Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - November 7, 2025 issue
tanding in front of the soon-tobe completed, state-of-the-art Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine building on Oct. 17, Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., shared that the proposed new school of medicine has received the official accreditation approval necessary to begin its recruitment of its inaugural class of students for the summer of 2026.
“Today marks a truly transformational milestone,” Wearden said to a crowd of medical professionals, key partners,
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
L to R: Michael Nagowski, Dr. Hershey Bell and Dr. Stanley T. Wearden stand in front of the soon-to-be completed Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine building.
New Season, New Schedule
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THE RIGHT PARTNER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
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FTCC receives $2M donation
FTCC CELEBRATES HISTORIC CAPE FEAR VALLEY DONATION WITH BUILDING RENAMINGS
Fayetteville Technical Community College unveiled new names for two buildings Tuesday, Oct. 28, celebrating a historical donation with the announcement of the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing and the Cape Fear Valley School of Health Sciences.
The renamings honor a $2 million contribution from Cape Fear Valley Health in support of FTCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs. The gift is the largest single donation in the college’s history and cements Cape Fear Health Valley as FTCC’s strongest workforce partner.
“We are deeply grateful for Cape Fear Valley Health's generous gift to expand healthcare pathways at Fayetteville Technical Community College,” FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells said during the ceremony. “This investment represents a transformative step forward in addressing the critical need for high-quality healthcare in the Sandhills Region, a recognized healthcare desert.”
The names are attached to buildings formerly called the Nursing Education & Simulation Center and the Health Technologies Center.
Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski said the system’s gift was driven by the belief that the best workforce is grown locally, providing CFVH with the staff to deliver the highest quality care possible.
“We don’t want you to have to travel to receive world-class care, and we’re going to continue growing the care that we provide here,” Nagowski said in a press release. “That requires a workforce that is well-trained, ready and eager to provide that care, and that is exactly what Fayetteville Tech is doing here.”
Nagowski pointed out that, on any given day, hundreds of FTCC students are on CFVH’s campuses learning practical applications from the system’s professionals as part of the partnership between the college and the healthcare provider.
NC Community Colleges Board Chairman Tom Looney, Cumberland County Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere and Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy joined Sorrells and Nagowski onstage for Tuesday’s celebration.
FTCC Dean of Allied Health Michelle Walden called Cape Fear
Valley Health an incredible partner in advancing healthcare education in the region.
“Cape Fear Valley Health’s continued investment in our students helps us expand opportunities for hands-on learning and strengthen the connection between education and the healthcare workforce,” Walden said in a press release. “This gift reflects their deep commitment to patient care and to developing the next generation of allied health professionals.”
FTCC Dean of Nursing Dr. Sharon Gallagher extended deep gratitude to CFVH on behalf of the program.
“Cape Fear Valley Health’s generous gift exemplifies the mutual commitment of our partners and ourselves to our community and the future of nursing,” Gallagher stated in a press release. “This support will enhance our program and provide students with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to excel in healthcare and make a meaningful impact in our region.”
CFVH’s gift will impact a large portion of FTCC’s students, benefiting learners in some of the college’s most competitive pathways. Students enrolled in FTCC’s nursing or allied health programs make up nearly 30% of the college’s curriculum enroll-
ment. More than 300 students are in nursing programs and over 700 are enrolled across 19 allied health disciplines.
FTCC’s health-related programs have 2,561 students enrolled this fall. Additionally, FTCC partners with Cumberland County Schools to provide classes for students interested in pursuing education in healthcare fields through CCS’s health academies and FTCC’s High School Connections dual-enrollment program.
At Tuesday’s celebration, Sorrells announced that FTCC, CFVH and CCS were in the early stages of developing accelerated pathways for high school students interested in healthcare careers.
CFVH has served as a dedicated partner for years, supporting FTCC’s mission as a student-centered institution building a highly skilled workforce fueling economic growth.
“This partnership strengthens our longstanding relationship and accelerates training for good-paying jobs, bringing greater opportunity and enhanced access to quality care for our county and region,” Sorrells said in a press release. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with the hospital, Cumberland County Schools and our university partners in Cumberland County.”
FTCC, with the support of CFVH
and other partners, has been growing its nursing and allied health programs in an effort to meet a critical shortage of healthcare workers.
In January 2023, FTCC welcomed students to a newly renovated, state-of-the-art Nursing Education & Simulation Center that featured 32 hospital beds and a variety of training equipment. That building is now the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing.
In 2024, the North Carolina Community College System awarded FTCC $1.5 million for health programs with $600,000 going to aid the Nursing program expansion, $500,000 going to fund a new Cardiovascular Technology program and $400,000 given to support the college’s existing Respiratory Therapy program, which is the largest RT program in North Carolina.
At CFVH’s urging, FTCC pushed to expand enrollment for its Associate Degree in Nursing program from 280 to 400 students. FTCC received approval from the state for the increase in 2024. In 2025, they began the journey of admitting 90 students each fall and spring to reach that 400 seat target, and they also began planning to initiate an LPN to RN bridge program.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FTCC
FTCC Medical Sonography students pose with Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski and FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells.
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It has been a recent topic of discussion in the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal office as to when it is appropriate to begin putting up Christmas decorations. One of my coworkers shared that the second Halloween ends, her tree is up, another coworker shared that she puts up her decorations when she wants and doesn't tend to wait until after Thanksgiving.
As for me and my house, we respect the pants ripping, coma inducing family meal, and I refuse to acknowledge the coming Christmas chaos until after the turkey has been put away. You can argue that Thanksgiving is more of a warm up to Christmas. And while there aren't any Thanksgiving specific songs to play (even though Bob’s Burgers has
is the perfect fall film capturing both Halloween and Thanksgiving vibes, argue with someone else about it.) there’s still some form of anticipation leading up to the holiday.
My Christmas tree will sit in storage until Nov. 28 out of respect. I don’t want fall to go, the bugs are dying, the humidity is gone and the frost has yet to make any of us late for work. But this final month of fall is proving to be a great one! We have our Health Care Heroes event coming up on Nov. 13 and this issue is filled with this year’s finalists and honorees! The GFBJ team has done an amazing job organizing this year’s event and I am looking forward to serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies yet again!
This issue is also surprisingly
the biggest health care news of the year like the preliminary LCME approval for the incoming Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine (check the cover), the recent partnership between Fayetteville Technical Community College and Cape Fear Valley Health (page 3) and a new piece of equipment being used for the first time in the state by FirstHealth (page 11).
I can’t prove that all of these organizations waited for our event to go public with these developments, but the suspicion is there!
We hope you enjoy this issue and getting to know some of this year’s Health Care Heroes!
Happy reading!
Expanding community care
HEALTHKEEPERZ CUTS RIBBON ON NEW CAP CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICE IN LUMBERTON
HealthKeeperz is proud to announce the opening of its new Community Alternatives Program (CAP) Case Management Office in Lumberton, N.C. HealthKeeperz held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to celebrate expanded access to home and community-based care for families across Robeson County.
Since 2002, Healthkeeperz has been a leader in providing CAP Case Management for adults and children with disabilities. The new Lumberton office reflects the organization’s long-standing dedication to community-based care.
