Meet the 2024 Health Care Heroes Finalists:
Community Coalition

CFVH COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC PROGRAM

TITLE: Alinda Bailey, Manager 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Paramedic Program provides follow-up care and medication management assistance for elderly cardiac patients by expanding the role of the traditional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider. Launched in 2015, patients receive assistance through scheduling appointments, managing their medications, navigating multiple health systems, implementing home visits, connecting patients with community resources if needed and establishing an easy-to-understand plan for their ongoing care. The Community Paramedic program creates a positive difference in a patient’s life by providing them with the guidance and tools they need in order to understand and manage their chronic diseases at home, while stressing the importance of routine medical visits. These measures also work to relieve burdens on the health care system by ensuring patients receive the necessary support and treatment to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and readmissions. The network that makes up this program fulfills its mission of providing exceptional healthcare to residents of the region and enhancing quality of life for high risk patients.

FIRSTHEALTH CARE SUITE

TITLE: Whole-Person Care resource 

ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The FirstHealth CARE Suite is an innovative program that identifies and eliminates barriers to improving the health and well-being of patients and the community through collaboration with healthcare partners and community resources that assist with transportation, housing, utilities, food support, finances and more. FirstHealth’s whole-person care model relies on two key assets — About Me Cards and social care support teams. The main entity and the namesake for the program is the Center for Health and Social Care, referred to as the CARE Suite. Since its development in 2018, all FirstHealth primary care clinics have begun using the About Me Cards. As of December 2023, more than 54,000 About Me Cards had been completed and more than 1,500 referrals had been made to the CARE Suite. The FirstHealth CARE Suite is improving patient outcomes, reducing provider burnout by providing a social care support team and leading to substantial health care cost savings. 

FTCC NURSING PROGRAM

TITLE: Educational Department 

ORGANIZATION: Fayetteville Technical Community College 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: I am pleased to nominate Dr. Murtis Worth, Senior Vice-President for Academic and Student Services, and Dr. Sharon Gallagher, Dean of Nursing, for their exceptional contributions to healthcare education through their leadership at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). Thanks to their efforts, FTCC now boasts 32 hospital beds in state-of-the-art simulation labs, equipped with advanced medical equipment and technology, study rooms and meeting spaces, allowing nursing students to train in highly realistic clinical environments. In 2022, FTCC's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program was capped at 280 students. However, due to the visionary leadership of Dr. Worth and Dr. Gallagher, the North Carolina Board of Nursing approved an increase in the ADN program cap to 400 students, the second-highest in the state. Their leadership also benefited the Practical Nursing diploma program, which now serves up to 83 students at a time.

Health Care Executive

SUSAN BEATY

TITLE: President, Eastern region and Administrator of Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke 

ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: On behalf of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, I proudly nominate Susan Beaty, MSN, R.N., president, Eastern region and administrator of Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke. Susan has served as the administrator of MRH-Hoke since its opening on Oct. 7, 2013, bringing more than 20 years of nursing leadership to the role. Under Susan’s leadership, MRH-Hoke has experienced tremendous growth and success. A tireless advocate for providing the highest quality care to FirstHealth’s patients and families, Susan has overseen several expansion projects at MRH-Hoke to elevate the quality and capacity of care provided. The latest was a $12.9 million construction project to expand the emergency department, surgical services and administrative suite at MRH-Hoke and plans are underway for future expansion. Susan’s affable nature and guiding vision toward excellence has garnered the respect, admiration, support and confidence of her team at MRH-Hoke and across the FirstHealth system. Susan has committed her career to serving others, and FirstHealth and the communities we serve are enriched by her unwavering dedication to care for people. 

SHIRLEY BOLDEN

TITLE: Health Services Director 

ORGANIZATION: Cumberland County Schools 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Mrs. Bolden has served as the Director of Health Services for over 20 years and she has been recognized on a local and state level for her dedication to School Health. She is particularly talented at setting up program guidelines, community engagement and developing innovative partnerships. She studies the data and uses her creativity to come up with effective and fun ways to meet needs. For many years, she sponsored a week-long Kindergarten camp to help newcomers transition to the school environment and meet state health guidelines at the same time. She has partnered with Cape Fear Valley to sponsor Diabetes Camps, and partnered with the CC Health Department to sponsor Real Talk, a teen pregnancy and STD prevention initiative. Most recently, she was a critical component of the district's COVID-19 response. Mrs. Bolden is responsible for a small team of nurses who provide nursing procedures at school for medically fragile students and she is excellent at working with parents and managing difficult situations. She is not afraid to think outside the box to provide excellent care for students. 

