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

Laura Quarino

Title: Family nurse practitioner 

Organization: Brunswick County Health Services 

What the nominator said: “Laura joined our Health Services team as our Family Nurse Practitioner in 2012, bringing a wealth of experience in public health and family medicine to the department. While she has always been an outstanding public servant and colleague, she has truly stepped up to plate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Health Services team recognized early on that access to testing was of paramount concern, especially for those in our communities who have no insurance or limited financial resources to get a test. 

“Often the struggle to get a test impacts several members of a household, including the children. Laura played a large part in the decision to dedicate Health Services’ COVID-19 testing resources for children who were suspected of having the virus or were close contacts to positive cases. She implemented the testing program and currently administers COVID-19 tests for adolescents aged 17 or younger—sometimes at little to no expense for the family. 

“While she may see this challenge as just a part of the job, we know that what she is doing exceeds the expectations we initially set for ourselves at the beginning of the pandemic.” 

– Randell Woodruff, Brunswick County manager 

Amanda Reynolds

Title: Family nurse practitioner 

Organization: Dosher Medical Urgent Care 

What the nominator said: “Amanda Ryenolds is what all NPs should strive for. She is incredibly focused and patient-oriented. She goes above and beyond for the safety and care for her patients. Not only does she give wonderful patient care, she goes out of her way to care for her staff and to ensure our safety. I have no words to explain her commitment and dedication during the COVID pandemic. The endless hours she has researched and studied the virus, you would not believe. Not only is she running a COVID Clinic, she also sees patients for Urgent Care needs. She is able to manage both Urgent Care and COVID patients without flaw.” 

- A co-worker 

“Amanda Reynolds is a wonderful provider. I am the courier for Dosher Memorial Hospital. I have to visit the Dosher Urgent Care twice a day and it never fails that she greets me with a smile on her face. She has handled all the COVID cases with compassion for the patients as the urgent care was converted to a COVID clinic. She handled the change with professionalism and courtesy. Hands down I would recommend her to anyone that needs care. 

– Jared Harris, co-worker 

Rebecca Westendorf

Title: Physician assistant 

Organization: Cape Fear Heart Associates 

What the nominator said: “Rebecca has been working in Wilmington in the field of cardiology since 1999, after graduating PA school, either at Wilmington Cardiology or its successor, Cape Fear Heart Associates. She has evolved into a senior leader in our APP division of CFHA. 

“Rebecca currently specializes in the field of electrophysiology (including device management and arrhythmias). Her assistance and leadership have also helped open and maintain our left ventricular assist device (LVAD) clinic as well as our new Atrial Fibrillation Clinic. 

“She goes the extra mile for her patients as well, ensuring that their medical plan fits their specific needs, as well as ensuring that there are not social or economical impediments to receiving their care. She has routinely been seen making phone calls after clinic to pharmacies as well as NHRMC to attempt to gain best possible pricing. 

“Also, very recently, she was thrust into the role of group matriarch and support staff. With the sudden passing of our colleague, Dr. Henry Patel, Rebecca was the first to reach out and make sure that everyone was holding up and accommodating with the tragedy.” 

– Michael Yarnoz, doctor at CFHA 

Read more about all of the 2020 Health Care Heroes finalists here.