On Oct. 22 HealthKeeperz celebrated their new Community Alternatives Program (CAP) Case Management Office in Lumberton.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Community Alternatives Program is a North Carolina Medicaid program that coordinates a range of supportive services not typically covered by regular Medicaid. The goal of CAP is to provide quality, cost-effective care in the home and community as an alternative to placement in a facility, while also providing essential relief and support to primary caregivers.
that all their needs are met. This not only supports the participant’s health and well-being but also offers significant emotional and financial benefits—enabling family members to focus on their roles without becoming overwhelmed caregivers.
“It’s a family business that started with my father, Howard Brooks, more than 60 years ago...I’m standing on his shoulders as he stood on the shoulders of those who came before him. So we certainly don’t take credit for what HealthKeeperz is today, because it’s a legacy that my dad started,” remarked HealthKeeperz President & CEO Tim Brooks at the event.
Located at 2003 Godwin Ave. Ste B in Lumberton, the office began operations in June 2025. The new Healthkeeperz CAP Office is open
“It’s one of those services that you don't know you need it until somebody tells you that you need it. So it's a lot of education. But we’ve been doing this for over 20 years across the state. This is one of 12 offices that we have in North Carolina, [from] Elizabeth City in the East to Bryson City in the West,” shared Brooks.
CAP case managers play an essential role by coordinating these services with the individual’s family, ensuring
Brooks acknowledged the work of the case managers in his speech: “Their role is to be sure that those people who are at home have the support they need, the medical equipment, in-home aides, meals, transportation, therapy, everything that is needed to support those individuals at home. It's their job to coordinate that with the family.”
The Lumberton CAP Office represents another step forward in Healthkeeperz’s mission to care for the whole person—body mind and spirit—while supporting caregivers and strengthening communities across North Carolina.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Summit sparks success
THE TULSA INITIATIVE TO HOST TECH SUMMIT EMPOWERING
On Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025,
The Tulsa Initiative will host the Success Summit: Tech Edition at Methodist University, bringing together more than 350 high school students for a full day focused on technology, leadership and innovation. The Summit introduces under-resourced students to real-world opportunities in tech through hands-on sessions, mentorship and direct connections with colleges and employers.
Recognizing the rapidly growing industry and intersection of technology and artificial intelligence, Tulsa Initiative felt it was important to highlight this area in this year’s summit to help prepare students for the future of work and innovation.
The event will feature keynote speaker Paul Hanfere, former program manager at The Boeing Company and co-founder of a successful mortgage brokerage. Now lead
The Tulsa Success Summit: Tech Edition is designed to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools, knowledge and inspiration they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
pastor of Overflow City Church in Washington, D.C., Hanfere blends business experience and faith-based leadership to inspire purpose-driven success.
Students will explore sessions including Intro to AI Prompt
Engineering with Dr. Terry House, AI in Daily Life: Practical Tools for Success with Crystal McLean and Strengthening Future Readiness –Tools and Strategies for Workforce Preparation with Glenn Ford. The day will also feature a Pathways to Purpose panel discussion and a breakout session led by Jeffron Smalls, helping students connect technology to leadership, education and workforce development.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring the Success Summit: Tech Edition to life this year,” said Founder and Executive Director of The Tulsa
NC STUDENTS
Initiative Qu’Derrick Covington in a press release. “Our goal is to show students what’s possible when education, innovation and opportunity meet. We’re deeply thankful for the continued support of our partners, speakers and community leaders who make this event—and its impact— possible.”
Community partners helping to make the Summit possible include Methodist University, Cumberland County Schools, Wake County Schools, JQ Lifestyle Group, City of Fayetteville Office of Community Safety, United States Army: Fort Bragg, Microsoft and Carolina Workforce Development.
For sponsorships, volunteering or partnerships, contact Kristen Maddox at 864-873-7814 or kristen@ houseofpruitt.com
The Strength of Advice®
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From
MILESTONE, page 1
media from around the state and SOM faculty and staff. “This accomplishment is the result of years of dedication, planning and collaboration… With preliminary accreditation in hand, we now begin the exciting work of recruiting our charter class – students who will one day transform healthcare throughout southeastern North Carolina.”
The accreditation designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) – the accrediting body for all U.S. and Canadian MD-granting medical schools – represents a significant achievement for Methodist University, in partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health, and positions the school as only the fifth MD medical school in North Carolina and the first new MD school in N.C. in four decades that isn’t tied to an existing institution.
“The medical school strengthens our identity as a true Academic Health System, a place where patient care, teaching and discovery all come together under one health system,” said Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health System. “We’re not just building a medical school, we're building the future of health care. ”
This moment is truly a celebration as a win for the city, region, state and nation, as it is the “greenlight” to recruit students for a medical school that brings new opportunities for aspiring physicians, innovative academic research and a long-term pipeline of doctors trained to serve.
“The next steps are: in the next two weeks, we'll open up our admissions process, and students will begin applying for seats in our charter class, which begins July 20,
BUSINESS EDUCATION
students will apply through MCAS, a
anticipate between 2,000-3,000 applications for the
2026,” said Dr. Hershey Bell, the founding dean of the SOM. “We're still working on developing the curriculum. We are still recruiting more and more faculty and staff members. We've already hired 50 people for the medical school alone. That's 50 new jobs in this community that weren't here before. We also start working on the next phase of accreditation. So accreditation has three phases, preliminary, you get to open. Provisional is based on how the students do in their first two years, and then you get full accreditation when you graduate your first class.”
Future students will apply through MCAS, a medical school application for everyone in the U.S. Dr. Bell shared that they anticipate between 2,000-3,000 applications for the first class of 64 students. Curriculum is still being developed.
“We’re working with physicians at Cape Fear Valley Health, our own faculty and faculty from Methodist University, the curriculum is already almost complete, and we're going to start beta testing it early in 2026. The curriculum is a novel curriculum that has students from day one thinking like physicians think. So they will be problem solving, using diagnostic dilemmas to help understand how all the foundational sciences, clinical sciences and health system sciences [and] how people actually interact with healthcare systems, how all that comes together,” shared Bell.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has reported that when students go to medical school and complete their residency in one area, there’s a 70% chance they stay in that area to practice. An Economic Impact Study – by Michael Walden from N.C. State University – shows the SOM will increase annual spending in the area by $72M and create nearly 850 news jobs (not including those from expected new industries and employers).
This accreditation and the founding of the new medical school is a win for Methodist University as a whole. University leadership anticipate this milestone achievement will generate greater interest in other focuses within the institution as well.
“This is going to have a halo effect that will be beneficial for everything else we do at Methodist University, for all of our programs, because this changes the nature of
who we are. We’re now a university that has a medical school, and that's a big, big thing, and that brings a lot of attention nationally, regionally, etc, and it generates interest. Students want to go to schools like that. Yeah, they see those as quality schools. And we’ve known for a long time we’re a quality school. This kind of puts the stamp on it,” shared Wearden.
For several years, Methodist University has had some of the region’s top academic programs in Health Sciences & Human Services and maintains departments that include: Health Care Administration, Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, the School of Nursing, Social Work and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
“We’re going to take a really strong interprofessional approach with this, where we make sure that the medical students are also working with the PA students, the physical therapy students, occupational therapy, nursing, etc. One of the issues in medicine for a long time is professionals not talking to each other, and so we're going to model that with the way we educate our students,” added Wearden.
