Marta Bringhurst, DO | President
Dr. Bringhurst is an assistant professor of OMM at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine and serves as Year 1 OMM Course Director. She received her medical degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio and a residency in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital in Cleveland Ohio. Dr. Bringhurst is the President and CEO of Girl Med Media, Inc. and has served on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Osteopathy.
Cecile Robes, DO, FAAFP | Vice President
Dr. Robes is an osteopathic family medicine provider who graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Western University/COMP Tempe St. Luke's Hospital in Tempe, AZ. With over 30 years of experience, her specialties include preventative care, geriatrics, HIV care and transgender care. In her spare time, Dr. Robes enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew, spending time outdoors biking, hiking and walking her sweet dog.
Audrey Surak, DO | Secretary Treasurer
Dr. Surak graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1992 and completed her Family Practice residency at Florida Hospital East Orlando in 1995, where she served as Chief Resident. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine as well as Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine and trained in diabetic education and treatment. Dr. Surak was a family practice physician for 11 years in New Jersey, caring for all age levels, before moving to Wilmington in 2006. She served as a Medical Director for Lower Cape Fear Hospice for 5 years before partnering with Dr. Marsha Fretwell at Health Partners.
Besides treating patients in our office, Dr. Surak also provides patient care at Champions Assisted Living Facility, Davis Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Community and Trinity Grove where she acts as Medical Director. She also serves as the Medical Director at Porters Neck Village. In her spare time, Dr. Surak likes spending time with her family and friends (especially her granddaughters), enjoying downtime in the NC mountains and traveling with her husband and office manager, Clem.
Shawn Hamm, DO, MPH, FAAFP | Membership Chair
Dr. Hamm is a dual board-certified family medicine physician with UNC Health Blue Ridge and the Medical Director of the Burke County Health Department in Morganton, NC. Additionally, Dr. Hamm serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Family Medicine for the Campbell University-Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM). He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2018, and completed his family medicine training at the St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program in Jacksonville, FL, where he received the Spirit of Family Medicine Award, and the Distinction of Advanced Osteopathic Training in Family Medicine from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Dr. Hamm has served in many volunteer leadership roles at the state and national level. He most recently served as the New Physician in Practice Member of the AOA Board of Trustees, and the Chair of the AOA Bureau of Emerging Leaders. For his national advocacy on legislative issues affecting graduate medical education and the osteopathic profession, Dr. Hamm was selected as the 2020 AACOM ED to MED Outstanding Advocate of the Year. In 2023, Dr. Hamm was named the Physician of the Year for UNC Health Blue Ridge, and in 2025, he was selected Preceptor of the Year by his medical students for the CUSOM Morganton clinical rotation site. He remains involved at the national level with the AOA as the Communications Workgroup Chair and Advisor to the Bureau of Emerging Leaders.
Robert Agnello, DO, MHPE, FACOFP, FAAFP | Trustee
Dr. Agnello is the Chair of Family Medicine and Assistant Professor at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM), specializing in integrative pain management. Board-certified in family medicine and pain medicine, he holds certifications in medical acupuncture and is an active instructor in battlefield acupuncture. With over 20 years of experience, including service at Womack Army Medical Center, Dr. Agnello leads education and research on chronic pain care. Dr. Agnello serves on the NCAFP Professional Development and Practice Environment Committee.
He is the Chair of Family Medicine for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) CME Advisory Committee. Dr. Agnello has served twice as President of the NCS-ACOFP (2012-2013 and 2022-2023). A Fellow of the AAFP and ACOFP, he has received multiple Army commendations and teaching awards. Dr. Agnello actively presents on pain management, mentors students, and serves as a cantor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC.
Sarah Lassiter, DO | Trustee
Dr. Lassiter is a board-certified Family Medicine physician. She is a Johnston County native and attributes her desire to practice family medicine to her rural upbringing. She saw a need for primary care doctors in her hometown and made it her mission to help close the space between patient needs and physician accessibility. Dr. Lassiter strives to bring warmth and care to each patient encounter. She has a special interest in rural medicine as well as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). She sees and treats a wide array of diseases and chronic medical conditions. In addition to adults, she also enjoys seeing adolescents and children.
