Announcing the 2026 Health Care Heroes finalists
By Staff Report, posted Nov 11, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is proud to announce our fourth annual Health Care Heroes event!
We are excited to join together with some of the region’s core health care institutions and providers and honor our local health care community.
Following three successful years of celebrating the remarkable contributions of health care professionals throughout our region, we are proud to return for another year of recognizing those who go above and beyond in service to others.
This year’s ceremony will once again highlight the exceptional work of health care professionals across the Fayetteville MSA, celebrating finalists across eight categories and recognizing an outstanding recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Matthew Harmody.
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and heartfelt nominations submitted by colleagues, patients and community members. This year, we received dozens of nominations, each reflecting the deep respect, gratitude and admiration our community holds for its health care providers.
We look forward to celebrating with you at the fourth annual Health Care Heroes event on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. We can’t wait to recognize this year’s outstanding finalists and honorees and celebrate the people who make a lasting difference in the lives of others. We’ll see you there!
-Faith Hatton, Publisher
About The Judging
Nominations for the 2026 Health Care Heroes Awards opened in July, and the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal was honored to receive dozens of nominations recognizing the outstanding health care professionals who make a difference in our community. We were proud to highlight the top three finalists in each of our eight award categories.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to our distinguished panel of judges for generously sharing their time, experience and insight throughout this process. We recognize that selecting finalists from such an impressive group of nominees was no easy task. Their thoughtful consideration, collaborative discussions and dedication helped make this year’s awards possible.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination, serve on our judging panel and help shine a spotlight on the exceptional individuals who make our health care community stronger. It is our pleasure to present the 2026 Health Care Heroes finalists!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 JUDGING PANEL:
JAN LEE SANTOS MUCFVH School of Medicine
STAYCE BLOUNT Cape Fear Botanical Garden
ALISON HENION Cape Fear Valley Health
ANNA HALEY Cape Fear Valley Health J
EANIE DAVIS BrightSpeed ROGER MILLER Copiers +
ALIAYAH SMITH MUCFVH School of Medicine
TARA LEDFORD FirstHealth
NOAH STAMP KidzCare Pediatrics
CHRISTY SWINSON Fayetteville State University
NELSON MORRIS KidzCare Pediatrics
PRESENTING SPONSORS
DANIEL WEATHERLY, CEO OF CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH
“Cape Fear Valley Health is a proud sponsor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Awards. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the health care heroes, our own Cape Fear Valley Health teammates and every health care colleague across our region, who dedicate themselves to caring for others. It truly takes all of us working together to keep our communities healthy and strong. On behalf of Cape Fear Valley Health, thank you for the compassion, commitment and excellence you bring to this calling every day.”
SUZANNE BLUM MALLEY, PH.D., EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & PROVOST OF METHODIST UNIVERSITY
“Methodist University is proud to return as a presenting sponsor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes awards. This past summer, a long-held dream became reality when the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class. That milestone strengthens MU’s role as a major contributor to our regional healthcare workforce, building on a long tradition of graduates who serve this community as compassionate, highly skilled practitioners across the health professions. With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude, we salute this year’s honorees and all who work to improve health outcomes across generations. Congratulations, Health Care Heroes!"
HEALTH CARE HEROES: COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT
HONORS AN INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM WHO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAM ADDRESSING A PROBLEM IN HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, DELIVERY OR COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
JAMES FARREN
TITLE: Discharge Planning Assistant
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: James Farren carries an inner peace that makes you feel like it is possible for things to be okay, even when it appears to be chaotic. I was fearful for my mom’s options of where she would be discharged to and the care she needed. Through all of my questions and changes in planning, he never once made me feel like I was being a bother. In a time of needing compassion, he came through big time for me. Everything he did, he did it to make certain that my mom’s remaining time would be safe and comfortable, as she deserved.
KIMBERLY MOSER
TITLE: Supervisory Early Intervention Program Manager
ORGANIZATION: Joel Health Clinic
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For nearly four decades, Mrs. Kimberly Moser has stood as an unwavering pillar of advocacy, clinical excellence and compassionate care for infants, young children and their families across Fayetteville and Fort Bragg communities. Before moving to federal service, Mrs. Moser served 14 years as the assistant director for the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) of Fayetteville, where she provided community-centered service to support vulnerable populations, laid the groundwork for regional early intervention partnerships and shaped policies that supported children with developmental needs throughout the greater Fayetteville area. Navigating early childhood developmental challenges within a military community requires not only superior clinical expertise, but also deep empathy for the unique stresses experienced by service members and their households. Mrs. Moser’s extensive career is defined not merely by sustaining high standards of care, but by actively identifying unmet needs and pioneering solutions that become enduring institutional assets.
