Home Duke Health Lake Norman Providers Honored with White Coat Ceremony

Duke Health Lake Norman Providers Honored with White Coat Ceremony

News

June 25, 2025

From L to R, front row: Thomas Gross, MD, James Allen, MD, Andrew Gross, MD, Ben Garrido, MD, Brooke Colombero, FNP-C, Amber Hicks-Thibodeau, MD, Kristen Mason, FNP-BC, Elizabeth Hayes, DNP, FNP-BC, Ashley Butler, PA-C, and Meredith Harkey, AGPNP-C. Second row: Nikhil Balakrishnan, MD, MS, Deborah Torrence, AGPNP-C, Christina Pradhan, FNP-BC, Sarah Miner, PA-C. Back row: William Doheny, MD, David Gish, MD, Benjamin Kunesh, MD, Khaled Mansour, MD, Kevin Vanhoy, PA-C, Kim Auci, AGACNP-BC, and Jamie Gregory, FNP-BC.

Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital celebrated a significant milestone that marked the integration of mission, values, and care, during its inaugural White Coat Ceremony on June 18, formally welcoming 31 medical providers.

Kristie Barazsu, President and COO of Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital, and Craig Albanese, CEO of Duke University Health System
The ceremony consisted of remarks from hospital leaders, Craig Albanese, CEO of Duke University Health System, Kristie Barazsu, President and COO of Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital, Matt Barber, President of Duke Health Integrated Practice, Angelo Milazzo, Duke Health Integrated Practice Chief Medical Officer, and Greg Pauly, Group President of Duke University Health System. Each provider received a personalized white coat bearing the Duke Health insignia, representing the next chapter of their clinical journey.

“Today’s ceremony recognizes your decision to join Duke Health and join our unified calling to serve our communities and each other with excellence, and shape the future of healthcare,” said Barazsu.

The addition of these providers not only expands Duke Health’s footprint into the Lake Norman region, but also reinforces the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class care across North Carolina.