Honors an individual or team who successfully implemented a program addressing a problem in health care administration, delivery or community outreach.
HEALTH EQUITY TEAM
ORGANIZATION: Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: The work of the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Health Equity Team, supported by a New Hanover County Endowment grant in 2023, “has produced a long list of accomplishments and success stories as they have sought to enhance open dialogue and collaboration with diverse communities on issues related to serious illness and end of life,” the nominator said. (One of the team’s leads, Yolanda Rhodes, is pictured above.)
“The team established a community DEI Advisory Board, consisting of representatives from the city of Wilmington, UNCW, MedNorth, the Veteran’s Administration, Novant and other community organizations serving people of color, seniors and veterans. ...Other achievements included:
- Establishing a charity care budget to serve uninsured patients and families;
- Reaching Level 5 of the We Honor Veterans program;
- and coordinating an equity summit on Oct. 19, 2023.”
– Jason Clamme, director of community engagement, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
WENDY HOLDSWORTH & SOCORRO COSTA
TITLES: Medical Director of Christ Community Church Clinic & Executive Director of El Cuerpo
ORGANIZATION: Christ Community Church
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “The Christ Community Clinic, a ministry of Christ Community Church, provides people who usually only have limited access to health care with free basic health services. The clinic meets the first and third Tuesday each month at 6 p.m.
The clinic serves adults only with no health insurance (including Medicaid and Medicare) and income less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Celebrating its 5-year anniversary this October, the clinic has served over 200 patients, all of which are living in our community without medical insurance and affordable access to health care services.
The clinic is staffed by volunteer providers, nurses, social workers, interpreters, administrative personnel and lab technicians. ...
The clinic director, Wendy Holdsworth, is an RN and runs the day-to-day operations of the clinic alongside staff at Christ Community Church’s organization El Cuerpo and dedicated volunteers. ...”
– Amanda Boomershine, UNCW Spanish professor, co-leader of UNCW Latino Alliance, NHC HLC vice-chair
THE MINISTERING CIRCLE
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: The Ministering Circle was formed in 1888 to promote the welfare of the community. (Its president, Anne Murchison, is pictured at right.)
“Initially, this small group of women worked to provide medical care for financially disadvantaged cases brought to their attention. From this modest beginning, and for 134 years, the organization has continued to support organizations that serve the health and welfare needs of the community, now as a 501(c)3 organization with 50 members. Historically, the Ministering Circle provided the horse for Wilmington’s first ambulance, funding for Wilmington’s first X-ray machine and the salary for one of Wilmington’s first public nurses and first social service caseworkers.
For many years, the organization provided funding for prescription medicines (which became MedSource) and assistance for home-bound residents. In recent years, the organization has provided over $100,000 annually to nonprofit organizations that support health and humanitarian services in our area. ... Probably the truest, most enduring legacy of the Ministering Circle is its members’ love for our community ...”
– Holly Bullard, vice president, The Ministering Circle