SYLVIA D. RICH
TITLE: Supervisory Early Intervention Program Manager
ORGANIZATION: Joel Health Clinic
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Ms. Rich’s career spans an extraordinary 44 years of sustained investment in the lives of infants, toddlers and young children with special needs. For the past three decades, Ms. Rich has directed her talents and passion toward the military community as the EDIS (Educational and Developmental Intervention Services) program manager. Recognizing the unique challenges and stressors experienced by service members and their dependents, Ms. Rich has served as an unwavering advocate and steady anchor. Her work has ensured that military children with developmental delays and disabilities receive seamless, high-quality intervention regardless of their duty station. Ms. Rich brings a formidable clinical foundation to her leadership, trained as an early childhood special educator with advanced expertise in child psychology. She has recruited, trained and mentored scores of early intervention specialists, therapists and educators. Her mentees now lead clinics, shape policy and carry forward her compassionate methodology worldwide.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: 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.
ARGHAVAN ALMONY
TITLE: Retina Specialist
ORGANIZATION: Carolina Eye Associates, P.A.
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Arghavan Almony performed another successful SUSVIMO™ Implant in December, which marked a significant advancement in regional retinal care. This milestone offers new hope for patients living with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy. The SUSVIMO™ implant is a long-acting, refillable drug delivery system designed to provide sustained and reliable anti-VEGF therapy. By dramatically reducing the need for frequent intravitreal injections, the device supports more consistent long-term treatment while easing the burden on patients and caregivers. Dr. Almony’s successful procedure further solidifies Carolina Eye Associates as a leader in advanced retinal therapies and puts Dr. Almony at the forefront of the movement to adopt this groundbreaking new treatment in our region of the country.
PODIATRY RESIDENT CLINIC
TITLE: Clinic
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For a patient struggling to walk because of persistent foot pain, living with complications from diabetes or facing a condition that threatens their mobility and independence, access to specialized podiatric care can make a meaningful difference in everyday life. At the Cape Fear Valley Podiatry Resident Clinic, that care is also helping prepare the physicians who will serve patients for years to come. Innovation in health care is often associated with new technology, advanced equipment or groundbreaking procedures. But innovation can also mean recognizing a need in the community and finding a better way to meet it. The Cape Fear Valley Podiatry Resident Clinic does this by bringing specialized patient care and physician education together in one setting. Patients receive care for foot and ankle conditions while podiatric residents gain hands-on clinical experience under the guidance and supervision of experienced physicians. What makes this model so meaningful is that patient care and education strengthen one another.
FIRSTHEALTH LUNG BUS
TITLE: Mobile Imaging Unit
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For patients who face barriers to transportation or live in rural areas, FirstHealth is meeting them where they are—literally. The Lung Bus, a mobile imaging unit equipped with a 40-slice low-dose CT scanner, travels throughout the region, including Hoke, Cumberland and Harnett counties to bring life-saving lung cancer screenings into communities. The commitment of the lung screening program is to save lives through screening with a goal of 10,000 screenings in five years. The lung bus hit the road in March 2025 and as of August 2026, the lung bus has completed 85 on-site screening clinics, attended 100 community outreach events and served 24 counties. The FirstHealth Lung Bus has transformed the way lung cancer screening is delivered across the Sandhills. More than a mobile imaging unit, the Lung Bus serves as a highly visible community outreach platform that combines education, prevention, relationship-building and access to care.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE
HONORS AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE JOB PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PEOPLE WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, PEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
JAMES GARRIS
TITLE: Critical Care Paramedic
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Health, LifeLINK Air
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: James consistently goes above and beyond in providing exceptional patient care and supporting the needs of our individual base as well as the entire LifeLINK team. James provides a consistent positive attitude with each day’s daily tasks and helps with all aspects of base duties, aircraft operations and ground operations - no matter how little or seemingly insignificant these tasks may seem. He demonstrates a strong commitment to the organization by actively participating in nearly all available community outreach events as well as additional (optional) duties or tasks. He willingly takes on additional tasks and responsibilities without hesitation to better the entire organization. James helped develop an “outreach poker chip” to be handed out at PR’s, Landing Zone (LZ) classes, etc. for quick QR code access for others to submit information to request the helicopter for events and education. He is also actively working on a project to rebuild our EMS bags to best suit our IFT/scene calls based on feedback of others and personal experiences.
