WILMA
MAY 2022
WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN
Work It
Livening up activewear
Varsity Cues
Sports teams to still join
Nurse Leader
Lolita Bryant’s many hats
HEALTH
New Name. New Look. New Remarkable. New Hanover Regional Medical is now Novant Health. And you can expect a lot more than a new name. New life-saving technologies, new locations for care, new physician specialists, and new ways to make our community healthier. Not just a new name, a new remarkable. Novant Health. Expect Remarkable. Learn more at NovantHealth.org/NHRMC.
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12 8 SPOTLIGHT
46 SCENE: Way with words
10 TASTE: Beach bites and brews
47 TAKE 5: Lolita Bryant on nurse leadership
12 STYLE: Get-up-and-go gear
48 MEN'S ROOM: Gut check
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27 21 W ELLNESS SUMMIT: The YWCA’s health talk 24 F LOWER POWER: Growing treatments 27 G AME ON: Team rosters 39 N O SWEAT: Working out at any age
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Surfing, swimming, walking, running – there’s no shortage of ways to stay active, especially this time of year in Southeastern North Carolina. If you have the will, there’s probably a way. The will part, however, can get tricky. Sometimes, the toughest part can be to roll out of bed and get moving. There’s motivation throughout this year’s Health issue if you need a little momentum nudge. First, there’s no reason why kids should have all the fun. Sports teams are available for women around the region, from women’s soccer teams to rugby to volleyball. Just because they’re recreational doesn’t mean they’re not competitive. Turn to page 27 to read more. Area retirees also have active options, including from Cambridge Fitness, which provides workouts to all ages (page 39). But fitness is just one part of the whole wellness picture. Community health is the focus for the YWCA Lower Cape Fear’s upcoming Health Summit this month (details on speakers on page 21). And medicinal herbs are another route for holistic wellness (page 24). If you need to look the part, fit style tips start on page 12. W
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DARIA AMATO is a native New Yorker and
School of Visual Arts graduate. Throughout her thirty years of experience, she has photographed a range of editorial, advertising, company branding, and corporate clients in addition to music, fashion, portraiture, weddings, and still life. Amato has been recognized by The Society of Publication Designers and Graphic Design USA and received an Optima Design Award for best cover photography. This month, Amato photographed women’s team sports on page 27.
JENNY CALLISON is a former Greater
Wilmington Business Journal reporter who continues as a freelancer with the Business Journal and WILMA. Before moving to Wilmington in 2011, she was a university communications director and a freelance reporter covering a variety of beats. Callison speaks with YWCA officials about their upcoming health summit in May focusing on community wellness (page 21).
BETH A. KLAHRE retired from a major
Pennsylvania chocolate manufacturer where she held leadership positions in engineering, IT, and global business services. Now relocated to Southport, she spends her time writing and has been published locally and nationally. She is learning to play the harp, loves walking the beach with her dog, and serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island. Klahre talks with local women’s rugby and soccer players for a feature on recreation team sports on page 27.
LAURA MOORE is an English professor at
Cape Fear Community College in one of the top three-rated English departments in the state. In addition to education, she has a background in public relations and journalism. Moore also contributes to this month’s feature on women’s sports, interviewing local beach volleyball players (page 27).
DREWE SMITH and KATE SUPA own a
creative studio – Drewe and Kate Branding Co. – that helps companies elevate their brand and digital presence through photography, brand styling, logo design, and website creation. The creative team styled and photographed the cover and style feature on activewear on page 12. dreweandkate.com
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Publisher Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com President Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com Editor Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com Vice President of Sales Carolyn Carver ccarver@wilmingtonbiz.com Senior Marketing Consultants Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com Marketing Consultants Courtney Barden cbarden@wilmingtonbiz.com Lauren Proff lproff@wilmingtonbiz.com Marian Welsh mwelsh@wilmingtonbiz.com Office & Audience Development Manager Sandy Johnson sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com Events Director Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com Events & Digital Coordinator Jamie Kleinman jkleinman@wilmingtonbiz.com Contributing Designer Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com Digital Editor Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Media Coordinator Julia Jones jjones@wilmingtonbiz.com Fashion Stylist Drewe Smith Contributors Tim Bass, Jenny Callison, Nina Bays Cournoyer, Sherri Crawford, Beth A. Klahre, Laura Moore, Katie Schmidt, Lynda Van Kuren, Elizabeth White Contributing Photographers Daria Amato, Megan Deitz, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler, Kate Supa Founder Joy Allen Subscribe For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check or money order) to: WILMA, 219 Station Rd., Ste. 202, Wilmington, NC 28405, or call 343-8600 x201 www.WILMAmag.com
WILMA’S
LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOUNDING SPONSORS
CORPORATE SPONSORS
“All of us at PNC celebrate the innovative women who fuel
Karen Weaver Vice President & Relationship Strategist, PNC Private Bank
WILMAmag.com
Wilmington’s dynamic business landscape and help make the Cape Fear region a great place to work and live. As a Main Street bank, PNC is committed to cultivating, empowering, and honoring women business owners, leaders, investors, and financial decisionmakers in the communities we serve. Our continued support of WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative is reflective of this commitment.”
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W2W UPDATES
photo by Erika Arlee/Honey Head Films
WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative has updates to share as we continue to work on the effort’s core mission of helping develop more women leaders in our area. Here’s what we’ve been up to with various W2W Leadership Initiative programs and what’s coming up next: LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Orientation kicked off in April for this year’s class (above) at Double Run Farm in Brunswick County, with TeachingHorse leading an executive leadership coaching session, The Forte Institute walking members through their individual communication profiles, WILMA’s mentoring adviser Kim Nelson discussing peer mentorship advice, and alum from previous cohorts visiting to share tips about the program. May’s meeting takes place at Cape Fear Community College. Info: WILMAmag.com/women-to-watch WILMA NETWORK: Members of the WILMA Network, made up of sponsors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, meet on the second Tuesday of each month to welcome new members, catch up, and share goals for the year. GETTING SOCIAL: Check out WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative social media pages, where you can find the latest info about leadership program announcements, applications, and updates on women who have been involved with W2W. Follow us at facebook.com/WILMAsWomenToWatch and on Instagram @WILMAsWomentoWatch. IN THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs as well as applications announcement by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter. - Vicky Janowski and Maggi Apel, Co-directors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative W2W@WILMAmag.com
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The Women to Watch logo: When you see this throughout WILMA’s pages, it means this is a woman on the rise to know, an experienced leader to learn from, or a local program worth checking out. W
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THE CAPTAIN CONTINUES: Meet the women running Capt'n Bill's
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HERBAL HEALTH: Stephanie Webb's plant-based approach
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TEAM PLAYERS: Excelling on the field (or pitch or court)
DIRECTORY
women’s professional groups Besides WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, there are a number of local groups to help women grow professionally. Here is just a sampling of some of them.
