Investing in healthcare professionals to make and keep us well

Connie and Brendan McSheehy, now both in their 70s, came to Abingdon, Virginia, from northeast Georgia in 1990. It didn’t take long for love of the Appalachian Highlands to take root in their hearts. Connie’s office career included a law practice, an accounting firm and United Way. Brendan’s textile chemistry and business background led to 32 terrific years (and counting) with Universal Fibers with Universal Fibers. Their professional opportunities enabled the McSheehys to raise their son in Abindgon, who married a local gal and is now raising his own child (now a teenager) just across the state line in Bristol, Tennessee. 

Connie and Brendan have long believed that investment isn’t just about stocks, bonds or bank accounts. Farmers invest their time and skill to achieve a harvest, educators and child care workers invest theirs to produce young adults and law enforcement and first responders invest theirs to keep us safe. Perhaps most importantly of all, healthcare professionals invest theirs to make and keep us well. Put that all together and you have a thriving community — all based on investing for a better future. But wait … farmers need farms. Educators need schools. First responders need equipment and facilities. And excellent healthcare needs excellent hospitals, clinics and diagnostics. 

Connie and Brendan see Ballad Health Foundation serving both the present and the future. Visiting Ballad Health’s network of facilities gave them an appreciation for the healing that takes place across the region. The campaign to expand Niswonger Children’s Hospital will impact many of our area’s children and families. The McSheehys believe in the Foundation’s mission and want to help, both now and when they’re no longer here. So they’ve chosen to include the Foundation among their estate-planning designees. Simply put, a portion of what they haven’t spent in retirement will do great good when they no longer have need of it. “We realize that Ballad Health and the Foundation are totally committed to the communities they serve. We want to help, not just now, but through a legacy gift, too.”