I am a native of Hertford, NC. After attending College of the Albemarle, I transferred to UNC Eshelman SOP, and graduated in December 1976. My professional career began in retail pharmacy before joining Chowan Hospital in Edenton and later, Bertie Hospital in Windsor. I served both hospitals at all levels for over 40 years, 36 as Director of Pharmacy, and I continue to practice at both facilities today. In addition I was intimately involved in the Vidant Health organization collaborating with the system pharmacy directors, medical staff, ancillary services, and corporate leadership steering the Vidant Pharmacy Clinical Group.
On April 30, 2010, I completed ten years of service as a member of the BOP. I believe my service as a hospital pharmacist, was conspicuously important to the people of North Carolina as I brought to the Board an expertise in health system pharmacy, a perspective often under-represented, and currently not represented on the Board.
I again seek the opportunity to serve on the Board, working to protect the health and safety of North Carolina’s citizens and to serve you, a practicing pharmacist. I recognize the Board must hold a progressive attitude about regulatory matters, constantly striving to ensure that pharmacy regulation does not place artificial barriers to practice innovation, while still ensuring that the public is properly protected. During my prior service on the Board, I worked to assure enforcing compliance with BOP rules was done in a compassionate manner, non-punitive in nature, and with education and assistance as our focus.
In addition to the BOP, many opportunities for community service have given me a knowledge of the true meaning of boardsmanship and service to others. I have served for 16 years on the Perquimans County Board of Education and 10 years on the County’s Commission where I currently serve as Chairman. I’ve held a number of appointments by Governors Martin, Hunt, McCrory, and Cooper, to the College of the Albemarle Board of Trustees, NC Marine Industrial Authority, Governor’s Councils, Institutes and Legislative Commissions, some studying means of reducing alcohol and other substance abuse. I have the honor of serving on many local boards, the Board of Health, Social Services Board, Planning Board, and a number of others. I treasure the opportunity to serve in our church, the Gideons, and prison ministry.
In recognition of my Board of Education service, in 2011 the NC School Boards Association awarded me the Raleigh Dingman Award, the highest award bestowed on a School Board member which gave me an opportunity to represent NC’s School Boards on the NC State Board of Education. In 2010 Governor Perdue conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of service and commitment to North Carolinians.
I am married to the former Freda Godwin (a retired educator). We are blessed to be the parents of Ethan (a practicing dentist), Lauren (a human resources manager) and two grandchildren, Reagan and Harrison.
