Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

03/12/2026

Nutrition advice is everywhere—but not all of it is true.

From “carbs are bad” to “you need a detox,” nutrition myths can make healthy eating feel confusing and overwhelming.

In this blog post, we’re breaking down common nutrition myths. Read the full blog to get the facts and fuel your body the right way.

We are debunking a few common nutrition myths and learning how to identify reliable information in the future.

03/11/2026

We’re hiring Respiratory Therapists! 🫁

Join our team and make a difference in the lives of patients every day. We’re looking for compassionate, skilled respiratory therapists who are ready to grow their careers in a supportive healthcare environment.

• Pay starting at $31/hour
• New grads welcome
• Full-time opportunities
• Days, Nights & Mid-shifts available

Benefits Include:
✔ Comprehensive health benefits
✔ Paid time off
✔ 403(b) retirement plan
✔ Opportunities for professional growth

👉 Apply today and start your career with us.

https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/appalachian/ #/results?whereControl=radius&radiusDistance=150&radiusUnit=mi&radius%5Bselection%5D%5Bdistance%5D=150&radius%5Bselection%5D%5Bunit%5D=mi&Department=Cardiopulmonary

03/10/2026

Tomorrow is Registered Dietitian Day, and we are happy to celebrate our incredible Registered Dietitians who help our patients. Their expertise makes a lasting impact every single day.

Join us in thanking our amazing RDs for the care, knowledge, and dedication they bring to our community. 💚

03/10/2026

Join us on April 11 at Brookshire Park for NAMIWalks. Our “ARBH and Friends” team will be there representing Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital. 💙

We’re walking to raise awareness, reduce the stigma around mental illness, and support a future where everyone affected by mental health conditions can live healthy, fulfilling lives with the support of a caring community.👟✨

Register at the event or online at: https://www.namiwalks.org/highcountry

Join us April 11th at Brookshire Park for NAMIWalks from 10am-12pm!

03/09/2026

Young the Giant. Holmes Center. March 26.

Grab your tickets now for an unforgettable night in Boone!

🎟️ goapp.st/YTG26

03/09/2026

March is Sleep Awareness Month, a great reminder that quality sleep is essential for your overall health. 💤
Sleep helps your body recharge, supports your immune system, improves memory and mood, and lowers your risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Yet many adults aren’t getting the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep each night.

Read more or watch this Health Talk with Faith Marie Oakley, AGNP for tips on how to improve your health through better sleep.

Faith Marie Oakley, AGNP shares the many ways in which sleep affects health

03/06/2026

☀️ The weather is looking beautiful this weekend—perfect for getting outside!
Grab your tennis shoes and a friend and join some of our resident doctors for Walk with a Doc on the Greenway.
We’ll meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park (355 Martin Luther King Jr. St., Boone). The morning will kick off with a quick 5-minute health talk on sunscreen, followed by a relaxed, self-paced walk along the Greenway.
It’s a great chance to get moving, ask questions, and connect with local physicians in a friendly, laid-back setting.
👟 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.

03/05/2026

🌟Employee Spotlight🌟
on Laura Calhoun
Practice Manager, AppGastro

Laura has been part of the AppGastro team since 2009. As practice manager of this busy office, she oversees daily operations and partners closely with providers and staff to keep things running smoothly—always with a focus on delivering a positive patient experience.

She’s passionate about supporting her team and ensuring every patient receives exceptional care. Laura also takes pride in being part of the practice’s continued growth and success.

Outside of work, Laura has been happily married to her husband, Danny, for 26 years. They have two wonderful children, Jordan and Leah, and a daughter-in-law, Meaghan. In her free time, she loves spending time with her grandson Hudson, listening to 80s rock and roll, and watching classic movies. 🎶🎬

03/04/2026

We’re hiring Registered Nurses at UNC Health Appalachian!

✨ Pay starting at $34/hour
🎓 New Grads Welcome
🕒 Full-time opportunities
🎁 Comprehensive benefits package, 403(b) retirement, PTO and much more

Whether you're just starting out or looking for your next opportunity, you’ll find a supportive team, meaningful work, and the chance to make a difference every day.

03/03/2026

We’re happy to introduce William Williamson, MDiv, MS as our new Manager of Spiritual Services at UNC Health Appalachian. An experienced healthcare chaplain, supervisor, and educator, Williamson brings a commitment to holistic, professional, and data-informed spiritual care for patients, families, and staff.

03/02/2026

Big news for rural healthcare in Western North Carolina 👏

Two new rural residency programs—Psychiatry and General Surgery—have been approved and funded for UNC Health Appalachian in partnership with Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC).

Building on the success of the MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program—hosted at Watauga Medical Center and AppFamily Medicine —these new residencies are designed to address critical shortages in behavioral health and surgical services across rural Western North Carolina.

This investment helps ensure families across our region can access high-quality primary and specialty care without leaving their communities. We’re proud to help grow the next generation of rural physicians 💙

Read more about this exciting announcement.

UNC Health Appalachian received state grants to launch rural Psychiatry and General Surgery residencies, expanding care access in Western North Carolina.