Charles Frock thought he was going to give a speech on the development of an integrated health system.

Frock, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, had spent a considerable amount of time preparing the speech, according Dr. David Bruton, chairman of the Kiwanis Builder's Cup Committee.

"From what I understand, he's worked hard on it for several weeks," Bruton said.

Little did Frock know, it was all part of an elaborate plan to surprise him with the 2009 Builder's Cup Wednesday night during the 74th Kiwanis Builder's Cup Banquet at the Country Club of North Carolina.

"I'm honored and flattered to get this recognition," Frock said. "As anyone knows who's part of an organization that's had a chance to be successful and do good things for other people, nobody does it on their own.

"We're just fortunate that we've got a Board of Directors, a tremendous medical community and lots of staff that have worked with Moore Regional Hospital and FirstHealth to make this a very successful organization in many ways."

The Builder's Cup is awarded to a person who "outstandingly contributes to the Sandhills," according to Jay St. John, president of the Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills. It is not necessarily given out every year, and recipients do not have to be Kiwanis members.

Past winners Linda Hubbard, Bruce Warlick, John and Evelyn Monroe, and Norris Hodgkins were among those in the audience.

Frock praised the club's active role in the community.

"As a club, you all have done some remarkable things for the community as well," he said. "One of the things that I think makes our community so rich in so many ways is the commitment of so many people to help one another when there's a need to help. We're blessed to have the Kiwanis Club do what it's done."

It has been a tradition to keep the recipient of the Builder's Cup in the dark until the banquet. This year's scheme -- which involved Frock's secretary and Gretchen Kelly, director of corporate communications for FirstHealth -- caught Frock completely off guard.

"Well, I am surprised," Frock said. "Dr. Bruton never fails to amaze me. And as all of you know, probably as well or better than I do, he's a fascinating, complex individual. And there's lots of moving parts with that gentleman. One of his secrets is he has these moving parts and some of them are just thrown up there to distract you and get you off in the wrong direction. And he did it again!"

Frock joked that he was now a "speech ahead" in his work.

Frock has been the CEO at FirstHealth since 1991.

FirstHealth is a comprehensive, nonprofit health system serving 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas, headquartered in Pinehurst.

FirstHealth consists of three hospitals with 559 licensed beds, an in-patient rehabilitation center, family care centers, fitness centers, sleep disorders centers, wound care centers, dental care clinics, back and neck pain center, laundry, four charitable foundations, hospice, home health services, and a wholly owned HMO. It also operates a critical care transport service and EMS/medical transport services in four area counties.

It has 4,070 employees and more than 750 volunteers.

Under his leadership, First-Health Moore Regional Hospital has received numerous Solucient Top 100 Hospital awards for clinical excellence and overall performance, and has been recognized by HealthGrades as a distinguished hospital for Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence.

Frock has also been involved with countless boards and organizations in the Sandhills area and across the state. He was recognized with the United Way's Cornerstone Award in 2007. He served as chairman of the North Carolina Hospital Association.

During a slideshow, Bruton hailed Frock as a "transformational leader."

"The nature of the successful politician is that they can sense a parade forming and get out in front to lead it," he said. "Transformational leaders like Chuck Frock form the parade."

Bruton said that Frock has already been responsible for many of FirstHealth's accomplishments, but many more were still to come, including the new Heart Institute, Hospitality House and Hospice Residence.

But Bruton said that Frock's biggest challenge lies ahead.

"I believe Mr. Frock's most important work is ahead of him," he said. "He's in the process of leading this community into the brave new world of an integrated health delivery system, where the hospital, the physicians, and the community all work together to improve the health of the community.

"I believe he'll succeed in this effort."

Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.