Jeffrey Ray, M.D., from Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Kitty Hawk, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Outer Banks Health Horizon Award for Physician of the Year. The award recognizes physicians who demonstrate excellence in patient care, leadership, and community involvement while furthering the organization’s mission to improve life quality for Dare County residents and visitors.
The Horizon Award is given annually to a provider who shows outstanding performance in patient and team experience, quality improvement efforts, leadership, mentoring, and engagement with the community. This year’s selection process included 42 nominations. Several highlighted Ray’s significant contributions throughout the organization.
As supervisor of the medical group, Ray has taken an active role in leading his teams. He regularly visits medical group offices to answer questions and introduce new solutions aimed at enhancing collaboration. He played a key role in improving patient transitions between medical group offices and the emergency department by promoting the SecureChat method for timely communication. Ray also keeps providers informed through frequent communications such as emails and a physician-led podcast.
Colleagues often praise Ray for his professionalism and mentorship.
“Dr. Ray is readily accessible and treats advanced practice providers as true partners in care,” one nominator said. “He makes you feel valued, heard, and supported, and he is genuinely invested in helping you become the best provider you can be.”
Patients have expressed similar appreciation for his approach to care.
“Dr. Ray takes the time to truly listen and considers my questions and concerns when making medical decisions,” one patient said. Another commented, “He looks directly at me, not at his computer. That kind of attention is rare and means so much.”
Outer Banks Health congratulated Jeffrey Ray on receiving this recognition and thanked him for his continued service to the Outer Banks community.