More information about the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which has received tremendous support from the Golden LEAF Foundation and other corporate and individual donors, can be found at methodist.edu/medicine.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Future
medical school application for everyone in the U.S. Dr. Bell shared that they
first class of 64 students.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Along with moving to the next phase of accreditation, recruitment continues for faculty and staff for the SOM. According to leadership, 50 new people have already been hired.
ACHIEVERS
Lumbee Guaranty Bank announces appointment of Allan Campbell to board of directors
Lumbee Guaranty Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of ALLAN CAMPBELL to its board of directors. His appointment was unanimously approved by the board at its most recent meeting.
Mr. Campbell began his career working at Pine Crest Country Club, where he met a variety of people and formed lasting friendships.
He started his own lawnmowing business and soon expanded into landscaping. Since 1995, he has owned Campbell’s Used Cars and also operates AC Properties, specializing in residential rental properties. Most recently, he and his wife founded Campbelton Grove, a luxury event venue in Lumberton.
“I am excited to have Allan Campbell on our board of directors, who brings a wealth of knowledge and knows the business needs of our communities as well,” said Board Chair of Lumbee Guaranty Bank Sybil Bullard in a press release.
Mr. Campbell’s leadership and foresight have guided his companies to sustained success, and his entrepreneurial experience will be an asset to Lumbee Guaranty Bank as it continues to grow and serve southeastern North Carolina.
An active member of the community, Campbell previously served as church councilman at New Life Church in Lumberton and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Robeson-Lumberton, as well as the Oakridge Homeowners Association.
FTCC welcomes new associate vice president of human resources
Fayetteville Technical Community College is pleased to announce RICHARD BARNES as the associate vice president for human resources & talent development.
Barnes joins FTCC following the retirement of Carl Mitchell, who served as the head of the college’s HR department until his departure in July.
“I am thrilled to be here, and the thing that excites me is that FTCC is growing,” Barnes said in a press release. “The best part of HR is bringing people into new experiences.” Barnes has since spent his life in
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
North Carolina, earning his undergraduate degree in psychology and his juris doctor degree from NC Central University. He most recently worked at Shaw University as the college’s AVP for human resources and Title IX coordinator. Prior to his work in higher education, Barnes gained experience in human resources in the private sector, working at Nortel, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and as a contractor at Red Hat.
“We are excited for Mr. Barnes to join us and leverage his skills and experience to keep us moving forward to meet our institutional goals and create a pathway for talent development,” FTCC Vice President for Business, Finance & HR Debbie Todd said in a press release.
Methodist University professor wins prestigious Alex Trebek Legacy Award
DR. SONALI KUDVA, Methodist University assistant professor of Communication & Media, has been awarded the Alex Trebek Legacy Award Fellowship through the Television Academy Foundation.
Since 2021, the Foundation has offered fellowships in honor of the late television Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek and financially supported the award winner’s trips to its three-day conference, which took place at the Television Academy’s North Hollywood campus in California from Oct. 22-24. The conference connected college classrooms with the television industry by providing media professors with curriculum-enhancing seminars on the latest in the art, science and business of television with prominent leaders in entertainment.
Born and raised in India, Kudva holds three master’s degrees and a
Ph.D. She began her career in journalism after being hired on the spot by a newspaper editor who saw her potential.
“I’m proud to represent our students and our program,” Kudva said in a press release. “Every opportunity I have, I see it as a way to make their learning experience richer.”
As an educator in the Communication, Composition & Rhetoric Division at MU, Kudva is committed to fostering a student-centered learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, media literacy and practical application.
Arts Council’s Kennon Jackson, Jr. appointed to Joint City & County Appearance Commission
The Arts Council of Fayetteville — Cumberland County is pleased to announce the appointment of Chief of Staff KENNON JACKSON, JR. to the Joint City and County Appearance Commission. The Commission advances community beautification and reviews public building and site plans on public properties across the city and county — making written recommendations on aesthetic suitability and helping shape a more attractive, welcoming built environment.
“I’m honored to serve on the Joint Appearance Commission,” said Kennon Jackson, Jr. in a press release. “Our public realm — streetscapes, gateways, civic sites and neighborhood corridors—tells a story about who we are. I look forward to collaborating with partners across the city and county to elevate design standards, support thoughtful placemaking and connect
beautification with arts-driven economic vitality.”
Jackson’s service will complement the Arts Council’s ongoing placemaking initiatives—including exhibitions, public art and partnerships that improve the community’s visual environment— while supporting the Commission’s charge to review public projects and promote policies that enhance Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
Linda Parsons named 2025 North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year
The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) has named LINDA PARSONS, IOM, CCEC, president & CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, as the 2025 North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year. The award was presented during CACCE’s Annual Management Conference held at the Beach House Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The Executive of the Year Award honors long-standing chamber professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing their communities. Recipients are recognized for excellence in chamber management, professional service, community engagement and leadership integrity.
“Linda is not only an exceptional chamber executive, but she is also a community force, a strategic thinker and a tireless advocate for local business and economic development. For more than a decade, she has led the Moore County Chamber with unwavering commitment, innovative vision and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a vibrant, resilient business community,” said Director of Business and Community Development Jana Walding in a press release. “Under her leadership, the Chamber has strengthened its financial health, expanded regional influence and launched initiatives that continue to shape the future of our workforce and local economy. Linda’s people-centered, results-driven approach has positioned the Chamber as a trusted partner and collaborative solution-builder for businesses and community leaders across Moore County and throughout the state of North Carolina.”
Kudva
Jackson
Campbell
Barnes
Parsons
•
•
Pumping up the workforce
FTCC LAUNCHES CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TO MEET GROWING INDUSTRY DEMAND
Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) is starting a new cardiovascular technology program to establish a pipeline that could cover increased demand for technicians in the cardiovascular health space.
The program would have its initial two cohorts starting in the fall of 2026, and would span the course of two years — in the way a traditional associate degree does. FTCC officials say the program is particularly valuable for students seeking a steady career with good earning potential in a field in demand.
Cardiovascular technology is a health career that prepares individuals to perform procedures leading to diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
“Cape Fear Valley Health reached out to us about starting a program, and we had several meetings, and we collaborated,” said Michelle Walden, FTCC’s dean of Allied Health. “There’s such a need for anything having to do with cardiovascular health, and everybody’s numbers have gone up. FirstHealth, and [University of North Carolina] Southeastern have been part of the conversations.”
The program, Walden said, is yet another example of FTCC’s efforts to address workforce needs for employers all over North Carolina.
“Typically, providers end up with some radiographers doing this type of work. With this program, we can take people with no healthcare experience, they can get the two year associate degree, and go into it,” Walden noted.
Two tracks are expected for the program; an invasive and a non-invasive track. Students who decide to take on the coursework in the invasive track will qualify to become Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS) via a certification process approved by Cardia Credentialing International (CCI), a nonprofit corporation established to administer credentialing examinations as an independent certification agency.