Cape Fear CREW Year Founded: 2010 Description: “Cape Fear CREW is the leading organization for commercial real estate in the Cape Fear region in North Carolina … Members represent every aspect of the commercial real estate industry, including, but not limited to, law, leasing, brokerage, property management, finance, acquisitions, and engineering.” Info: capefearcrew.org or info@capefearcrew.org
Cape Fear Women in Tech Year Founded: 2014 Description: “Our vision is to make the Cape Fear Region the No. 1 employer of women in technology careers per capita in the country. We do this by championing opportunities for women in technology, empowering women to strive for these competitive positions, and inspiring women to lead in those roles.” Info: cfwit.com or capefearwomenintech@ gmail.com
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Coastal Women Attorneys
The Junior League of Wilmington
(N.C. Association of Women Attorneys) Year Founded: 2013 Description: “CWA was formed to serve women attorneys in Southeastern North Carolina in the Fourth, Fifth and 13th judicial districts, which includes New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen, Duplin, Onslow, Sampson, and Jones counties. CWA is committed to increasing the participation of women attorneys in the legal profession, protecting the rights of women under the law and promoting, and improving the administration of justice.” Info: ncawa.org/cwa or cwa@ncawa.org
Year Founded: 1952 Description: “The Junior League of Wilmington is a women’s organization designed to empower women and to improve the community through the leadership of women as trained volunteers.” Info: jlwnc.org or info@jlwnc.org
The Inspiration Lab Year Founded: 2015 Description: “The Inspiration Lab was built for working women passionate about personal and professional development. We offer teachings and tools to improve your skills, productivity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being. We also provide opportunities for networking and connection. We represent a variety of backgrounds and careers, but we’re all like-minded in being serious about success, maintaining a manageable work-life balance, and supporting one another’s growth.” Info: theinspirationlab.co
Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County Year Founded: 2011 Description: “WIN is a collective philanthropy nonprofit that makes yearly grants to nonprofits within the county. The focus of these grants rotates annually among four areas: education, health and wellness, the environment, and arts and culture.” Info: winofnhc.org
YWCA Lower Cape Fear Founded: 1914 Description: “The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” Economic advancement programs focus on educational assistance, job training, and short-term and long-term planning skills. Info: ywca-lowercapefear.org
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STATEWIDE ART SHOW RETURNS TO CAM 8
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photo c/o Cameron Art Museum
The State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit, which opened last month, runs through September 18. The unique show includes 776 works by artists from across North Carolina. On April 1, Cameron Art Museum held a 24hour event during which artists eighteen and older who live in or are native to North Carolina were invited to bring a single work of art to be included. Nationally renowned curators greeted each artist, giving them the chance to talk one-on-one with a curator about their work. “This is a rare educational forum for artists to gain insight into their work,” says CAM executive director ANNE BRENNAN, “and affords them a vital chance to be seen and heard.” Info: cameronartmuseum.org
LEGAL ELITE, SUPER LAWYERS NAMED
Hundreds of lawyers made Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite list this year. The group included forty Wilmington-area lawyers. Female Legal Elite attorneys this year are ABBY ADAMS, CHRISTINE FARRELL, KARA GANSMANN, DEEDEE GASCH, VANESSA GONZALEZ, JESSICA SOLES HUMPHRIES, PAIGE INMAN, JILL PETERS KAESS, REBECCA KNUDSON, EMILY JONES QUEEN, LINDA B. SAYED, FAISON SUTTON, and MELISSA WRIGHT. (Hall of Fame honoree: JEAN SUTTON MARTIN) Another legal industry accolade that comes out each year is the Super Lawyers list. They include KATHLEEN SHANNON GLANCY, MELODY JOLLY, JILL PETERS KAESS, REBECCA KNUDSON, PAULA KOHUT, LISA SALINES-MONDELLO, LINDA SAYED, NICOLE SLAUGHTER, and HELEN TAROKIC. And Super Lawyers/Rising Stars: KATHERINE HADDOCK, BRITTANY HALL, JESSICA SOLES HUMPHRIES, PAIGE INMAN, EMILY JONES QUEEN, HEATHER DOLAN KAEMMER, KATHLEEN O’MALLEY (above), and DIANE PAPPAYLIOU.
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PENDER AMERICORPS SENIORS’ DIRECTOR
CATHY GUIDRY recently joined Pender AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) as the new director, replacing Barbara Mullins, who retired. Guidry is a leader and active participant in a wide range of community service organizations and activities across Pender County. She is a former president of the Burgaw Rotary Club. “Supporting our seniors and others to learn more about their talents, dreams, and help with their unmet needs is inspiring,” Guidry says. “I look forward to working with our volunteers and staff to make a difference in our shared Pender County communities.” AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP in Pender County receives funding from AmeriCorps Seniors, the federal agency that connects individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. It is one of the nation’s largest networks for senior volunteer opportunities. Locally, Pender AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is sponsored by Pender Adult Services with services provided across Pender County through centers in Burgaw at Heritage Place and in Hampstead at the Topsail Senior Center.
ant more WILMA? Check out our daily emails, which include even more profiles and stories for Wilmington’s successful women. To sign up for the free emails, go to WILMAmag.com
WURTZBACHER MOVES TO SENIOR NHC ROLE
LISA WURTZBACHER, who has been New Hanover County’s chief financial officer since 2012, will step up to the role of assistant county manager. She starts in her new position May 9, soon after the retirement of assistant county manager SHERYL KELLY. Officials picked Wurtzbacher after an internal search and recruitment effort. She will serve with TIM BURGESS, deputy county manager, and TUFANNA BRADLEY, assistant county manager, under the leadership of county manager CHRIS COUDRIET. “As CFO, I was able to work with all of our departments and understand their needs from a financial perspective,” Wurtzbacher says, “but I am excited to be able to work with the departments in an all-new way to assist them and make sure we are providing the best services, resources, and opportunities for our community.” Wurtzbacher, who has worked for the county since 2010, will initially manage the county’s Parks & Gardens Department, N.C. Cooperative Extension & Arboretum, Public Library, Cape Fear Museum, Soil & Water Conservation District, Tax Office, and Board of Elections “with the potential of additional department oversight in the new fiscal year to align with priorities going forward,” officials say. “Lisa has been an integral leader for the county through some of the largest initiatives and projects we’ve had over the past decade,” Coudriet says.
