Bill Kirby Jr.: They put their money and their hearts into community health care

There is something to be said for those giving back to health care in this community, and the new $33 million Center for Medical Education & Neuroscience Institute at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is lined with labs, rooms and offices bearing the names of those who have given generously.

They put their money where their hearts are.

Dr. Don Maharty, 55, is director of the Medical Residency Program for the health system, where today there are 255 residents and fellows in the health care system, with 0.306 positions approved in specialty fields that include emergency medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, general surgery, OB/GYN, surgery, adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, family medicine, pharmacy, podiatry and a transitional year, with programs in critical care, geriatrics, ophthalmology, infectious disease, neurology, oral maxillofacial, ear-nose-and-throat otolaryngology and physical medicine rehabilitation to come.

“It’s a team,” Maharty said on Jan. 12 at a reception for 300 donors at the center’s Ellison Auditorium. “It’s you.”

Sabrina Brooks is vice president of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

“The naming opportunities associated with the Caring for the Future campaign allowed donors an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and to recognize family, friends or colleagues important to them,” Brooks says. “The foundation viewed this opportunity as a way for these transformational gifts to the Center for Medical Education and the Ann & Tony Cimaglia and Dorothy Bankhead Wyatt Neuroscience Institute to give more meaning to the spaces — for the donors and for those who will use these areas for education and training and to receive health care.

“Several spaces included encouraging quotes for the medical residents to ponder as they train in these spaces. Some rooms recognize the lives touched by doctors and nurses, while others represent loved ones who inspired our donors. Each named space represents a commitment to exceptional local health care.

“These gifts inspire all of us at Cape Fear Valley Health,” Brooks says, “to deliver on that commitment each day.”

Caring for the future

Here, according to Cape Fear Valley Health, are the donors:

