Rutherford Regional Health System

Dr. Guy Winker was recently presented with the Stewart L. Mooring Award at Rutherford Regional Health System. 

The award, which is presented every two years, is named for Dr. Stewart L. Mooring, a radiologist at Rutherford Regional who served as medical director of the Radiology Department from 1962 to 1989. For 19 years Dr. Mooring practiced alone, offering in-house, full radiology coverage nightly until 11 p.m. and on weekends. During his tenure, Dr. Mooring also added new services and began the first mammography service in Western North Carolina in 1972. Because of his exceptional service, Dr. Mooring set the bar for physicians who receive this award. 

Nominations for the Stewart L. Mooring award are made by each of the chiefs of service, the CEO of Rutherford Regional Health System and officers of the medical staff. The recipient is selected by the members of the medical executive committee. 

Criteria for selection for the award is a physician who exemplifies through service and commitment the goals and mission of the medical staff of Rutherford Regional Health System in providing and advancing a higher standard of medical care for the patients of this community. 

Winker has practiced at Spindale Family Practice for 23 years. He attended medical school at Wake Forest and completed his residency and fellowship at Bowman Gray School of Medicine. In addition to being a family practitioner, Dr. Winker is also an author and has been actively involved in Rutherford and Polk County Community Theater. He is also a former chief of staff at Rutherford Regional Medical Center. 

Dr. Winker’s portrait will hang in the lobby of the Dr. Stewart L. Mooring Outpatient and Surgery Center at Rutherford Regional Medical Center. Past recipients of the award include Dr. Michael Roberts (2010), Dr. Michael Wheeler (2008), Dr. Matthew Rees (2006), Dr. Joe Don Hughes (2004), Dr. Robert Stallings (2002), Dr. Joel Winker (2000), Dr. John Skudlarick (1998) and Dr. Gary Schafer (1996).