DONALD C. MAHARTY
TITLE: Vice President of Medical Education
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Maharty has dedicated more than 28 years to graduate medical education, and his work is helping ensure our community has highly trained physicians to care for patients for years to come. In his roles as senior associate dean for graduate medical education at the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine and vice president of medical education at Cape Fear Valley Health, Dr. Maharty has helped strengthen the connection between medical education, patient care and the future physician workforce. His leadership creates opportunities for physicians to train here, build relationships within our community and, ultimately, consider making this region the place where they build their careers and care for patients. Dr. Maharty has spent his career helping develop programs, mentor physicians and build the foundation needed to prepare the next generation of health care professionals. His work today will continue to be felt years from now through the physicians he has helped train and the patients whose lives they will touch.
ZACHARY WILKERSON
TITLE: Corporate Director of Support Services
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Zachary exemplifies what it means to lead with compassion, humility and an unwavering commitment to serving both patients and those who care for them. He reminds us that while healthcare is fast-paced, every patient and family deserves to feel heard, valued and cared for. His leadership was especially evident during a situation involving a family who felt they were not receiving complete information about their loved one’s care. He quickly brought the appropriate members of the care team together for a brief meeting to ensure everyone was on the same page. He then invited the family to join the conversation so they could receive clear, consistent information, ask questions and feel included in their loved one’s care. His calm, thoughtful approach transformed a difficult situation into one built on communication, transparency and trust. His commitment extends just as strongly to his team. He is deeply invested in helping others succeed, encouraging professional growth, recognizing potential in others and creating opportunities for people to develop into confident leaders.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: NURSE
HONORS A NURSE WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
VICTORIA C. DEMME
TITLE: Critical Care RN
ORGANIZATION: Womack Army Medical Center ICU, Fort Bragg, NC
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Victoria has been nominated for the DAISY award by multiple patients in her two years here at Womack, she consistently provides exceptional patient care to everyone lucky enough to have her and she selflessly volunteers her knowledge and experience when applicable. In May 2026, she and I were attending a Renaissance Faire together when she witnessed a trauma near a combat ring. She immediately jumped into action. Holding the patient in C-spine, she began taking pertinent medical history and kept the scene calm until EMS arrived. In June, I transferred a patient from my ward to her in the ICU, and witnessed firsthand her compassion and care given to the patient in both a medical and emotional state of distress. When the patient eventually returned to my care, the patient sang praises about Victoria, saying how they were able to laugh and cry together, making the patient’s time in the hospital far better than expected. Victoria has set the standard for what critical care nursing should look like.
SALAH HADWAN
TITLE: Registered Nurse, Emergency
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Salah Hadwan was assigned the role of the frontline nurse at the Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital Emergency Department (ED). A family frantically entered the ED holding a small child who was actively choking. The child was turning blue and had some food lodged in her airway, preventing her from breathing. Salah quickly recognized this emergency and acted quickly to deliver life-saving care. He took the child in his arms and began to deliver back blows to attempt to free the airway. As he was taking the patient to an ED room and to the physician team, he was able to assist the child in dislodging the food product. Salah's early recognition and skilled training were able to open the occluded airway again to literally breathe life back into this little girl. He single-handedly accomplished this in a humble, professional and community-driven manner. His actions reflect great credit to him and the Cape Fear Valley Healthcare organization.
SHELLIAN HERNANDEZ
TITLE: Registered Nurse
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For as long as I can remember, my mother, Shellian Hernandez, has gone above and beyond in her position. She shows absolute compassion to her patients as well as the families that come out to see their loved ones in the hospital. Her co-workers have nothing but wonderful things to say about her, and even friends of mine who are around her say that she is a great nurse who does her job and tasks amazingly. Years and years ago, I remember my mom taking me to the hospital she worked at in Long Island and showing me the floor she was working on at the time. Although I was only there for a short bit and stayed near the desk, I could already see in my mom's eyes that she was ready to go, she was all business as soon as we entered the hospital. From then on, I knew that my mom loved what she did despite it being a difficult job at times.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: NP/PA
HONORS A NURSE PRACTITIONER OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
PAULINE “DEANA” FAIRCLOTH
TITLE: Urology Nurse Practitioner
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Urology
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For 27 years, Deana Faircloth has dedicated her career to Cape Fear Valley Health, growing from a nurse into a respected nurse practitioner and leader while remaining steadfastly committed to the patients and community she serves. Over the years, Deana has become much more than a provider within the Urology service line. She has been a source of stability, knowledge and continuity for both patients and staff. As providers have transitioned in and out of the program over the past 16 years, Deana has remained a constant, helping ensure that patients in the community continue to have access to the urologic care they need. Deana has spent years developing relationships with patients, understanding their needs and helping them navigate their care. Her dedication and commitment eventually led to her promotion to Lead Advanced Practice Provider. In that role, Deana has continued caring for patients while also serving as a trusted resource and leader for her colleagues. Staff members know they can turn to her for support, guidance and assistance.
