Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

11/07/2025

Let’s come together to honor and remember those touched by cancer. 💜
Join us for the 11th Annual Lighting of the Tree on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Medical Oncology (1200 State Farm Rd, Boone).

Bring a special ornament or purchase a Winter Wonderland glass ball in advance to hang in memory or honor of your loved one.

Light refreshments provided | Free & open to the community.

Order your Winter Wonderland ornament here: https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_f2528fbe-366f-11eb-ac1b-020f5e39a5c1&WidgetId=28018688
All proceeds go to the Cancer Resource Alliance.

11/07/2025

We’re excited to announce Dr. Jack Coiner has joined the team at Chestnut Ridge. Please help us welcome him to the High Country. 🎉

As a robotic and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapse, infertility, and abnormal uterine bleeding. He offers a range of advanced procedures, including robotic hysterectomy, laparoscopic surgery, and Bulkamid injections for urinary incontinence.
For more information, visit:👉 unchealth.org/care-services/doctors/c/john-jack-t-coiner-ii-do-migs

11/06/2025

🌟Employee Spotlight 🌟
On Martha Moretz
Care Management Assistant

Martha has been a key part of our Care Management team for nearly 4 years! She helps patients transition to Skilled Nursing Facilities, navigates insurance coverage, and even handles appeals—all to make sure patients get the care they need.

“What I love most about my job is knowing that I am helping and fighting for the patient behind the scenes with insurance,” Martha says.

Martha is married to her high school sweetheart and says when she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family, relaxing on the porch, decorating, cooking, shopping, watching movies, and spoiling her two fur babies, Millie and Dallas. 💛

11/05/2025

Congratulations to our 2025 UNC Health Appalachian Compliance and Privacy Champions🎉

Each year during National Compliance and Ethics Week, the UNC Health System identifies individuals from each entity who exemplify our values of “It Starts with Me” and “Leading the Way”. The UNC Health Compliance and Privacy Champion award exemplifies how a teammate leads the way in following regulatory compliance and privacy requirements and demonstrates the ability to use their expertise to mitigate and report risks before they become an issue. This award shows the holders’ commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and their dedication to supporting compliance and privacy practices in the healthcare industry.

🌟Kathleen Simmons (right), Patient Financial Services Director🌟
2025 UNC Health Appalachian Compliance Champion

Kathy works diligently to promote and uphold UNC Health Appalachian’s compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies, and ethical standards. As the Director of Patient Financial Services, Kathy and her team have been proactive in addressing both internal and external audits to ensure compliance with current regulations. She continuously seeks opportunities for improvement and educates teammates, as needed.

🌟Lori Wilson (left), Director of Patient Access🌟
2025 UNC Health Appalachian Privacy Champion
Lori Wilson actively promotes and advocates for patient privacy. She assures facilities and processes are aligned to give patients the ability to discuss sensitive information quietly. She engages with her teams and demonstrates the policies and procedures that support our privacy programs. She works closely with Privacy to safeguard protected health information.

11/05/2025

Managing Type 2 Diabetes can feel overwhelming with all the conflicting advice, diets, and medications out there. 🩺💙

Tomorrow at noon, join certified diabetes educator Dana Brackney and dietitian April Wiles for an open conversation in our virtual Health Talk where you can ask any question—big or small—and get practical, straightforward answers from experts who truly understand.

Your chance to cut through the confusion and get real guidance!

Register for this Virtual Health Talk here: 👉 unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2025/your-diabetes-questions-answered-with-dana-brackney-cdces-and-ap/

11/05/2025

The Cancer Resource Alliance is raffling off some stunning jewelry just in time for their Annual Cancer Community Appreciation event on November 9! 💎

Don’t miss your chance to win something beautiful while supporting our CRA.

Learn more here: 👉unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2025/jewelry-to-beneft-cancer-resource-alliance/

11/04/2025

It’s National Radiological Technology Week! 🩻🎉

This week, we’re shining a light on our incredible Radiologic Technologists across UNC Health Appalachian!
From X-rays to CT scans, MRI, and beyond — their expertise helps providers diagnose and treat patients with precision and care.

11/03/2025

Representatives from Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital, Watauga Medical Center, and Appalachian Regional Medical Associates recently brought home multiple prestigious honors from the UNC Health Carolina Care Leadership Conference 2025 Awards!

We’re proud to share this year’s achievements:
• Top Quartile Performance – HCAHPS Rate the Hospital: Watauga Medical Center
• Top Quartile Performance – OAS CAHPS Rate the Facility: Cannon Memorial Hospital
• Top Quartile Performance – Press Ganey Emergency Department (Overall): Cannon Memorial Hospital
• Most Improved – Press Ganey Medical Practice (Overall): Appalachian Regional Medical Associates
• Nurse Hourly Rounding Top Performer: Cannon Memorial Hospital
• Nurse Patient Engaged Report Top Performer: Watauga Medical Center
• HCAHPS: Communication with Doctors Top Performer: Cannon Memorial Hospital

👏 Congratulations to all our teams for their dedication to providing exceptional care to our patients and communities!

10/31/2025

The Women’s Health team threw it back to the 80s today with some totally rad outfits and a pumpkin decorating contest! 🎃🕺 After all the patient votes were counted, three creative teammates came out on top. Congrats to the winners and to everyone who joined in on the fun!

10/31/2025

Join our resident doctors for Walk with a Doc on Saturday, November 1 at 9 a.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park!
We’ll start with a quick 5-minute talk on aspartame, then head out for a relaxed, self-paced walk with local physicians. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️
It’s a fun, casual way to move your body, ask questions, and connect with others in the community.
👟 Bring a friend and come walk with us! 💬🩺

For more information, visit

Join UNC Health Appalachian’s Family Medicine residents for Walk with a Doc—a free monthly walk with health talks, fresh air, and connection in Boone, NC.

10/31/2025

Some of our UNC Health Appalachian teammates and their families got into the spooky spirit with a Trunk or Treat at the Wellness Center last night! 🎃

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and happy Halloween! 👻🍬