Kelly Van Fossen, D.O., program director of Cape Fear Valley Health’s General Surgery Residency Program, has received national recognition for her leadership and contributions to surgical education, earning the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons’ 2026 Guy D. Beaumont Jr., FACOS Award of Academic Excellence.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a lasting impact on the advancement of osteopathic surgical education. 

“I am humbled to have been considered and incredibly honored to receive this award,” Van Fossen said in a press release. “I never expected to be recognized at this level for simply doing the work I care so deeply about. My focus remains on continuing to strengthen our General Surgery Residency Program, supporting our residents and serving the needs of our community.” 

Van Fossen joined Cape Fear Valley Health after completing her general surgery residency at Grandview Medical Center in 2009. Soon after arriving, she recognized an opportunity to expand medical education within the health system. In 2010, she was one of three physicians who helped bring medical students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and later Campbell University to Cape Fear Valley Health.

In 2014, Van Fossen was selected to build Cape Fear Valley Health’s General Surgery Residency Program. She helped secure American Osteopathic Association accreditation in 2015 and later guided the program through the transition to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation in 2018.

“Dr. Kelly Van Fossen is an extraordinary physician, educator and leader whose impact on Graduate Medical Education at Cape Fear Valley has been remarkable,” said Donald Maharty, M.D., vice president of Medical Education at Cape Fear Valley Health, in a press release. “As the inaugural program director of our General Surgery Residency Program, she built the program from the ground up, establishing a culture of clinical excellence, mentorship and service to our community. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her commitment to surgical education and developing the next generation of surgeons.”

Today, Van Fossen is known for combining high expectations with a genuine personal investment in her residents. She often jokes that they are her “adult children” and is recognized for her ability to break down complex surgical concepts into practical, understandable steps.

Her impact can also be seen in the physicians who have completed the program and chosen to continue practicing in the region. 

Several graduates have also returned after completing fellowships to help teach and lead within the General Surgery Residency Program, including Jenna Frietas, D.O., who advanced from resident to associate program director.

“Perhaps the greatest testament to Dr. Van Fossen’s leadership is the lasting impact her graduates are having on our region,” Maharty added in a press release. “More than 70% of the surgeons who have graduated from the program have chosen to remain in Cumberland County and the surrounding area, caring for the community in which they trained. That is an extraordinary legacy and a powerful example of what Graduate Medical Education can accomplish.”