Dr. Dennis Stuart and Physician Assistant Don Metzger presented with 2024 Medical Staff Excellence Awards

Dr. Dennis Stuart

Physician Assistant Don Metzger

Dr. Dennis Stuart was named the 2024 UNC Health Southeastern D.E. Ward, Jr., M.D., Physician of Excellence and Physician Assistant Don Metzger was named Timothy L. Bell, P.A., Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of Excellence at the UNC Health Southeastern Medical Staff Holiday Party on December 13. 

“Dr. Stuart is one of the most caring physicians that I have ever met,” said UNC Health Southeastern VP and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joe Roberts. “He has a natural ability to make people feel comfortable in his presence. He has made a significant impact in the community and a significant impact with his leadership within the hospital.” 

Dr. Stuart joined Southeastern Regional Medical Center in 2004 as a family physician at the Dr. A.J. Robinson Medical Clinic in Lumberton. He has practiced family medicine in Robeson County since 1985.  Previously he served as chief medical officer of Robeson Health Care Corporation and treated patients at the South Robeson Medical Clinic in Fairmont.  He has been a member of UNC Health Southeastern’s medical staff since 1986. He transitioned to UNC Physician Network’s UNC Health Primary Care at The Oaks in July 2022. He has served as President of the Network Operating Council as well as on the UNC Health Southeastern Board of Trustees. A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, he completed residency training at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio.  

“Don has played a crucial role in improving the vascular and cardiac surgical services in our community,” added Dr. Roberts. “He can be counted on for common sense solutions when issues arise in his department. His professionalism is unmatched, and his APP leadership is extremely valuable as organizations hire more PAs and FNPs.”

Metzger began his association with UNC Health Southeastern in 2000 as an athletic trainer and negotiated the first formal contract with the Public Schools of Robeson County to provide medical services for the athletes of Robeson County. He also represented UNC Health Southeastern as the head athletic trainer for a professional indoor football team. He went on to complete his physician assistant training at Duke University. He has worked in cardiology and emergency medicine and joined UNC Health Southeastern Heart and Vascular in 2014, specializing in cardiovascular surgery.

The D.E. Ward, Jr., M.D., Physician of Excellence Award is named in honor of Dr. Ward’s 58 years of service on the UNC Health Southeastern 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 the health system and the community. Previous winners include Drs. Sadanand Hegde, John Rozier, Robin Peace, Samuel Britt, Obiefuna Okoye and Thomas Walden.

The Timothy L. Bell, P.A., APP of Excellence Award was established this year in memory of Tim Bell, who practiced as a physician assistant in Robeson County for 28 years and was the Executive Director of Children's Health of Carolina.