Welcome Bruce Berger, Board Chair

At NeighborHealth Center, we are blessed to have an exceptional board of directors who generously and tirelessly serve our organization and support us in our mission to serve Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate, and accessible healthcare. Recently, Bruce Berger was elected to be our next board chair. We spoke with Bruce to hear a little more about his time on the board and what this role means to him.

Bruce has served NeighborHealth as a board member for about two years, and he appreciates that the board “has been great in doing what we can to make sure that the founding mission and values become institutionalized and maintained” in partnership with the staff and leadership of NeighborHealth. In his fellow board members, he recognizes the diligence and dedication it takes to serve well and stay focused on the mission, which grounds our organization.

Bruce’s wife, Susanne, who passed away in July 2021, was instrumental in founding NeighborHealth, together with the help of many others’ tireless efforts. Our clinic on Blue Ridge Road is named in her memory. Serving as board chair is very meaningful to him because he witnessed firsthand her work to make this happen. “I saw the incredible amount of time, effort, and heart that she put into it,” Bruce says. “To be able to step into her shoes and be a part of her vision is very humbling—a real honor.” Susanne served as the chairperson who brought NeighborHealth from an idea to a functioning clinic and beyond.

His focus and hope going forward is sustaining our mission in the midst of growth, maintaining and strengthening all that makes NeighborHealth distinctive. He especially sees our staff in this way. “It’s unique that the folks at NeighborHealth really believe in the mission. That’s encouraging to see at all levels of staff,” he reflects. “That is a God-given and God-driven spirit.”

Bruce is a lawyer and lives in Raleigh. He graduated from Vanderbilt University before earning his J.D. at Southern Methodist University. He has been involved in other local faith-based organizations, including Neighbor to Neighbor, and is a member of Church of the Apostles in midtown Raleigh. He has four adult children and enjoys outdoor activities in his free time.

Getting the Scoop on Youth Sports Physicals

It’s nearly time for back-to-school, which means fall sports season is on the way. If your child is signed up for an athletic team this fall, chances are a sports physical is in your future. Often known as a pre-participation physical exam (PPE), these screenings are generally a prerequisite for many competitive teams run by schools, camps, as well as civic or private organizations. The exam generally includes a review of the child’s health history to determine if any concerns are present that could prevent them from safely participating in a sport.

According to guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the general goals of the PPE exam include:

• Determining the child’s general and psychological health
• Evaluating for life-threatening or disabling conditions, including risk of sudden cardiac arrest and other conditions that may predispose the athlete to illness or injury; and
• Serving as an entry point into the healthcare system for children without a medical home or primary care physician.

While a pre-participation physical can be performed at many local pediatrics, family medicine or urgent care offices, they are best when performed by someone who knows and understands your child’s unique health history. That’s why NeighborHealth Center is pleased to provide this service for our young athlete patients of all ages.

“We take pride in our process for evaluating our pediatric and adolescent athletes. Because we generally know our patients so well, it’s a fairly straightforward exam, but it gives us a unique opportunity to really evaluate the child’s overall physical and emotional well-being in advance of the sports season. We’re also here to answer questions, and to address any existing health concerns that may affect a player’s performance – including asthma, diabetes, or even behavioral health concerns – to ensure they can safely participate in the sports they love to play.”

Allison Jones, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner at NeighborHealth Center.

All established NeighborHealth patients are eligible for a pre-participation physical exam. To book an appointment for your child or adolescent athlete, please contact our office at (984) 222-8000.

Back-to-School Donation Blitz Raises $7,500

Here at NeighborHealth, nearly a fourth of our patients are children and one-fifth of them lack health insurance. That’s why NeighborHealth recently launched a “Back-to-School Fundraising Blitz” aimed at raising enough money to cover the costs of a routine physical exam for the equivalent of a classroom of kids. We’re incredibly grateful to the donors who helped us raise more than $7,500 to offset the cost of routine medical care for the children in our community who may not otherwise have access to these important services. With your help, we’re improving the health of our children and our community.

If you haven’t had the chance to donate, you can still make a contribution today.

Thank you for your continued partnership.
With gratitude,
Daniel Lipparelli
Chief Executive Officer

Serving Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate, and accessible health care.