Print
Health Care

Health Care Heroes: Innovation

By Staff Reports, posted Oct 21, 2022

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.


JESS AHLUM

Title: Early relational health coach

Organization: Happy Families Happy Babies

What the nominator said: “Jess has such a special niche and does amazing work with infants and families. She is constantly taking new, cutting-edge continuing education to better her knowledge and scope for the community. She has many titles, but I think her most unique and innovative work is through the Masgutova Method and through infant massage with infants. She helps infants and parents dealing with ailments that are often overlooked by pediatricians or given unnecessary medications such as reflux, colic, tongue ties (oral restrictions), excessive gas/uncomfortability, sleep issues and more.” 

– Rachael Birkenhauer, Lactation Counseling Services

WILLIAM LEWIS & ERIN LAMBERT

Title: Pulmonary Embolus Response Team

Organization: Novant Health Coastal Market

What the nominator said: “Pulmonary Embolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death in the United States. In addition, this devastating and often life-threatening illness is quite common in our area – in 2021, almost 500 patients were admitted to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Hospital with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. In response to this, Dr. William Lance Lewis, a cardiologist with Novant New Hanover Heart and Vascular Institute, and Erin Lambert, RN, worked to develop a Pulmonary Embolus Response Team (PERT). This team developed a treatment algorithm that includes a novel cath lab procedure to manually extract the blood clot from the patient’s lungs, thus restoring normal blood flow and decreasing the likelihood of death or morbidity. In the first three months of 2022, the PERT team treated more than 3 patients a week with a 50% decrease in hospital length of stay, no deaths, and no hospital readmissions. The PERT team’s work has been widely recognized and was presented nationally at the American College of Cardiology Quality Summit in September.” 

–  Frederick Meine, Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute-Wilmington

AMY NOLAN

Title: Owner and director

Organization: Therapy Works of Wilmington

What the nominator said: “Amy is a dedicated therapist and exemplary employer. … She will go the extra mile for anyone. She runs a business, but her first priority in the business is getting her patients (her kiddos) what they need. Their progress in their therapy means more to her than the bottom line. She has gone as far as getting needed equipment for kiddos out of her own pocket so they get the full scope of treatment they need. When kiddos walk into the office or the developmental gym, Amy lights up. You can hear the kiddos all throughout the office yell, ‘Miss Amy!!’ She was recently out of state for a family emergency. The entire time, she was constantly checking on her kiddos. The kiddos who come to her practice/gym all made pictures and videos for her because they missed her so much! She is an angel walking among us all.” 

–  Rebecca Webster, practice manager, Therapy Works of Wilmington


Read more about all of the 2022 Health Care Heroes finalists here.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2 9202334730

Clinical Trials at Novant Health Benefit Patients, Empower Physicians

Novant Health - New Hanover Regional Medical Center Novant Health
Burrus rob headshot 300x300

A Summer with Partners/Friends Across the Pond

Robert Burrus - Cameron School of Business - UNC-Wilmington
Jasonpathfinder3

The IRS is Shifting Focus

Jason Wheeler - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

Trending News

New Event To Focus On Business Of Innovation

Audrey Elsberry - Sep 22, 2023

In The Current Issue

MADE Winners: Functional Product Category

Skin care products, bean bags and lumber function at the top of their game...


MADE Winners: Manufacturer Category

Golf products, biodegradable packaging and ophthalmic devices eye success....


Trail Clear For Sunset Beach Development

That project involves making a cascade of improvements to Sea Trail Plantation, a 2,000-acre golf and country club development located near...

Book On Business

The 2023 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