CityView Magazine

U.S. physicians are either doctors of medicine (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.). They essentially receive the same training, but D.O. medical students also learn osteopathic manipulative medicine. Location, Location, Location The residency program is located at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Training is offered in internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery and psychiatry. Transitional year slots are also available for physicians still deciding on a specialty. Now in its second year, Cape Fear Valley has become a major teaching facility like its urban counterparts at Duke University, University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University. The program has more than doubled in size, growing from 32 residents to 66. Plans are for the program to grow to 155 slots in 2021. Within 10 years the program is expected to train up to 300 resident physicians. John Kauffman, D.O., Dean of Campbell University's Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, says an influx of young, new physicians would be a godsend for the region. He points out North Carolina already had four medical schools before Campbell's, yet the state still has a physician shortage. Population-wise, North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation, but comes in 24 th in primary care providers per capita. The numbers add up to too few primary care providers, especially in rural areas. "Most everything east of I-95, except Pitt County, is a doctor- desert," Kauffman said. "The good thing for these new residents is that there will be lots of job opportunities once they complete their training." More than 2,000 applicants applied this year, showing just how competitive it is to get into the program. The overwhelming interest means Cape Fear Valley can choose the best candidates. Some of them are from as far away as Washington state and Arizona. Others graduated from Campbell University's medical school, like Matt Walker, D.O. The second year OB/GYN resident knew he would apply for Cape Fear Valley's residency program while still in medical school. He did rotations at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and immediately felt comfortable with the hospital and staff. His wife is a Fort Bragg soldier, which only reinforced his decision to do residency here. Dr. Walker also spent time in the military. He served as a medical services officer, allowing him to work alongside physicians and surgeons on the battlefield. Some of them even allowed him to assist with surgeries. Now that he's in residency, Walker's days start at 5:30 a.m. and end around 5:30 or 6 p.m., with routine weekend call. But Walker isn't complaining. "It's much more calm and enjoyable now," he said, "because I'm doing more elective procedures. And OB/GYN patients are usually a lot happier. And don't forget the babies." Paul Sparzak, D.O., is the OB/GYN residency program director. He signed on to help teach the program, despite an already busy schedule. He likes to teach and the idea of helping train a new generation of doctors intrigued him. "I just remember how hard my own residency was," he said. "It's really about finding a work balance. One of the things you learn from residency is how to manage everyday life." Rick Stone, D.O., is quickly realizing this. The internal medicine resident is married with three kids, meaning he's always busy. The Utah native relocated his family from Arizona after being accepted into the residency program. He said moving to Fayetteville was an easy decision because of how family-friendly the area is. Good schools, great weather and an extremely low cost of living were all pluses. Dr. Stone was especially pleased to learn how inexpensive homes were here. He bought a new four-bedroom home near Methodist University, because he plans on sticking around a while. Lucky for him, the house is close to the new Interstate 295 outer loop. It allows him to get to work in no time. "I was always looking for a good place to raise a family," he said. "This place is a perfect mix of things." The residency program is expected to generate $30 million a year towards the local economy. By 2027, more than 900 total jobs will be created under the program. The total projected economic impact for southeastern North Carolina is $574 million. That's equivalent to bringing a large company to town. Resident physicians aren't the only ones training at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. On any given day, patients and visitors will encounter pharmacy residents, medical students, nursing students, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and more. "Only a select few health systems are capable of training physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other highly trained clinical experts," Nagowski said. "I'm proud to say Cape Fear Valley is among the select few." If there was ever a hotspot for the nation's physician shortage, it's here in the southeastern part of North Carolina. S P E C I A L P R O M O T I O N A L S E C T I O N U.S. physicians are either doctors of medicine (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.). They essentially receive the same training, but D.O. medical students also learn osteopathic manipulative medicine. Location, Location, Location The residency program is located at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Training is offered in internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery and psychiatry. Transitional year slots are also available for physicians still deciding on a specialty. Now in its second year, Cape Fear Valley has become a major teaching facility like its urban counterparts at Duke University, University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University. The program has more than doubled in size, growing from 32 residents to 66. Plans are for the program to grow to 155 slots in 2021. Within 10 years the program is expected to train up to 300 resident physicians. John Kauffman, D.O., Dean of Campbell University's Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, says an influx of young, new physicians would be a godsend for the region. He points out North Carolina already had four medical schools before Campbell's, yet the state still has a physician shortage. Population-wise, North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation, but comes in 24 th in primary care providers per capita. The numbers add up to too few primary care providers, especially in rural areas. "Most everything east of I-95, except Pitt County, is a doctor- desert," Kauffman said. "The good thing for these new residents is that there will be lots of job opportunities once they complete their training." More than 2,000 applicants applied this year, showing just how competitive it is to get into the program. The overwhelming interest means Cape Fear Valley can choose the best candidates. Some of them are from as far away as Washington state and Arizona. Others graduated from Campbell University's medical school, like Matt Walker, D.O. The second year OB/GYN resident knew he would apply for Cape Fear Valley's residency program while still in medical school. He did rotations at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and immediately felt comfortable with the hospital and staff. His wife is a Fort Bragg soldier, which only reinforced his decision to do residency here. Dr. Walker also spent time in the military. He served as a medical services officer, allowing him to work alongside physicians and surgeons on the battlefield. Some of them even allowed him to assist with surgeries. Now that he's in residency, Walker's days start at 5:30 a.m. and end around 5:30 or 6 p.m., with routine weekend call. But Walker isn't complaining. "It's much more calm and enjoyable now," he said, "because I'm doing more elective procedures. And OB/GYN patients are usually a lot happier. And don't forget the babies." Paul Sparzak, D.O., is the OB/GYN residency program director. He signed on to help teach the program, despite an already busy schedule. He likes to teach and the idea of helping train a new generation of doctors intrigued him. "I just remember how hard my own residency was," he said. "It's really about finding a work balance. One of the things you learn from residency is how to manage everyday life." Rick Stone, D.O., is quickly realizing this. The internal medicine resident is married with three kids, meaning he's always busy. The Utah native relocated his family from Arizona after being accepted into the residency program. He said moving to Fayetteville was an easy decision because of how family-friendly the area is. Good schools, great weather and an extremely low cost of living were all pluses. Dr. Stone was especially pleased to learn how inexpensive homes were here. He bought a new four-bedroom home near Methodist University, because he plans on sticking around a while. Lucky for him, the house is close to the new Interstate 295 outer loop. It allows him to get to work in no time. "I was always looking for a good place to raise a family," he said. "This place is a perfect mix of things." The residency program is expected to generate $30 million a year towards the local economy. By 2027, more than 900 total jobs will be created under the program. The total projected economic impact for southeastern North Carolina is $574 million. That's equivalent to bringing a large company to town. Resident physicians aren't the only ones training at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. On any given day, patients and visitors will encounter pharmacy residents, medical students, nursing students, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and more. "Only a select few health systems are capable of training physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other highly trained clinical experts," Nagowski said. "I'm proud to say Cape Fear Valley is among the select few." If there was ever a hotspot for the nation's physician shortage, it's here in the southeastern part of North Carolina.

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