Have a suggestion for a local woman or group to spotlight? Email us: wilma@WILMAmag.com WILMAmag.com
MAY 2022
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THE
CAPTAIN
CONTINUES MARKING THIRTY YEARS AT BILL’S
by ELIZABETH WHITE photo by MEGAN DEITZ
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apt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill might be a well-recognized Wilmington icon, but family is at the heart of the continuously growing venture. The restaurant is currently run by the mother-daughter duo, ERIN and BROOKES MUSSER. Erin and her husband, John, came to Wilmington to open up a new franchise location for 220 Seafood. In 1992, it was time for a change. The Mussers had family members who played beach volleyball competitively, and as luck would have it, the owners just so happened to have a large plot of undeveloped land behind their restaurant. This became the beginning of Capt’n Bill’s, now celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year. “We decided to clear the lot and put a small walk-up counter, full kitchen, and bar on-site with four sand volleyball courts and horseshoe pits,” Erin Musser says about the early days. From there, both the restaurant and their family grew. Before long, two daughters, KAITLYN and BROOKES, were added to the fam-
ily. Brookes was seven years old when she started “working” at Capt’n Bill’s. She was offered a small amount of money (a penny) at the time to help clean up the courts. At fifteen, she became a server as the service at the restaurant grew. Brookes, now thirty-seven, works alongside her mother at the restaurant. Now, she is experiencing much of what her mother did, as another generation is being introduced to the family business. After bringing her newborn son to Capt’n Bill’s in recent years, she now appreciates her mother raising her and working at the same time. “I have loved working with my mom, as I too have recently become a mother,” Brookes Musser says. “I never realized how hard it would be, so being in it with her now makes me look at her differently. She’s a rockstar.” Erin Musser would not have it any other way. “We do butt heads but only because we’re family and comfortable with each other,” she says. “It’s nice to see my daughter step in, and we love having our grandson around the office. It reminds me of bringing Brookes and her sister, Kaitlyn,
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Technician is utilizing full PPE: “We’ve raised close to $1 4goggles easily and gloves board they are consistent and recognizable as million the uniform goggles and gloves over the years,” Brookes Musser says. One STEP #1 STEP #2 STEP #3 6. No is reflections on PPE: cars 5. Technician utilizing full special annual event is the A Day to ReSchedule your Spiffy using We come to you with Digitally track, rate, 6. No reflections on cars goggles and glovesphone, or our water & all we and pay for each service member which power raisesand money 7.the Do website, not tournament, show inside of van iPhone/ Android app need is your keys 7.toDo not inside of van help show groups 6. No reflections on cars supporting Alzheimer’s research. 7. Do not show inside of van The motto “Keep it in the family” is certainly true at Capt’n Bill’s. Bill’s Brewing is part of the business and managed by Brookes’ husband, Donnie. Added in 2016, the brewery includes a large roster of beers. A taproom provides space Approved photos can downloaded at getspiffy.com/media forSpiffy hostingGreen an event and is equipped with - conserving half thebe water of a traditional car wash and 90% of DIY washes. . Approved photos can be downloaded at getspiffy.com/media . If you can’t find an image you are looking for, let us know at marketing@getspiffy.com pinball machines, eight televisions, as well Approved photos can be downloaded at getspiffy.com/media. Ifasyou can’t findBill’s an image you are looking for, let us know at marketing@getspiffy.com a projector. Brewing also purchased If youthe can’t find an image youCapt’n are looking warehouse behind Bill’s. for, let us know at marketing@getspiffy.com 10 “We plan on converting it into a production facility that comingles with Capt’n 10 Bill’s,” Brookes Musser says. The project is anticipated to be completed by summer 2023. W TM
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Get in gear W
e all have those few go-to pieces in our closets that make us feel confident, empowered, and sometimes downright fierce. But the clothing itself has no secret superpower – it’s all in what you attribute to it. And while wearing a certain piece might affect your mood, can it truly motivate you to get moving? The answer is yes. Coined “enclothed cognition” by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky, it is the psychological influence a specific garment has on its wearer and how that feeling translates into action. Just like a power-suit-confidence-boost for an important meeting, donning your fitness gear can actually mentally prep you for a solid workout. Even better, according to a survey conducted by Barbell Apparel, respondents felt that simply slipping into activewear they loved not only encouraged them to exercise but also enhanced their performance. Aspirational, motivational, and stylish – all achieved by something as easy as getting dressed? What more reason do you need for a workout wardrobe reboot? W
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photos and styling by Drewe and Kate Branding Co. intro by Nina Bays Cournoyer
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Row High Neck BRA by Spiritual Gangster and See You on the Court SKORT by FP Movement, both from Thrive; Balmain TOWEL, available from Pipton
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Well Suited: The Costumes of Alonzo V. Wilson for HBO’s Treme
Now on view through October 16, 2022 Showcasing CAM’s most memorable exhibitions over the past two decades
CameronArtMuseum.org 3201 S 17th St Wilmington, NC 29412 (910) 395-5999
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Good Karma CROP TOP by FP Movement and The Way Home SHORTS by FP Movement, both from THRIVE Activewear
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Icon T-back SPORTS BRA by Spiritual Gangster and Icon high waist LEGGINGS by Spiritual Gangster; lululemon reversible YOGA MAT; and Thrive Eco TOTE (page 13), all from THRIVE Activewear; Bala WEIGHTED BANGLES in bone, available from Pipton
MODEL: Sarah Musselwhite HAIR & MAKEUP: Elisha Smith, Pipton WARDROBE: THRIVE Activewear, 7110 Wrightsville Avenue LOCATION: The Loop, Wrightsville Beach
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(910) 463-WASH
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PHOTOGRAPHY | SOCIAL | BRANDING | WEB DESIGN
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W W W. D R EWE A N D KAT E .CO M
TALKING HEALTH
This month’s summit focuses on community wellness by
J enny C allison T erah H oobler
photo by
WILMAmag.com
M
aking health care accessible and affordable to everyone is a big hill to climb, but the YWCA Lower Cape Fear hopes that an event this month will raise awareness about the barriers to equitable health care and help area leaders map out a path up that hill. Supported by a grant from United Healthcare, the YWCA is hosting a daylong event May 19: Health Summit-Empowering and Building Healthier Communities. Its agenda is ambitious. “The purpose of the summit is to empower the community to take charge of their own health,” says VELVA JENKINS, CEO of the YWCA Lower Cape Fear. “I’m not sure if this kind of thing has been done in Wilmington before, but we’ve been working toward this for the past year. Our signature sponsor, United Healthcare Services, gave us $20,000 to develop and execute a health literacy campaign targeting women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) MAY 2022
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YWCA LOWER CAPE FEAR HEALTH SUMMIT
“EMPOWERING AND BUILDING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES” THURSDAY, MAY 19, 7:30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S UNION STATION, WINDELL DANIELS HALL | 502 NORTH FRONT STREET INFO AND REGISTRATION: YWCAHEALTHSUMMIT.EVENTBRITE.COM CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES
EVENT SPEAKERS INCLUDE: LINDA THOMPSON NEW HANOVER COUNTY OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUITY
EVELYN BRYANT BOARD PRESIDENT YWCA LOWER CAPE FEAR
LINDA HADDAD UNCW SCHOOL OF NURSING
CIERRA WASHINGTON NORTHSIDE FOOD CO-OP
MARGARET MITCHELL PRESIDENT & CEO, YWCA USA
MEAGHAN DENNISON CAPE FEAR COLLECTIVE
TANYA STEWART BLACKMON AUSPEN CONSULTING
WANDA COLEY UNITEDHEALTHCARE
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communities focused on reducing the prevalence of health risks linked to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular health, etc. and increasing overall health literacy in underserved communities.” In Brunswick County, the YWCA partnered with Novant Health on health care seminars and workshops. It developed a handout included in packets for Habitat for Humanity’s new homeowners to give them more information on health equity. One step in helping people, especially those in underserved communities, live healthier lives and become advocates for their own health care is to make them aware of the many social determinants of health and how they affect their lives, Jenkins says. It’s not just helping people get better access to medical care, she adds. It’s improving housing as well as educating people on food and nutrition. LINDA THOMPSON, chief diversity and equity officer for New Hanover County and one of the health summit’s participants, says poverty certainly affects health equity, as – sometimes – does a person’s race, gender, and varying abilities. “Initiatives like (the Health Summit) are part of what we are trying to do,” she says, explaining that the county’s Office of Diversity and Equity was created in 2020 by the county’s commissioners “to ensure we are all serving our community through an equity lens and being as inclusive as possible in treating our residents and visitors.” Jenkins says one of the summit’s important messages is involving different parts of the community. “We’re hoping we will have businesses (represented) and health care leaders as well,” Jen-
kins says, “also elected officials, who can bring this information to the forefront when it comes to policy.” Jenkins points to the recent discovery of widespread mold in some local public housing developments. “These are people who are socially and economically vulnerable. They’ve not just lost their furniture and a place to live: There’s a health and emotional and mental health impact. There are children living in a moldy home. We want these children to grow up to be productive citizens, but mold can get established in your lungs. This vulnerable population expected others to keep them safe and here they are, living in hotels for a while.” Thompson, who will emcee the daylong Health Summit, provides another example of a health issue that affects a vulnerable population. “Duke University has been doing research on fishing in our waters and the fact that we shouldn’t be eating those fish,” she says. “I had no clue, no idea that fishing around here was becoming a health concern. So many people fish to support their families – Hispanics, African Americans, poor whites. We need to educate individuals on the danger of eating those fish and give them information on other food resources. Our office is going directly into those communities and sharing that information.” Summit attendees will hear from three featured speakers and attend panel discussions. The event begins with breakfast and focuses on four determinants of health: access to health care; food and nutrition; safe and affordable housing; and socioeconomic factors. It concludes with a call to develop transformative leadership to create healthy communities. W
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“
WE TREAT EVERYTHING WE CAN NATURALLY WITHOUT PHARMACEUTICALS – PLANTS CAN BE ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIFUNGAL, ANTIVIRAL, EXPECTORANTS, ANTIHISTAMINES … THE LIST GOES ON.
“
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Cultivating herbal health
by
S herri C rawford A ris H arding
photos by
In s i d e t h e b ot a n i c a l f i rs t - a i d k i t
W
hen STEPHANIE WEBB’s thenyounger daughters suffered a severe reaction to an antibiotic medicine they were given, she knew a safer treatment alternative was in order. She then took it upon herself to find one. A clinical aromatherapist, aromatic formulator, and international sourcing agent for essential oils and botanical nutraceutical ingredients, Webb says that incident led her to her work today. “We treat everything we can naturally without pharmaceuticals – plants can be antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, expectorants, antihistamines … the list goes on,” Webb says. “Most people don’t realize that the building blocks for all pharmaceuticals are plants.” Among her roles, Webb creates botanical formulations for a large company within the industry. “Some days I am assisting in a lab to formulate a nutraceutical product, and some days I am reviewing lab testing to make sure the ingredients are pure and unadulterated; no pesticides and no heavy metals are in the products I source,” she says. “Knowing where the ingredients and essential oils are coming from, how they are processed, and WILMAmag.com
the care that has been given in farming makes or breaks the end product.” For example, at interview
time, Webb was reviewing documents for essential oil samples supplied from farmers in Madagascar and Turkey. Among her goals: to verify that the ingredients were chemically and aromatically sound for their use. To that end, Webb also owns an organic vanilla farm project in Florida called Sunshine State Vanilla (sunshine statevanilla.com). She launched the venture two
MAY 2022
years ago, “when I was trying to source vanilla for a client, and it was extremely hard to find organic CO2 extract,” Webb says. Citing issues in the international vanilla industry, including labor practices and quality, Webb started growing the spice on her one-hundred-year-old mango farm. From there, she began shipping vanilla plants to other Florida farmers and started a farmers co-op. “We are the pioneers in this new industry in Florida,” Webb says. “When I first opened up my sales to other farmers, I had about 400 farmers overnight email me about my plants – we are at the beginning of something really big in Florida.” While Webb plans to expand Sunshine State Vanilla, she’s also putting the finishing touches on an online educational course that she’s creating. The goal is to teach others how to safely – and simply – incorporate plant medicine into their daily lives. “I do so many home remedies to keep my family healthy – plus all my experience and background – that I want to share it with the world so everyone has the opportunity to understand how powerful, simple and easy plant medicine is, without it being complicated,” Webb says. “Once
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you have an understanding of how powerful essential oils and herbs are, you will find so many uses.” W
What are Webb’s top five plants in her arsenal? This time of year, she says, “I use these plants daily.”
1. Nettles
“An herb with antihistamine and antiinflammatory properties … I add this dried herb into my cooking and drink the tea often. You can also buy it encapsulated as a supplement; commonly used for seasonal type allergy symptoms, as well as an anti-inflammatory for joint pain.”
2. Garlic
“I use garlic often in cooking, and I make an oil to keep (my) family’s ears healthy during summer swimming season. Garlic also is a wonderful prebiotic that helps with digestive issues.”
3. CBD
“CBD directly affects the endocannabinoid system of our bodies. In my home, we use CBD to help with sleep issues and keeping my family calm. It has so many benefits as an anti-inflammatory for general pain relief as well.” She advises making sure to source certified organic products.
4. Vanilla
“This pod is widely used in the flavoring industry, but most people don’t know that it is extremely anti-inflammatory as well. I like to use this in a body oil … Or use it in your morning coffee for the flavor and antiinflammatory benefits.”
5. Lavender
“Its antibacterial and antihistamine properties make it perfect to help with minor skin rashes and scrapes. It is also well known for its calming benefits. I like to add a drop to my laundry – so my sheets carry the aroma and help keep me sleeping soundly. Lavender is also wonderful added to a diffuser to help with anxious feelings and have a calm atmosphere in your home.”
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home teams
by BETH A. KLAHRE & LAURA MOORE
Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. It helps control weight, improves mood, boosts energy, and promotes better sleep. It increases cardiovascular fitness, builds stronger bones, and promotes better coordination and balance. There’s more. Research shows that girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem. The opportunities for women to participate in team sports in the Wilmington area are limitless. From rugby to soccer to volleyball, there is a game with a level of competition and experience to suit everyone.
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photos by DARIA AMATO
Ruck Solid
A
fter ten years of practicing taekwondo, HOLLY WELCH, vice president of women’s rugby club Fear the Maniacs, discovered rugby and never looked back. Many of the other thirty-two women on the team had the same experience. “People who try rugby love it. They don’t leave,” Welch says. “They are hooked after their first game. Even teammates who can’t play anymore come out to support us. And we consider them equal teammates.” Wearing jersey number ten, Welch has been playing for five years as the fly-half, the team’s orchestrator after receiving the ball. Fear the Maniacs (fearthemaniacs.com), whose members range in age from nineteen to mid-thirties, has attracted players from across North Carolina. The makeup today is mostly Wilmington- and Jacksonville-area women. While most of the players have prior experience, the team has drawn many new players
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this year. “It’s definitely strenuous,” Welch says about the sport. “The game requires lots of hitting, running, and sprinting. It’s a high-intensity interval workout. Eventually, you are gonna take a hard hit, but you are constantly surrounded by teammates and fans cheering you on to get up and keep going.” Both tackling and rucking, fighting against each other to maintain possession of the ball after it’s gone down, puts the safety of players top of mind. The team, under head coach JEREMY LEARY, enforces safe tackling, self-control of the body, and understanding one’s physical limits. Many of the players lift weights two to four times a week in addition to team practices on Mondays and Wednesdays at Flytrap Downs. “Playing rugby provides a sense of community and belonging. I have never felt the level of camaraderie and respect as I have in rugby,” Welch says. “We face off against an opponent, go competitively hard the entire game, and as soon as we step off the field, we are friends. Win or lose, we had the chance to play rugby.” Fear the Maniacs plays ten games per season on Saturdays against five other travel teams, some from as far away as Savannah, Georgia. Their hard work has paid off. For the first time since the team organized in 2018, Fear the Maniacs attended state championships in Columbia, South Carolina, in late April. WILMAmag.com
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Kick J Off
AYNE HERMAN has played soccer almost her entire life. “My parents put me in a rec league when I was in third grade. I played in high school and on my college club team at the University of Delaware,” she recalls.
photos by DARIA AMATO & ARIS HARDING
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After graduation, Herman sought out rec leagues in her hometown in New Jersey. “When I relocated to Wilmington for a career change, naturally I needed to find a league,” she says. Not only did Herman find the Wilmington Women’s Soccer Association (wilmingtonwomenssoccer.com), she has been the president for the past three years. The association has nearly one hundred members
ranging in age from eighteen to fifties from Leland, Ogden, Castle Hayne, Sneads Ferry, Hampstead, and Wilmington. “We are all playing soccer for exercise. Most of us go to work the next day, so we are not super aggressive, but we are competitive,” Herman says. “We are at different fitness, skill, and experience levels. The game is physical, requiring lots of running, so players do what they can. Some stay in longer while others get a few touches on the ball and call themselves off the field to rest.” To stay in shape, many players also go to the gym or play in additional soccer leagues. The six teams play ten games against each other over ten weeks in fall and spring seasons at Veterans Park. There are no try-outs or practices, similar to college intramural sports. “The league is a supportive league. It’s fun to be out there on the field, and it’s fun to be on the
WILMAmag.com
sidelines,” Herman says. “We forget how much fun it is to play with women and still be competitive.” This year, the formation of the teams took a new twist. Instead of signing up as a team playing with the same women as prior seasons, players have been mingled. “We are trying to make it more social, a community instead of team against team. Now we are playing against friends,” Herman says. Friendships have become one of the biggest benefits of the league. “I’ve always found soccer fun and great exercise. But I’ve also met so many nice people, and I’ve made many friends through soccer,” Herman says. “I love having one night of the week to play against like-minded women. We are a nice community. and that’s really cool, especially this season.”