Walden, a radiologic technologist herself, also shared that graduates will be prepared to work in cardiac catheterization and/or interventional radiography.
“A radiographer has the background of the radiation protection, the physics of it all. And when you’re working with ionizing radiation on the invasive track, it’s important, because people don’t really think about radiation because you can’t see it, but it can cause harm. For safety, you need to understand that.”
For radiographers already certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) who complete the invasive track, they will be eligible for the ARRT Vascular Interventional (VI) or Cardiac Interventional (CI) certifications — both advanced specializations for registered technologists.
The CI certification focuses on image-guided procedures for the heart and coronary arteries, such as angioplasty and stenting, performed in a cardiac catheterization lab. The VI certification is for image-guided procedures on blood vessels throughout the body (except the heart), such as those in the brain, abdomen and extremities.
Students in the non-invasive track, specializing in cardiac sonography, will be eligible to become registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers through the American Registry of Medical Sonography. They can also become registered cardiac sonographers through CCI. Graduates will
be prepared to work in echocardiography in hospitals and cardiology offices.
“We also plan to develop pathways for students who hold an associate degree and credentials in related health professions such as radiography, medical sonography, nursing, emergency medical science, respiratory therapy or surgical technology,” Walden added.
To implement these new programs next fall, the university is working on overhauling and reusing its facilities. That starts with renovations to the existing surgical services at FTCC. The cardiovascular technology program cohorts will share the facility with those from the surgical technology and central sterile processing programs.
“There’s three main rooms and three smaller rooms. We’re going to be knocking down all the walls and making it one big open space,” Walden said. “We only have two mini surgical rooms, and now we are going to be able to increase that to three. We are also going to add a cardiovascular simulator that we purchased.”
That room will also feature a classroom space, Walden added.
“If they need to show a concept, they can get up, walk right over to the equipment, show them what
they need, come back and not have to do that separately,” Walden said.
FTCC’s Associate Vice President for Instructional Programs Susan Evans said graduates of the program will have a chance to quickly integrate into the healthcare field.
“Especially if it’s in the hospital setting or some larger setting,” Evans said.
According to Evans, the program can also open opportunities for career advancement and pursuit of other educational accolades.
“We hear stories all the time: ‘I started with my associate’s degree in nursing, and then I went ahead and got my bachelor of science in nursing,’” Evans said. “Anytime that you get a student into a medical profession and then it really clicks for them, any pathway is a possibility.”
The program, Evans said, is even more important as the area’s population continues to age. “I don’t know if people are necessarily less healthy,” she said. “But we have an aging population being less and less replaced with younger people, and so there’s just more older people who need care in this region.”
Learn more about FTCC’s healthcare programs at: www.faytechcc.edu/academics/healthcare-programs
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FTCC
The new program will be sharing space with students from the surgical technology and central sterile processing programs (pictured) following renovations and expansions to the space.
TECHNOLOGY
Innovating early cancer detection
FIRSTHEALTH FIRST IN STATE TO USE NEW BIOPSY TECHNOLOGY
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is now the first and only health system in North Carolina using a new tool called the Van Gogh™ Microscopy System – a major step forward in how pulmonologists and other proceduralists detect lung cancer.
The new technology is part of FirstHealth’s advanced bronchoscopy program at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst led by Pinehurst Medical Clinic’s (PMC) Interventional Pulmonologists Bradley Icard, D.O., Michael Pritchett, D.O., MPH and Adam Belanger, M.D. who offer a broad range of comprehensive pulmonology services in Lee and Moore counties under a patient services agreement with FirstHealth.
These pulmonologists are experts in the field, providing state-of-the-art care thanks to FirstHealth’s advanced technology to improve lung cancer detection and diagnosis. The Van Gogh™ Microscopy System is one
The new technology is part of FirstHealth’s advanced bronchoscopy program at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Pictured with the new tech is Interventional Pulmonologist Bradley Icard, D.O.
of those advanced technologies and is used during lung biopsies to help pulmonologists quickly see whether they’ve collected the right kind of tissue. This means patients can get answers faster and may avoid the need for repeat procedures.
“This technology allows us to see how cells are behaving in real
time—while the patient is still in the procedure room,” said Bradley Icard, D.O. in a press release. “It helps us tell the difference between malignant cells and benign findings like inflammation, right then and there. That means faster answers, better biopsies and smarter care.”
Traditionally, doctors have to take a sample during a lung biopsy and wait for lab results to confirm whether the sample includes a suspicious lesion. Sometimes, the results come back as “inconclusive” or “non-diagnostic,” meaning the biopsy didn’t collect enough of the right tissue.
That can lead to delays, added stress and even a second procedure. The Van Gogh system changes that. Using a special imaging technique called Dynamic Cell Imaging, the system allows doctors to look at how active the cells are—similar to how a PET scan shows activity in the body, but at the microscopic level.
It’s fast, safe and doesn’t damage
the tissue, so it can still be sent for further testing after the procedure.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PATIENTS
• Faster results and less time waiting
• Fewer repeat biopsies
• More confidence in the accuracy of a diagnosis
• Better support for treatment decisions
“This is about giving patients better answers, sooner,” Dr. Icard added in the release. “We can now confirm on the spot if we’re getting the right kind of tissue, which helps the entire care team move forward with confidence.”
FirstHealth is one of just a few health systems in the country—and the only one in North Carolina—using this technology as part of its lung program.
For more information about lung care at FirstHealth, visit www.firsthealth.org/ lung.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FIRSTHEALTH
BIZ LEADS
Reader’s Guide
BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.
New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.
200 Dick St Ste D Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
Fisher & Flagg LLC 1010 Marlborough Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Bryan Fisher
THOMAS PREMIER CONSTRUCTION CO LLC
2501 Bragg Blvd Ste A
Fayetteville Agent: AARON K THOMAS
MAC'S TOWING INCORPORATED
327 Alexander St Fayetteville Agent: STEPHEN COLE MCCORQUODALE
Empire State of Mind LLC
2053 Gray Goose Loop
Fayetteville Agent: Ilka Crittenden
I & P Trucking LLC
7704 Gaelic Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Gail McCray
H & S Shop Inc. 7924 Raeford Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Hamid S Hassan
Diamond Roots Foundation
4502 Bluebush Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Aubrey Edward Belanger JR
HARNETT COUNTY
L.B. Whitaker Site LLC
135 Jordan Taylor Rd
Linden Agent: Logan Blake Whitaker
EGY Pharma Consulting LLC
51 Windchime Ct
Fuquay Varina Agent: REHAB M MOHAMED
Chickadee Boutique
LLC
344 Wood Run
Sanford Agent: Angela Dawn McDonald
JOSHUA TRANSPORT LLC
67 Day Song Ct
Lillington Agent: JOSE M ENCARNACION
2025 AWARDS
James Cook
Debbie S. Best, CFP®
HEALTH CARE HEROES 2025
CONGRATULATIONS
It’s time yet again to honor the health care workforce keeping our communities safe and healthy!
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s third annual Health Care Heroes event continues its mission to recognize the individuals who exemplify dedication, compassion and leadership in the medical field.
After the success of our inaugural celebration in 2023 and an even stronger show of support in 2024, we are proud to return for year three!