NELSON T. MORRIS

TITLE: Chief Operating Officer 

ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics PC 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Nelson started as a finance manager. He did not have healthcare experience but had solid banking experience of 26 years. He’s a fast learner and has a good operational mindset. He has grown with us from finance manager to director of finance and HR and in 2024, we appointed him as a Chief Executive Officer for KidzCare with 26 offices and growing. He has helped us grow KidzCare Pediatrics from 14 offices to nearly 30 offices with acquisitions, as well as opening new offices. He adapted well to healthcare, related extremely well to our patients, their needs and understood the needs of medically indigent patients as well as TRICARE families in Fayetteville and across North Carolina. He has the highest integrity whether it’s a matter of a few cents or a few million dollars, he’s handled it with the highest integrity. I’ve never had a single penny not accounted for. He has taken the responsibility of operating KidzCare Pediatrics as Chief Operating Officer as we continue to grow beyond NC. 

Innovation in Health Care

JENNIFER GREEN

TITLE: Health Director 

ORGANIZATION: Cumberland County Department of Public Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Jennifer Green led the Cumberland County Department of Public Health during a crucial time – the COVID-19 pandemic – which required a strategic, coordinated response involving federal and state authorities to help set up drive-thru vaccination clinics to vaccinate as many people as possible. Under Dr. Green’s leadership, CCDPH opened a WIC (Women, Infants, Children) clinic on Fort Liberty to expand the scope of the service and help promote healthy babies and mothers. She also led efforts to establish the Healthy Conversations program, and was instrumental in implementing two other pilot projects, Connected Care and Maternal Health. She has worked in partnership with the community by establishing Cumberland Fayetteville Opioid Response Team and is also in the process of establishing and running a Recovery Resource Center. Dr. Green leads with compassion, empathy and a "can do attitude.” She is solution and strength based, focused and never makes our community, staff and/or providers feel that she is too busy to address their concerns.

MEDICAL ASSESSMENT AND READINESS SYSTEM (MARS)

TITLE: Y. Sammy Choi, Senior Advisor, Department of Clinical Investigation 

ORGANIZATION: Womack Army Medical Center 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The Medical Assessment and Readiness System (MARS) is a project based out of Womack Army Medical Center that has the potential to change the way the military conducts healthcare research. The eight person core team has hosted the MARS since January of 2020 and the system currently hosts information on four million soldiers and over approximately 20 million person years of data. Along with being the first predictive analytics solution to service member medical readiness forecasting, dozens of research reports, presentations and other research based projects have been published using data from the MARS at Fort Liberty and beyond. The research team at WAMC remains dedicated to using the MARS to further enhance the skills of military medical professionals to maintain soldier readiness, improving patient care and returning soldiers to duty faster, better and stronger.

CFVH SIMULATION CENTER

TITLE: Mark Rose, Director of Workforce Development Training and Development 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Cape Fear Valley Health launched their Center for Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute in January of 2023. Since that time, their state of the art Simulation Lab has been working to educate the next generation of health care professionals with a level of technology not available in other places. Students are able to work with realistic patients that are actually mannequins. These extraordinarily sophisticated and human-like models are connected to a cutting-edge technology system that allows residents, surgeons, nurses, paramedics and other medical staff members to gain invaluable, realistic training. The center features a fully simulated emergency room, operating room and labor and delivery room, allowing doctors to train in a way that simulates the real-life situations they face. This cutting edge technology is helping to improve the medical landscape and, with the addition of the incoming school of medicine and new additions to the CFVH campus, Cumberland County is positioned to become a learning hub for the future healthcare workforce. 

Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

CYNTHIA "LAUREN" HURLEY

TITLE: Hospitalist 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Ms. Hurley exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding provider. Her boundless care and compassion were evident when she took the time to thoroughly explain a procedure to my mother, who had just received a cancer diagnosis. She knelt by my mother’s bedside, held her hand and reassured her that she would be there every step of the way, ensuring the procedure would be painless. Even after my mother was moved to a different floor, Ms. Hurley continued to check on her and often stopped me in the hallway to ask about my mother or offer me words of encouragement. She leaves a lasting impression, and I will always be grateful for the comfort she provided during such a challenging time.

TRACY OVERTON PRITCHARD

TITLE: Interventional Pain Medicine Nurse Practitioner 

ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: On behalf of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, I proudly nominate Tracy Overton Pritchard for the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Health Care Hero Award. Tracy has been a FirstHealth employee for more than 20 years, having started as a nursing assistant in the PACU and later transitioning to a floor registered nurse on several units. Her most recent role was as Clinical Nurse Leader for FirstHealth Interventional Pain Medicine. Tracy’s patients comment that she is very friendly, efficient and empathetic – a rare commodity these days! She is a great friend to many and raised two wonderful children as a single mother. Tracy says, “I am blessed to work with such awesome providers on the patient care side of health care.” We wholeheartedly nominate Tracy Overton Pritchard, AGPCNP for the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Health Care Hero Award.

MYTRANG DANG

TITLE: Certified Physician’s Assistant 

ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: MyTrang goes over and beyond the standard of care for her patients. She caters to her patients’ needs. She is very professional and knowledgeable in her career path. She doesn't take vacations because she states that her patients need her in the office, and often stays at work completing physical forms, service orders, preop forms, etc. every night until 8:30 p.m. to ensure that her little ones get everything they need. MyTrang has completed sports physicals in the community for Terry Sanford High School and Pine Forest High School for the last six years at the schools, this is after working a schedule in the office. During COVID she went out in the community and ran a COVID testing drive for adults after working a schedule in the clinic. She also is a strong advocate for taking PA students. She runs a mini college in the office giving back to students who desire to become a PA and practice medicine. MyTrang Dang is a one-of-a-kind provider, and you just don't find them like MyTrang anymore.

Nurse

ANASTASIA JENNINGS

TITLE: Nurse Executive, MRH-Hoke 

ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas - Hoke Campus 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The nursing mission at FirstHealth of the Carolinas is “Empowered professional nurses leading safe, holistic care for all people with a vision to move nursing forward to be the choice for nursing practice nationally.” It is a lofty vision and one that nominee Anastasia Jennings exemplifies a commitment to each and every day. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an employee engagement and retention team was implemented with Anastasia as one of the founding members. Anastasia was participating in a FirstHealth leadership development program and several members of the program embraced the new engagement team as part of their final project. Anastasia undertook her new role as nurse executive as well as a founding member of the engagement team as a mother with a newborn and young toddler. She is dedicated to caring for people and has worked diligently to be an excellent nurse leader and mother at the same time. As the nurse executive at MRH-Hoke, Anastasia sets an outstanding example of the highest standard of excellence for the team. 

BEN BEASON

TITLE: Patient Care Manager for Cardiac Services 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Heart Center 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: It is an honor to nominate Ben Beason for the Healthcare Hero Award in recognition of his exceptional dedication to improving the health and safety of our community. As Patient Care Manager for Cardiac Services at Cape Fear Valley Health’s Heart Center, Ben not only excels in his role overseeing cardiac outreach, but also goes above and beyond in his commitment to educating the public. You will often find Ben at community events, health fairs and church gatherings, teaching life-saving Hands-Only CPR. His passion for equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to save lives is truly inspiring. Ben gives up most of his weekends, dedicating his personal time to empower others and raise awareness about heart health—a reflection of his deep-rooted commitment to the well-being of the Fayetteville community, where he was born. With over 21 years of experience in cardiac health and more than a decade of service as a registered nurse, Ben’s knowledge and expertise are matched by his compassion and drive to make a lasting impact.