JESSICA LEA KOUBA
TITLE: Physician Assistant
ORGANIZATION: Physicians’ Total Rehab, Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Jessica worked in the Cape Fear Valley Hospital Emergency Room for 10 years. She developed a working relationship with the staff, physicians and other PAs to give exemplary care to patients. Jessica is a contributing provider for the Methodist University PA program where she teaches classes on anatomy, physical examination and history taking. Jessica has worked at The CARE Clinic volunteering in orthopedics. She has worked with Better Health Fayetteville and currently serves as the PA Foundation Chair on the Cape Fear Valley Health Board of Trustees. Fayetteville is fortunate to have Jessica not only giving of her talents to her patients, but also to future graduates of the Methodist University PA program.
JAMES J. RICHARD
TITLE: Physician Assistant
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Family Medical Care
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: For more than a decade, James Richard has been my primary care provider, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the finest health care professionals I have encountered in my lifetime. What makes James exceptional is not one extraordinary appointment or one act of kindness. It is the consistency with which he has provided extraordinary care year after year. James knows medicine, but just as importantly, he knows his patient. As an African American woman, I have been particularly impressed by the attention he gives to health concerns that disproportionately or uniquely affect women like me. I never have to wonder whether the person caring for me has considered who I am, my stage of life, my family history, my community or the health disparities that can affect people who look like me. I trust James wholeheartedly. His guidance has served me extraordinarily well over the years because I know his recommendations come from knowledge, preparation and genuine concern for my well-being.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: PHYSICIAN
HONORS A PHYSICIAN WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
ELIZABETH GIGNAC
TITLE: Assistant Dean for Clinical Skills & Simulation
ORGANIZATION: Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Elizabeth Gignac brings an extraordinary level of dedication, expertise and heart to preparing the next generation of physicians. She goes beyond simply teaching clinical skills. She creates opportunities for students to practice communicating with patients, navigating complex situations and making decisions in an environment where they can learn, make mistakes and grow before those skills are needed in real patient care. Her work in clinical simulation helps bridge the gap between the classroom and the bedside, ultimately strengthening the quality of care future physicians will provide. What stands out most is that she understands the purpose behind every skill she teaches. Behind every simulated patient, clinical scenario and teaching moment is a real person who will one day place their trust in one of these future physicians. Dr. Gignac is helping ensure that when that day comes, MU CFVH School of Medicine graduates are prepared not just to practice medicine, but to care for patients well.
ROBERT E. MAUGHAN
TITLE: Cardiothoracic Surgeon
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Maughan has played an important role in the growth of cardiac care at Cape Fear Valley Health. He helped establish and maintain the health system’s heart program and later helped launch its transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, program. His work has helped bring advanced cardiac services to patients in the community, allowing more people to receive specialized heart care close to home. Staff members describe Dr. Maughan as someone who never fails to recognize the team caring for his patients. He values the nurses, advanced practice providers, technicians and other staff members working alongside him and makes sure they know their contributions matter. That respect is one of the many reasons he is so loved by his colleagues. For 28 years, Dr. Maughan has been a steady presence at Cape Fear Valley. Through it all, his focus has remained on his patients and the people who help care for them.
AMANDA KORZEP WATTS
TITLE: Hoke Medical Director
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Sandhills Emergency Physicians
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Dr. Watts consistently goes far beyond expectations in her service to patients, colleagues and our community. She embodies authentic servant leadership. She leads with kindness, compassion, humility and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right. She understands the demands of emergency medicine and recognizes the importance of creating moments of connection and fun in an otherwise incredibly difficult environment. Dr. Watts is also a relentless advocate for continuous improvement. A powerful example of this leadership has been her instrumental role in the implementation and sustainment of our emergency department front-end process redesign. This work required significant changes in workflow, collaboration across disciplines and sustained engagement from both physicians and nursing. Dr. Watts did not simply support the initiative; she became an active partner in designing, implementing and sustaining the change. After 15 years in emergency nursing and health care leadership, I can say that Dr. Watts is the most influential and consistently collaborative physician partner I have ever had the privilege of working alongside.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: UNSUNG HEROES
HONORS ANYONE WORKING IN HEALTH CARE WHO MAY NOT FIT INTO THE OTHER CATEGORIES HIGHLIGHTED IN HEALTH CARE HEROES, AND INCLUDES ANYONE IN THE FIELD WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, COLLEAGUES AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
NAOMI BELGRAVE
TITLE: Human Resources, Payroll, Accounts Payable and Corporate Office Manager
ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Naomi is one of those people whose impact can sometimes be easy to overlook because she does so much of her work quietly and consistently. She is dedicated, hardworking, dependable and always willing to go above and beyond what is expected of her. Her commitment does not end when she walks out of the office. She continues to think about the work, the team and what needs to be accomplished, often putting in effort even when she is not physically at the office. Naomi wears many hats at KidzCare. Despite everything on her plate, Naomi treats everyone with respect and kindness. She understands that every person she interacts with matters, and she leads by example in the way she communicates, collaborates and follows through. For her dedication, leadership, work ethic, ability to successfully wear many hats, willingness to go above and beyond and unwavering commitment to supporting her coworkers and the organization, Naomi Belgrave is exceptionally deserving of recognition as an Unsung Hero.
