Here are the finalists in the 2017 Health Care Heroes NP/PA category.

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

Daryl Turlington

TITLE: Physician assistant-inpatient care specialist

ORGANIZATION: Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Daryl Turlington has been a physician assistant at [Novant Health Inpatient Care Specialists] for two years. During this time, he has gone above and beyond expectations in everything he does.

Daryl consistently treats each patient with the respect and care they deserve. In the community, Daryl uses his free time to volunteer at least two shifts a month at the New Hope Clinic, a free clinic in Brunswick County that provides medical care for uninsured or low-income residents. Daryl brings the remarkable patient experience to his shifts at the New Hope Clinic as well.

Last year, during Hurricane Matthew, Daryl was the first one to step up and provide help with [disaster] relief by helping victims in [Lumberton].

With Novant Health team members, Daryl is goofy, charismatic and a joy to work with. He is extremely smart and is constantly looking to learn more from his peers. Daryl helps [his colleagues] on their rounds and is always willing to stay late if to help. “

– Shelbourn Stevens, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center president
 

Bruce Williams

TITLE: Family nurse practitioner

ORGANIZATION: Black River Health Services

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Bruce Williams, family nurse practitioner at Black River Health Center in Atkinson, is the epitome of what one wishes for in a health care provider, which he has been for our family for the past 37 years.

He is a combination of the ‘the old country doctor’ with the knowledge and skills of modern medicine. He truly cares about each of his patients and takes the time to listen to us. Bruce Williams goes above and beyond the call of duty in caring for his patients.

When our 10-year-old son became ill with stomach virus symptoms, Bruce saw him immediately, stayed in touch with us, and when he didn’t get better with treatment in a few hours, he referred us to the hospital in Wilmington, where he was diagnosed with spinal meningitis and went into a coma. When Bruce got off work, he came to the hospital and sat with us. Thankfully, our son recovered only because he got immediate medical attention.

Bruce Williams is a good, Christian person who is loved, trusted and respected, not only by his patients, but also by colleagues. After our children were grown, I served on the board of directors at Black River Health Services and witnessed that firsthand.”

– Cheryl Wooddell, patient
 

Erin Williamson

TITLE: Family nurse practitioner

ORGANIZATION: MedNorth Health Center

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Erin is the embodiment of a team player. He has worked here since his student days and has a deeply embedded commitment to Wilmington’s medically underserved community.

He is a very solid team member with many loyal long-term patients.

He is willing always to help out in team efforts, which includes special occasions like our annual “Rock the Block” health fair – as well as day-to-day workload and support. He has volunteered to begin our outreach program with First Fruits, a faith-based organization to help homeless people.

He answers questions, sees patients and helps with outreach in the woods and under bridges as well as in the fledgling clinic area.

He is just an awesome co-worker and member of the community.”

– Sarah Towne, MedNorth Health Center chief medical officer