Catawba Valley Medical Center

04/24/2026

Recently, as part of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we held our annual volunteer luncheon to celebrate the dedicated individuals who give their time and talents to Catawba Valley Health System. This year’s event recognized volunteers who reached impressive service milestones ranging from 100 to 7,000 hours.

Special congratulations to Sandy Sedwick, who was honored for an extraordinary 7,000 hours of service, and to Charlie Cline, recognized for 6,000 hours. Additional volunteers were celebrated for milestones of 1,000, 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100 hours served.

Dennis Johnson, President & CEO, shared remarks of gratitude and thanked volunteers for the impact they make across our organization.

“It is an honor to recognize the commitment and compassion our volunteers bring each day,” said Kelli Webber, Volunteer Services Coordinator. “Their service helps create a welcoming and caring experience for our patients, families, and staff.”

We are grateful for each volunteer who helps make a difference at CVHS. To learn more about volunteering, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Volunteer.

04/22/2026

Collaboration like this is helping shape the future of healthcare.

Recently, Carlie Moon, CVHS Pharmacy Technician, and Katie Fullbright, CVHS Student Experience Coordinator, participated in a panel at the Healthcare Accelerator at CVCC, focused on building innovative apprenticeship models to address workforce shortages.

Carlie’s journey is a powerful example of that impact—starting as a pharmacy tech apprentice and now working full-time with CVMC. She did an incredible job sharing her experience and representing our organization.

Shoutout to Carlie for making us proud and helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals!

04/17/2026

Join us in congratulating our April C.A.R.E Award Recipient – Dr. Warren Chang! Dr. Chang serves as a physician in our Hospitalist department.

His nomination read, “I would like to nominate Dr. Chang for a CARE Award because of the genuine compassion he shows to his patients and their families. Recently Dr. Chang cared for a patient who was facing a very serious and life-altering diagnosis. Transfer was recommended for emergent surgical repair, but after talking through everything the patient made the very difficult decision to decline intervention and pursue conservative management. She was surrounded by her family and being asked to make incredibly hard decisions about how she wanted to move forward with her care. Moments like this are some of the most overwhelming and frightening experiences patients and their loved ones can face.

“When Dr. Chang spoke with the patient and her family about the seriousness of the situation and the possible outcomes, he did so with remarkable empathy and kindness. The patient later told staff that what stood out most to her was how deeply he cared. She shared that Dr. Chang was the ‘kindest and most caring doctor’ she had ever met. She could see how much the conversation affected him and said it meant a lot to her that he cared enough to truly be present with her in that moment.

“In healthcare we often talk about compassionate care, but it is in moments like this that its true meaning becomes clear. Dr. Chang met this patient not just as a physician, but as a human being standing beside another person at one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. He took the time to sit with this patient and her family, answer their questions, and make sure her wishes were clearly understood and respected. He helped guide them through an incredibly difficult moment with compassion, sincerity, and respect. Dr. Chang consistently shows that caring for patients is about more than treating a diagnosis. It’s about showing up for people when they are vulnerable, listening to them, and making sure they feel seen and supported. In a moment that could have felt frightening and overwhelming, Dr. Chang made sure this patient and her family felt heard, cared for, and not alone. The compassion he shows in moments like this truly reflects the spirit of the CARE Award.”

The C.A.R.E Award is given monthly to a Catawba Valley Health System employee who has exhibited Courtesy, Attitude, Respect, and Enthusiasm throughout their work.

To learn more about becoming one of the exceptional team members who work at CVHS, visit our careers page at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.

04/15/2026

Our recent Ice Cream Social was a sweet way to celebrate a big win!

Following our successful Joint Commission survey, we treated our incredible team to an Ice Cream Social as a small thank-you for the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that made it all possible. From those at the bedside to those working behind the scenes, every role played a part in this achievement.

We’re so proud of our Catawba Valley Health System family and grateful for all you do—each and every day.

04/08/2026

We’re proud to announce that Gastroenterology Associates of Catawba Valley has been recognized among the 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Colonoscopy & Endoscopy by U.S. News & World Report.

This prestigious national recognition highlights top-performing ambulatory surgery centers across the country, based on an in-depth analysis of Medicare fee-for-service claims data from 2022–2024. Using advanced analytics, facilities are evaluated on quality outcomes and patient care measures—without requiring any application or submission—making this honor a true reflection of real-world performance.

For 2026, U.S. News expanded its “high performing” designation to include the top 15% of centers nationwide, underscoring just how competitive and meaningful this achievement is. Being included among the best demonstrates a strong commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and consistently outstanding results in colonoscopy and endoscopy care.

At Gastroenterology Associates of Catawba Valley, this recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide compassionate, high-quality care to every patient we serve. We are honored to be trusted by our community and remain committed to delivering exceptional outcomes and experiences.

Thank you to our incredible team and the patients who place their confidence in us every day.

04/06/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Michelle Lusk, CVHS Chief Nursing Officer, on her graduation from the Leadership Catawba Class of 2026!

Hosted by the Chamber of Catawba County, Leadership Catawba brings together leaders from across government, education, nonprofit, and business sectors to strengthen professional development and deepen engagement with the issues shaping our community. Over an 8-month journey, participants explored key topics including workforce connectivity, economic development, community service, and small business growth—gaining valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities within Catawba County.

