U.S. News & World Report names Cape Fear Valley a Best Regional Hospital
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has been recognized as a Best Regional Hospital in North Carolina for 2022-23 by U.S. News & World Report.
The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 33rd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures, the hospital system said in a release.
The hospital also was recognized as “high performing” for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and stroke, the release said.
“We are pleased to receive this recognition from U.S. News & World Report. Providing exceptional healthcare for all our patients has always been our top priority,” Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, said in the release. “Our team of caregivers is committed to the highest standards for quality and safety, and this recognition is a result of that commitment.”
For the 2022-23 rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 medical centers nationwide in 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. In the 15 specialty areas, only 164 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care, the release said.
This year’s rankings also included a health equity measure, which shows Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has a higher representation of low-income patients than other hospitals, and provides equitable preventative care within the community for Black residents, the release said.
Local educator wins state association’s Teacher of the Year award
Amber House, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Gray’s Creek Middle School, has been selected as the North Carolina Association of Career and Technical Education’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.
The award recognizes teachers who are providing outstanding Career and Technical Education programs for youth and/or adults in their respective fields and communities, the school system said in a release.
House teaches multiple courses, including Computer Science, Discoveries, Computer Science III and Introduction to Office. During the 2021-22 school year, she volunteered for the pilot program for the Minecraft Coding classes, and her students excelled. At the end of the course, 95% of her eighth-grade students earned the micro credentials for the eighth-grade Advanced Coding pilot class, the school system said.
“House helps her students find creative ways to reach their maximum potential and helps her peers do the same,’’ the school system said.
Rasmussen to lead Fayetteville’s Internal Audit Office
Rose Rasmussen has been named the internal audit director for the city of Fayeteville effective Aug. 1, the city said in a release.
She will oversee the city’s Internal Audit Office, which is charged with assisting the City Council with oversight of city resources through audits and fraud investigations.
“I have no doubt in this new role, Rose will continue to enhance our internal audit functions maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the city’s audit activities,” said Councilman Johnny Dawkins, who is chairman of the council’s Audit Committee. “Throughout her career and service with the city, she has helped drive transparency, accountability and awareness throughout the organization with a collaborative approach and extensive expertise.”
Rasmussen has served as the interim director since Elizabeth Somerindyke’s retirement earlier this year. Rasmussen joined the city in March 2014 as a financial analyst. Upon establishment of the Internal Audit Office, she was promoted to senior internal auditor, where she assisted in developing the office, the city said.
An Army veteran, Rasmussen has more than 20 years of finance, accounting and audit experience. During her time as a military spouse, she has held a variety of roles, including positions with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, Fitch Ratings Inc., the state of Wyoming as an unemployment tax auditor, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services as an organization and fiscal auditor, the release said.
She has a bachelor of science in accounting from Fayetteville State University.
“Transparency and accountability are important to the effective operation of city services, giving Rose a crucial role in maintaining our standard of excellence,” City Manager Doug Hewett said in the release. “She has a proven track record in the interim role and is ideally suited to help us thrive and foster growth.”
