EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE: Just What the Doctor Ordered

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — When you witness someone do something amazing, it can inspire you. That’s the case for our Extraordinary Person of the Week. Neill Musselwhite has served us in so many ways over four decades. He’s been a Pharmacist in Carolina Beach, a Chief of Staff at New Hanover Regional and a Family Practitioner off of College road. The doc has done it all.

“While I lived at Carolina Beach,” Musselwhite said, “I worked a variety of different jobs, but I was a life guard and on this particular day. “A Marine did a long shoremans dive and broke his neck and we guards we’re able to transport him to the guard’s station.”

A young Neill Musselwhite would watch a doctor come to the scene and it was then that the future was paved.

“He came down with his little reflex hammer and was tapping on this guys ankles and looking for reflexes and he stepped back,” Musselwhite said of his inspiring moment. “He said we need to get this man to the emergency room I think he has a broken neck and I thought that was the neatest thing that the doctor could do that. So I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

A teenager at the time, Musselwhite would eventually head to UNC Chapel Hill to get a degree in pharmacy. A stint as a Pharmacist would lead him to medical school at Wake Forest University. That lead to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he began his new career.

Dr. Musselwhite just retired after 40 years of service in the Cape Fear.

“He’s taught us a lot over the years,” said Teresa Hart, a long time teammate of Musselwhite. “An extraordinary man,” colleague Belinda Daniels chimed in. Debbie Vezina and Elaine Fowler, also two long time coworkers of the Dr. agree.

Along the way he’s bonded with many people including those four women who have worked by his side for a large part of his career.

“He’s not only some of our family’s physician, he’s a dear friend,” said Vezina. All agreed.

It’s been four decades of keeping the community healthy.

“I’ve loved it,” Musselwhite said. “I’ve taken care of family and friends and school teachers and sunday school teachers and it’s been a joyous thing to be a part of their lives and give back to them who gave to me.”

And that, Dr. Musselwhite, is extraordinary.