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
ALEX MCDANIEL & LINDSEY SCHROEDER
TITLES: Co-founders/Associate professors
ORGANIZATIONS: NSAT Systems/UNCW
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “Lindsey and Alex are highly deserving of recognition in the Innovation in Health Care category for developing a novel device designed to measure neck strength and help identify individuals who may be at increased risk for concussion. Their work represents the translation of clinical experience and existing scientific evidence into a practical technology with the potential to improve injury prevention for athletes, military personnel and other high-risk populations.
The idea for the device emerged in 2017 from Lindsey and Alex’s experiences working in the field as athletic trainers. Through their clinical work, they saw firsthand the significant short- and long-term effects of concussions. …
What began as an idea for measuring isometric neck strength has evolved into a sophisticated technology capable of assessing both isometric and dynamic strength.”
– Kristin Mapson, associate dean of research and faculty affairs, UNCW
CHARITY MOORHOUS
TITLE: Veterinary social worker
ORGANIZATION: Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “Charity Moorhous consistently goes well beyond what is expected in her role because she is never satisfied simply providing the services that already exist. She is continually looking for what is missing, who is not yet being reached and what more can be done to support individuals, professionals and the broader community. That mindset has been central to her development of veterinary social work in our community.
As the first veterinary social worker in our community, Charity did not step into an established program or clearly defined role. She created one. Recognizing the significant emotional needs surrounding serious pet illness, end-of-life decisions, euthanasia and companion animal loss, she immersed herself in the local veterinary community to understand the needs of both veterinary professionals and the people they serve. She built relationships with local veterinary teams and created a resource for individuals and families experiencing grief that is often profound. …
Her commitment also extends to the veterinary professionals themselves. … Charity recognized that supporting clients alone was not enough. By becoming embedded within the veterinary community, she has also been able to support the professionals doing this demanding work.”
– Kristin Mapson, associate dean of research and faculty affairs, UNCW
CHRIS & JODY SEPICH
TITLES: Co-founders
ORGANIZATION: Your HCPOA
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: Doctors and husband-and-wife Chris and Jody Sepich co-founded Your HCPOA, a physician-directed healthcare power of attorney agent service.
They built it “around a promise most physicians must hand off to someone else: a client’s wishes will be honored, not guessed, when they lose the ability to voice them. … In the community, Dr. Chris Sepich encourages advance care planning for anyone over 18, particularly those who are married, partnered or 55 and older. … Because Wilmington’s booming retiree population includes many ‘solo agers’ without family, he has taken on a need, giving isolated adults a trusted advocate before a crisis hits.
“None of this was easy. Dr. Sepich had hundreds of patients built over 11 years and leaving that practice was a struggle. Medical ethics and licensure rules recognize a conflict of interest when a treating physician also serves as that client’s healthcare power of attorney, so he gave up his patient caseload so clients statewide could have a true healthcare priority. … He also maintains his Internal Medicine Board certification. … Co-founder Dr. Jody Sepich is an internal medicine physician at the Wilmington VA.”
– Wendy Maple, WPM-Marketing
Read more about all of the 2026 Health Care Heroes finalists
here.
