Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

06/02/2026

Medical emergencies can happen anytime-knowing where to go can make all the differences. Our resident doctors are sharing tips to help you decide when to head to the ER and when a same day clinic might be the better option. 🔴Life threatening emergency? Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 🟢Minor illness or injury? 🩺Same day appointments are available at AppInternal Medicine (Boone) and Baker Primary Care (Linville).

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

Hey guys, it’s Men’s Health Month!
Consider this your yearly nudge to take care of the stuff you’ve been putting off.
✅ Schedule that annual check-up and talk to your doc about:
• Colonoscopy
• Prostate health
• Blood pressure & cholesterol
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Shingles vaccine

Your future self will thank you. 💪

Check out the blog to find out why these are important

Some things we love to do and some things we need to do. You may love to play golf or go hiking. You may need to clean out the gutters or schedule your annual physical exam. By doing the things that you need to do, we at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System want you to continue to be able to do th...

05/29/2026

We were honored to celebrate our incredible nursing team last night at the Nursing Excellence Awards Dinner held at the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences.

Congratulations to Becky Dilley from Surgical Services at Watauga Medical Center and Mary Harris from the Emergency Department at Cannon Memorial Hospital for receiving the 2026 Nursing Excellence Award.

We also recognized Brooke Byrd from the Birthing Center with the 2026 Daisy Award and Andrew Ellis, CNA, with the 2026 Sunflower Award. Thank you to all of our nurses and caregivers for the compassion, dedication, and exceptional care you provide every day.

Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants can be nominted for the Daisy and Sunflower Awards here: https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/patients-visitors/recognize-a-unc-health-appalachian-caregiver/

05/28/2026

May is Stroke Awareness Month 🧠

Stroke is the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of preventable disability in the United States — and it can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time.

Knowing the warning signs of stroke can save a life and reduce long-term disability. Remember to B.E. F.A.S.T. 🚨

🔹 B – Balance problems
🔹 E – Eyes, blurry vision
🔹 F – Face drooping
🔹 A – Arm weakness
🔹 S – Speech difficulty
🔹 T – Time to call 911

Other symptoms may include sudden dizziness, severe headache, vision changes, or weakness on one side of the body. Every minute matters when it comes to stroke care.
You can help reduce your risk of stroke by:
✔️ Managing blood pressure and diabetes
✔️ Staying active
✔️ Quitting smoking
✔️ Limiting alcohol
✔️ Eating a balanced, nutritious diet

This Stroke Awareness Month, take time to learn the signs, know your risk factors, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Early treatment saves lives.
Read more here: Stroke, Women or Mental Health Blog Post

Stroke is the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of preventable disability in the United States. A stroke can happen to anyone, any age, at any time. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts. How can you recognize stroke and what can you do to prevent stroke?

05/27/2026

Pregnancy comes with enough surprises — getting the right care shouldn’t be one of them. 💕

We’re proud to introduce the new Obstetric Emergency Department (OBED) at the Marchese Birthing Center at Watauga Medical Center. Staffed 24/7 by board-certified OB/GYNs and expert obstetric nurses, OBED provides specialized emergency care for expectant mothers at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.

From unexpected symptoms to urgent pregnancy concerns, our team is here with compassionate, expert care designed specifically for moms-to-be and their babies.

Learn more about how OBED is helping provide peace of mind for growing families ⏬

UNC Health Appalachian’s new Obstetric Emergency Department (OBED) offers 24/7 specialized emergency care for expectant mothers at 20+ weeks pregnancy.

05/26/2026

A huge shoutout to our Avery Healthcare Market Plant Operations team for spending part of their Memorial Day holiday helping complete the final reset of the dining room at Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital following the last phase of renovations. 👏🏻

Over the past several months, the dining room has been thoughtfully updated with new energy-efficient windows and patio doors, updated trim, sound-dampening panels, new flooring, and refreshed furniture — creating a more comfortable and welcoming space for everyone who uses it.

The dining room at Cannon Memorial Hospital serves not only our patients, visitors, and staff, but also many members of our community who stop in regularly. We’re grateful to our Plant Ops team for their hard work and dedication in helping bring this project to life!

Pictured are LD Vance, Ernie Stines, and Jeff Hughes
📸 Manager Scott Bailey

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Our business offices, outpatient offices, and facilities will be closed Monday, May 25, in honor of Memorial Day as we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Watauga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial Hospital, and Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital are always open.

For a complete list of our offices and facilities that will be closed Monday, May 25, visit:
https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/patients-visitors/holiday-hours-closings/

05/21/2026

🌟Employee Spotlight 🌟
on Camryn Norris, CNA, CCMA
Women’s Health

Camryn Norris has worked for UNC Health Appalachian for the past 16 months and serves as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at Women’s Health. In this role, she rooms patients, assists with procedures, and collects labs.

“I enjoy building relationships with the patients, and I’m thankful that I work alongside the best team! I love being able to learn something new every single day,” she says.

In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Camryn is an avid sports fan and enjoys watching sports as well as coaching high school and club volleyball. She also enjoys being outdoors, attending church, and reading.