Charles T. Frock, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, has received the 2010 Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Hospital Association (NCHA).

“Chuck’s great leadership has moved the association into positions we couldn’t have imagined being in without him, positions from which the association can advance the quality of care provided in hospitals all across our state,” Bill Pully, NCHA’s president, said. “NCHA is forever indebted to Chuck Frock. He is a most deserving recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.”

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to the chief executive officer of an NCHA member institution and recognizes a health care leader who has made valuable contributions to his/her institution, the health care field and to NCHA. Frock received the award at the NCHA’s annual meeting last week, where more than 100 hospitals were represented across the state.

The award presentation was accompanied by a video of several local residents commenting on Frock’s contributions to the community and the positive impact he has had on the delivery of heath care in the Sandhills.

Drs. John Ellis, Bill Stewart and Sharon Harrell highlighted Frock’s commitment to improve the quality of care, particularly, to those in the community who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Chuck’s most significant accomplishment in his time at FirstHealth has really been the creation of FirstHealth,” said Walker Morris, former FirstHealth board chairman and president of Muirfield Broadcasting. “He is a visionary leader and has prepared FirstHealth in this rapidly changing health care environment. He can envision how an integrated health care system would work in our area and how that model would make a difference in health care delivery for our community.”

Frock thanked the board leadership that has allowed FirstHealth to expand beyond the traditional role of hospital care into such areas as home care, hospice, health and fitness, dental care, community health, health insurance and more.

He expressed his appreciation to the management team and medical community as they continue to push the envelope to improve the health of our community and provide the highest quality of care for our patients in the safest environment.

He also thanked his wife, Nancy, for her continued support over the years.

Frock has served as CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas since its creation in 1995. As CEO, he is responsible for directing the development and operation of the corporation in coordination with the policies adopted by the Board of Directors.

Frock received a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering, with a minor in business administration, from the University of Florida in 1971 and a master’s degree in health administration from Duke University in 1974. He completed certificate programs at Harvard University and Kings Fund College in London.