BELHAVEN — A Belhaven man was recently recognized for his long-time service in healthcare and politics, having served as mayor for 30 years and as a physician, who delivered around 2,000 of the area’s babies.

On Dec. 4, Dr. Charles O. Boyette met family, friends and patients at the Wilkinson Center in Belhaven to celebrate the date of the “Golden Anniversary,” marking the opening of the Boyette Medical Practice in the town, said Eunice Williams, event coordinator, in a press release. Boyette arrived in a chauffeured limousine, accompanied by a police escort, and Boyette and his family were greeted by event volunteers and members of the Pungo District Hospital Foundation. Upon entering the banquet hall, Boyette met a standing ovation from the crowd as the Navy hymn played, Williams said.

According to Williams, Boyette, family and all attendees enjoyed a meal of steak and shrimp, catered by Keyzer Catering. Following, several town leaders, residents, patients, friends and family spoke at the event, giving his or her take on Boyette’s service to the town and its people. During the dinner, guests viewed a slide show presentation filled with slides of Boyette during his childhood and as an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Belhaven Mayor Adam O’Neal shared a preliminary copy of the a proclamation to be approved at the next Belahven Town Council meeting, proclaiming the anniversary date, Dec. 4, as Dr. C.O. Boyette Day. Williams also shared a nostalgic review of significant events that occurred during 1964, the year Boyette came to Belhaven, she said.

The establishment of an endowment in honor of Boyette was announced with funds to be directed to the institution of his choice, according to Williams. Boyette spoke about his gratitude to the town and its residents for honoring him for his long-time service.

“It was a tremendous tribute from the community and one that is deeply appreciated,” Boyette said. “I feel quite honored for the service that was put on by the Pungo District Hospital Foundation, and Eunice (Williams) did a tremendous amount of work to make it happen and pull the loose ends together.”

Dr. Charles Otis Boyette, born in Chadburn, NC, left his hometown in 1953 with an academic scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill on a university scholarship with a major in History and pre-med. He attended UNC School of Medicine at Chapel Hill and received an M.D. and since, has averaged 200 hours per year in continuing medical education, according to a document listing Boyette’s credentials and accomplishments. Boyette also served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1964, according to the document.

After the Navy, Boyette came to Belhaven with a young family on Dec. 4, 1964, and opened his office on the corner of Haslin and Water Streets, according to a press release. On that day, Boyette had completed his obligations to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as a flight surgeon and moved to Belhaven to begin a private practice of medicine in a medically underserved area.

Boyette’s practice focused on comprehensive primary care for the entire family with obstetrics, emergency medicine and some surgery added, according to the document. Throughout his 50 years as a healthcare provider in the areas of northeastern Beaufort County and mainland Hyde County, Boyette facilitated recruitment of additional medical staff, and many aspiring physicians began their careers at the Boyette Medical Clinic, which has four providers and 25 employees. Active patient charts have numbered in the thousands, and healthcare services from Boyette’s clinic have extended to Pungo District Hospital, Hyde County Health Department, Cross Creek Healthcare Facility, Autumn Field Rest Home and Hydeland Home Health Services, according to the document. Boyette estimates he delivered over 2,000 babies by the time he stopped in 1995, he said.

In Belhaven, Boyette became involved in church, school, business and political activities and endeavors. He served in the town administration for 37 years, with 30 of those years as mayor. Under his leadership, the town became noted for his aggressive and visionary long-term plans, massive improvements in infrastructure, productive relationships with local, regional, state and federal agencies and the founding of a local affiliation of the Boys and Girls Club of America.

“I feel quite good about the years I served as mayor and having 37 years there out of 50 years directly involved in the life of the community — not only the political but healthcare and economic aspects,” Boyette said. “It gave me a great amount of personal gratification for serving as mayor.”

Throughout his career, Boyette has served in an array of capacities on the county and state level, as well as several other areas of service, including 25 years as the chief of staff for Belhaven’s Pungo District Hospital, he said. Boyette also has served as president of the Beaufort County Community College Foundation for 30 years, a service Boyette holds in high regard, he said.

“That is another area I’ve had tremendous accomplishment,” Boyette said. “That (Foundation) is really not recognized for what it is. We have about $3 million worth of investment in our college. That has been a tremendous amount of pleasure to provide over 100 scholarships to students in need.“

Boyette said he and many others worked very hard to increase the types of services and capabilities of the town’s hospital, Pungo District Hospital. This summer, the hospital, under Vidant Health’s operation, was closed, taking away the area’s emergency medical capabilities and other vital medical services, which Boyette sees as a tremendous loss to the town’s people and its economy, he said.

“We worked so hard to get a hospital and all the equipment, with all kinds of emergency services available,” Boyette said. “To have it shut down, it’s a tremendous loss to our town. It has been a busy time, but a pleasurable time, up until we lost our hospital. I think that is the toughest loss and most aggravating set of circumstances in my time here.”

Currently, the town, led by Mayor O’Neal, Boyette, the NC NAACP and several other entities and public figures, is fighting to reopen its hospital. Boyette spoke about his hopes for the hospital’s reopening.

“We’re working hard to try to regroup and to provide healthcare that would involve emergency care overnight and physical therapy, a good radiation department and a good emergency bed system,” Boyette said. “We hopefully can save some of what we’ve lost (from its closing).”

Boyette’s service to the Belhaven community has been revered among residents and colleauges. Boyette says he will continue to serve the Belhaven area.

“I have no plans for retirement at this time and I look forward to continued services of its citizens,” Boyette said.

Donations for the Boyette endowment fund may be sent to Pungo District Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 718, Belhaven, NC 27810. All checks and/or money orders should be made payable to Pungo District Hospital Foundation.