For the second year in a row, the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal will highlight noteworthy healthcare workers in the Fayetteville area at their Health Care Hero Awards.
“Our area’s healthcare providers do so much for so many and, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to shine a light on the heroes in our area,” said Faith Hatton, Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal and emcee for the event.
She says they intend to honor those making an impact on healthcare by:
• Giving members of the health care community a chance to connect in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
• Celebrating individuals who go well beyond expectations to provide excellent care for our community.
• Awarding scholarships to up-and-coming members of the health care community.
Anyone can nominate a healthcare worker from Cumberland, Hoke, or Harnett Counties for an award. Nominators fill out an online form describing the nominee whose work and impact they find inspiring. There are nine award categories: Lifetime Achievement, Community Achievement, Health Care Executive, Innovation in Health Care, Physician, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Unsung Hero, and Volunteer.
Judges then consider each nominee and choose three finalists in each category except Lifetime Achievement, in which they directly choose a winner. Judges include sponsors, healthcare leaders, and representatives from healthcare organizations.
After the finalists are chosen, Greater Fayetteville Business Journal will publicize their names and stories on November 1st in preparation for the awards ceremony. The final winner in each category will remain unannounced until the awards ceremony, when those who originally nominated the winners may share a few words as winners are announced and awards are presented.
Last year’s Lifetime Achievement winner was Dr. Ashok Jain of KidzCare Pediatrics. According to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, he shared this perspective on his professional practice, saying, “The day I opened my practice, I put it on my website in bold, ‘I will take care of any patient who walks into my office.’ Any child who is sick, I will take care of them. Whether they have money or no money, insurance or no insurance. I don't care, I will take care of a sick child.’”
Hatton explained that over the past two years, the Journal has received stories from people who worked alongside or were helped by the individual they nominated — sometimes receiving life-saving care from them.
“We have considered so many incredible stories of sacrifice and healing; it’s incredible the impact these healthcare workers are making, not only on a wide scale but individually as well,” she described.
Hatton praised the finalists and winners for their humility, saying, “No one who is announced as a finalist is expecting any praise for the hard work they do. These people see the nitty gritty of humanity every day and they’re just trying to heal and help people.”
She described an outpouring of love and respect at last year's event, which saw over 200 attendees. This year will be held at a larger venue, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7, and attendees can expect a cocktail hour and dinner with a presentation of awards. Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $75 at fayettevillehcheroes.com.

(2023 Lifetime Achievement winner Ashok Jain, MD of KidzCare Pediatrics (center) and his team gather for a group photo with GFBJ Publisher Marty Cayton (front right) and Editor Faith Hatton (center right). Photo courtesy of GFBJ)