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UNC Health and Neurology mourns the loss of Carey Dean Debnam, affectionately known as Dean, a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on our healthcare community both as a patient and through his philanthropic efforts.

Dean, 70, passed away peacefully at his home in Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2024. Born in nearby Louisburg, he spent most of his life in Raleigh and had been living with ALS for many years.

The Debnam family supported UNC Health through The Debnam Family ALS Fund, directing their donations towards hiring dedicated staff to support patients diagnosed with ALS and other neuromuscular and movement disorders.

“Their altruism has directly impacted the quality of the care we provide and increased access for this population of patients needing prompt evaluation and diagnosis,” said Jorge L. Almodovar-Suarez, MD, Division Chief of General Neurology and Headache Disorders and the ALS Clinic Director.

The family expressed gratitude to his team of caregivers, many of whom spent years alongside Dean and his wife, Sesha. Without their help, Dean would not have had the quality of life he did, and we would not have had his company as long as we did.

Dean lived an extraordinary life, impacting thousands, often without their knowledge. In May, Governor Roy Cooper awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest honor for extraordinary service. Dean was the former CEO and owner of Workplace Options, an international human services company, founder and president of Public Policy Polling, and founder and president of Debnam Commercial Real Estate.

A celebration of life is planned for Oct. 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the AJ Fletcher Opera Theater in the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601. For more information, please follow this link.

In memory of Dean Debnam, the family asks that gifts be directed to The Debnam Family ALS Fund. Checks should be made payable to “UNC Health Foundation” and mailed to: UNC Health Foundation, 123 West Franklin Street, Suite 510, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Please note Debnam Family ALS Fund on the check memo line, or by using the link below, under ‘Donations’.

For online donations, use the following: http://www.unchf.org/careydebnam