Longtime Physicians for Peace Development Officer to Retire

NORFOLK, VA (03/19/2012)(readMedia)-- When Samuel W. Hill retires from his post as the development director of major gifts at the end of March, it will be the end of an era for Physicians for Peace, an international nonprofit headquartered in Norfolk. For nearly two decades, Hill has served the group in myriad leadership roles, including executive director. Far above any single job title, Hill has long been the public face of Physicians for Peace in Hampton Roads, serving as the organization's distinguished ambassador – and its biggest fan.

"As a development officer, Sam has made an incredible, lasting impact on Physicians for Peace, but he's also been our 'culture keeper,' particularly since the death of our founder, Dr. Charles Horton," said Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.), president and CEO of Physicians for Peace. "I know that I speak for the Board of Directors, staff and all of our volunteers when I say that we are indebted to Sam, and his commitment to our work. Through his perseverance, dedication and good humor, he has served as a role model for all of us."

Hill grew up in the Larchmont neighborhood of Norfolk and is a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and worked for more than 30 years in the financial industry before joining Physicians for Peace in 1995.

During Hill's tenure as executive director, Physicians for Peace established a permanent outreach program in the Philippines and expanded its efforts to include amputee and burn care, among many other projects. Hill also traveled to the Caribbean and Asia on behalf of Physicians for Peace. In those regions, Hill saw firsthand how dramatic differences in health can cripple communities – and how a group of committed individuals can come together to effect lasting, meaningful change.

In his most recent position as a development director, Hill has helped Physicians for Peace grow from a regional, grassroots organization to an internationally recognized nonprofit that has delivered training and support to healthcare partners in more than 60 countries. Hill has always shown a steadfast commitment to Dr. Horton and his founding philosophy for the organization: "If you heal someone, you help one person. If you teach someone to heal, you help many."

"Sam has done a great job in helping to develop a tremendous group of supporters for this wonderful organization, which does so much for so many," said Harvey L. Lindsay, Jr., of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate and the winner of the 2011 Physicians for Peace Presidential Award. "It has been a great joy for me to have the opportunity to work with him over many years."

Beyond Physicians for Peace, Hill has held leadership roles with the Northside Norfolk Rotary Club, the United Way of South Hampton Roads and the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Military Institute Alumni Association. He was a member and fundraising chairman of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation Development Committee and a founding director of the Town Point Club. He has been married for more than 50 years to his wife, Sue Hill. Together, they have two children and four grandchildren.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace transforms lives by training, supporting and empowering healthcare professionals working with the world's underserved populations. Since 1989, volunteers have conducted medical missions in morethan 60 countries. Find us online at www.physiciansforpeace.org and www.facebook.com/physiciansforpeace. Follow us on Twitter, Physician4Peace.

Posted Monday March 19, 2012 at 08:00 pm by Physicians for Peace
Last Updated Tuesday March 20, 2012 at 01:58 pm