Five recognized during Cape Fear Valley Doctor’s Day event
Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Caduceus Society honored five providers earlier this month during a Doctors’ Day celebration at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Three awards were presented: the Physician of the Year, Resident of the Year and Advanced Practice Provider of the Year. Dr. Chris Aul was also recognized with the announcement of a new award named in his honor.
The Caduceus Society honors the legacy of physicians in the community while providing resources that strengthen the shared vision of the medical staff, the hospital system said in a release.
Those recognized were:
Dr. Chris Aul Patient Safety and Quality Award
Aul retired in March after 40 years with Cape Fear Valley Health. He was associate chief medical officer for Quality and Patient Safety when he retired. During his career, he also served as a family physician, chief of staff at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and chief medical officer of Cape Fear Valley Health.
“This award we’re announcing tonight, in your name, is because of the incredible foundation you laid and the vision that you’ve put out there for us,” Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Mike Nagowski said in the release. “And it will provide specific dollars to continue the educational mission around Patient Safety and Quality of Care. That’s a legacy.”
The award will go to one clinical professional and one non-clinical professional each year who have demonstrated they are a “patient safety champion,” the release said. The recipients also will receive a stipend that can be used for continuing education or to support a patient safety initiative at Cape Fear Valley Health, the release said.
“So many people are now engaged, and believe, and are taking our care here in Fayetteville and the surrounding counties to another level,” Aul said. “My greatest regret is that I’m not going to be an integral part of that team going forward. … This award represents a reminder that we can do this. And it’s going to help us stay engaged around that.”
Physician of the Year
There was a tie for Physician of the Year, which was given to Dr. Leon Dantzler and Dr. David Stewart.
Dantzler is a hospitalist at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital. He was described as admired and appreciated by peers and staff. Dantzler is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Emory University. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Stewart is an internal medicine specialist at Stewart Clinic in Fayetteville. He was nominated for the care and compassion he and his staff have shown patients during the pandemic. Stewart received his medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina, where he also completed his residency. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Resident of the Year
Elizabeth Shaffer was named Resident of the Year. Shaffer is a Class of 2023 psychiatry resident. She was chosen by her peers as chair of the Resident Wellness Committee, which developed wellness events and helped guide residents through the stressful process of residency training. Shaffer is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine. She will remain at Cape Fear Valley Health after completing the third year of her residency as one of the first Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows.
Advanced Practice Provider of the Year
Nurse practitioner Machelle Burgess was named the 2021 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year. Burgess works in trauma and acute care at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. She was described as a diligent, organized and prized member of the surgery department. She is a certified family nurse practitioner and a certified emergency nurse practitioner.
Cumberland County Schools associate superintendent completes program
Ruben Reyes, Cumberland County Schools' associate superintendent for Human Resources, was among 25 school and district leaders from across the state to graduate from the sixth cohort of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association Aspiring Superintendent Program, the school system said in a release.
“The program is designed to support the growth, expansion and enhancement of school and district leaders in the leadership positions they currently occupy while providing high-quality professional development to increase their knowledge base about the skills and dispositions needed by future superintendents,” Jack Hoke, executive director of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association, said in the release.
The program is a customized leadership development program that seeks to prepare future superintendents.
Hoke said of Reyes, “Mr. Reyes developed a strong network of district leaders to consult with, and he contributed to the discussions on emerging issues and innovative practices occurring in Cumberland County Schools."
Cooperative Extension accepting Agricultural Hall of Fame nominations
The Cumberland County Cooperative Extension is accepting nominations for the 2022 Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
The Agricultural Hall of Fame honors county residents who have made significant contributions to agriculture, home economics, youth development or rural communities.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. June 30. Nomination forms are available on the Cooperative Extension website at cumberland.ces.ncsu.edu or by calling 910-321-6405.
Completed nomination forms, with the supporting documentation, should not exceed five pages.
Nominations may be mailed to Cumberland County Cooperative Extension, Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, 301 East Mountain Drive, Fayetteville, N.C. 28306. They also may be faxed to 910-321-6883 or emailed to Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers at lisa_childers@ncsu.edu.
The recipient will be honored in November during the annual Farm-City Week Celebration.
