Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (LCFL) recently announced its 2024 Association of Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina H.O.M.E Award winners.

Deric Weiss was named Physician of the Year. James and Delorise Hansley were named as Volunteers of the Year, and Mark Wilde-Ramsing was awarded Caregiver of the Year, according to a news release. The awards were presented April 8 during the AHHC of North Carolina’s Conference & Expo in Raleigh.

Weiss serves as physician at LCFL’s Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion in Wilmington. He also oversees care for 100 to 150 at home patients daily, the release stated. He joined the staff of the nonprofit organization four years ago at the height of COVID-19.

"An expert in symptom management, Weiss shares his knowledge with interdisciplinary team members, hospitalists and community physicians. He also presents to local physicians and developed LCFL’s educational program 'Your Hardest Discussion Could Be Your Greatest Gift: Talking About Hospice Care with Families,'" according to the release. "This program has educated many physicians, nurse-practitioners, physicians assistants and other providers in our region to have the challenging discussion with patients and families about the end of life."

The Hansleys have been LCFL volunteers for about 12 years, serving as greeters and providing support to families at the Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion in Wilmington.

"They welcome visitors and families with smiles and love the moment they enter the facility," the release stated. "The couple, who tragically lost their only son about eight years ago, provides a Thanksgiving feast in his honor and remembrance every year for patients with loved ones being served at the hospice care center.

"Families and visitors regularly comment on the kind, helpful and friendly demeanor of the pair. Recently, one family caregiver took time to send a message to LCFL’s CEO praising the couple’s caring spirit." 

Wilde-Ramsing cared for his wife, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, for about a decade until her recent death in hospice care, according to the release. Team members witnessed this caregiver’s impact on his wife’s quality of life through much of this journey, the release stated.

"Wilde-Ramsing was a regular at LCFL’s LifeCare Memory Partner’s educational offerings and support groups. He was always eager to learn more to better serve his wife’s needs," according to the release. "Team members regularly witnessed the loving, caring way he worked to accept the situation at hand and make it as best as possible for his wife."