• Ellison Auditorium, named in memory of Elizabeth Ellison McLean. Donor: Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation, with audiovisual support provided by the Golden LEAF Foundation.
• Ellison Auditorium Reception Hall. Donors: Ann and Tony Cimaglia. Inscription: “Caring for the present and future of health care in our community.”
• March and J.P. Riddle Lobby. Donor: Armstrong, Riddle and Williams family.
• Cape Fear Valley Volunteer Auxiliary Food Court. Donor: Cape Fear Valley Volunteer Auxiliary.
• Courtyard water feature. Donor: Cape Fear Valley Health executive and vice president leaders.
• Donor: Cape Fear Valley Health board of trustees.
• Courtyard dining area. Donors: Olde Fayetteville Insurance; Dennis and Susan Walters; Ty and Paige Ross.
• Courtyard central seating area. Donors: Dr. Rakesh Gupta and Dr. Vinita Gupta. Inscription: “Supporting health education brings us exceptional joy.”
• Courtyard trees seating area. Donors: Charlene and Jay Wyatt. Inscription: “In honor of Dot Wyatt.”
• Residency offices break room. Donor: Piedmont Natural Gas.
• Systel Executive Conference Room. Donor: Systel.
• Administrative meeting room. Donors: Anthony and Joanne Chavonne.
• VP medical education office. Donors: Dr. Donald and Michelle Maharty. Inscription: “In honor of our parents, Donald and Lois Maharty and Gerald and Irene Stook.”
• Corp director of medical education office. Donors: Lonnie and Dana Player.
• Administrative director of medical education office. Donors: Dr. Marion Gillis-Olion and Dr. Ladell Olion. Inscription: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Internal medicine associate program director office. Donors: Dr. Chika Okafor and Dr. Obinna Igwilo.
• Medical classroom. Donor: Officers and directors of Bragg Mutual FCU. Inscription: “Honored to be the credit union of Cape Fear Valley Health since 1985.”
• Medical classroom. Donor: K&L Gates.
• Core faculty office. Donor: Lara K. Davis, BSN, RN, CV-BC. Inscription: “The Alvin John Hamm Jr. Memorial Room.”
• Core faculty office. Donor: Lara Davis, BSN, RN, CV-BC. Inscription: “The ‘Jack-Jack’ Severus Davis Room.”
• Coffee and juice area. Donors: Chris and Angela Neal.
• Psychiatry residency program director. Donors: Dr. Scott Klenzak and Jessica Kouba. Inscription: “Founding psychiatry residency program director.”
• Psychiatry residency associate program director. Donors: Davis and Kelsey Puryear.
• Child Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program director. Donors: Dr. Henry E. and Diane M. Parfitt. Inscription: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and statesman.
• Child Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Associate program director. Donor: Virginia Thompson Oliver: Inscription: “In memory of Larry Thompson and Harry Oliver.”
• Podiatric medicine and surgery program director. Donor: Dr. Kristen McGinness. Inscription: “Study hard and do your best.” — Joe Rauch.
• General surgery residency associate program director. Donor: Lynda Bell Clark. Inscription: “For those who do all the good they can.”
• General surgery residency program director. Donors: Dr. Kelly Van Fossen and Dr. Duke Matsuyama.
• OB/GYN residency associate program director. Donors: Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Shelton.
• Your support helps ensure a more informed community. Donate today.
• OB/GYN residency program director. Donors: Drs. Paul and Monica Sparzak. Inscription: “Aways pursing excellence in patient care, obstetrics, gynecology and education.”
• Emergency medicine residency program associate director. Donors: John and Carolyn Dawson.
• Emergency medicine residency program director. Donor: Keith Messner, MD, MBA. Inscription: “Run fastest toward that which you fear the most.”
• Emergency medicine residency associate program director. Donor: Dr. Roy Weaver. Inscription: “CFVMC pathologist and medical examiner 1971-2006.”
• Transitional year program director. Donors: Chuk and Chinazor Umerah. Inscription: “In honor of Okeke Ene and Patience Okwor/in loving memory of Anthony and Malinda Umerah.”
• Cardiology fellowship program director. Donor: The David and Elisabeth Nimocks Foundation.
• Cardiology fellowship program director. Donors: Drs. Neeti Kapur and Amol Bahekar. Inscription: “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their Hearts.” — Dalai Lama. “In memory of my grandparents, my lifelong teachers.”
• Orthopedic surgery residency site director. Donors: Dr. Stephen and Marsha Kouba.
• Administrative office. Donors: Benjamin and Cyndi Levine.
• Internal medicine residency associate program director. Donors: Drs. Kenneth and Gwenesta B. Melton. Inscription: “Allow this dedication of the building and office to confirm your commitment to educating our future physicians.”
• Internal medicine residency associate program director. Donors: Dr. Sanjeev and Seema Slehria.
• Core faculty general surgery. Donor: Drs. Ravinder and Pallavi Annamaneni. Inscription: “Surgeons who feel the pain of those they help are the best healers.”
• Child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program administrator. Donors: Mary and John Buie. Inscription: “In honor of the young people in need of these critical services.”
• Pulmonary fellowship program administrator. Donors: Lisa and Jimmy Maher.
• Podiatric medicine and surgery program administrator. Donor: MB Kahn Construction Co. Inc.
• General surgery residency program Administrator II. Donors: Sylvester U. Ejeh, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Ijeoma Acholonu Ejek, MD, FACS.
• Large classroom/conference room. Donors: Bret and Kelly Johnson. Inscription: “In honor of those educating the next generation of physicians.”
• OB/GYN residency program administrator. Donor: Dr. Lisa Vendeland. Inscription: “In honor of my partner, Dr. Lisa Mauri Cohen, DC, DO.”
• Research and IRB program administrator. Donors: Dr. Tariq and Fauzia Nazir.
