Sunday, September 29, 2024–5:35 p.m.
-News Release-
After 52 years of faithful, dedicated service, AdventHealth Redmond and The Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors announced the retirement of Ms. Wanda J. Whitten from both the hospital and the foundation. Ms. Whitten has been employed with the hospital since before its opening on July 4, 1972. She has served the Heart of the Community Foundation since 2007.
Durning her tenure at AdventHealth Redmond, Wanda Whitten served in a variety of roles. A registered dietician, she was the hospital’s first Director of Nutritional Services. She eventually moved into the Marketing and Community Relations department, serving as the Director of the hospital’s former H2U Senior Adult Program. In this role, she coordinated health events, trips, and published a quarterly newsletter. During her time with the hospital, she received the Dr. Thomas F. Frist Humanitarian Award for outstanding service.
In 2007, Ms. Whitten stepped into a new role on behalf of the hospital as the Event Planner and Coordinator for The Heart of the Community Foundation. During her time in this role, she oversaw the annual production of the Awards of Honor gala as well as several community service projects supported by the Heart of the Community Foundation. One of the largest projects she oversaw was the building of the Heart House on the hospital’s campus, which provides a place to stay for out-of-town families of critically ill patients. In 2013, the Heart of the Community Foundation honored Ms. Whitten by naming the house in her honor: the Wanda J. Whitten Heart House.
Throughout her years in the Rome community, Wanda Whitten has been an engaged member of numerous community events and organizations. She is a long-time member of the Exchange Club of Rome, previously coordinating the Youth of the Year awards, A.C.E. Awards, and the Santa for Seniors program. She also previously served on the board of the Coosa Valley Fair Association. Ms. Whitten received the Exchange Club of Rome’s Member of the Year award as well as the Georgia District Exchange Club Volunteer of the Year award. In recognition of her extensive service, the Georgia District Exchange Club named its annual volunteer of the year award in her honor.
Ms. Whitten continues to serve as a member of the Senior Promotions Council and chairs the annual Senior Inforum. She is a former member and Past President of the Pilot Club of Rome and served as Director of the Miss Rome Program from 1989 through 2003. In 2003, the Miss Georgia Scholarship Program promoted Ms. Whitten to Miss Georgia Field Director, a role she continues to hold. Additionally, in 2019 she was named Vice President of the Miss Georgia Four Points Scholarship Board, a 501c3 organization.
About The Heart of the Community Foundation
The first Heart of the Community Awards of Honor event was held on February 27, 1987. The awards continue to this day as a way of honoring individuals in our community for outstanding community service and self-less volunteerism. Since its beginning, the Foundation has continued to raise money to support heart health and humanitarian projects in Rome and Floyd County. AdventHealth Redmond is the presenting sponsor for the Heart of the Community and the Awards of Honor. For additional information on The Heart of the Community Foundation, visit www.TheHeartoftheCommunity.org.