Print
Health Care

Health Care Heroes: Innovation

By Staff Reports, posted Oct 20, 2017
Here are the finalists in the 2017 Health Care Heroes Innovation category.

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.


Kevin McNabb

TITLE: Director of microbiology, immunology and molecular testing

ORGANIZATION: New Hanover Regional Medical Center

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “With a Ph.D. in microbiology, Kevin understands the importance of accuracy and efficiency in laboratory testing and its relationship to patients’ recovery. Prior to working at NHRMC, Kevin was a career U.S. Army officer who worked in laboratories at military facilities throughout the world.

These experiences allowed him to rapidly integrate into the NHRMC team, and his passion to offer outstanding care allowed him to work with lab leadership to implement award-winning changes to help patients receive the care they need to enhance recovery.

Notable contributions include NHRMC’s Microbiology Laboratory became the second fully automated microbiology lab in the country and the first in North Carolina. The automation reduced the time of testing, allowing patients to be diagnosed and treated two to three days quicker.

One of Kevin’s biggest accomplishments is bringing in rapid molecular identification for blood cultures, which provided positive ID and resistance markers, reducing the time to identification and treatment from 50 to three hours for patients with bloodstream infections. This reduced length of stay for these patients but most importantly reduced mortality from simple sepsis, equating to 31 lives saved.”

Iris Baker, NHRMC outreach coordinator


Sarah Towne

TITLE: Chief medical officer

ORGANIZATION: MedNorth Health Center

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Ten years ago there was no treatment/cure for patients with hepatitis C; now it’s possible and may help save lives that would otherwise be lost to hepatitis C or liver cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment were not possible for the uninsured/underinsured in New Hanover County; they were only accessible through specialty physicians locally (for those with insurance) or referral to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Towne worked with UNC, Duke University and gastroenterology specialists to develop a protocol for providing the workup and treatment in a primary care setting. More than 300 patients are now able to access care without having to leave Wilmington for treatment.”

Althea Johnson, MedNorth Health Center CEO

MORE ABOUT THE NOMIMEE: Towne went to medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after working as a nurse for 15 years.
She has worked in a variety of medical settings but feels at home in community health.

The North Fourth Street clinic, formerly known as New Hanover Community Health Center, has been in place for decades to treat residents from underserved areas. But as the practice, along with the health care industry overall, expands its mission, Towne is helping lead those changes.


Austin Yeargan

TITLE: Doctor

ORGANIZATION: Regenerative Medicine Clinic of Wilmington

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “People affected by joint pain hurt – plain and simple. Often, the only option for relief has been traditional joint replacement, a painful surgical procedure.

Today, Dr. Yeargan offers a non-operative alternative to traditional joint replacement surgery that has patients walking out of the office on their way to a pain-free lifestyle.

Regenerative Medicine uses a patient’s own stem, or signaling, cells – retrieved virtually painlessly through a short, minimally-invasive procedure – to treat chronic tendonitis, joint pain and arthritis. This can often delay or completely eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery.

A pioneer in regenerative medicine, Dr. Yeargan was first nationally to use stem, or signaling, cells in the treatment of shoulder disorders and first to introduce stem cell science and technology in southeastern North Carolina. He has worked alongside some of the world’s foremost regenerative medicine experts.

‘Miraculous’ and ‘The best thing ever …’ are just a few things joint pain patients are saying about the effects of regenerative medicine as performed by Dr. Yeargan.”

David Frederiksen, Personify Health director of business development
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Headshots march websized 2

Is Your Commercial Roof Ready for April Showers?

David Grandey - Highland Roofing Company
Pfinder john zachary

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Individual Retirement Accounts

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
Burrus rob headshot 300x300

Spreading Wings for Flight: 2nd Annual Trade Show Highlights the Ingenuity of UNCW Business Students

Robert Burrus - Cameron School of Business - UNC-Wilmington

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Rezoning Could Bring 123 Townhomes To Growing Leland Corridor

Emma Dill - Mar 25, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

In The Current Issue

Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...


Park Progress

The planning for Pender Commerce Park began in the early 2000s when the county wanted to create an economic driver on its largely rural west...


Expanding Tastes On Castle Street

As John Willse and Beth Guertin, owners of Wilmington Wine bottle shop and now the recently opened Creative Tastings restaurant on Castle St...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments