HENDERSONVILLE – Pardee Hospital Foundation recently hired two local professionals to lead resource development efforts on behalf of the organization. Melissa Witmeier will serve the organization as Development Director, overseeing all aspects of giving with a special emphasis on major gifts and capacity building for the future of Pardee UNC Health Care.  Her new counterpart, Sarah Swartz, will support Witmeier with work in the areas of annual giving and special events.

“I am so excited to fill the Pardee Hospital Foundation bench with these two talented professionals,” said Foundation Executive Director Amy Treece. “Melissa and Sarah bring a wealth of experience, focus and commitment that fuels our mission of advancing community health and well-being through prevention and treatment at Pardee.”

Witmeier joins Pardee Hospital Foundation after serving for the last year as the executive director at the Henderson County Council on Aging. Prior to that, Witmeier was vice president of grant strategies with the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Jacksonville, Florida, increasing grant revenue by over 25 percent during her tenure. Witmeier’s experience also includes five years leading the district office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Tallahassee, Florida, where she increased revenue through new annual golf tournaments, events and sponsorships by $1 million.

Sarah Swartz brings over 25 years of health and marketing experience to her new role and is excited to return to Hendersonville after spending a year in Greenville, South Carolina, as studio administrator for Southern Om Hot Yoga. Previously, Sarah managed marketing and communications efforts and the Women United affinity program at United Way of Henderson County from 2019 to 2022.

“Without a doubt, the supporters, staff and patients of Pardee UNC Health Care will benefit from these two new additions to the Foundation team. We are thrilled about the work that we will do together to advance the health of our community,” Treece said.

About Pardee Hospital Foundation

Pardee Hospital Foundation was approved as a non-profit Foundation in January 1996. Since its inception, the Foundation has generated over $30 million in pledges and cash gifts for Pardee services.

About Pardee UNC Health Care

Pardee UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. Pardee has several locations separate from the main campus, including a comprehensive physician practice network, a cancer center, four urgent care locations and six orthopedic clinics. For more information or to find a physician, visit PardeeHospital.org.