FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – April 7, 2022 – Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Caduceus Society honored several providers Tuesday evening, when Cape Fear Valley Health Medical Staff Services held its 2022 Doctors’ Day celebration at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Three awards were presented – Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year, Resident of the Year, and Physician of the Year – and Dr. Chris Aul was recognized with the announcement of a new award named in his honor. The Caduceus Society honors the legacy of physicians in the community while providing resources which strengthen the shared vision of the medical staff.
Dr. Chris Aul Patient Safety and Quality Award
After 40 years of service with Cape Fear Valley Health, Chris Aul, MD, retired last month from his position as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Quality and Patient Safety. During his career he has also served as a practicing family physician, Chief of Staff at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Chief Medical Officer of Cape Fear Valley Health. In honor of Dr. Aul’s significant work as a champion for Patient Safety, the new Dr. Chris Aul Patient Safety and Quality Award was unveiled at Tuesday’s event.
“This award we’re announcing tonight, in your name, is because of the incredible foundation you laid and the vision that you’ve put out there for us,” said Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski. “And it will provide specific dollars to continue the educational mission around Patient Safety and Quality of Care. That’s a legacy.”
The Dr. Chris Aul Patient Safety and Quality Award will go to one clinical professional and one non-clinical professional each year who have demonstrated they are a “Patient Safety Champion,” along with a stipend to be used for continuing education or to support a patient safety initiative at Cape Fear Valley Health. To support the stipend, the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, along with Dr. Aul’s family, have so far raised more than $20,000 of the $25,000 needed to endow the award.
“So many people are now engaged, and believe, and are taking our care here in Fayetteville and the surrounding counties to another level,” Dr. Aul said. “My greatest regret is that I’m not going to be an integral part of that team going forward. … This award represents a reminder that we can do this. And it’s going to help us stay engaged around that.”
Physician of the Year
This year there was a tie for the Physician of the Year award, which was given to Dr. Leon Dantzler and Dr. David Stewart, both of whom are Fayetteville natives.
Leon Dantzler, MD, is a hospitalist at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital. Dr. Dantzler was described as admired and appreciated by peers and staff at Highsmith, making all feel welcome, valued, and respected. When he sees something that could be changed and improved, he communicates openly and honestly, and doesn’t shy from opportunities to educate the community and engage in learning opportunities. Dr. Dantzler is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Emory University. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
David Stewart, MD, is an internal medicine specialist at Stewart Clinic in Fayetteville. He was nominated for the care and compassion he and his staff have shown patients during the pandemic. He was praised for how he encouraged his patients to get vaccinated, and personally assisted them in finding available vaccination slots, sometimes even arranging transportation. Stewart received his medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina, where he also completed his residency. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Resident of the Year
Elizabeth Shaffer, MD was named Resident of the Year. Dr. Shaffer, who is a Class of 2023 Psychiatry Resident, was chosen by her peers as Chair of the Resident Wellness Committee. The committee developed wellness events and helped guide residents through the stressful process of Residency training. She has also spearheaded a connection forum for resident feedback and a financial planning seminar. Dr. Shaffer is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine. She will be staying with Cape Fear Valley Health after completing the third year of her residency as one of the first Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows.
APP of the Year
Nurse Practitioner Machelle Burgess was named as the 2021 APP of the Year. Burgess, who works in Trauma and Acute Care at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, was described as a diligent, organized, and prized member of the surgery department, whether rounding on patients, creating work schedules, managing medical students, or scrubbing into the operating room. Burgess is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a certified Emergency Nurse Practitioner.