The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Awards honor those making an impact on healthcare in the Fayetteville MSA. On Nov. 2 beginning at 5:30 p.m. we will gather with members of the community to recognize the selfless contributions these workers have made for the health and wellness of their neighbors.

GFBJ opened up the nomination process to the community for its inaugural Health Care Heroes awards in early September. Our outside judging panel worked diligently to choose the finalists and ultimately the winners in each of the nine categories which included the lifetime achievement award.

The finalists were profiled in a special Health Care Heroes section of the Business Journal and the winners will be announced at an awards event on November 2 at the Highland Country Club. 

Event Details: 

Health Care Hero Awards

November, 2, 2023

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Highland Country Club 

5:30-6:30 pm - Cocktail Reception

6:30- 7:00 pm - Dinner is served 

7:00-8:30 pm - Awards Ceremony

***Business Professional attire recommended.

Meet the 2023 Health Care Heroes finalists:

Community Achievement:

Honors an individual or team who successfully implemented a program addressing a problem in health care administration, delivery or community outreach.

• Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium, Community Coalition, FirstHealth of the Carolinas 
• Vicky Parker, Senior Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center
• Rachel Thurnher, Education Coordinator for Cardiac Diagnostics, Cape Fear Valley Heart & Vascular Center

Innovation in Health Care:

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.

• Hershey S. Bell, Dean, Methodist University College of Medicine and CFVH School of Medicine, and VP & Chief Academic Officer, Cape Fear Valley Health & Methodist University 
• Y. Sammy Choi, Senior Advisor, Department of Research, Womack Army Medical Center
• Lenny Salzberg, Diabetes Fellowship Director, SR-AHEC

Lifetime Achievement:

Honors an individual for achievements throughout his or her career. Judges will consider the individual's professional accomplishments, impact on the community and assistance they gave to others.

• Ashok Jain, CEO & Owner,  Kidzcare Pediatrics

Health Care Executive:

Honors an individual whose job performance is considered exemplary by people within their organizations, peers and community members.

• Susan Beaty, President, Eastern Region and Administrator, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke Campus 
• Carrie St. Germain, Patient Care Manager, Surgical Services, Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital
• Michael Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer, Cape Fear Valley Health

Nurse:

Honors a nurse whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.

• Anastasia Jennings, Nurse Manager - Emergency Department, Med/Surg, FirstHealth of the Carolinas - Hoke Campus
• Shannon A. Matthews, Director, Nursing Program, Methodist University
• Lori Suggs, Licensed Practical Nurse, Cape Fear Valley Neuroscience

Physician:

Honors a physician whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.

• John H. Brooks, Doctor of Medicine, FirstHealth Cardiology Services
• Charles S. Haworth, Neurosurgery Medical Director, Cape Fear Valley Health
• Elizabeth M. Sawyer, Director, Breast Health Services, Cape Fear Valley Hospital Systems

Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant:

Honors a nurse practitioner or physician assistant whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.

• Shelley Allison, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Firsthealth Behavioral Services
• Lauren Blackmon, Nurse Practitioner, Cape Fear Valley Health System Pulmonary Medicine-Lung Nodule Clinic.
• Rachel Smith, Physician Assistant-Certified, Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Unsung Hero:

Honors anyone working in health care who may not fit into the categories listed above. This includes first responders, physical therapists, dental professionals, chiropractors, certified nursing aides, mental health professionals, researchers, administrators and others whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, colleagues and other health care providers.

• Franklin S.Clark, III, Owner/Medical Doctor, Village Green Health & Rehabilitation
• Anita Davis-Melvin, Administrative Assistant to the CEO, Cape Fear Valley Health
• Shelby Yow-Hayes, Director of Imaging, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke

Volunteer:

Honors a volunteer at a health care provider or other health-related organization who is considered exemplary by people within those organizations.

• Rakesh Gupta, Chair of the Methodist University Board of Trustees, Fayetteville VA Medical Center
• Omega Jones, Radio Host of CFVH “Making Rounds Live”, Cape Fear Valley Health
• W. Dickson Schaefer, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fayetteville Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Limited tickets are available for purchase at $75 each. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner and the ceremony. Dress code is business professional. To secure your seat at the event go to fayettevillehcheroes.com.