.

Cartledge will continue to serve on board and executive committee

Incoming Board Chairman, James Hartley, added praise for the "excellent manner in which George Cartledge has led the board for the past 18 years."

According to Hartley, "George has served as chairman during some of the most challenging times of Carilion's history. No one has been more dedicated to Carilion than George Cartledge."

James A. Hartley Elected New Chairman

The new chairman of Carilion Clinic’s Board of Directors is no stranger to the organization, or to the concept of community service. James Hartley is the president of Pearisburg-based law firm Hartley and Chidester, P.C. His name is well-known in the region, having served as the Giles County commonwealth’s attorney for 11 years. Hartley currently serves as town attorney for Pearisburg, Rich Creek and Pembroke.

His association with Carilion dates back to the 70’s when, as practicing attorney in Pearisburg, he worked with Giles Memorial Hospital to negotiate a management agreement with Roanoke Hospital Association, the predecessor to Carilion Health System and Carilion Clinic.

Hartley’s commitment to the region’s healthcare came in a much more personal and powerful way. In 1983 his son Andrew was born with a rare form of pediatric osteopetrosis. He describes the next few years as an emotional "rollercoaster" of hospitals, specialists, exhilaration and despair. Andrew passed away in 1990. The experience left Hartley forever changed, and committed to a cause.

"I resolved that if I ever had the chance to improve the delivery of healthcare in a small town, I would seize that chance," Hartley says. "Because of my personal experiences with Andrew in so many hospitals and the years I served on the Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital and Carilion boards, I have always tried to look at each decision and issue from the perspective of the patient and the patient’s family. We cannot forget that our hospitals exist to care for patients."

"James is a valued member of our board and we are very pleased that he has agreed to accept the position of chairman," said Murphy. "His community service experience, keen insight, business acumen and desire to make our community a better place will serve us well."