MAY 2022
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Ace Space
A
photos by DARIA AMATO
NGELINA WU has been playing volleyball since she was a small girl. The sport has been a physical and social outlet for her and continues to do that for her as an adult. “I was pretty introverted, so it’s been a nice way of meeting people,” Wu says. “I love the teamwork aspect of it.” Wu played competitively since eighth grade, playing on a varsity team throughout high school and choosing to play club soccer in college. It was on the sand volleyball courts at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where Wu says “it was how I met most of my friends.” Working in software technology, beach volleyball has continued to take center stage in Wu’s fitness life. “Just being outside and doing cardio, working on both my upper and lower body; it’s a full-body sport,” Wu says. “As an adult, you realize you’re not as agile as you were when you were young.” Playing in the Wilmington Volleyball Series at Capt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill (read more about the women behind Capt’n Bill’s on page 10) has enabled Wu to stay fit and connect with a network of young professionals. “It is nice to be around people who are in the same situation as you with a full-time job,” Wu shares. “You get to connect, not only on a volleyball level, but you network and get to know them outside of volleyball.” TALITA TEIXEIRA ROCHA is one of those people Wu has met and became partners with on the sand. They have been playing together for the past few years. The human resources professional shares Wu’s view of volleyball as both a means for fitness and connections. “It is a great workout. I can play for three, four hours, and it feels like nothing compared to being in a gym,” Rocha says. “All my friends play volleyball. I work remotely, so volleyball is my face-to-face interaction.”
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Sign up for WILMA’s new daily emails at wilmamag.com/email-newsletter. Here’s the weekly lineup: MONDAY IS WILMA LEADERSHIP with profiles on the region’s leading women, their business, personal, and career advice, as well as highlights on women who are making moves. TUESDAY IS WILMA ROUNDUP, a focus on stories published on our monthly print issues and a look behindthe-scenes at the magazine. WEDNESDAY IS WILMA WELLNESS where you can read about the latest fitness and health trends, as well as profiles on women in the wellness industry and get recipes and workouts from chefs and trainers in the community. THURSDAY IS KEEP IT LOCAL, a collection of shopping finds from local retailers, sponsors’ content brought to you by the WILMA marketing team.
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The Best Kept Secret in Wilmington!
TIMELESS WELLNESS
Cambridge Fitness brings activity to the retired community
by LYNDA VAN KUREN | photos by MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
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MAY 2022
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T
here’s no getting around it. Your body, and what it needs to stay fit, changes as you age. Cambridge Fitness provides workouts that take that fact into account, whether you are in your thirties or pushing ninety. “When members walk in the door, we focus on them and their stage of life,” says BLAKE SHEPARD (right), wellness director at Cambridge Fitness. “Our specialty is determining exactly where each member is and developing individualized and structured programming, so they are comfortable, gain confidence, and meet their goals.” Cambridge Fitness fills a unique space in the exercise world. Its membership is limited to area residents who are thirty-five and older and those who live in Cambridge Village of Wilmington, a retirement community. Its mission is to ensure its members stay healthy in body and mind, and exercise plays an important role in meeting that objective. “Staying active is so important for the body and the brain,” Shepard says. “Strength training helps prevent joints breaking down and replacement surgeries. Exercise also helps stave off early dementia by keeping the brain stimulated. And it’s an opportunity to be social, which is so important for any individual.” Because Cambridge Fitness caters to an older crowd, its experienced staff not only have degrees in exercise physiology, they also are knowledgeable about the
needs of those who have put some wear and tear on their bodies. They are familiar with the typical injuries, illnesses, and orthopedic issues that accompany aging, the ways pregnancy can affect women’s bodies, and the strains working out can put on those in mid-life; and they develop exercise programs that take these factors into account. For older members, those programs often focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation. With all the activities Cambridge Fitness offers, members are bound to find a fitness routine that will help them attain their fitness goals and that they like. That’s important because enjoyment is an essential element of any exercise protocol, Shepard says. There’s strength training, which members can do on their own or with a class such as the one pictured on the previous page led by HALEY SMITHWICK, assistant wellness director. Class options range from functional
strength training to weight and TRX training as well as yoga, barre, and Zumba. There is an indoor pool, which members can use to swim laps or join an aquatic class. And personal training is available. Cambridge Fitness also offers a number of amenities, including outpatient physical therapy, concierge doctor, salon and spa, and smoothie bar and café – a favorite spot for hanging out and socializing. For Shepard, serving the members of Cambridge Fitness is his perfect job. A former competitive gymnast, he learned firsthand the body’s ability to heal through movement, and that put him on his career path. Shepard worked in physical therapy, and when he found he loved working with seniors, he earned his certification as a functional aging specialist. Shepard points out that many seniors improve rapidly when they have structured exercise programs they are committed to. Under his guidance, some previously sedentary seniors are now running 5Ks. Others, who had suffered from back pain for ten years have recovered in months. “They tell me, ‘You’ve changed my life,’” Shepard says. “When you hear that day after day, it’s totally rewarding.” W This profile appeared in a recent WILMA Wellness newsletter. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
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SCARLESS VEIN CARE SUMMER LEGS ARE MADE RIGHT NOW!
