We Remember . . .
Dr. Charles Thomas Fitts

July 4, 1932 – Nov. 4, 2008

LifePoint mourns the passing and celebrates the contributions of Dr. Charles Thomas Fitts. He was the founder of our organization (formerly South Carolina Organ Procurement Organization) and served as our first medical director. Dr. Fitts pioneered the organ transplant program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and performed the first kidney transplant there in 1968. Since 1984, organs recovered by LifePoint that are needed by patients on the South Carolina waiting list, have been transplanted at the MUSC Transplant Center.

LifePoint President and CEO Nancy A. Kay fondly recalls her friendship and professional association with Dr. Fitts in the following tribute.

Dr. Fitts was a leader and pioneer in the organ transplant world, one of the founders of LifePoint (then the South Carolina Organ Procurement Organization) and served as its medical director for 15 years. His talent and dedication as a doctor was beyond any I have ever witnessed over my 30 years in the medical world. His love and caring of people and patients was obvious to anyone that he encountered. He told me more than once that he could find out more about the "ails" of a patient by just talking to them rather than running high tech tests. I watched him do this for many years. All of his patients adored him and counted on him to keep them safe and well.

He was a mentor to many and a teacher to all. He never was too busy to take the time to teach and encourage. My association with him started over 30 years ago. I was a new coordinator and organ preservationist in the transplant program. I would go by his office and grab a cup of coffee from the machine that was right outside his office door. After a couple of days, he wanted to know who that "pharmacy student was" that kept coming by and stealing his coffee (I wore a short lab jacket)!!! He was told that I was not a pharmacy student, but rather his new employee that he needed to get to know!

Dr. Fitts and I spent countless hours preserving and transplanting kidneys. Because of this, I had the privilege of learning so much from him…professional lessons as well as "life" lessons. He told me stories of his childhood…about growing up in Jackson, Tennessee. About his dad, Papa Fitts, starting the Fitts-White Medical Clinic. He once gave me some business advice that his Papa gave to him, "Make sure you always buy the soap." You see Papa initially did everything at the clinic, including the purchasing of supplies. When he hired someone to help him "buy the soap," it turned out that this new "hospital administrator" ended up running the clinic and being Papa's boss!!

I believe medicine would be improved dramatically if there was a mandatory course called “Dr. Fitts 101” in medical schools. Every medical student would benefit greatly by being exposed to the knowledge and core values that he carried through life. But then, there was only one Dr. Fitts, so without him as the professor, the class could never be the same! He was gifted in so many ways, and I believe he exemplified what every doctor should strive to be in practice and life. I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with him many years ago. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if Dr. Fitts had not believed in me, encouraged me, and afforded me opportunities beyond anything this country girl could imagine! More than my boss, he was truly my mentor and moreover, my friend.

My sympathies to Marie, his wife, and all of the family. A great void has been left in your lives. Be comforted in the wonderful memories that you have of the life and love shared.

Rest well in peace, my dear friend. I know I will see you again beside the Great Healer in Heaven! We will share a "peppermint" when I get there! Until then, I will keep “buying the soap.”

Nancy A. Kay, CEO/President of LifePoint, Inc.