Honors volunteers at a health care provider or other health-related organization who are considered exemplary by people within those organizations.
SUSAN GIBBLE
Title: Physician assistant (retired)
What the nominator said: “Susan Gibble, PA, was in private practice with her husband, Dr. Timothy Gibble, at Atlantic Internal Medicine in Brunswick County from 1986 until she retired and the practice was sold in 2016. Susan dedicated her life to the field of medicine and healing while working full time and raising her two sons. She made a lifetime commitment to improve the health of her community, working 50+ hours a week in a career that she truly loved and gave her heart and soul to her patients and community. She would often share her private cell phone number so her patients could reach her after hours with a phone call or a text with a worry or concern for themselves or for a loved one. While working full time, Gibble was the president of the Brunswick County Heart Association from 1987-1991 in addition to serving on the board of Brunswick Family Assistance from 1987-1993. She also volunteered with the N.C. Baptist Medical team devoting her time to offer mobile medical exams for those without access to health care in Brunswick County. Another extension to her volunteer service has been as a three-term member of the Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center Foundation board where she currently serves as the secretary and an active member of its Governance Committee.”
- Cynthia W. Cheatham, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center Foundation philanthropy manager
LAURA M. HOLMES
Title: Occupational therapy assistant
Organization: Well Care Health
What the nominator said: “Laura Holmes loves working with people, especially helping them, and communicating with them. In fact, it’s the reason she became an occupational therapy assistant. Her background includes work in hand therapy, skilled nursing and rehabilitation skilled nursing, all before she transitioned to home health. … One of the most exciting things about home health for Laura is helping patients succeed in their personal environment. ‘In a rehab setting, things aren’t the same as they are in the patient’s home. They might do great with a task at rehab, but when they get home, it’s a different story.’ Laura shares this important lesson with the students she mentors as a volunteer fieldwork educator for Cape Fear Community College. She has been preparing and training CFCC students on behalf of Well Care Health for the past four years. In her position, she works with students who are observing and those who are interning and work alongside her all day long. Laura was recently awarded the Cape Fear Community College Field Work Educator of Excellence Award, and we can see why. ‘To watch students go from being shy when interacting with patients to really communicating and putting themselves forward is amazing,’ Laura said. ‘It’s awesome to see them truly grow as an individual.’”
BOB YOUNG & WALTER SIEMINSKI
Title: Volunteers
Organization: Novant Health
What the nominator said: “Bob Young and Walter Sieminski are the dynamic duo who have volunteered a combined 6,000 hours for New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Walter and Bob both started at NHRMC as Surgical Pavilion Transporters, helping patients who had been discharged back out to their vehicles. Over the years, they have added volunteer shifts as ambassadors in the Outpatient Services Unit and wheelchair roundup, walking all over the building looking for wheelchairs that have been moved to the wrong place and returning them to where they can be most useful. Bob also volunteers in the Emergency Department, stocking supplies and walking patients and families where they need to go. … Bob and Walter’s dedication and heart for service shone best when NHRMC stood up a COVID vaccination clinic at The Pointe Theater. Bob and Walter were among the first to sign up to volunteer, taking on any role that was needed.”
- Erin Balzotti, Novant Health director of volunteer services