HEATHER SMITH

TITLE: Licensed Practical Nurse 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Neuroscience Institute 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The National League for nursing promotes excellence in nursing by four core values: Caring, Integrity, Diversity and Inclusion and Excellence. Heather Smith exudes these core values to the epitome of her being. Heather became a licensed practical nurse in 2012, and most recently has been working in tandem with Neurosurgeon Dr. Melissa Stamates since 2019 when Dr. Stamates joined the Cape Fear Valley Neurosurgery Practice. Neurosurgery patients are often chronically ill patients that have been suffering from debilitating pain for an extended amount of time. Heather has the compassion and empathy to provide these patients a level of care that is unmatched. She is a constant, positive presence not only in the patient's care, but for their family and caregivers as well. Communicating the complexity of the patient's plan of care from the initial consultation, through surgery and post operative treatment, Heather provides unwavering encouragement and support through the patient's neurosurgical journey constantly striving to go well beyond standard expectations.

Physician

W. DICKSON SCHAEFER

TITLE: Orthopedic Surgeon, President ORGANIZATION: Fayetteville Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Cape Fear Valley Health WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: As an orthopedic surgeon and president of Fayetteville Orthopaedics, Dr. W. Dickson Schaefer has a long list of professional and patriotic accomplishments. He joined Fayetteville Orthopaedics in 2001 and has historically been among the highest performing joint reconstruction surgeons in Southeastern NC. He is trusted among his patients as a skilled and attentive clinician. Dr. Schaefer is also a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, recognized for serving twice with a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. He volunteers his time for his profession and his community, serving on professional association boards as well as local community boards and advisory councils. In the early days of the COVID pandemic, he flew specimens across the state so that patients would receive coronavirus test results sooner. Dr. Schaefer’s clinical, professional and community achievements are an example to medical professionals in our community and beyond.

PRABESH BAJRACHARYA

TITLE: Pediatrician and Pediatric Nephrologist 

ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics PC 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Bajracharya joined KidzCare Pediatrics in 2015 at our Northside Fayetteville office. He’s a pediatrician and a pediatric nephrologist who we recruited from New York and brought to North Carolina. Since then, he has served our patients in Cumberland and surrounding counties and especially Medicaid patients and TRICARE families. He was born and graduated medical school from Nepal and subsequently moved to the United States for his pediatric training. He has served as physician and is a dedicated clinician, very calm and his patients love him. He is a great team worker, and has gone out of the way to help our patients, staff and clinicians despite having gone through tremendous difficulties. He’s a very dedicated clinician and a healthcare leader as a medical director guiding healthcare students, PAs, nurse practitioners and other pediatricians.

J. WAYNE RIGGINS

TITLE: Ophthalmologist, Surgeon 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Eye Associates 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Riggins has always been on the forefront of technology that will help the quality of life for many individuals. He served in the military for many years and was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Commission for Public Health. He goes to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center weekly to perform eye exams on NICU babies to help preserve sight, is involved in many community service programs and is a board member for several [organizations]. In 2014 he also received 'The Order of the Long Leaf Pine' award. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is North Carolina’s highest civilian honor given to recognize lifetime achievements of community service. It is given by the Governor to those who have had significant impact upon our State. 

Unsung Hero

DEANNE DIMAGGIO OWENS

TITLE: Visitor Management Staff Member 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Deanne’s position as a visitor management staff member calls for her to validate the reason for anyone entering the hospital, issue an appropriate pass and ensure the person is directed to the correct area. She is a smiling face for all staff, families and visitors entering the hospital. She once paid for a visitor's meal in the cafeteria when the elderly lady told her she had forgotten her wallet in her admitted-husband's hospital room. She becomes familiar with frequent visitors and has been seen praying and even offering comforting hugs to visitors when needed. Deanne gets to know visitors of patients by name and welcomes them to the hospital as if they are coming into her home. Many visitors have come in smiling to say hello to her despite the reason for their visit being to see an ill family-member or friend. She is proud of her position at the hospital and has a desire to make everyone walking through the hospital doors feel welcomed and comfortable. 