ROBERT JACKSON
TITLE: Certified Pharmacy Technician
ORGANIZATION: Womack Army Medical Center
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Robert is always so kind to the patients. It honestly amazes me working beside him, hearing how he interacts with the patient population. Rob is a great coworker to all of our pharmacy. Rob organizes a weekly meet up and has invited several of us to hang out with him. Rob retired from the military as a Ranger, and what better person to have to serve the patient population than someone that helped keep our country safe.
DUSTIN SHEPARD
TITLE: Biomed Equipment Technician
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Biomedical technicians rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Dustin’s role goes far beyond routine maintenance: he actively repairs equipment and troubleshoots complex circuit boards. Beyond technical repairs, he prioritizes operational readiness and financial stewardship. By choosing to repair equipment in-house rather than replacing it or outsourcing, Dustin directly drives cost efficiency and protects the hospital’s bottom line. This dedication extends to urgent, off-duty responses, ensuring critical clinical devices are back in service with minimal downtime. Whether he is keeping machines running seamlessly or taking the time to train nurses on device operation to ease their workflow, Dustin’s ultimate mission is to support the clinical team so they can focus entirely on patient care.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: VOLUNTEER
HONORS A VOLUNTEER AT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR OTHER HEALTH-RELATED ORGANIZATION WHO IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PEOPLE WITHIN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.
MU CFVH INAUGURAL CLASS OF 2030
TITLE: Medical Students
ORGANIZATION: Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Although our School of Medicine welcomed its first 64 students in July 2026, its commitment to community service has already generated extraordinary impact. From July to Sept. 2026, 77% of students participated in 51 community engagement opportunities, generating 353 documented service hours valued at over $12,000. The numbers have increased significantly since then. These accomplishments reflect a foundation of service established by the late Dr. Kimberly Vess, whose vision and dedication helped embed community engagement into our school's identity. Her legacy continues through the leadership of D'Asia Johnson, manager of community engagement, who advances these partnerships and creates meaningful opportunities for students to serve. Working alongside organizations including Better Health of Cumberland County, the American Red Cross, The CARE Clinic and Cape Fear Valley Hospice, students support health education, food security, preventive care and vulnerable populations. What distinguishes our students is that service is not simply an extracurricular activity; it is foundational to their development as future physicians.
SANDRA LONG
TITLE: Volunteer
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Sandra has made a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families through her volunteer service with Cape Fear Valley Health’s NICU Cuddler Program and No One Dies Alone (NODA) program. Whether providing comfort and soothing touch to the tiniest, most vulnerable babies or offering a compassionate presence to patients in their final moments, she gives the gift of comfort, dignity and human connection when it is needed most. Her selfless dedication reflects the true spirit of volunteerism and is a beautiful example of the difference one person can make.
DIANA SMITH
TITLE: Volunteer
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: At 83 years young, Diana Smith is still showing up for Cape Fear Valley Health patients, just as she has for more than five decades. Diana relocated to Fayetteville from Buffalo, New York, in 1972 and began working as a secretary in Cape Fear Valley’s Pastoral Care Department that same year. During her career, Diana became known for the compassion, faith and genuine concern she showed to patients, visitors and staff. Recognizing her natural ability to comfort and support others, her department director encouraged her to pursue chaplaincy. She continued serving Cape Fear Valley Health until her retirement in 2013, concluding more than 40 years as an employee. In 2014, she returned to Cape Fear Valley Health as a volunteer chaplain and served patients and visitors as a chaplain’s assistant for four years. Outside of the health system, Diana has also continued giving her time and talents to several local churches. Diana does not volunteer for recognition. She volunteers because serving others is simply who she is.
The winners of our fourth annual Health Care Heroes Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Nov. 12.
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