This year’s ceremony will once again highlight the exceptional service of health care professionals across the Fayetteville MSA, featuring finalists in eight categories and the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Shelton Stuart, a renowned maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Cape Fear Valley Perinatology, who dedicated more than 20 years to providing exceptional high-risk obstetric care, touching the lives of multiple generations of patients.
We are grateful for the overwhelming response and heartfelt nominations submitted by colleagues, patients and community members. This year, we received over 70 nominations and each one reflected the deep respect and admiration our community holds for its health care providers.
We look forward to seeing you all at the Health Care Heroes event taking place on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden! We’ve ordered the awards and even have a gift for finalists of previous years. We’ll see you there!
FAITH HATTON, Associate Publisher & Editor Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
ABOUT THE JUDGING
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal opened up the nomination process to the community for its 2025 Health Care Heroes awards in August.
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. Our judges were fair and objective, disclosed any potential conflicts of interest and really went to bat for their nominees, while also doing their best to choose who they believed were the best finalists and winners for the awards.
NAOMI BELGRAVE, KidzCare Pediatrics
DAVID DRIES, D.A. Davidson, Dries Wealth Management
ANNA HALEY, Representative from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN, Representative from Cape Fear Botanical Garden
CHAKA JORDAN, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
TARA LEDFORD, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
SHANTAE LOCKHART, KidzCare Pediatrics
ROGER MILLER, Copiers Plus
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 JUDGING PANEL
HEALTH CARE HER ES
PRESENTING SPONSORS
“CMICHAEL
NAGOWSKI
CEO OF CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH
ape 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.”
“ABLUM MALLEY, PH.D. PROVOST OF METHODIST UNIVERSITY
s we get closer and closer to 2026 and opening the doors of the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine – which will positively impact health care outcomes in southeastern N.C. for decades to come – we are reminded daily of the expertise and care already provided in our community by so many. MU has graduated hundreds of health care professionals, some having been recognized at these awards, and we see it as a great honor to be a Presenting Sponsor once again this year as we salute your efforts with our sincere gratitude."
SUZANNE
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.
BETTER HEALTH OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY TEAM
TITLE: Community-Based Organization
ORGANIZATION: Better Health of Cumberland County
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: As a proud board member of Better Health of Cumberland County, I am honored to nominate the entire team for the Community Achievement Health Care Hero Award. Their unwavering dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes in our community is nothing short of heroic.
Better Health’s approach is collaborative, community-driven and grounded in compassion. Their most transformative programs include the Take Charge of Diabetes initiative, a free, seven-week course that equips participants with the tools and knowledge to manage their diabetes through education on medication, nutrition, blood sugar monitoring and lifestyle changes, and the Fayfit program, a collaborative effort between Better Health, area pediatricians and Cumberland County Parks and Recreation to prevent and manage childhood obesity.
The Bragg Boulevard flagship clinic serves 120 clients per month on average through emergency medical assistance, free medical supplies and short-term medical equipment loans.
SCOTT CAMERON
TITLE: President and Chaplain at Friendship House
ORGANIZATION: Friendship House Fayetteville and Friendship Community Gardens
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The concept of Friendship House was brought to Fayetteville by Scott, who was inspired through his life experiences including his medical practice, volunteering, ministry and living with a roommate with Down syndrome.
Scott is now an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, serves as Chaplain for Friendship House and works with Friendship Community Gardens.
Working together is a number of supporting partners and organizations, including Employment Source which operates the Friendship House campus.
Friendship House’s impact is transformative for both students/professionals and friend residents. As a pathway to independent living, rehabilitation staff support friend residents in achieving sustainable employment while helping them develop independent living skills. Additionally, college students/professionals serve as mentors, gaining greater awareness and empathy for community living and its relevance to their professional careers.
TARA TUCKER
TITLE: Community Paramedic
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Tara Tucker saw a gap in care for people who are unhoused, uninsured or struggling with behavioral health and substance use needs. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, she partnered with others to create a community outreach program that now supports hundreds of people every month.
Tara launched the partnership between Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Paramedics, Behavioral Health team and Kingdom Impact Ministries and has brought in more than 34 community partners to offer on-site services—health screenings, resource navigation, harm-reduction support, clothing, hygiene items and more.
The program is a team effort championed by Tara’s idea and passion. The monthly event even includes a hot meal, coordinated through rotating volunteer groups and donors. No barriers, no paperwork first, no judgment—just help when it’s needed.
Two years in, this outreach has become a dependable lifeline. Due to the team and partners, the program continues with consistency and compassion.
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.
BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER PAD
TITLE: Hospital Expansion
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
When the health system built the expansion to the Valley Pavilion, it added not one, but two helipads to the roof. These helipads allow patients to be taken by elevator directly into the hospital’s emergency department, Heart and Vascular Center, ICU or operating room. Previously, the hospital’s helipad was located on the front lawn, which required longer transport times for patients.
One of the new helipads is specifically designed to accommodate Black Hawk helicopters from the nearby military base. Not many hospitals can say that. History was made on Jan. 8 when a Black Hawk helicopter landed with a crew from 3-82nd General Support Aviation Battalion, "All American Dustoff," on top of the Valley Pavilion at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center as part of an exercise to practice landing on the roof.
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.
Made possible by the generous support of the Foundation of FirstHealth, the Lung Bus has already screened hundreds of patients, with multiple lung nodules detected early thanks to this effort.
Thanks to the generosity of a lung bus grant there is currently no charge for patients and no insurance is needed. Costs are covered by the Foundation of FirstHealth and Pinehurst Radiology group and a grant has been submitted to the Lung Cancer Initiative to support future funding. To date, 10 lives have been saved from free screenings on the bus since March 24.
MARK ROSE
TITLE: Manager Simulation Operations
ORGANIZATION: CFVH Simulation Center
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Mark Rose is the person who brought the SimLab at Cape Fear Valley Health into being. Before his work, it was not much to speak of. Now it is an award-winning SimLab that serves learners beyond just those at Cape Fear Valley Health. His dedication to this project and commitment to excellence is apparent any time he is speaking about the lab's capabilities or the specific training sessions that he and his team design to meet the needs of providers and educators.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE
HONORS AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE JOB PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PEOPLE WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, PEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
SUSAN DEES
TITLE: Chief Nurse Executive
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Susan Dees has been with Cape Fear Valley Health since 1990 and was promoted to Chief Nurse Executive in December 2024, now leading nursing across the health system. Her career in healthcare was inspired by a high school babysitting job that shifted her path from coaching to nursing. Susan’s career has spanned roles from assistant PCM in PACU to leadership positions such as director of surgery, director of patient flow and CNO of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Her leadership is rooted in providing safe, exceptional care while uplifting bedside caregivers. She defines excellent care as an experience that addresses both physical and emotional needs, empowering patients in their healthcare journey.
NELSON T. MORRIS
TITLE: Chief Operating Officer
ORGANIZATION: KidzCare
Pediatrics PC
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: The KidzCare team and I have witnessed firsthand Nelson’s vision, determination, his amazing leadership and commitment to both the patient care and the organizational care.