S
ummer will be here before you know it. Are you ready to get out there and enjoy life to the fullest? Whether spider veins and varicose veins are stifling your confidence, or the aches and pains of vein disease are keeping you from enjoying your once active lifestyle, Dr. Kamran and his team at Scarless Vein Care are here to help! Varicose veins are large, blue-ish unsightly veins that often appear in the legs, while spider veins are common on the legs and face, and are smaller, web-like, and often red-ish in color. For many people, these discolored veins are primarily a cosmetic issue. But for some, varicose veins can be a major source of pain and discomfort in the legs and could be an indication of an underlying vein issue called venous insufficiency, or vein disease. While tired, heavy, achy, and restless legs often occur in conjunction with varicose veins, some people never see those outward signs of vein disease and just have painful physical symptoms. Fortunately, several treatment options are available for individuals who are tired of living with painful varicose veins or those who simply want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Even better, one of the nation’s leading vein doctors is right here in the Cape Fear region! As an industry pioneer, Dr. Kamran was one of the first
physicians to develop and utilize minimally invasive vein disease treatment methods. Recognized as one of Wilmington, NC’s favorite doctors, Dr. Kamran is known for his effective vein treatment plans that are customized to meet the unique needs of each patient. What to Expect Along Your Journey to Nice Legs Dr. Kamran and his team are specially qualified and trained to recognize symptoms of vein disease.Your journey to healthy, beautiful legs starts with an easy, in-office vein health screening. This painless diagnostic procedure is often covered by insurance and involves both an external visual and ultrasound evaluation of the veins in your legs. If vein disease is found, Dr. Kamran and his team will make a treatment recommendation based on your diagnosis and health. This may include a variety of virtually pain-free methods such as foam sclerotherapy and laser ablation, spread out over several sessions. Individual treatment sessions typically last between 30 minutes and one hour. He and his team will thoroughly explain treatment options and coordinate with your insurance company if treatment is covered. If your vein-related issues are found to be purely cosmetic, treatment will not be covered by insurance, however, payment
plans are available. In either instance, these minimally invasive procedures can be performed in-office and provide exceptional results for most patients. The most effective treatment will depend on your specific concerns and condition. After vein procedures, you'll likely be instructed to wear compression stockings or bandages to promote healing and help prevent blood clots. Many of Dr. Kamran’s patients are surprised to find they are not only able to walk out of the office right after treatment but that in most cases, they are able to resume normal activities almost immediately. Dr. Kamran: A Name You Can Trust in Vein Care Dr. Kamran’s utilization of cutting-edge technology and outstanding patient outcomes have allowed his practice to become one of the first 20 accredited vein treatment centers in the nation. As one of the foremost experts in the art of treating venous disease, he has trained numerous physicians and helped develop vein treatment facilities throughout the country, including multiple prominent centers in North Carolina. Ready to take the first step on your journey to “Nice Legs”? Contact Scarless Vein Care to schedule a *Free Vein Health Screening. Dr. Kamran is now accepting patients at his vein center in Wilmington in
910.218.0933 | SCARLESSVEINCARE.COM 44
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APRIL 2022 MAY 2022
Howe Creek Landing on Military Cutoff Road and in Leland in the Waterford Medical Center. Vein Treatment for Hands Unsightly veins often also occur on hands. Dr. Kamran is now providing innovative treatment that improves the appearance of hands. Ask about foam sclerotherapy vein treatment for hands. About Dr. Kamran: Dr. Kamran is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of phlebology and vascular surgery. He was one of the first physicians and centers in the state of North Carolina to offer his patients intravascular laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins. Dr. Kamran has been providing general, thoracic, vascular, laparoscopic, and both upper and lower endoscopic surgeries for more than 40 years. Listen to Dr. Kamran’s podcast to learn more about vein disease risk factors, symptoms of vein disease, and vein disease treatment. About Scarless Vein Care: With Dr. Kamran, the journey from tired, achy, painful legs and unsightly varicose or spider veins to beautiful, healthy legs can be an easy one. Now offering free vein health screenings, Scarless Vein Care by Dr. Kamran is one of the nation’s preeminent locations for the treatment of venous insufficiency and varicose and spider veins. *Note: The 'Free Vein Health Screening' offer is not valid for Medicaid beneficiaries, or other recipients of federal or state health care benefit programs, or when prohibited by an insurance coverage provider. New patients only. One free screening per person. Not redeemable for cash.
“It’s not worth a doctor’s visit.” “It doesn’t hurt that bad.” “I don’t have time.” These are the phrases families hear most when someone is suffering from varicose veins. For some people, the only impact of varicose and spider veins are their appearance. For others, the symptoms are beyond cosmetic especially over time and more painful at the end of the day. If untreated, especial varicose veins could lead to life-threatening blood clots such as Phlebitis, Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism. Please do not wait any longer. Contact Scarless Vein Care today if you experience any of the symptoms below.
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• Swelling of the Legs, Ankles & Feet
• Night Cramps (Legs)
• Rash or Itchiness around the Veins
• Aching Pain/Heaviness
• Ulcers, Clotting or Bleeding
Scarless Vein Care by Dr. Kamran
WILMAmag.com
Kamran Goudarzi, MD, FACS, FICS, DABVLM Now Seeing Patients in 2 Convenient Locations! Leland: 509 Olde Waterford Way #103 Wilmington: 710 Military Cutoff Rd. #130 *Some restrictions apply. Call (910) 726-3737 to schedule a consult in Wilmington or Leland..
www.ScarlessVeinCare.com We work with a variety of insurance and flexible payment providers. Call for details. MAY 2022
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NC’S POET LAUREATE VISITS THE PORT CITY by KATIE SCHMIDT
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AKI SHELTON GREEN, the ninth poet laureate of North Carolina, is the first African American and third woman to be appointed to serve in the role. She comes to Wilmington this month as the guest speaker for the Cape Fear Literacy Council’s 2022 Luncheon for Literacy, and Shelton Green recently talked with WILMA ahead of the event. WILMA: I would love to start with just hearing a little bit about your upbringing and how you first got into writing. Shelton Green: “Well, I grew up in rural Orange County, North Carolina. My parents built our house next door to my aunt, uncle, and grandmother. So, I have always been surrounded by my family and grew up in a community that nurtures, embraces, and loves you back. I grew up during the ’50s, ’60s, and
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early ’70s and was coming of age at the advent of desegregation in North Carolina, which was not the easiest thing. I started writing very young; my grandmother would give me little notebooks to keep me quiet at church. I was fidgety, and I was nosy, but now I’m glad that I’ve always had a sense of inquiry. I was fascinated by the stories happening around me. That’s when I really fell in love with writing and started to understand that poetry is located inside of stories. My job as a poet has been to be the forager – plucking out the poetry that lives inside of stories.” WILMA: How has it felt for you to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate? Shelton Green: “It’s a wonderful acknowledgment. This honor is such a wellspring of joy for myself, my family, my friends, and for readers who have been supporting me for forty-plus years of doing this work. I know that every time I stand up – that with me standing there are my ancestors whose wings are the breath of air that I ride on. All of us are our ancestors’ wildest dreams. Having said that, it’s a tremendous honor and a tremendous responsibility to be selected.” WILMA: You’ll also be speaking at the Cape Fear Literacy Council’s 2022 Luncheon for Literacy on May 19 – why would you say that is an important element of your role? Shelton Green: “The Poet Laureate is a position I take very seriously, not just in title but in deed and service. So, as I work across the state of North Carolina and accept invitations to do what I’m doing on May 19, it’s important that I be – that the Poet Laureate of North Carolina is – a voice speaking to the importance of literacy. It is vital to the stability of our communities in order to move us forth.” W
CAPE FEAR LITERACY’S
LUNCHEON FOR LITERACY Thursday, May 19 | 11a.m.-1 p.m. WATERMARK MARINA, 4114 RIVER ROAD TICKETS: The fundraising event is free to attend, but reservations are required. A suggested donation of $100 per person is suggested, and event proceeds support the literacy council’s work to provide free and confidential literacy education for area adults. INFO: cfliteracy.org/events/cflcluncheon2022 Learn more about Jaki Shelton Green and where to find her work at jakisheltongreen.com.
