LUMBERTON — Two local physicians were honored recently for their commitment to service to their profession and the community.
The Southeastern Health Foundation presented Dr. James “Brownie” McLeod with the Dr. Bob B. Andrews Friend of Philanthropy Award during a surprise presentation on Dec. 13 at his workplace, Southeastern Medical Clinic North Lumberton. The award was presented by Southeastern Health President Joann Anderson, Southeastern Health Foundation Chairman David Ramsaur and Southeastern Health Foundation Executive Director Sissy Grantham.
Southeastern Health honored Dr. Robin Peace, also of Southeastern Medical Clinic North Lumberton, as the first recipient of the Dr. D.E. Ward Jr. Provider of Excellence Award during a surprise presentation on Dec. 15 by Southeastern Health Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness and Medical Affairs Dr. Joseph Roberts at Pinecrest County Club.
McLeod was honored for outstanding service to Southeastern Health and the Southeastern Health Foundation through financial support, participation in sponsored events, and philanthropic leadership role; the community through medical services or participation in civic and volunteer opportunities; and the medical profession and medicine by providing excellent clinical care and mentoring fellow professionals.
He has been described as brilliant, compassionate, caring, devoted, tenacious, honest and humble. He was first a successful banker who felt called to become a physician. After graduating from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston Salem in 2003 and completing his family medicine residency at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare in 2003, he returned home committed to helping change the health outcomes of our community.
For 14 years, he has been an advocate for his patients.
McLeod, who has extensively traveled on several medical mission trips to Malawi and Liberia in Africa and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, has been described as a “medical missionary” for his fellow man with special emphasis on caring for the least of these.
The Dr. Bob B. Andrews Friend of Philanthropy Award was established in 2009 to honor an outstanding physician, practicing or retired, whose service, achievements, and support of philanthropy reflect the values and examples of Dr. Bob B. Andrews, a tireless supporter of healthcare philanthropy and friend of Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Southeastern Health and the Southeastern Health Foundation.
Peace enjoys going out into the community and sharing information about healthier lifestyle choices. She likes to refer to herself as a preacher of better health for those throughout the community who need encouragement to make healthy lifestyle changes.
She was a recipient of a Southeastern Health Community Health Provider Award in 2013. She has served as a member of the Board of Governors’ Medical Scholarships Committee and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She has served as a preceptor for medical students and has performed extensive research in the fields of diabetes and blood pressure. She has served on the United Way of Robeson County Board of Directors, Robeson County Substance Abuse Coalition Committee, and the Community Care of NC Management Committee. She has served as the chairperson for the Hem of Hope Health And Wellness Program at Sandy Grove Baptist Church and has given countless talks on health and prescription drug abuse throughout the community and at churches.
Peace earned a medical degree in 1995 and a family practice residency in 1998, both from East Carolina University School of Medicine in Greenville. Peace practiced with Robeson Health Care Corporation for 17 years, serving as chief medical officer for 12 years. She served as a hospitalist with Southeastern Regional Medical Center before joining Southeastern Health as an employed family medicine physician at Southeastern Medical Clinic North Lumberton. She serves as associate medical director for Southeastern Hospice House. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Academy of HIV Medicine and is a member of the National Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Old North State Medical Society.
The D.E. Ward Jr. M.D. Provider of Excellence Award, established this year, honors Dr. Ward’s 58 years of service on the Southeastern Health medical staff and for his tireless devotion to providing the highest quality of care to his patients, as well as his continuous efforts to improve Southeastern Health and the community. The newly established award will be presented on an annual basis to a provider who best embodies the attributes exhibited by Ward.
