Here are the finalists in the 2015 Health Care Heroes Physician category.

Honors a physician whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.

Paul Kamitsuka

TITLE: Physician

ORGANIZATION: Wilmington Health

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Paul ... received his MD degree at Harvard. He served as a resident in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Infectious Disease, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He also received the Doctor of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.

Fortunately for us in Wilmington, he came here 21 years ago, joining Wilmington Health Associates. Since that time he has actively practiced both primary care Internal Medicine as well as state-of-the art consultative infectious disease. He also currently serves as the Hospital Epidemiologist at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

He has led many, many quality improvement initiatives directed at reducing the burden of infectious disease at NHRMC and in the community, including most recently: mandatory influenza vaccination for NHRMC employees (resulting in a remarkable reduction in lost work time for NHRMC as well as a reduced risk to our vulnerable patients), topical skin decolonization with chlorhexidine to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections, and directing the Ebola Virus Disease preparations at NHRMC.”

-Iris Baker, NHRMC outreach coordinator
 

Neill Musselwhite

TITLE: Physician (recently retired)

ORGANIZATION: New Hanover Medical Group-NHRMC Physician Group

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “For the past 35-plus years this person has been our doctor and has far exceeded the expectations of being just a doctor.

He has retained his professionalism while at the same time becoming a friend by explaining numerous medical procedures and diagnoses in a manner than an average person can understand and comprehend.

Dr. Muss has shown compassion and care, has stayed late when necessary for last-minute emergency situations, advised us on specialty doctors when the need has arisen and so much more over the years.

His knowledge will be so missed in the community with his retirement – he cannot be replaced.

Dr. Muss without a doubt should be recognized as a top in the industry for all he has given back to the community and his patients.

He has also served on the hospital board in several capacities over the years. He has assisted in training many a  doctor-student and explaining to them the what and why of his decisions. He has always taken his job very  personal. He also has been active in community awareness functions.”

-Linda Coite, patient

 

Lydia Wright

TITLE: Physician

ORGANIZATION: Wilmington Maternal-Fetal Medicine

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Many times Dr. Wright turns a horrible, scary situation into a miracle.

Being out with her in the community, we rarely get out of a restaurant, theater, or shop without someone stopping her to give her a big hug and to thank her for what she has done – and over the 20 years she has been practicing in Wilmington, she remembers each and every one of them personally.

I don’t hear a lot about what she does directly from her because of obvious reasons, but I am constantly in situations where her name comes up and a previous patient volunteers a story of how Dr. Wright was the one who made having a family and having children possible.

She is up working before the sun rises, many days home from the office late as well, and her phone is by her side for when she is needed at a moment’s notice. She is extremely dedicated, hardworking and passionate about her job, medicine, and her patients.

Professional activities include chairing March of Dimes Walk multiple times, consultant to North Carolina Medicaid …  education of students (high school, college, graduate, medical students and residence – this is her passion).”

-Ashley Bird, peer