She earned her medical degree from Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Harnett Health. In addition to her medical degree, Dr. Lassiter also received her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees, both from Campbell University.
Chadwick Leo, DO, MBA, FACOG | Trustee
Dr. Leo is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and healthcare leader with experience in clinical operations, quality improvement, and physician leadership. He currently serves as Medical Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UNC Health Pardee, where he leads departmental strategy, advances clinical excellence, and drives initiatives to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency across the practice as well as supporting a collaborative, high-performing care team. His clinical approach is grounded in a patient-centered philosophy, emphasizing individualized care, shared decision-making, and evidence-based treatment tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. Throughout his career, he has successfully implemented process improvements that enhance safety, reduce complications, and elevate patient satisfaction.
Dr. Leo has volunteered in various roles both at the local level as well as the national level. He is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) and serves on the Government Affairs committee and currently selected to participate in the ACOG committee of Health Economics and Coding . He is also a member of the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG), contributing to the assessment and advancement of standards within the specialty. Locally he serves as Chair of the OB/GYN Department and is also a member of the Medical Executive Committee at Pardee Hospital. In addition to his clinical and administrative work, Dr. Leo is dedicated to medical education, holding academic appointments and mentoring the next generation of physicians. His commitment to service extends globally through participation in international medical missions.
Luis Acevedo, DO | Resident Representative (Ex officio)
Dr. Acevedo is currently a PGY-2 at the Harnett Health Family Medicine Residency Program.
Matthew Baker, OMS II | Student Representative (Ex officio)
Matthew Baker grew up in Gaston County, NC and is currently a medical student at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He most recently served as the 2025-2026 Vice President of the Student Government Association. He is passionate about global and public health. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and reading.
Barbara Walker, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP | President Emeritus (Ex officio)
Barbara E. Walker, D.O. received her D.O. degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), completed her Residency in Family Medicine at Womack Army Community Hospital, completed a Faculty Development in Family Medicine Fellowship at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and received a Doctor of Sciences Honoris Causa degree from Campbell University in 2011.
She retired from the United States Army as a full Colonel in 2006 after more than 25 years of service. Dr. Walker was one of the three founding physician faculty at the Family Medicine Residency in Wilmington, North Carolina and later established this as an American Osteopathic Association approved program. She has served as President of the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association, a delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for many years, and currently is serving on the AOA Board of Trustees and is the President-elect of the NC Medical Board.
David Tolentino, DO | CUSOM Dean (Ex officio)
Dr. Tolentino was appointed Dean of the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in March 2026. He had previously served as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs since 2016 and most recently served as interim dean. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUHCOM) in 2002. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at St. John Medical Center in Westlake, OH, and continues to be osteopathically board-certified in that specialty.
Prior to his employment with Campbell, he served as the Executive Assistant Dean for Clinical Education, a Regional Dean, and a clinical professor of Internal Medicine for OUHCOM. Dr. Tolentino has received recognition as a fellow from the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the American College of Physicians. He currently serves on the Board of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI), the NC Physician Advisory Group, the Board of Directors for the NC Professionals Health Program, and as the Chair of the Board for the Southern Regional AHEC. He is also a Past-President of the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association, a former member of the NC-ACP Governor’s Advisory Council, and a past member of the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME) Steering Committee.
Robin King Thiele, DO | Past President
Dr. King-Thiele is an Associate Dean for Postgraduate Affairs and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Hospice/Palliative Medicine at the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. King Thiele also serves as the Designated Institutional Official for Campbell University GME. She has dual board certification from AOBIM in Internal Medicine and Hospice/Palliative Medicine with 16 years of clinical experience that includes wound care, hyperbaric, hospice, hospitalist, outpatient, ER, and teaching.
Betsy Hilt, CAE | Executive Director
Betsy brings more than 35 years of experience association management to her role with NCOMA. She has been working with Osteopathic Medical Association for five years. You can learn more about Betsy's experience here.
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