“McLeod is our hospital.”

That was Dr. Mark Fox’s instant response when asked why he and his wife, Cathy, so generously support the McLeod Health Foundation.

In the early 1990s when the Foxes settled in Florence, McLeod Health welcomed them into the community. Dr. Fox went on to practice most of his professional career with McLeod Hospice and Palliative Care.

McLeod has now become a family affair as both of their sons-in-law trained in the Family Medicine Residency program and practice as Hospitalists with McLeod Health.

Hospice care has been an important focus for Dr. Fox for more than 30 years. He was instrumental during the early years in expanding access to end-of-life care through McLeod Hospice. Dr. Fox not only led the clinical efforts but focused on educating the public and medical staff on the value of hospice care.

He also guided efforts to establish the McLeod Palliative Care program after personal experiences with his parents. He helped develop the program that believes all patients with chronic illness deserve medical management based on their personal goals.

Dr. Fox currently serves as National Medical Director for Kindred at Home Hospice and Palliative Care yet hopes to return to hospice patient care in his retirement.

While supporting her husband’s practice, Cathy also established our community’s much-loved Woofers program which has numerous devotees with dog-loving families.

When the Foxes learned of the McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting Sponsor Endowment, they knew they wanted to fund an endowment to provide enduring support for the program that has been such an important part of their life.

The annual A Light for Someone You Love Tree Lighting is always a special time of remembrance for McLeod Hospice families and a chance for clinicians to see families who have been in their care. At the 2004 Tree Lighting, Dr. Fox was honored with the Spirit of Hospice Award for his caring leadership.

Working with their financial planner, the Foxes decided to fully fund the endowment through their retirement account.

“It was important for us to completely fund the endowment so that our regular monthly giving could now support the Butterfly Fund,” shares Dr. Fox.

“I remember purchasing necessary items needed by my patients who could not afford them. The Butterfly Fund is a great safety net for hospice and palliative care patients with extreme financial needs. Cathy and I want to be a part of that,” continues Dr. Fox.

Cathy also generously supports McLeod Foundation events with Woofers packages for silent auctions. These popular packages from their family business always prove to be one of the most bid-upon auction items.

The Fox family has wisely dedicated their giving to have an immediate impact for patients today as well as ensuring care is available in perpetuity. Our entire region benefits from their generosity.