Since 1974, Leadership Catawba has been dedicated to developing leaders who are equipped to make a lasting impact both within their organizations and throughout the broader community. Michelle joins a distinguished group of 36 graduates recognized at the March 19, 2026, ceremony at the Hickory Metro Convention Center.

We are proud of Michelle’s commitment to leadership, community engagement, and advancing the health and well-being of our region. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

04/04/2026

Somebunny special is celebrating Easter at Catawba Valley Medical Center 🐰💛

Our tiniest miracles in the NICU are bringing extra sweetness to the holiday, dressed in their Easter best and surrounded by so much love. These little fighters remind us that hope, joy, and new beginnings are what Easter is all about.

Wishing you and your family a beautiful, joy-filled Easter! 🌷

04/01/2026

Catawba Valley Medical Center Named Among Nation’s Top 204 Best Places to Work for Nurses!

We’re proud to share that NurseGrid has recognized Catawba Valley Medical Center as one of the Top 204 Best Places to Work for Nurses in the nation—with a 4.8 rating and a spot among the top five hospitals nationwide. Among the hospitals recognized, Catawba Valley Medical Center achieved the highest overall rating in both North Carolina and South Carolina, setting it apart as a regional leader in nursing workplace excellence.

Even more meaningful, this recognition is based entirely on feedback from nurses themselves—reflecting real, firsthand experiences from those on the front lines of patient care and highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting its nursing team in meaningful, measurable ways.

“At Catawba Valley Medical Center, our nurses are the foundation of the care we provide,” said Michelle Lusk, Chief Nursing Officer. “Being recognized by nurses themselves makes this honor especially meaningful. It reflects the culture we’ve built—one that prioritizes teamwork, respect, and support for every member of our nursing team.”

Thank you to our incredible nurses for the compassionate, high-quality care you provide every day.

Interested in joining our team? Learn more at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.

Are you interested in joining one of North Carolina’s top performing hospitals? Catawba Valley Medical Center is always looking for capable people to join our team.

03/30/2026

On this National Doctors Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the incredible physicians at Catawba Valley Health System. Every day, they dedicate their time, knowledge, and compassion to caring for our patients, guiding families through difficult moments, and improving the health of our community. Their expertise saves lives, their empathy comforts patients, and their commitment inspires us all.

We are especially grateful to welcome back Dr. Phil Greene as our new Chief Medical Officer—a fun coincidence that his first day back with us falls on National Doctors Day! We are thrilled to have his leadership and experience guiding our team.

Thank you to all our doctors for your unwavering dedication and for being at the heart of everything we do.

03/27/2026

March is Social Work Month, and we’re proud to recognize the incredible social workers across Catawba Valley Health System who make a difference every day.

First celebrated in 1963, Social Work Month honors the impact of a profession dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities thrive. This year’s theme, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”, highlights the powerful role social workers play in advocating for patients, supporting families, and improving lives.

Fairgrove Primary Health Social Workers:
Glenda Sigmon, Debra Engelmann, Yesenia Ocampo-Corales, Natasha Bunton, Rachel Gibbs

Catawba Valley Medical Center Social Workers:
Sierra Shook, Lisa Yang, Julie Lee, Heather Lail, Patti Weatherford, Maria Hawkins, Dasia Patterson

Thank you for the compassion, advocacy, and care you bring to our patients, their families, and our community every day. To learn more about Catawba Valley Health System and the care we provide to our community, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org.

03/25/2026

Join us in congratulating our March C.A.R.E Award Recipient – Steven Freeman! Steven serves as an Anesthesia Tech in our Anesthesia Department.

“Steve Freeman embodies what is means to be a "C.A.R.E." employee. Steve comes to work, does his job, treats the patient AND his coworkers with care and respect. When the OR staff sees Steve, their day becomes better. When Steve Freeman is off work our day doesn't feel complete. As a former care winner myself I believe Steve is a gem this hospital should award and show off,” according to the person who nominated Steven.

The C.A.R.E Award is given monthly to a Catawba Valley Health System employee who has exhibited Courtesy, Attitude, Respect, and Enthusiasm throughout their work.
To learn more about becoming one of the exceptional team members who work at CVHS, visit our careers page at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.

03/23/2026

Last week, we celebrated Certified Nurses Day! A certified nurse is a professional who chooses to take an extra step in his or her education to prove their competence and dedication to their chosen nursing field.

Certified Nurses Day was created in honor of Dr. Margretta ‘Gretta’ Madden Styles who became a leader in this industry and recognized the importance of the nursing profession. Dr. Styles worked hard to ensure expertise within the nursing industry to give patients the best experience possible.

“Certification is the profession’s official recognition of achievement, expertise, and clinical judgment,” said CVHS’s Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle Lusk. “It is a mark of excellence that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to the profession, continued learning and skill development. Not only does certification provide you with a sense of pride and professional accomplishment, but it assures the consumer that CVHS certified nursing professionals have demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skills in the complex specialties of acute and critical care. Research also indicates a link between certification and improved patient safety. We appreciate what they do to help CVHS continue to fulfill its nursing vision and am honored that each of these individuals choose to practice nursing at CVHS.”

We are thankful for the certified nurses throughout our organization and all they do to serve our patients and guests. Happy Certified Nurses Day!