We at the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal would like to thank the medical community for a successful first ever HealthCare Heroes event held on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Highland Country Club.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal opened up the nomination process to the community for its inaugural HealthCare Heroes awards in early September and received over 60 nominations from healthcare providers across the Fayetteville MSA.
They shared stories of compassion, care experiences and triumphs with us and we are proud to highlight these members of our community.
Our outside judging panel worked diligently to choose the finalists and ultimately the winners in each of the nine categories including the Lifetime Achievement award.
This inaugural event is one way we hope to honor the sacrifice, dedication and hard work of the people who keep our communities healthy every day!
This year's HealthCare Heroes award recipients are listed below! See if your nominee was
awarded!
COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT
Honors an individual or team who successfully implemented a program addressing a problem in healthcare administration, delivery or community outreach.
Winner: Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium of FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
INNOVATION
Honors an individual or team behind a new scientific discovery, procedure, treatment or device that can save lives or improve the quality of life for a large number of people.
Winner: Dr. Hershey Bell of Cape Fear Valley Health and Methodist University.
HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE
Honors an individual whose job performance is considered exemplary by people within their organizations, peers and community members.
Winner: Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
NURSE
Honors a nurse whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other healthcare providers.
Winner: Lori Suggs of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
NURSE PRACTITIONER/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Honors a nurse practitioner or physician assistant whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other healthcare providers.
Winner: Rachel Smith of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
PHYSICIAN
Honors a physician whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other healthcare providers.
Winner: Dr. Charles Haworth of Cape Fear Valley Neurosurgery.
UNSUNG HEROES
Honors anyone working in healthcare who may not fit into the other categories highlighted in HealthCare Heroes and includes anyone in the field whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, colleagues and other healthcare providers.
Winner: Anita Davis-Melvin of Cape Fear Valley Health.
VOLUNTEER
Honors a volunteer at a health care provider or other health-related organization who is considered exemplary by people within those organizations.
Winner: Dr. Rakesh Gupta of Methodist University.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Honors an individual for achievements throughout his or her career. Judges considered the individual's professional accomplishments, impact on the community and assistance they gave to others.
Winner: Dr. Ashok Jain of KidzCare Pediatrics
We would like to offer a round of applause and a hearty congratulations to our 2023 Health Care Hero winners! We look forward to hosting this event for the community again in 2024.
Winners are encouraged to send their words of acceptance to GFBJ Editor Faith Hatton at faithh@bizfayetteville.com.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
