Women’s History Spotlight: Dr. Rhunelle Murray of LifeWorks Neurodiagnostic Center
For Women’s History Month Beasley Media Group is shining a spotlight on successful and inspirational women here in our community. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Dr. Rhunelle Murray, who is the medical director of LifeWorks Neurodiagnostic Center in Fayetteville. Dr. Murray’s accomplishments are unmatched and her story is one that I absolutely had to share with you.
Rhunelle was born and raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a small island in the Eastern Caribbean. Growing up, Rhunelle knew from an early age that her life’s calling was to serve and help others, most notably in the field of medicine.
“As corny as it might sound, that was something that I always wanted to do,” Rhunelle said as she recounted her childhood aspirations. “I remember being 5 years old and I was watching a program with my dad on the television. There was an ambulance and people were running into an emergency room. And I looked at him and I said, ‘That’s what I want to do!'”
Rhunelle also noted the advice that her father gave her when her passion became clear. “My dad always told us growing up, ‘There’s always room at the top. Never stay at the bottom, always climb to the top.'”
And climb she did. After taking time to travel upon graduating high school, Rhunelle set out to follow her dream. She performed her medical school training at St. George’s University in Grenada. From there she went to the U.K. for a year to continue her training before graduating in 2003. Rhunelle then traveled to New Jersey for an internship at Wilzig Hospital, followed by a neurology residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Manhasset New York. After her residency was complete Dr. Murray completed a 2-year fellowship in epilepsy management and neurophysiology at the University of Virginia.
Eventually, Dr. Murray’s career path brought her to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she worked at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for about three years. It was around this time that Rhunelle decided to shift her focus and veer into a more administrative role. Dr. Murray then completed her master’s degree in Health Administration.
This decision proved invaluable for her career, as she was then able to bridge the gap of communication between clinicians and administrators. Dr. Murray then became a consultant, providing neurology services at facilities in many states including South Carolina, Virginia, Maine, and others.
With a wealth of experience and education in her impressive resume, Dr. Murray then aspired to open her own Neurology Service Center. Her dream came true in the fall of 2023 with the opening of LifeWorks Neurodiagnostic Center, found in the heart of Fayetteville.
In our conversation, Dr. Murray was adamant about her vision of making top-notch medical care easy to find in Cumberland County and beyond. “It is a dream, and a passion to bring a high level of care to the people of Fayetteville and surrounding areas,” she said, “it’s my goal to provide expert neurological care that is accessible.”
Dr. Murray was also quick to note what sets LifeWorks apart from other neurological service centers. “We also offer care that is not found anywhere else. There is always an excess of the common things. My goal is to provide the uncommon things.”
Make no mistake, a neurologist of Rhunelle’s level of education and expertise working in smaller communities outside of tertiary centers or college universities is extremely uncommon. And that’s just how she likes it.
“If you want something done, you do it yourself…my goal is to bring the quality of care you’d find at a university level, here in Fayetteville.”
Dr. Murray’s fearless leadership and dedication to the people of Fayetteville has earned her the respect of many in the community. What truly sets LifeWorks apart is Dr. Murray’s belief in forming authentic bonds and relationships with patients. “One of the things I live by is to educate my patients…I don’t just say, ‘Here’s your medication, take this medication.’ I talk with my patients, and I ask them, ‘What would YOU like to do?'”
Another principle Dr. Murray believes in is 100% transparency with her patients. “I’m not the one taking the medication. I may have the knowledge, but it does me no good to keep the knowledge and not convey that to the patient.”
As we concluded our enlightening conversation, I asked Dr. Murray what advice she would impart to anyone pursuing a career in the unpredictable and highly volatile field of medicine. Her response was absolutely perfect:
“Do what you do with passion, do it with compassion, and give everyone the respect they deserve. When people see that you care, they’re willing to follow you to the ends of the earth. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Aside from her endless medical acumen and technical know-how, Dr. Rhunelle Murray also possesses an unshakeable work ethic along with a desire for unparalleled service toward those she cares for. That’s what makes Dr. Murray a pillar of our community that we are proud to showcase this Women’s History Month.
