Julie McCombs
Dr. Julian Josey is flanked by family Tuesday after being presented the Order of the Palmetto.
Julie McCombs
Dr. Julian Josey, center, was presented the Order of the Palmetto by S.C. House Representative Rita Allison, right, and Bruce Holstien; SRHS President and CEO.
Julie McCombs
Dr. Julian Posey was brought to the Gibbs Center – Pelham to be present for the dedication of the healing garden in his honor.
Julie McCombs
Dr. Julian Posey acknowledges family, guests and colleagues who honored him with the dedication of the healing gardens at the Gibbs Center – Pelham and the surprise announcement of his receiving the Order of the Palmetto.
Josey, a well-known cancer physician with the Gibbs Cancer Center, had no idea S.C. House Representative Rita Allison was there to present him the highest civilian honor awarded on behalf of Gov. Nikki Haley.
“Before coming to SRHS in 2011, I was keenly aware of Dr. Josey’s growing national reputation as a leader of Gibbs Cancer Center and the Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health," said Bruce Holstien, SRHS President and CEO. " Both of these South Carolina treatment centers have achieved national recognition for excellence in cancer treatment and research, thanks to the talented medical team Dr. Josey has created here. He is a model for all that is good about our state and its fine citizens.”
Josey, a Spartanburg native, has been a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer for more than 40 years. He joined the Spartanburg Radiation Oncology practice at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) in 1970. In 1976, he and his colleague and friend, Dr. James Bearden, proposed the formation of a facility that would be dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The Gibbs Cancer Center was established in 1999 and is now known as the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute.
“I have worked with Dr. Josey for many years now. Not only has his leadership taken Upstate health care to a new level, but his innovative programs have also been replicated across our state and nation,” said Jimmy Gibbs; Chairman of Gibbs International, Inc. and namesake, with his wife Marsha, for the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute.
‘He has expanded SRHS and the Gibbs Cancer Center from A health center that basically served the Spartanburg community to those which encompass service to the entire state and beyond. Perhaps his greatest contribution has been his ability to bring top-quality health care to diverse groups of patients, many whom have been traditionally underserved.”
“Dr. Julian Josey is ‘bigger than life.’ That’s a phrase generally reserved for a superhero, and when one realizes the impact that he has had on the health of people throughout this region, it’s clear that term is applicable here,” Timothy Yeatman, M.D., Director of Gibbs Cancer Center and President of Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute.
• The Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute is a state-of-the-art facility with advanced diagnostic and treatment tools and highly skilled physicians and medical professionals.
Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health opened in 2008, named for the physicians in honor of their dedicated work.
• Additional Gibbs Cancer Center locations have opened in Gaffney (2010) and Greer (2012).
• Josey’s vision for patients and their families to have a calm, comforting and healing environment at Gibbs is evident in both inpatient and outpatient areas by gardens, fountains, and waiting areas awash in natural light.
• More than 140 clinical trials are underway at any time through the Upstate Carolina-Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) at Gibbs.
• Gibbs Cancer & Research Institute has two dozen specially trained research nurses and more than 20 support staff members as well as doctors, technicians, social workers and specialized medical professionals to monitor patients’ health before, during and after treatment.