Nelson is a leader who truly cares for his team, not just on a business/ professional level, but on a personal one too. He always goes out of his way to make sure the staff feels supported and valued. He consistently goes above and beyond whether it is going through a business challenge or helping team members with family emergencies.
When I joined KidzCare as a young 20 year old with no experience, Nelson and his team believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow that I never even thought were possible. Nelson still to this day invests his time in teaching his team and I not only about business but also valuable life skills that will always stay with me. My favorite thing Nelson has taught me is the "Elevator Speech.” He truly makes a positive mark on whoever is in his life.
PHILL WOOD
TITLE: Chief Digital and Information Officer
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Phill has been with Cape Fear Valley since 2003 and became CIO in 2012. He has led the implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions like EPIC for electronic health records, improving healthcare efficiency. Phill’s dedication to innovation earned Cape Fear Valley recognition as one of the "Most Wired" healthcare systems. In the age of cyber threats and highly technological devices throughout the healthcare system, Phill's team keeps patients safe and makes a lot of the computer-related clinical work possible. It is a job that requires 24/7 responsiveness and attention.
CONGRATULATIONS
Methodist University is proud to once again sponsor the Health Care Heroes Awards and honor those who are making a positive impact in our community.
MU IS CONSISTENTLY A TOP UNIVERSITY IN N.C. for higher education in Health Sciences, with state-of-the-art facilities on campus that include a general simulation hospital, human anatomy lab, motion analysis lab, and several other labs and facilities housing Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and other programs. MU has on-campus and online courses in the Health Sciences, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Learn more at methodist.edu/health-sciences
MU also received “preliminary accreditation” from the LCME in October for the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which is scheduled to open in 2026. Visit methodist.edu/medicine to learn more.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: NURSE
HONORS A NURSE WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
AMANDA LEE
TITLE: Emergency Department Nurse
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth
Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Amanda has been with FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke since the campus first opened in 2013 as the first hospital in Hoke County. She has devoted more than 20 years to nursing. Her career spans multiple specialties, including cardiac stepdown and inpatient medical-surgical care, but for the past 13 years she has been the heart of the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital – Hoke emergency department.
With kindness, compassion, grit and unwavering dedication, Amanda has been an integral part of the ED’s growth and success. For years, she has led the team as a charge nurse, guiding them to excellence. Because of her commitment and leadership, the ED has consistently achieved bestin-the-nation performance benchmarks, including sustaining patient satisfaction scores in the top 10th percentile of emergency departments nationwide.
Amanda has touched and saved thousands of lives over her career as a nurse. She has delivered babies, comforted families and wiped away tears when a loved one passes on. Through every moment—whether joyous or tragic—Amanda has shown the true meaning of compassion in nursing.
MARY HENRICKSON
TITLE: Patient Care Manager
ORGANIZATION: Highsmith Rainey Specialty Hospital, CFVH WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Mary has shown exemplary care and service to our surgical patients over the years as well as to the staff who work with her. She leads staff in providing holistic care that helps us to connect with our patients and their families during their surgery experience. Having a leader like Mary really brings our team together while we stay committed to centering care around the patient and their loved ones. Comments like “working manager, servant leader and patience of a saint” are used to describe Mary. Her empathetic nature and kindness not only help our patients, but these qualities rub off on the staff.
What truly sets Mary apart is her ability to find solutions and stay calm under pressure. While we are expected to function at 100% as a team, she is not judgmental, does not criticize weaknesses, but comes alongside us with encouragement. Her leadership is not just effective but consistent and inspiring.
RACHEL THURNHER
TITLE: NODA Coordinator and Cardiac Nurse Educator
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
In February 2025, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center introduced a new volunteer program focused on comforting dying inpatients who do not have family or other loved ones who can be there. Death has no timeline, and while individuals can do their best to prepare themselves and their families for the inevitable, it is ultimately something out of our control. When the time comes, it is soothing to be in the presence of someone caring and compassionate. Rachel is the reason that we have the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program at the hospital now, and she's championed this program from idea to reality. She is very passionate about the NODA program and how it can help patients at the end of their lives.
Our Roots Run Deep
For 18 consecutive years, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, including its Hoke and Richmond campuses, has earned the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award. Guided by compassion, communication and exceptional care, our commitment runs deep. Our roots are strong. So is our core purpose: To Care for People.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: NP/PA
HONORS A NURSE PRACTITIONER OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY
KELLIE BRITT
TITLE: Hospice Nurse
Practitioner, Hospice Director
ORGANIZATION: HealthKeeperz
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Kellie Britt has been with HealthKeeperz a total of seven years, serving as the director of hospice since January 2024. Kellie exemplifies leadership through compassion, dedication and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She is a true advocate for her team, patients and families, ensuring that everyone she encounters feels valued and supported.
Her approach to leadership is defined by patience, encouragement and a cheerful demeanor, fostering a positive environment for both employees and the individuals they serve.
Kellie’s drive for excellence is evident in her efforts to rebuild and strengthen the hospice program. Despite challenges, she exceeded census goals and reestablished a high-performing team, demonstrating her ability to lead with vision and resilience. No matter the situation, she takes initiative, addresses concerns head-on and implements strategies to drive continuous improvement.
Her sense of ownership is unmatched—leading by example, she worked alongside her team during critical transitions, ensuring that patients received exceptional care. Kellie’s hands-on approach reassures both staff and families that they are in capable and compassionate hands.
HOPE COLE
TITLE: Physician Assistant ORGANIZATION: Sandhills Emergency Physicians/FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Hope Cole is the very definition of a Health Care Hero with more than a decade of experience in emergency medicine across greater Fayetteville-area emergency departments. Hope brings unmatched expertise, tenacity and heart to the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke emergency department every day.
On one occasion, in the middle of the night, she left her husband and two small children at home to respond when the ED was overwhelmed with patients. She did so, not because she was scheduled, but because she knew her community needed her.
Hope is a force of nature. She pours her energy, compassion and skill into every patient encounter, treating each person as if they were her own family experiencing the scariest day of their life. She engages patients and families with empathy and urgency, ensuring care is timely, thorough and excellent. At the same time, she inspires those around her with humor, teaching moments and a steadfast expectation of excellence from her colleagues.
BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
TRAVIS ROSS
TITLE: Physician Assistant
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth Family Medicine - EliteCare
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Travis Ross is a native of Fayetteville and he has a passion for providing health care to members of the community as well as serving his community outside of his profession.
Several of his patients have noted that he is always on top of his game and very knowledgeable. They trust him and are very confident in the care he provides. “Travis is truly a magnificent care provider,” states his patient.
After graduating from UNC-Pembroke as a physician assistant, he returned to Fayetteville to work with Robert Ferguson, M.D., in Hope Mills. In 2014, Ross acquired the practice from Dr. Ferguson, and it became EliteCare of Fayetteville, Urgent Care & Family Clinic. He joined FirstHealth on April 1, 2025, and the practice became FirstHealth Family Medicine – EliteCare. With nearly two decades of experience in patient care, Ross remains committed to providing high-quality medical services to the community and has stated he is thrilled to be part of an organization that prioritizes patient care and experience.
HEALTH CARE HEROES: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
A lasting Legacy
Dr. Stuart Shelton, a renowned maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Cape Fear Valley Perinatology, has dedicated more than 20 years to providing exceptional high-risk obstetric care, touching the lives of multiple generations of patients.
