LaVette Alston-Braswell named assistant superintendent of instructional programs
The Cumberland County Board of Education approved the appointment of Lavette Alston-Braswell as assistant superintendent of K-12 instructional programs.
Her appointment was recommended by Superintendent Marvin Connelly.
With more than 20 years of experience in education, Alston-Braswell will work to advance learning and extracurricular activities as well as provide whole-child opportunities for students, according to a news release.
Alston-Braswell earned a bachelor’s degree in Hispanic studies education at East Carolina University in 2002; a master degree in school administration from Fayetteville State University in 2008; and a doctor of education degree in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University in 2022. She was the founding principal of Cumberland International Early College High School and principal of New Century International Middle School.
Alston-Braswell most recently was principal of John Griffin Middle School.
New cancer center to bring radiation therapy to Harnett County
Cape Fear Valley Health is moving forward with plans to build a cancer center and medical arts building at Central Harnett Hospital.
The health system plans to build a three-story, 70,000-square-foot complex anchored by a new cancer center, according to a news release. Tentative plans include specialists in orthopedics; ear, nose and throat; a surgical clinic; neurology; cardiology; and rheumatology.
The 17,000-square-foot cancer center will offer a spectrum of cancer care, including radiation oncology services. Currently, Central Harnett Hospital in Lillington offers cancer services including diagnosis and chemotherapy, but it does not offer radiation therapy.
“Annual cancer patient visits at this facility have grown by 40% since 2020,” said Harnett Health President Cory Hess. “In its current location, Harnett’s cancer center cannot expand to meet growing patient needs nor improve the quality or breadth of services available.”
At least half of all cancer patients receive radiation as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment paradigm, often administered through multiple daily sessions for several weeks, a news release said.
Some of the services of the new cancer center will include:
Harnett Health Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign for the cancer center and medical arts building. For more information, contact Scott Childers at schilders@capefearvalley.com or 910-766-7119.
Arts Council named Family Forward employer for policies supporting working families
The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County has been named a Family Forward NC Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Family Forward NC initiative.
Launched in 2018, Family Forward NC is an initiative to improve children’s health and well-being and keep businesses competitive. It promotes family-friendly practices to improve workplace productivity, recruitment, and retention, as well as support children’s healthy development. Family Forward NC has worked with more than 6,900 employers statewide, according to a news release.
The certification designates employers that support best-practice policies in paid leave and wages; accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers; child care; health benefits; and scheduling practices.
School leader elected to public relations board of directors
Lindsay Whitley, associate superintendent of communications and community engagement for Cumberland County Schools, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the North Carolina School Public Relations Association board of directors.
The association represents more than 175 members statewide. Whitley previously served as a member of the board from 2016 to 2018.
“Since 2018, Dr. Whitley has valiantly led the communications strategy and efforts for CCS as we launched a new strategic plan and navigated through the pandemic,” said Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. “Serving on the NCSPRA board of directors will allow him to share his knowledge and expertise with other school districts while also learning from others.”
An award-winning public relations professional, Whitley has been a speaker at conferences and seminars across the country, according to a news release. He is the author of several journal articles on family and community engagement.
Cape Fear Valley Health announces hiring promotions
Cape Fear Valley Health is inviting applicants to learn more about available jobs. Information is available at https://www.capefearvalley.com/careersx/events.aspx.
The health system offers professional growth opportunities and competitive salaries and benefits, such as sign-on bonuses, benefits, long-term disability, tuition assistance, continuing education, retirement savings and scholarship opportunities, according to a news release.
Upcoming information sessions include:
