Our History

Clara McLean House

A journey of innovation and service to our neighbors

In 2001, the dream of a facility to provide lodging, support services and advocacy for patients and their families at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital began to take shape among the donors and other friends of The Foundation of FirstHealth.

Studies were conducted, plans were developed and staff visited hospital hospitality houses nationwide. The Foundation designated funds to build and endow a hospitality house. The dream was becoming real.

At the same time, The Foundation initiated the CARE Funds to assist patients with lodging, transportation, medication and other essential needs, especially cancer and heart patients. In November 2002, a major donation of $1,010,000 from the estate of the late Ruth Watkins furthered the cause of these “without walls” advocacy programs for patients and their families. A hospital hospitality house was envisioned as an ideal home for the CARE Funds. This was the beginning of a focus that would make the new facility a leader in innovation.

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Ruth Watkins

In 2004, as the advocacy programs continued to develop and expand, FirstHealth announced three major capital projects: a hospitality house, a heart institute and a hospice house. The five-year Stepping Stones capital campaign was launched to fund a portion of the construction of these three projects. The campaign raised a total of $5.5 million for the hospitality house project.

Another important catalyst for the hospitality house was Miss Clara McLean, a longtime benefactor of Foundation programs. Miss McLean grew up in Maxton, N.C., and lived the latter part of her life in Pinehurst. Her many philanthropic interests included care for patients and the problems they encounter with transportation and access to care. She believed that a hospitality house and supportive programs would aid families and patients coming to Pinehurst from outlying areas. Because of Miss McLean’s support and dedication to this vision, the Clara McLean House was named in her memory.

Learn more about Clara McLean here.

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Clara McLean

Final architectural drawings were completed for a 20,000 square-foot facility located in FirstVillage on the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital campus. The groundbreaking took place in 2010, and the house opened its doors to welcome guests on April 30, 2012.

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Clara McLean House under construction, 2011

Since that day, hundreds of guests have experienced the compassionate hospitality and services of the Clara McLean House. We are one of the most innovative hospital hospitality houses in the country. Community support of our mission continues to grow. Generous donations from the community, grateful guests and The Foundation are our sole source of the funding we need to operate.

For more information about Clara’s House, call (910) 715-4220.

Clara McLean House has been a member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network since 2001.