Shelton originally joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2002 after a military career. With a lot of his patients connected to the military, Dr. Shelton brought a unique perspective from his own background, having served in the Army and worked at Fort Hood and Fort Bragg before settling in Fayetteville.
Shelton played a pivotal role in establishing the hospital’s perinatology clinic in December 2006. The clinic, located at 2109 Valleygate Dr. in Fayetteville, was a significant milestone, providing local high-risk obstetric care and eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances to Duke or UNC for specialized treatment.
“When I set up the practice here in 2006, my office manager and some other folks went around and looked for locations for us to put up the practice. And so we ended up over at One Village Plaza and we actually had a blank slate. We walked into what would be our office, and there was just concrete walls and a dirt floor,” recalled Shelton. “That was nice, we did sit down with an architect and drew up how we wanted the clinic layout.”
Since establishing the specialized clinic, Shelton has been known for his extraordinary commitment to patient care. Colleagues describe him as uniquely compassionate, often providing personal contact information to patients and even taking time to pray for those facing challenging medical situations. With over 20 years practicing in the community, Shelton shared that one of the most special parts of his job was the multi-generational care he was able to provide to his patients.
I got to see some patients for multiple pregnancies. When in the military, I was only at Fort Hood for two years and Fort Bragg for one and so I didn’t get to see patients come back for second and third and fourth pregnancies. Here, I was able to take care of patients for several
Dr. Stuart Shelton has dedicated more than 20 years to providing exceptional high-risk obstetric care, through Cape Fear Valley Health. He played a pivotal role in establishing the hospital’s perinatology clinic in December 2006 where he provided multi-generational care to patients across the greater Fayetteville area.
pregnancies and by the end of my career, I had some patients that were the fetus that I was taking care of when their mother was pregnant. So that was kind of interesting, when they would come and go, ‘Oh, you saw my mom when she was pregnant with me, and now I’m pregnant!’
That was kind of neat,” shared Shelton.
A longtime ultrasound technician who worked closely with Shelton shared that his approach goes beyond medical expertise. He consistently demonstrates deep care for patients, follows up on their treatments and takes time to educate medical residents through detailed presentations and hands-on training.
His career has been marked by a commitment to excellence, instilled by his parents’ teachings of doing everything to the best of one's abili-
ty. Perhaps most telling of his character are the personal stories - like donating paid time off to support staff and maintaining long-term relationships with families, sometimes scanning multiple generations of the same family.
“I’m very thankful that the Lord brought me here to Fayetteville. I’m a believer, and so I believe that he's guided my path and all the places I've been to, and I think there was a reason that I came here to Fayetteville. I'm very happy with the folks that I’ve been able to work with. We’ve had great staff here and great support from the administration, we've been able to build a practice that didn’t exist into a large practice that could serve the community. We’ve taught a lot of students and residents over the years, so there’s a lot of things that I look back on
that I’m very happy to have been a part of, but it’s not just me. There’s been a lot of people involved in this process,” shared Shelton.
Since his retirement,the clinic brought on two new physicians, including one from Fort Bragg with a military background, who were recruited to continue his exceptional standard of care.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is proud to present the 2025 Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Stuart Shelton, as a commemoration of the excellent health care service he’s provided to the greater Fayetteville area.
“That was a surprise, I didn't know that I was nominated, let alone had won the award. I was very honored and humbled. I will say, when I heard it was a lifetime achievement award, I thought, ‘I’m not that old! How’d I get a lifetime award,’ shared Shelton. “But I really enjoyed what I did, and I enjoyed the people I worked with. I had great people over the years, from the military to the folks at Duke to here at Cape Fear [Valley Health]. We had a very good group [of office staff] to work with, and it just made coming in and taking care of our patients a big pleasure.
Shelton’s retirement marked the end of an era, but his impact on maternal-fetal medicine in the region will undoubtedly continue through the physicians he has mentored and the patients he has served.
“I just want to reinforce that this is not all about me. There were a lot of folks that helped make our practice very successful, and most of all, I praise the Lord for giving me the ability to do what I did,” concluded Shelton.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is proud to award Dr. Stuart Shelton with the third ever Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DR. STUART SHELTON
HEALTH CARE HEROES: PHYSICIAN
HONORS A PHYSICIAN WHOSE PERFORMANCE IS CONSIDERED EXEMPLARY BY PATIENTS, PEERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
JUDIT ANDREA COPE
TITLE: Medical Doctor of Interventional Spine & Pain Specialist
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Interventional Pain Specialists
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Dr. Cope shows care for all of her patients and staff. She is compassionate in what she does as a provider, and treats all of her patients with respect and dignity no matter what he or she is being seen for. Dr. Cope always goes above and beyond to make sure her patients are seen within a timely manner even if she has to stay over. She makes sure to build a doctor-patient relationship with all of her patients and their family members if needed. Many of her patients have followed her from her previous practice because they have the utmost trust within her only for their care. Dr. Cope is hands down the best provider I have yet to encounter within my professional career.
MICHAEL C. HODGES
TITLE: Medical Doctor
ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Cardiology Associates
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Doctor Hodges is readily available, many patients have his personal phone number, he will find time to see you, often that day. My GP ran a routine EKG, and was seriously concerned with the results. I asked him to contact Dr. Hodges. He quickly responded and I was able to see him that afternoon, where he ran tests and reassured me that the concern was well in hand.
Dr. Hodges is a remarkable individual. He is personable and professional. His organizational skills are amazing, zero wait time. He demonstrates empathy as he intently takes time to listen. His time is yours, a rare trait these days.
STEPHEN H. KOUBA
TITLE: Orthopedic Doctor
ORGANIZATION: Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Dr. Kouba attended Rutgers College, served in the Army and received his medical degree from Georgetown University of Medicine. He started his practice, Cape Fear Orthopedic, in 1988 and was there for 30 years.
Dr. Kouba is an outstanding doctor and humanitarian. He is on staff at Cape Fear Valley Orthopedic. He is also on staff at Methodist University’s Physician Assistant Program where he teaches a class on cadaver and orthopedic anatomy. Dr. Kouba's daughter, Jessica Kouba, graduated from the Methodist University Physician Assistant program and practices locally. The amount of collaboration that Dr. Kouba and his daughter Jessica do together provides excellent care for our community residents.
Dr. Kouba has volunteered at The Care Clinic for orthopedic care. He is a quality doctor and fine man.
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.
STEPHEN M. DELELLIS
TITLE: Senior Technical Advisor and Director
ORGANIZATION: Fort Bragg Research Institute, The Geneva Foundation
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: LTC (RET) DeLellis served the Department of Defense for over 36 years active duty to include 31 years with Army Special Operations. The latter included 20 years with Delta Force, half as a team sergeant, team member and operator, and the other half as a physician assistant. He finished out his career as deputy command surgeon for US Army Special Operations Command.
