JOHNSON CITY -- The first anniversary of the Niswonger Children's Hospital at Johnson City Medical Center was marked Tuesday with a special celebration, and a major surprise for hospital benefactor Scott M. Niswonger.

Among the festivities was the unveiling of a sculpture in a courtyard outside the hospital, featuring a young boy flying a model airplane with his dog running happily at his heels.

To Niswonger's surprise, it was explained at the unveiling that the sculpture was based on a likeness of him as a boy.

He and his wife, Nikki, who were in attendance for the unveiling, were the lead contributors toward the construction of the new regional pediatric hospital.

The Niswongers donated $10 million toward the $36 million cost of the new facility.

As a boy growing up in Van Wirt, Ohio, Niswonger developed a strong passion for aviation, which eventually led to a career as a corporate pilot and later as the founder of businesses.

Niswonger came to Greeneville as a pilot for The Magnavox Company. Several years later he left Magnavox and co-founded Landair, the Greeneville-based trucking company, which he continues to head.

Several years later, he founded Forward Air, a second Greeneville-based trucking company. He sold his stock in Forward Air, a publicly-traded company, several years ago.

The sculpture was created by Utah artist Gary Lee Price, who has works displayed worldwide, including Hong Kong, England and Iceland as well as in the United States.

The artist's trademark is "lifting the human spirit through sculpture," explained Greeneville architect John Fisher, who was involved in the design of the new Niswonger Children's Hospital and the sculpture.

Fisher said that "when Scott was a young boy, flight was a dream and an inspiration for him.

"He and a friend built model airplanes -- and even ran a business where they sold model aircraft kits to friends," Fisher said.

A photograph provided by Niswonger's mother, Sharon Niswonger, of Greeneville, showed Scott and a friend flying a model airplane. This specific model airplane, Fisher said, was used to create the sculpture.

The likeness of the young boy was also created based on photographs of Niswonger as a youth, Fisher said.

"We also got a photograph of Scott's favorite dog," Fisher said.

Fisher said he has worked with Niswonger, who has become a nationally known businessman and philanthropist, for about 15 years on a number of architectural projects around the region and in Ohio.

As the unveiling occurred, Niswonger appeared deeply moved by the sculpture, which he had not seen before.

"I'm deeply honored by what has just taken place this morning," he told the crowd gathered for the event.

Niswonger explained that he was 12 years old when he and a friend decided to enter a model airplane contest in his hometown.

The photograph that the sculpture was based on was taken, he said, as their aircraft was taking its first flight.

"The little dog that's running with me," he said, "was our dog when I was born."

The dog, named "Doc," lived to be about 17 years old, Niswonger said.

"He was a great dog," he said, and went on to share a story about how "Doc" would follow him to his school when he was in the first grade.

"When I would get out of school at 3 o'clock, he would be sitting at the door to walk home with me," Niswonger recalled. "He was very special."

Niswonger said that since the new pediatric hospital was completed, "there has rarely been a week that has gone by when someone -- a parent, a grandparent or a patient -- hasn't stepped up to me and told me what kind of difference this place has made in their life."

He said the hospital reinforces his goal to help this region's children be able to learn and to be successful in their life's pursuits.

"Healthy kids," he said, "can learn about anywhere, but what options will really sick kids have if they aren't well?"

The sculpture was placed in the hospital's courtyard by Burleson Construction Company, Inc., of Johnson City.

Dr. Paul Stanton, president of East Tennessee State University, was among those taking major roles in the anniversary ceremony.

He praised the Niswongers for what he said are their continuing efforts to improve the lives of children throughout the region, not only through improving their access to health care, but also through the elevation of education and cultural arts.

"Everyone in this room will benefit in one way or another by what the Niswongers have done," Stanton said.

"Scott is a pilot, and he has taken this region to new heights," Stanton said.

Speaking directly to Niswonger, the ETSU president continued, "Scott, we're flying along with you, and we appreciate your efforts on behalf of every person in this region -- but particularly the children who are being cared for.

"God bless you ... and keep on flying," he added.

Dennis Vonderfecht, president and CEO of Mountain States Health Alliance, parent company of Johnson City Medical Center and the Niswonger Children's Hospital itself, welcomed those in attendance.

In addition to the Niswongers, Vonderfecht extended a special thanks to the other donors who gave to the hospital project.

"It is important to recognize that so many from our region gave to make this a reality," Vonderfecht said.

"In fact, we had over 6,000 donors who contributed."

The Niswonger Children's Hospital, he continued, is "very meaningful to many people in our region, particularly to the parents of children."

Among those parents is Grace Ann Hance, the mother of a four-year-old cancer patient.

Hance's son, Henry, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor when he was just seven months old.

During the anniversary celebration, Hance shared her family's story and expressed what having the hospital located in their hometown of Johnson City has meant to them.

Among the services offered by the pediatric facility is an affiliate clinic of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the world-renowned pediatric cancer center based in Memphis.

The fact that the St. Jude affiliate clinic is located in Johnson City meant that Henry did not need to be taken to Memphis for most of his treatment, Hance said.

The young boy has undergone three major surgeries and three rounds of chemotherapy since his cancer diagnosis, she said.

"The last round of chemotherapy had us in the hospital almost all of last year," Hance said. "We were almost residents here.

"We are so impressed and grateful for the attention to detail that has been put into this hospital.

"Of course, everyone knows that it is beautiful," she said. "It is not a scary or intimidating -- or mint-green -- hospital. It is a place for a child."