The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Trauma Center and Southeastern Regional Advisory Committee recently recognized individual medical professionals for their dedication, compassion, mentorship and expertise in the fields of trauma or disaster management.

The Mike Law Award of Distinction was presented to Matt Stevens, NREMT-P, and Wendy Gieschen, EMT-P, of NHRMC’s Emergency Medical Services. Heather Stout, RNC, a manager of pediatrics and the pediatric ICU at NHRMC’s Betty H. Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital, received the Tina Hewett Award of Excellence. Retired Master Chief Mark Starnes, an emergency manager for the Camp Lejeune naval hospital, was awarded the R. Alan Pate Award for Disaster Preparedness. The SERAC Trauma Award was presented to Brunswick Novant Medical Center.

The trauma center award, which recognizes an individual’s clinical excellence, mentorship and commitment to performance improvement and patient safety, was presented to Neil R. MacIntyre III, M.D.

Award recipients were nominated by their peers and chosen by NHRMC trauma services and SERAC staff. Presentations were made at NHRMC’s 23rd annual trauma and emergency symposium.

Each year, more than 1,300 patients are admitted to the hospital through the trauma center – the only one of its kind in the region.
NHRMC Trauma Center hosts SERAC, which oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of the regional trauma system. SERAC also encourages collaboration between regional hospitals, EMS systems, emergency management, public health, law enforcement and state agencies to coordinate a regional disaster response.