Staff at Highsmith-Rainey practicing social distancing, posing in front of Heroes sign in front of hospital.

Dr. Zappa and ED team showing off the the latest in pandemic fashion ware during a recent shift!

June 12, 2020: US Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, the Black Daggers, jumped onto the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus saluting all the healthcare heroes.

Dr. Michael Zappa and Maria Zappa pose with Marine Corp Sergeant Major (ret) Thurman Smith with donations for Toys for Tots at Annual ED Holiday Gala

Dr. Michael J. Zappa pictured, center, 5th from the left.

UnitedHealthcare donated 10,000 opioid disposal kits to Cape Fear Valley to help prevent potential misuse of such medications. Opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Each year, opioid overdoses kill more than 33,000 Americans. That’s more than gun violence or vehicle accident deaths every year.

Fayetteville is ranked 18th in the nation for prescription opioid abuse, according to a recent study. Many opioid abusers get pills from medicine cabinets of family members and friends. Recent studies found that up to 92 percent of patients do not use all their opioid pain relievers after surgery. Proper disposal of unused opioids is an important factor in fighting the addiction epidemic.

May 22, 2020: NFL player Oli Udoh of the Vikings donated 500 lunches to the emergency department, operating room, intensive care, and respiratory staff in appreciation for their tireless work during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Sabrina Brooks, Director of Cape Fear Valley Foundation presents donation of meal vouchers from Fayetteville Woodpeckers for all Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital staff recognizing their heroic work during COVID-19 pandemic.

Cape Fear Valley ED Leadership Team with Dr. Zappa at Vision 2020 Retreat

Dr Michael Zappa, Maria Zappa, and Mike Nagowski at Heartfelt Banquet 2020

Cape Fear Valley Pharmacy staff appreciating their gifts donated from Burt’s Bees recognizing the heroic work of healthcare workers during this pandemic.

Celebrating the successful integration of Pediatric Services between the two facilities resulting in a single collaborative service housed at CFV.

This is the first of several integrated/collaborative services being led by this team. This program, among the first in the nation, is in response to a mandate from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to assure medical readiness of the armed forces by allowing active duty personnel to gain experience in civilian facilities, eliminate duplication of services, and share services in a bi-directional fashion to promote better health for the entire community.

Dr. Zappa with Cape Fear Valley ED Team at Heartfelt Banquet 2020 uniting survivors of Cardiac Arrest with their care teams.

Mary works night shift in the ICU at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital and is recognized for her compassion for patients and family, her willingness to go above and beyond, and the bedside education and example she provides for less experienced nurses, a true inspiration.

This year’s funds have been dedicated to the construction of a graduate medical education center to enhance the medical student and resident experience.

Florence Gasatura, MSN, RM, RN, CEO of King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda visits Cape Fear Valley to share her perspective on healthcare delivery in her country and learn and tour a  US state of the art tertiary care facility.  Ms. Gasatura is flanked by Dr. Michael Zappa and Mike Nagowski, CEO and joined by Pastor Lovejoy and Dr. Sam Fleishman, CMO. It was eye opening to learn of the challenges faced in Rwanda trying to care for a community, and rewarding to open to lines of communication for potential sharing of expertise.

In 1899 Dr Jacob F. Highsmith opened the first private hospital and nursing school in the state of North Carolina. 120 years later, this hospital — now known as Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital (HRSH) — is still serving Cumberland County and the region.

Dr. Zappa, current president of HRSH proudly stands next to the bust of the hospital founder and first president Dr. Highsmith at the dedication of the new Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital Historical Display. He is joined by Kelly Steere , RN, CNO; Gaynelle West, RN class of 1954; Betty Kirby, RN class of 1965, and Debbie Marshburn, RN, CNE.

Dr. Mike Zappa with Cape Fear Valley ED Team at Annual Leadership Retreat Vision 2020.

Past Presidents of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians gather to celebrate their 50th Anniversary:

Drs: Ernest Page, Michael Zappa, Larry Hobbs, David Seaberg, and Michael Lozano