LA'TOSHIA BAGLEY

TITLE: Regional Manager 

ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics PC 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: La’Toshia is what I would call a tireless and always on-call servant of the medical needs of the community, specifically kids in the pediatric specialty. This is driven by her caring for children, and her assurance that they are always taken care of, no matter what. La’Toshia is not a medical provider, but as a regional manager at KidzCare Pediatrics, her responsibility is to oversee the success of seven pediatric clinics in KidzCare's South Central Region. In doing so, La’Toshia sets the example and serve in any capacity needed to serve the children. She will work the front desk, she will work the floor as a medical assistant, she will assist in medical records and referrals, whatever it takes to assure the success of her clinics. La’Toshia, upon leaving the military, began working at Kidzcare Pediatrics almost 20 years ago. She began at the bottom in the clinic and learned to work every position. 

SAM HUTCHISON

TITLE: Office Manager and Clinical Social Worker 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health Senior Health Services 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Sam has worked for Cape Fear Valley Senior Health Services, for over 25 years. During this time, he has always been an advocate for patients with dementia, helping families and co-workers navigate the complications of caring for someone with dementia. Sam spends hours on the phone every day speaking to families who are at the end of their rope, trying to care for a loved one with dementia. He provides them step by step information on where to go and what to do to set up care and services. He also helps with placement in care facilities. Sam is a great listener; families have often told me that he is the light at the end of the tunnel. He is by far, the most knowledgeable Social Worker in the area of dementia care. Sam also hosts a support group for caregivers that is typically standing room only. Sam never complains about his workload and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of these caregivers. He is definitely an unsung hero.

Volunteer

LOVE ON A LEASH® FAYETTEVILLE CHAPTER

TITLE: Volunteer organization 

ORGANIZATION: Love on a Leash® 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The Love on a Leash® program at Cape Fear Valley Health brings trained therapy dogs into the hospital to offer comfort, companionship and emotional support to patients, families and staff. These gentle dogs, accompanied by their dedicated handlers, visit various areas throughout the hospital, providing a calming presence and helping to ease stress. The simple act of spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to lift spirits, reduce anxiety and foster a warm, healing environment, which has made Love on a Leash® a cherished part of Cape Fear Valley Health’s commitment to holistic care. Recognizing these benefits, Cape Fear Valley Health established the Love on a Leash® program to bring the therapeutic power of animals directly into the hospital setting. Since then, Love on a Leash® has become an integral part of the hospital’s patient-centered care approach, creating moments of joy and comfort for all who encounter these friendly, compassionate dogs.

J. WESLEY JONES

TITLE: Retired private practitioner 

ORGANIZATION: Community volunteer 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: I am pleased to nominate Dr. Wes Jones, M.D. for the Health Care Heroes Volunteer Award. From meeting his wife Lucy on a blind date to the move to Fayetteville, Dr. Jones’ life has been led by his faith and his heart. Since arriving in Fayetteville in 1983, his service with local nonprofit organizations includes Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, Methodist University, Fayetteville Academy and the Bergland Retreat Center. Wes is an active participant with Haymount United Methodist Church in mission efforts. His passions extend to out-of-state and international boards including; Hope Through Health Foundation board and in service as director and chair to Impact Global Health Alliance (formerly Curamericas Global). Wes has made over 35 international mission and leadership trips since 1970. These include trips to impoverished areas in Bolivia, Kenya and El Salvador in working with orphans and vulnerable families. His philanthropic spirit and willingness to share serve as an example to others in encouragement to match his talents and resources. Wes has created legacy impacts with a philosophy of “Everyone counts, and everyone is counted.

MARCIA GARRETT

TITLE: Volunteer & “Cuddler Coordinator” 

ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health 

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Marcia Garrett has been making a lifesaving impact one cuddle at a time. Since March 2022, the NICU at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has been using a new evaluation and treatment program called “Eat, Sleep, Console.” This program focuses on the baby’s ability to eat, sleep and be consoled, with an emphasis on non-pharmacologic management. A large part of the “Console” aspect of the program is done by volunteer “cuddlers” who are tasked with sitting and holding NICU babies. Volunteer Marcia Garrett organizes the NICU cuddler program and has been a volunteer in the NICU since 2018. Always humble, she describes herself as a “pastor’s wife and grandmother” but she gives her all and loves her current title as “Cuddler Coordinator.” She takes so much time to sing, cuddle and provide a warm touch to any baby in need. Marcia goes above and beyond to run the program and provides help to nurses with other activities in the NICU as needed. Her work with this program has inspired other area hospitals to adopt the program.