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Tuesday, 07 April 2026
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Written by Lia Tremblay
The recent growth at Cape Fear Valley has been hard to miss, with the new School of Medicine rising over Village Drive and the Center for Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute on Melrose Avenue. Dozens of clinics across eight counties now boast the Cape Fear Valley name, along with schools of nursing and health at multiple local colleges and universities.
But the meaning behind this expansion goes way beyond brick and mortar. Each new development aims to bring high-quality healthcare closer to home for southeastern North Carolina patients and their families.
“When we have the technology and the people we need to treat patients right here, we don’t have to send them far away to Duke or UNC,” said Mena M. Samaan, MD, Director of Neurointerventional Services. “That can make a big difference in the outcome for those patients.”
A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Samaan has advanced fellowship training in vascular neurology and endovascular neurointerventional surgery. His arrival at Cape Fear Valley earlier this year represents a major upgrade to services for complex cerebrovascular conditions such as stroke, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation and carotid artery disease.
“Basically, anything in the blood vessels from the neck up,” he said. “With minimally invasive procedures, we can use imaging to find the problem and address it.”
It’s a big step forward for local care. Like most hospitals, Cape Fear Valley has historically given emergent stroke patients a “clot-busting” medication to restore blood flow, and then quickly transferred them to larger hospitals like Duke for a thorough investigation and treatment of the cause.
“But as we say, ‘Time is brain,’” said Dr. Samaan. “Every minute, about two million neurons die. So time is of the essence, and it’s better not to spend that time going to another hospital.”
Of course, this important work can’t be done without the proper tools. Dr. Samaan is looking forward to the arrival of a million-dollar machine that will help him to clearly see the task before him. Using two rotating X-ray cameras, the biplane imaging system produces exquisitely detailed images of blood vessels and blood flow in real time. This helps doctors like Dr. Samaan to see precisely where a vessel is blocked or damaged and to quickly treat the problem.
“That will make a big difference in outcomes,” said Dr. Samaan. “We will see less disability coming from strokes, shorter hospital stays, less rehab time.”
Dr. Samaan’s work isn’t limited to strokes, of course, but they have been a major focus of his career. And because Fayetteville is nestled in the “Stroke Belt,” a portion of the United States where strokes are more prevalent, his efforts will be especially meaningful at Cape Fear Valley.
“We have a very susceptible community here,” he said, “with a lot of vascular, cardiac and neurovascular problems. So we have been very focused on bringing stroke care here to the next level.”
While settling in at Cape Fear Valley, Dr. Samaan has been impressed by the efforts to bring talented providers to the area and to upgrade care across all the health system’s services. He said the biplane imaging system is a perfect example of the investments being made in a higher level of care for the region.
“The quality team has been taking a great lead on improving the patient experience,” he said. “There has been so much effort to make significant improvements and invest in the things we need. I have seen great support from the administration, and it means a lot.”
Dr. Samaan said he was first drawn to his specialty by a desire to solve complex problems, and he’s grateful for the opportunity to do that in a supportive environment with a great team and the right tools.
“That’s really what brought me to the endovascular field,” he said. “I want to help these patients, to get them into a better position than when they came in and get them back to their family and their life."
(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)
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Tuesday, 07 April 2026
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Written by Sheila D. Barker
The Fayetteville community recently took an exciting step forward in recreational development with a special preview event for The Courts at Glenville Lake on April 1. Residents and community members were invited to explore the new tennis and pickleball complex ahead of its official grand opening, getting a firsthand look at a facility designed to elevate both local recreation and regional sports tourism.
Located at 730 Filter Plant Drive, The Courts at Glenville Lake is a 6,594-square-foot tennis center featuring 11 courts, including a championship-level court with spectator seating. The complex also includes four pickleball courts, locker rooms with showers, a lounge, a dedicated learning area, administrative offices, and a pro shop. The thoughtfully designed space accommodates players of all skill levels—from beginners picking up a racket for the first time to seasoned competitors seeking high-quality training and match play.
This ambitious project first broke ground on Oct. 21, 2022, with an original completion target set for Fall 2025. Now nearing full completion, the facility stands as a major addition to the recreational landscape of Mazarick Park, a sprawling 147-acre park already known for its fishing spots, disc golf course, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and scenic hiking trails. Positioned near the shores of Glenville Lake, the courts offer a picturesque backdrop that enhances the overall playing experience. Although the tennis center features its own dedicated entrance and parking area, it remains seamlessly connected to the broader park environment.
The development of The Courts at Glenville Lake is part of a larger city-wide initiative to upgrade recreational offerings, particularly within the Mazarick Park area. However, the vision extends far beyond local amenities. City leaders have strategically positioned the facility as a cornerstone for athletic tourism and long-term economic growth.
A key component of this strategy is the center’s ability to host large-scale competitive events. The inclusion of a championship court with ample spectator seating signals Fayetteville’s intention to attract high-level tournaments sanctioned by organizations such as the United States Tennis Association. This infrastructure allows the city to serve as a destination for regional championships, bringing in athletes, coaches, and spectators from across the state and beyond.
In addition to tennis, the facility embraces the rapidly growing popularity of pickleball. With four dedicated courts, the complex is well-positioned to host multi-sport racquet tournaments that appeal to a broader demographic. This diversification not only increases participation but also enhances the facility’s appeal as a year-round competition hub.
Lighting installed throughout the courts further supports this goal by extending play into the evening hours. This capability allows for larger tournament brackets and multi-day events, maximizing both participation and spectator attendance. As a result, Fayetteville can host more dynamic and comprehensive competitions, increasing its visibility within the regional sports community.
Beyond athletics, the economic implications of the project are significant. The $13.4 million investment aligns with Fayetteville’s broader strategy to boost local economic activity through sports tourism. City officials anticipate that tournaments and events will generate increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses—a concept often referred to as “heads in beds.” By drawing visitors from outside the immediate area, the facility is expected to contribute to sustained economic growth.
The tennis center also plays a role in enhancing Fayetteville’s overall appeal as a place to live, work, and recreate, a central objective outlined in the city’s 2027 Strategic Plan. Modern, high-quality recreational amenities are increasingly important for attracting new residents and retaining current ones, particularly those seeking active, community-oriented lifestyles.
In addition to economic and recreational benefits, The Courts at Glenville Lake is designed to support professional development and community partnerships. The clubhouse and instructional spaces provide a foundation for elite training programs, clinics, and camps that can attract aspiring athletes from across North Carolina. Partnerships with organizations like the Cape Fear Regional Tennis Foundation will help ensure a consistent schedule of programming, from youth instruction to sanctioned competitive play.
Ultimately, the Courts at Glenville Lake represents more than just a new sports facility—it is a strategic investment in Fayetteville’s future. By combining community access, competitive infrastructure, and economic opportunity, the city has created a space that serves both residents and a wider regional audience. As the official grand opening approaches, the excitement generated by the preview event reflects a shared sense of pride and anticipation for what this new chapter in Fayetteville’s recreational development will bring.
(Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville's Facebook page)
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