ICGH

03/12/2026

Enjoyed spending time with Davia on Eastern Lifestyle Morning Show on WNCT Channel 9 – On Your Side this week.

We had the opportunity to talk about the work happening at Carolina Wellness Centers – Sea Level, part of ICGH (Integrated Care of Greater Hickory), and our mission to expand access to behavioral health and substance use treatment across eastern North Carolina and throughout the state.

Grateful for the chance to share the story of the people, programs, and communities working together to bring hope and recovery to more North Carolinians.

Thank you to the WNCT team for the warm welcome and for helping spotlight the importance of accessible, community-based care.

03/09/2026

HRSA RCORP RSV, ICGH 2026

03/09/2026

Last week, the ICGH core leadership team had the honor of traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend the HRSA RCORP Rural Strategic Visioning Summit.

It was a week filled with purpose, collaboration, and innovation as organizations from across the country came together to discuss the future of recovery and behavioral health services in rural communities. The conversations, shared strategies, and partnerships formed during this summit continue to inspire the work we do every day.

We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and support from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, whose investment in rural communities has helped create meaningful change and expand access to recovery services across America.

It was also a moment to celebrate the incredible progress happening in rural America and the many organizations working tirelessly to bring hope, treatment, and recovery to the communities that need it most.

We are excited about the new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing this important work.

03/09/2026

ICGH leadership was honored to participate in an important conversation about the future of recovery services in rural communities.

Last week, CEO Dr. Corey Richardson, VP of Programs / Program Director Becca Collins, and Program Coordinator/ Grants Compliance Officer Melissa Cruse sat down with Administrator Engels and his team during the HRSA RSV 26 Roundtable to discuss strategies, collaboration, and the ongoing success of recovery initiatives across rural America.

Through the work of Health Resources and Services Administration and the HRSA RCORP (Rural Communities Opioid Response Program), communities are gaining the tools, partnerships, and resources needed to build long-term recovery infrastructure where it is needed most.

These conversations continue to pave the way for sustainable recovery solutions in Rural America—ensuring individuals and families have access to the support, treatment, and hope they deserve.

We are grateful to be part of the work shaping the future of recovery. 💙

03/08/2026

Recent federal sentencing in a Medicaid fraud case tied to clinics in Goldsboro and Kinston highlights the importance of integrity and accountability in healthcare.

At Integrated Care of Greater Hickory (ICGH), we believe patients struggling with substance use and behavioral health challenges deserve ethical, evidence-based care that puts their recovery first.

Cases like this remind us why strong compliance, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources are so important. Every dollar in healthcare should go toward helping individuals and families access real treatment, real recovery, and real hope.

ICGH remains committed to providing high-quality behavioral health and addiction services across North Carolina while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care, compliance, and accountability.

NEW BERN, N.C. - Four people connected to substance abuse clinics operating in Goldsboro and Kinston have been...

03/08/2026

Peer Support Specialist Summer Hatcher and Administrative Support Kendall Gromer represented Integrated Care of Greater Hickory (ICGH) today at the Everything Free community event hosted by Exodus Works.

We are always grateful for the invitation to participate in this meaningful event that brings together organizations, resources, and neighbors to support those in our community who may need it most.

Events like this remind us that recovery and wellness are strengthened through connection. When community partners come together to offer resources, encouragement, and support, we create pathways for individuals and families to move forward with hope.

Thank you to Exodus Works for hosting and for the important work you do to uplift our community.

03/06/2026

A great follow-up conversation today with Holly Wall at HRSA.
Holly and I first worked together years ago in North Carolina when she was with Partners Health Management. At that time, our program was still small — operating under our first implementation grant and beginning to rethink how rural communities could access behavioral health and substance use treatment.
Those early collaborations helped shape what eventually became the care model we are now expanding across North Carolina — integrating treatment, recovery supports, outreach, and community partnerships to reach people where they are.
It’s exciting to see Holly now serving as Chief of Staff to Tom Engels at HRSA, continuing her leadership in advancing rural health across the country.
Our conversation today focused on how organizations like ours can continue partnering with the federal government to expand care in rural and remote communities — through mobile treatment units, telehealth expansion, workforce development, and revitalizing healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas.
Grateful for leaders who understand that meaningful progress in rural health happens when federal partners and local providers work together.
The work continues.

03/06/2026

Community Outreach in CLEVELAND COUNTY

This morning from 9–11 AM at Jan’s Restaurant, Joe Smith, ICGH Shelby Clinic Site Manager and North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, spent time connecting with members of the community and sharing information about the services available through our downtown Shelby office.

Joe spoke with community members about the recovery resources available through Integrated Care of Greater Hickory (ICGH), including:

• Free recovery housing for individuals engaged in treatment
• Treatment services for uninsured individuals
• Peer support and recovery resources
• Connections to medication-assisted treatment and behavioral health services

Community outreach is one of the most important ways we ensure that people who need help know where to find it. Every conversation helps expand access to recovery and support in Cleveland County.

Thank you to Joe for continuing to meet people where they are and helping connect our community to care.

03/06/2026

ICGH hosted Black Balloon Day at The Dobson Square Park today 8am-12pm with SCOSAR, Surry All-Stars. Balloons will be released at 11:30am in remembrance of those who lost their lives by overdose in remembrance of these and their families and loved ones!• Surry County: Drug-related deaths dropped to a four-year low of 26 in 2025. This is a significant decrease from the 37 deaths reported in 2024.

03/06/2026

Proud moment for our team at ICGH.

Jessi Biguenet, MSc, and Dr. Corey Richardson recently presented at the HRSA RCORP national gathering, highlighting the innovative work ICGH is leading to expand access to care across rural and remote communities throughout North Carolina.

Through multiple RCORP initiatives, ICGH has helped build a growing statewide network focused on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), recovery supports, and integrated behavioral health services. What started as targeted rural outreach has evolved into a scalable model connecting people in some of the most underserved areas of our state to life-saving treatment and recovery resources.

This work is powered by strong partnerships, dedicated peers and clinicians, and a shared commitment to ensuring that geography is never a barrier to recovery.

Grateful to HRSA and our many partners for supporting this mission and helping bring real solutions to rural North Carolina.

03/06/2026

Honored to participate in the RCORP Fireside Chat at the national gathering of rural health leaders in Washington, D.C.

CEO Dr. Corey Richardson of ICGH shared insights from the work being done across North Carolina to expand access to care in rural and remote communities. The conversation focused on the real-world challenges of sustaining programs, expanding access to treatment, strengthening recovery networks, and building long-term infrastructure to support rural healthcare systems.

Through multiple RCORP initiatives, ICGH has helped develop innovative models connecting individuals to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), recovery support, and integrated behavioral health services in areas that historically had limited access to care.

Grateful to HRSA and the RCORP program for creating a forum where practical experience from the field helps shape the future of rural healthcare.

03/06/2026

It was a pleasure meeting with Congressman Tim Moore to discuss expanding access to behavioral health and addiction treatment services across North Carolina.

At ICGH, we have been working to bring innovative solutions to rural and underserved communities — including repurposing previously abandoned facilities such as rural hospitals and other structures to create much-needed treatment and recovery services.

Our conversation focused on the growing need for accessible behavioral health care, particularly in rural and remote parts of our state, and the importance of partnerships between local providers and federal leadership to support sustainable solutions.

We appreciate Congressman Moore taking the time to learn more about the work being done across North Carolina and his interest in supporting efforts that strengthen access to care for individuals and families impacted by substance use and behavioral health challenges.

Together, we can continue building stronger pathways to recovery and healthier communities across North Carolina.