Two members of the Methodist University community were honored for their significant contributions to advancing health care in the Fayetteville region.
Two members of the Methodist University community were honored for their significant contributions to advancing health care in the Fayetteville region.
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal hosted the second annual Health Care Heroes Awards at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Thursday night, recognizing people and organizations that have made selfless contributions to the health and wellness of the area.
A total of nine awards were presented as nominations were made by the communications with finalists and winners selected by a judging panel. Two of the awards went individuals who have strong, valuable ties to MU:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Franklin Clark III; Board Chair, Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, Inc.
- Outstanding Physician Award: Dr. William “Dickson” Schaefer; MU Board of Trustees
Clark had a successful career as a thoracic surgeon and was part of the group that brought the first freestanding outpatient surgery center to Fayetteville in 1981. Since then, Clark has been involved in several enterprises including Fayetteville’s Village Green Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, the Carolina Inn assisted living facility, and the Carolina Highlands independent living condominiums. As the founding board chair of the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, Clark has been instrumental in helping raise $20 million in statewide philanthropic support.
“I’m very honored to be acknowledged through this award,” Clark said. “I am very appreciative of the people who took the time to recognize the things I’ve been able to accomplish.”
As an orthopedic surgeon and president of Fayetteville Orthopaedics, Schaefer has a long list of professional and patriotic accomplishments. He joined Fayetteville Orthopedics in 2001 and has historically been among the highest performing joint reconstruction surgeons in the region. Schaefer is also a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, recognized for serving twice with a combat support hospital in Iraq. He serves on several professional association boards, local community boards, and advisory councils. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Schaefer even flew specimens across the state so patients could get coronavirus test results sooner.
“It’s a huge honor, especially to be recognized for something I love doing,” said Schaefer. “I’m following the footsteps of great leaders like Dr. Rakesh Gupta (chair of the MU Board of Trustees). This is a great group of awardees and nominees to be a part of.”
MU senior Meaghan Himes, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in May, was awarded a scholarship for outstanding achievement during the event.
Methodist University was also well represented in the Health Care Heroes Awards in 2023. Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of Methodist University Cap Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, received the Innovation in Health Care Award while Gupta earned the Volunteer Award.
Methodist University is considered a top university in the region for higher education in the health sciences. MU and Cape Fear Valley Health recently broke ground on a $60-plus-million facility for the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine in September and received official candidacy designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in October.
The University also houses state-of-the-art facilities on campus that include a general simulation hospital, human anatomy lab, motion analysis lab, and several other labs and facilities housing Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and others.