Wilmington Health has announced the hiring of a new physician assistant and an acute care nurse practitioner, and the awarding of a grant to one of its rheumatologists to enable him to develop best treatment practices.

Paula Bruner recently rejoined Wilmington Health’s family medicine practice at Federal Point in Carolina Beach, the medical group announced in a recent press release.

Bruner is a board-certified physician assistant and received her bachelor of medical science at Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. She then graduated from the School of Health Policy and Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a master's in public health degree.

“By promoting wellness and preventive care, my staff and I work closely with patients to develop a health plan tailored to each patient,” Bruner said in a statement. “Making Carolina Beach a healthier community is a privilege, and I look forward to providing compassionate care to residents.”

Wilmington Health also announced that acute care nurse practitioner Susan Sobel is now assisting physician Tor Ljung with reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, as well as with non-surgical procedures, at Wilmington Health's plastic and reconstructive surgery locations in Wilmington and Jacksonville.

Sobel (at left) is responsible for patient education, surgery preparation and post-operative care, according to a news release. In addition to assisting Ljung, she will see patients for non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic treatments and facial rejuvenation procedures, the release stated. She will also help patients choose skin care maintenance options.

Sobel graduated from N.C. State University with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Later, she received a master's degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Sobel previously worked at a plastic surgery office in Norfolk, Virginia.

Wilmington Health rheumatologist Ronald George (below, right) was recently awarded an educational grant by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA). He will participate in a nationwide collaborative project aimed at developing best practices in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

“To be recognized by the AMGA for my practices is an honor,” George said in a news release. “As a doctor, it is my responsibility to continually educate and evolve my practice to provide quality, up-to-date care for all of my patients. This grant and partnership with AMGA will allow me to do just that.”
 
George’s practice is located at Wilmington Health’s main campus, 1202 Medical Center Drive.