Nash Health Care recently named its surgery pavilion after J. Claude Mayo, Jr, at an official naming ceremony Thursday evening on the Nash Health Care campus. Mayo is a former Nash Health Care board member and long-time member and chairman of the Nash County Board of Commissioners.

"This is a great day in the life of our health care system," said Larry Chewning, CEO of Nash Health Care. "This is truly a state-of-the-art facility and it is great because of the wonderful people who work in it. It is truly a world-class facility and the equal of any other in the state."

NHCS Board Chairman Robert (Ziggy) Zalzneck said Mayo's involvement and insight on prominent expansion projects while a member of the Nash Health Care Board of Commissioners were instrumental in introducing Nash Day Hospital as one of the nation's first freestanding, outpatient surgery facilities. Other projects that were a result of his vision include the Hardee's Heart Center and a state-of-the-art Women's Center.

"The stability and integrity that Claude Mayo has brought to the business affairs of the county and the welfare of the hospital and its constituents makes this a deserving accolade," said NHCS Board Chairman Robert (Ziggy) Zalzneck.

Opened in 2004, the Claude Mayo Jr. Surgery Pavilion is a state-of-the-art, $26 million facility that consists of seven operating rooms, a cysto suite, 14 pre-op rooms and 13 recovery rooms. The 84,800 square-foot pavilion serves as a "one-stop shop" where patients can complete pre-operational labwork without having to go to different locations. It also houses the Nash Surgical Weight Loss Center and the nationally recognized Rocky Mount Heartburn Treatment Center.

Mayo expressed his gratitude and emphasized that outstanding medical facilities such as Nash Health Care are instrumental in encouraging additional economic development in Nash County.

"This is an outstanding place. It is the crown jewel of Nash County," he said.

A lifelong resident of Nash County, Mayo's effective leadership has provided a positive impact on the quality of life and economic development of Nash County. He currently resides in Rocky Mount with his wife, Faye.

Larry Chewning, CEO of Nash Health Care (second from right) and NHCS Board Chairman Robert (Ziggy) Zalzneck (far right), present a display plaque to Claude Mayo (far left) at the official ceremony naming the Nash Health Care surgery pavilion after Mayo. With Mayo is his wife, Faye.