Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Health Care Heroes event and congratulations to all of our finalists! Stay tuned for 2026 nomination and event info...
2025 Winners:
Lifetime Achievement: Linda Calhoun, MD, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
Community Achievement: Nicholas Green, Clinic Administrator II, Novant Health
Health Care Executive: Brad Nelson, Director of Ancillary Services, Wilmington Health
Innovation in Health Care: AJ Trelease, Founder & CEO, CareHome Health
Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant: Tami Martin, PA-C, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
Nurse: Jan Pahl, Nurse Manager Dialysis and VAT, Novant Health NHRMC
Physician: Lora Pacaldo, Clinical Physician Executive/Psychiatrist, Novant Health
Unsung Hero: Michael Joyner, Building Operations-Courier, Wilmington Health
Volunteer: Bonnie Burriss & Sylvia Stoudenmire, Volunteers, Novant Health NHRMC
The Greater Wilmington Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Awards honors individuals and organizations that are making an impact on the quality of health care in Wilmington.
Whether they are companies, doctors, nurses, specialists or managers, join us in recognizing those who embody the word “hero” and prove their excellence in helping others.
The finalists will be profiled in the special Health Care Heroes section of the Business Journal and the winners will be announced at an awards event on November 15 at UNCW's Burney Center.
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
5-9pm
UNCW's Burney Center
5-6pm - Cocktail Hour
6-9pm - Awards Dinner + Celebration
Parking details: Free parking is in Visitor Lot M & the Fisher Lot. See map below or click here for more directions & parking info.
Meet the 2025 Health Care Heroes Finalists:
Lifetime Achievement:
Honors an individual for achievements throughout his or her career. Judges will consider the individual's professional accomplishments, impact on the community and assistance they gave to others.
- Linda Calhoun, MD, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
Community Achievement:
Honors an individual or team who successfully implemented a program addressing a problem in health care administration, delivery or community outreach. Judges will consider its uniqueness, cost-effectiveness and impact on the community.
- Nicholas Green, Clinic Administrator II, Novant Health
- Susannah Spratt, Mobile Market Manager, Feast Down East
- Health Talent Alliance, SEAHEC Region
Health Care Executive:
Honors an individual whose job performance is considered exemplary by people within their organizations, peers and community members. Judges will consider their impact on their organization and the community and relevant testimonials.
- Melody Dawkins, COO, Coastal Cardiovascular Associates
- Terry McDowell, Sr. Director, Primary Care, Novant Health Coastal Region
- Brad Nelson, Director of Ancillary Services, Wilmington Health
Innovation in Health Care:
Honors an individual or team behind a new scientific discovery, procedure, treatment or device that can save lives or improve the quality of life for a large number of people. Judges will consider the current and potential impact of the innovation.
- Kathleen Leone, Board-Certified Ophthalmic Surgeon, Wilmington Eye
- Devin Lessard, Physical Therapist Assistant, Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers
- AJ Trelease, Founder & CEO, CareHome Health
Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant:
Honors a nurse practitioner or physician assistant whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.
- Graham Brown, Physician Assistant – Internal Medicine, Wilmington Health
- Tami Martin, PA-C, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
- Michael Pinto, FNP-C, Outpatient Palliative Care, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Nurse:
Honors a nurse whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
- Jana Cavenaugh, Substance Abuse Nurse, Coastal Horizons Center
- Sara Evans, Cardio-Oncology Nurse Coordinator, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
- Jan Pahl, Nurse Manager Dialysis and VAT, Novant Health NHRMC
Physician:
Honors a physician whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
- Lora Pacaldo, Clinical Physician Executive/Psychiatrist, Novant Health
- Hoke Pollock, MD, Hanover Pediatrics
- Danille Prime, MD, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Wilmington Health
Unsung Hero:
Honors anyone working in health care who may not fit into the categories listed above. This includes first responders, physical therapists, dental professionals, chiropractors, certified nursing aides, mental health professionals, researchers, administrators and others whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, colleagues and other health care providers. Judges will consider evidence of positive clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and relevant testimonials.
- Megan Clarke, Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Cardiology, Novant Health
- Michael Joyner, Building Operations-Courier, Wilmington Health
- Jack Morris, Outreach Coordinator, Wilmington Downtown Inc/Block by Block
Volunteer:
Honors a volunteer at a health care provider or other health-related organization who is considered exemplary by people within those organizations. Judges will consider their impact on health care delivery and how their involvement has made a significant difference.
- Bonnie Burriss & Sylvia Stoudenmire, Volunteers, Novant Health NHRMC
- Kathleen Rankhorn, Volunteer, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
- Chris & Jackie Smith, Volunteers, Novant Health Pender Medical Center
Anyone who works or volunteers with health care in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties is eligible for the awards.
Nominations come from patients, peers, co-workers or anyone else who knows a worthy nominee. A panel of independent health care professionals will select three finalists and one winner for each category.
Interested in being a Health Care Heroes sponsor? Contact [email protected]
Have questions regarding the Health Care Heroes Awards event or nomination process? Contact [email protected]
