Hanover Gastroenterology-New Hanover Regional Medical Center Physician Group recently announced the addition of Brandon Ballard and Kenneth Gregory to the practice.
 
Ballard is a graduate of Mountain State University where he received a master’s of science physician assistant degree and a bachelor’s degree in medical science. He completed pre-medicine studies at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College as well, according to a news release.
 
Ballard then worked for the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia, as a hospitalist mid-level advanced medical practitioner, the release stated.
 
Gregory (at left) is a graduate of the University of South Alabama, where he received a post-master’s certificate as a family nurse practitioner. He received a master’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University and completed clinical laboratory science studies at George Washington University, according to the release.
 
Gregory previously worked as a nurse practitioner in various North Carolina hospitals including Vidant Edgecombe in Tarboro and New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Gregory is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Germany. He is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and an adult nurse practitioner, the release stated.
 
NHRMC also announced that it has named David Long, director of patient care operations, an NHRMC Leader of Excellence.
 
Long is responsible for ensuring hospital staff levels are stable each day, and that patients are moving through care settings at a predictable and timely pace. He arrives before sunrise, works early hours to assess staffing needs, talks with family members and provides hands-on help where needed, according to a news release.
 
The NHRMC Employee and Leader of Excellence program is a way for the organization to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of its employees. Three leaders are selected annually as Leaders of Excellence, and Long was named the first Leader of Excellence for 2016, the release stated.
 
Long’s coworkers nominated him for his positive attitude and commitment to patients, families and fellow employees, according to the release.
 
“David demonstrates technical skills as well as exceptional people skills. He keeps the patient and family in the center of all his actions,” Donna Bost, NHRMC vice president of specialty hospitals and support services, said in the release.