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by LYNDA VAN KUREN photo by TERAH HOOBLER
LOLITA BRYANT, who is a patient safety coordinator at Novant Health NHRMC, also teaches nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. In addition, she is the postpartum support international coordinator for New Hanover and Brunswick counties and is establishing a postpartum support group for area mothers. Bryant’s commitment to service also extends to UNCW. She has filled volunteer leadership positions for numerous university associations and committees, and she created a scholarship for diverse students in UNCW’s nursing school. In recognition of her many contributions, Bryant recently received the university’s Distinguished Alumni Citizen of the Year Award. WHY IS SERVING AS A NURSE LEADER IMPORTANT TO YOU? “Being a nurse leader, whether as a nurse supervisor, an educator, or a mentor, gives me the ability to give back and make a difference in the lives of other people. I have a lot to offer those coming behind me, and I want to assist others on their journey so they can be the best they can be.” WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN HEALTH CARE? “The way we provide health care is evolving. For example, telehealth is not only making health care accessible to patients who can’t get to an office, it also makes it more personal. When physicians talk to patients in their homes, they learn what type of family support the patient has, see the patient’s living conditions, and meet the patient’s family members and pets. With this knowledge, physicians ask more personal questions, and that can lead to better care. Doctors also become better communicators. We are also making medical care more accessible by building new clinics in areas of need and using mobile units to take doctors and nurses to patients.” WHY DID YOU FORM THE DR. LOLITA B. BRYANT, ABRAM BISHOP, AND FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR DIVERSITY IN NURSING? “My reasons for creating the scholarship are threefold. One, I wanted to honor my family’s legacy to UNCW. Large sections of the UNCW campus, including Trask Coliseum, are located on my great-great-grandfather Abram Bishop’s former homestead. More than forty acres of my family’s land are now part of UNCW. I also wanted to provide some type of funding to support people of color and encourage them to enter the nursing profession. Currently, the diversity numbers in UNCW’s nursing school are low. Finally, the scholarship is a way for me to pay forward the financial assistance I received for my education. My baccalaureate degree in nursing was paid for by NHRMC’s tuition reimbursement program, and my entire Master’s of Science in Nursing Education degree was paid for by NHRMC’s Duke Endowment Scholarship.” TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK IN POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND MOOD DISORDERS. “As the postpartum support international coordinator for New Hanover and Brunswick counties, I provide support, resources, and encouragement to mothers and families who are dealing with perinatal mood disorders. I also help connect the mothers and their families with local providers who are trained to treat these disorders. In addition, because we have a large number of mothers in the community who have perinatal mood disorders, I am working to form a postpartum support group for them. These mothers need resources and to know they are not alone, and with help, they will be better.” WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR NURSES TO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREES? “Nursing is a lifelong learning process, and the more education nurses have, the better quality of care they can provide.” W LOLITA BRYANT’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
WILMAmag.com
MAY 2022
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ALL ABOARD by TIM BASS illustration by MARK WEBER Tim Bass is coordinator of UNCW’s bachelor of fine arts program in creative writing.
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The train needs to move. It has to leave the station, chug out of the rail yard, pick up speed, and clickety-clack along – up hills, over rivers, around mountains, beside interstates, and through cities, tunnels, and miles of open country. Let that whistle blow. The train has to go. I get it. That’s why, every day, I drag a bowl of powder out of my pantry and load a tablespoon of it into a glass of water. Then I stir, stir, stir, and stir some more, hoping it will dissolve and live up to its “nonthickening” promise. (Most days, it thickens.) This is a probiotic, because an amateur biotic just isn’t enough to get my train moving. There’s health, and then there are all the substrains of it: heart health, joint health, dental health, mental health, eye health, ear/ nose/throat health, and, no doubt, even toenail health and navel health. Then there’s digestive health, the down-and-dirty one we have to deal with but pretend otherwise. It’s also called gut health, though some people hear that and figure it’s about drinking more beer. Maybe it is, in a way, because it’s good for us to ingest more fermented stuff. At least, that’s what I heard a doctor say during a presentation on digestion. (Yes, I actually went to this talk. I was at a book festival, and all the other events were backed up.) Like a seasoned conductor, the physician plotted the freight route from loading zone to delivery depot. His book is called All Aboard: Train Yourself to Give That Caboose a Boost. Or it should be. He explained that our good bacteria from the good ol’
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bacterial days are getting replaced by the processed “food” we eat out of boxes, bags, bottles, and pouches. He trashed my diet as a boxcar of bad microbes that drag me down, mentally and physically, leaving me lingering at the station with no ticket to ride. He talked about oxytocin, triglycerides, and alpha-amylase inhibitors, and soon my sluggish inner voice said, “No more Pringles. No more Dunkin’ Donuts. No more fun.” The answer, according to Dr. Regularity, is for me to train myself to stop eating the wheat, barley, rice, and umpteen other grains I have in my kitchen cabinets. I’m supposed to dump them and instead chew-chew plenty of fermented foods. Like kefir. I have no idea what that is. And kimchi. Don’t know that one, either, but it looks like I’m supposed to up my intake of foods that start with k. Then he said it: kombucha. That one I know. It’s the near-beer of soft drinks, a fizzy fermentation of tea, bacteria, and yeast. Kombucha also has sugar, but that’s the only ingredient it shares with my beloved Mtn Dew. Drinking kombucha is like eating an Alka-Seltzer and chasing it with sauerkraut juice. At least, that’s the way it seems to me, a guy whose palate was refined by chocolate milk and Little Debbie Zebra Cakes. (Those things have zero kefir or kimchi. Yum.) Am I willing to derail my loco motives and stop eating the fun stuff? Life is an endless train of hard questions that await us at the junction of What We Want and What We Need: this way to feel good, that way to be well. Is it time to board the Digestion Express? Dare I risk being left behind?
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