FirstHealth of the Carolinas is pleased to welcome family nurse practitioner Susan Kavanaugh to FirstHealth Primary Care – Raeford located in Hoke County.
Kavanaugh joins a thriving practice and will care for patients alongside James Mergy, M.D., Diana Riddley, M.D., Patricia Lage, M.D., and Amanda Wendenburg, FNP.
“I grew up in Raeford, so I’m happy to be able to provide medical care in the community I grew up in,” Kavanaugh said. “FirstHealth has a strong culture, and the system puts patient care first along with caring for employees and our communities.”
Kavanaugh earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky in 2025. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fayetteville State University after starting her educational journey at Sandhills Community College.
Kavanaugh has a passion for patient care and has worked in many areas of the health care field, including as an emergency room nurse at multiple health systems. She said her approach to patient care is based on many years of experience in emergency rooms.
“Family Medicine allows me to be a part of a patient’s comprehensive health care journey. It is important to me that patients are fully informed when it comes to their health and understand how their choices matter,” she said. “Patients should feel that their provider truly listens and gives them options that work for their benefit.”
Outside of work, Kavanaugh enjoys spending time with her family and spending time outside. She also enjoys yoga and reading.