• Medical student program administrator. Donors: Lois and Hector Black.
• Residency reception Area. Donors: Sabrina and William Brooks.
• Medical student program administrator. Donor: Victoria Baskett Patient Safety Foundation.
• Lactation suite. Donors: Dr. Judith and Benjamin Borger.
• Large classroom/conference room. Donors: Tom and Anne Keith.
• Emergency medicine residency program administrator. Donor: Penny Callahan. Inscription: “For a woman with all the solutions in a world full of emergencies.” — Emergency Medicine Residency, Class of 2024.”
• Emergency medicine residency program. Donors: Dr. Tony and Meredith Grello.
• Transitional year program Administrator II. Donor: Peggy Holt. Inscription: “In memory of Charles B.C. Holt.”
• Coffee/juice area. Donor: Chris and Angela Neal.
• Internal medicine residency program administrator. Donors: Drs. Kingsley and Ifeanyi Momodu. Inscription: “In loving honor of Chief and Chief (Mrs.) Chukwuka Nwaekwu.”
• Cardiology fellowship program administrator. Donors: Sylvester U. Ejeh, MD, FACC, FSCIL, and Ijeoma Acholonu Ejeh, MD, FACS.
• Orthopedic surgery residency program administrator. Donors: Dr. Dickson and Emily Schaefer. Inscription: “In honor of Kathy Horne, dedicated employee of FOSM.”
• Core faculty. Donor: Dr. Bhaska K. Chhetri. Inscription: “In honor of two women who have made an impact on my life. Man K KC (1949-2016), beloved mother, forever missed. Neelam Karki Nihanka, wife and author.”
• GME administrative wing. Donors: Lauren and David Allred.
• Interview suite. Donor: Truist.
• Outdoor terrace. Donor: Cape Fear Valley Health executive and vice president leaders.
• David A. and Jenna Abbes Schutzer resident and fellow lounge. Donors: Dr. David A. and Jenna Abbes Schutzer. Inscription: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin.
• Resident exercise area. Donors: Karen Jones, MD, and Joel Horowitz, MD. Inscription: “Be stronger than your strongest excuse.”
• Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation Simulation Center. Donors: Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation board of directors.
• Wes Jones and Mrs. Lucy Turk Hollis Jones Simulation Center conference room. Donors: Dr. Wes Jones and Lucy Turk Hollis Jones and the J. Wes and Lucky Jones Advised Fund of Cumberland Community Foundation. Inscription: “In honor of Mike Nagowski’s leadership of this project.”
• Resident workroom. Donors: Spencer L. Cummings and Felicia Barnes Cummings. “Inscription: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom.”
• Coffee/juice vending area. Donors: Chris and Angela Neal.
• Residents skills lab. Donors: Michael and Kimberly Nagowski.
• Simulation faculty. Donors: Paul E. Kleinschmidt, MD, and Kimberly R. Kleinschmidt.
• Administrator of simulation office. Donors: Sharon and Mike Williford.
• Simulation center waiting room. Donor: The Caduceus Society of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.
• Residents locker room. Donors: Jim and Nancy Soffe. Inscription: “In honor of Tony Cimaglia.”
• On-call room. Donor: Anonymous. Inscription: “To you, who are our future replacement, I salute you. Continue to excel.” — M.S. Sanders, M.D.
• Simulation center workroom. Donor: Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP.
• Locker room plaques. Donors: Janene and Ryan Aul; Graham and Katy Blanton; Dr. and Mrs. Mark Easton, DPM; Steve and Jackie Foley; James and Mary Nimocks Haugh; Dr, Robert E. Maughan; McDonald Lumber Co.; Dr. Doug and Jennifer McFarlane; Dr. Lfeyinwa Okonkwo; Andrew and Tiffany Pennick; Grady and Taylor Stepehnson; Debra W. Williams; Cather A. Wilt “In memory of Cecil. H. Wilt;” Joseph Klembczyk, MD, “for resident education.”
• Ann & Tony Cimaglia and Dorothy Bankhead Wyatt Neuroscience Institute. Donors: Ann and Tony Cimaglia, Charlene and Jay Wyatt.
• Nurses station. Donors: Tommy and Peggy Arnold. Inscription: “Thank you for caring for the sick and injured in our community.”
• Waiting room: Donors: Drs. Reginald and Roxie Wells. “Inscription: “In memory of Mr. Jesse Cannon and Mrs. Margaret Cannon and their son Mr. Ryan Cannon, all of whom were affected by neurological disorders.”
• Conference room. Donors: Ann and Tony Cimaglia. Inscription: “Caring for the present and future of health care in our community.”
• Physician assistants workroom: Donors: Michael and Kimberly Nagowski.
• Physician assistants workroom: Donor: Fort Bragg Federal Credit.
• Break room. Donors: Donor: Misti and David Baskett, Castle Uniforms.
• Physician pod. Donors: Wanda and Mike Bordone. Inscription: “In honor of Prithvi Narayan, MD. Thanks for helping the hospital serve the communities of Cumberland, Hoke, Bladen and Harnett counties.”
• Emmett D. McLain Pediatric Neurosurgery Exam Room: Donor: McLain Brasket family. Inscription: “In honor of the live-saving measures performed by Dr. Narayan and CFV.”

Epilogue

Mike Nagowski is the 57-year-old chief executive officer of Cape Fear Valley Health.

“All great health systems have things in common, and one of them is a loving and supportive community,” Nagowski says. “The generosity shown by these donors demonstrates their love and support for our community and Cape Fear Valley Health.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our Caring for the Future campaign donors who supported the creation of the Center for Medical Education. That support came from government grants, educational institutions, foundations, health care providers, employees, and citizens of the communities we serve. These gifts will ensure Cape Fear Valley is contributing its part to train the next generation of providers, while expanding access to physicians for the residents of our region.

“The generosity of these donors has made these programs a reality,” Nagowski says, “and we are grateful.”

Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.