Steve founded the Special Mission Units Family Medicine Clinic at Womack Army Medical Center to meet the unique needs of Special Forces family members. He also has been extremely active in medical research. He previously managed the longest continuously funded traumatic brain injury (TBI) project in Department of Defense history. Mr. DeLellis has multiple advanced certifications in various disciplines to include family medicine, emergency medicine, acupuncture, advanced wilderness life support and chemical and biologic casualty and he was inducted into the Special Operations Forces Medical Hall of Honor in 2024.
SHELBY YOW-HAYES
TITLE: Director of ImagingHoke Campus
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Shelby has served as the leader of imaging at MRH-Hoke since its opening on Oct. 7, 2013, bringing more than 30 years of health care experience to the role. Prior, she held roles as a CT and X-ray technician, clinical instructor at Sandhills Community College and clinic and occupational health clinic manager. Shelby’s famous words when asked about any challenge are, “we’ll make it happen.” And make it happen she always does in a collaborative and unassuming way.
Under Shelby’s leadership, MRH-Hoke has experienced tremendous growth and success in the imaging department. She is always willing to fill in and do any task when needed from answering the phone to taking radiographs or taking patients back to the emergency department. She is helpful when any problem arises and tries to fix the problem instead of assessing blame. I can't think of a time when I had a question about something at Hoke that Shelby wasn't already aware of the situation and working on its resolution.
ROSETTA MCCAA
TITLE: Associate Quality Coordinator
ORGANIZATION: KidzCare Pediatrics
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID:
Rosetta has been a part of KidzCare since its inception in 2003. She has filled many roles in that time, including high level management. She consistently performs with excellence in whatever task to which she is appointed. Her long years of service to the organization have made the care of countless patients possible and helped build KidzCare into an organization which takes care of tens of thousands of children across the state of North Carolina. I nominate Rosetta McCaa for longevity, wisdom and exceptional professional performance.
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.
CARING HEARTS FOR CANINES
TITLE: Partner Volunteer Organization
ORGANIZATION: FirstHealth of the Carolinas
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: By late 2024, FirstHealth’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) faced major leadership changes, decreased participation and disorganization. To rebuild, Trey Tippens, Psy.D., medical director for provider well-being, was brought in to help revitalize the program. The EAP was rebranded under the Reid Center for Well-Being and began rebuilding staff engagement. During this process, Trey and a staff member with a therapy dog began hospital visits, which proved extremely popular. Recognizing the high demand, the Well-Being team partnered with Caring Hearts for Canines, a nonprofit rescue that promotes canine welfare and adoption. Together, they organized “puppy therapy” sessions, allowing employees to interact with and adopt dogs. The initial event’s success led to monthly visits across all FirstHealth hospitals, including special sessions for night-shift staff. The partnership resulted in adoptions, new volunteers and increased employee morale. Caring Hearts for Canines’ dedication and collaboration made the program a success, and we wholeheartedly nominate Caring Hearts for Canines for the Volunteer, Health Care Hero Award.
CATHY WILT AND THE "PINK LADIES"
TITLE: Volunteer Organization ORGANIZATION: CFVH Cancer Treatment & CyberKnife Center WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Cathy Wilt is a volunteer at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Cancer Treatment & CyberKnife Center and is one of the center’s “Pink Ladies.” She volunteers at the Cancer Center on Tuesday afternoons, with the human resources office on Thursday mornings and with hospice patients on Fridays. She also serves as treasurer for the volunteer auxiliary board, keeping track of the funds the volunteers help raise for equipment, projects and building expansions.
The name “Pink Ladies,” was coined when the Fayetteville Woman’s Club first sponsored a volunteer auxiliary for the then-new Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Pink Ladies has been an endearing and long-used term, and their bright fuchsia-hued blouses help make them immediately recognizable. The term could seem a bit old-fashioned considering the significant work being done by the health system’s team of volunteers — made up of diverse men and women who have varied and impressive backgrounds. They help throughout Cape Fear Valley Health in a variety of areas, including pediatrics, behavioral health and the Blood Donor Center.
TOMMY SINGLETON
TITLE: Volunteer ORGANIZATION: Cape Fear Valley Health
WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: Tommy Singleton exemplifies the heart of service that defines a true Health Care Hero. Before retiring, Tommy dedicated his career to leadership and service in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. After experiencing his own health challenges, including surviving two types of cancer and a heart attack, Tommy chose to continue his life of service in a new way: as a volunteer at Cape Fear Valley Health.
Volunteering in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Tommy became a beacon of encouragement and kindness for both patients and staff. He understood firsthand what it felt like to walk through recovery and made it his mission to brighten the day of everyone he encountered.
Through his warmth, humility and unwavering kindness, Tommy Singleton has made a lasting difference at Cape Fear Valley Health. His journey from patient to volunteer is a powerful testament to resilience, gratitude and the healing that comes from serving others.
CAPE FEAR VALLEY-BLADEN COUNTY HOSPITAL 501 S. Poplar St. Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337 910-862-5100 capefearvalley.com/bladen/home
910-878-6000 firsthealth.org/hoke
Behavioral Health Services, Cancer Care Emergency Department, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Medicine, Heart & Vascular Care, Imaging Services, Interventional Radiology Lab Services, Medical Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neurology, Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy Services, Podiatry - Foot and Ankle Specialists, Pulmonology, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Services, Surgical Services, Urology Services, Weight Loss Services, Women's Health 1956
Behavioral Health Services, Cancer Care Emergency Department, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Medicine, Heart & Vascular Care, Imaging Services, Interventional Radiology Lab Services, Medical Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neurology, Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy Services, Podiatry - Foot and Ankle Specialists, Pulmonology, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Services, Surgical Services, Urology Services, Weight Loss Services, Women's Health
Addiction and Recovery, Bariatrics, Behavioral Health, Cardiology, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Emergency Care, ENT, Head and Neck, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Hematology, Imaging & Radiology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Neurological Services, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Services, Primary Care, Pulmonary Care, Rehabilitation & Therapy, Sleep Medicine, Urology, Women's Health,
Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Hematology, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics, Occupational Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Podiatry, Psychiatry, Pulmonary Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Rheumatology, Urology, Vascular Medicine
Addiction and Recovery, Bariatrics, Behavioral Health, Cardiology, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Emergency Care, ENT, Head and Neck, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Hematology, Imaging & Radiology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Neurological Services, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Services, Primary Care, Pulmonary Care, Rehabilitation & Therapy, Sleep Medicine, Urology, Women's Health,
1929
Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Hematology, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics, Occupational Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Podiatry, Psychiatry, Pulmonary Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Rheumatology, Urology, Vascular Medicine
Medical/Surgical/Telemetry, Critical Care, Pediatrics, 24-hour Emergency Department, Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Mammography, Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Critical Care Unit, Laboratory, Outpatient Surgery
Primary Care, Emergency and Critical Care, Outpatient Surgery, Women’s and Children’s Services, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology, Physical Therapy, Diagnostic Imaging
1906
1937 Michael Tart, President of Harnett Health
Medical/Surgical/Telemetry, Critical Care, Pediatrics, 24-hour Emergency Department, Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Mammography, Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Critical Care Unit, Laboratory, Outpatient Surgery 1937
1950
Shawn Howerton, CEO & CMO
Primary Care, Emergency and Critical Care, Outpatient Surgery, Women’s and Children’s Services, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology, Physical Therapy, Diagnostic Imaging
