Lantern Health

08/17/2026

Join members of our team as we participate in the upcoming Mental Health Matters 5k Walk/Run for Awareness! Hosted by All Souls Counseling Center on the UNC Asheville campus on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Two walk/run options will be available:

1. Walk or run the route on UNCA’s campus
2. Walk or run around UNCA’s Karl Straus Track

Pricing tiers are:

• Free for ages 22 and under!
• $30 May 5–September 4
• $35 September 5–September 18
• $40 September 19 (Race Day!)

More info: https://allsoulscounseling.org/news-events/mentalhealthmatters2026/

08/10/2026

Calling all pickleball players & pun lovers!

Support the WNC Food Coalition and join in the fun this coming Friday, August 14th:
- pickleball tournament
- pickling & fermentation education
- gardening & CSA strategies

🏓 Location: Asheville Sports Club which is at 137 Coxe Ave in Asheville's South Slope.

🏓 When: The fun starts at 5pm & the tournament begins at 6 pm!

🏓 Register: Use the QR code to book your team or purchase a general admission ticket, or use the link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/picklepalooza--2026

08/06/2026

We love supporting small businesses in the WNC region and wanted to let you know about an upcoming series organized by the Black Business Alliance & Asheville Chamber of Commerce to help minority-owned business owners.

When:
Tonight, Thursday, August 6th from 5-7 p.m.

Where:
Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center
285 Livingston St.
Asheville, NC 28801

What:
Asheville Chamber is launching the Access to Capital Accelerator Series, designed to equip minority-owned and small businesses with the knowledge, connections and tools needed to successfully access funding. Throughout August, there will be a variety of opportunities open to the public aimed at helping minority-owned businesses position themselves for funding through strong storytelling, marketing, and effective pitching. Stay tuned via the Asheville Chamber!

Cost:
This event is FREE and open to ALL Chamber members, non-member businesses and community partners who would like to attend. Light refreshments will be provided by Mehfil Indian Cuisine.

Registration:
You can learn more and register by clicking the link below:

https://web.ashevillechamber.org/events/BlackBusiness%20Alliance%20%20Storytelling%20%20Pitching%20for%20Capital-10085/details

07/28/2026

We're excited to offer the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Online Course led by Lisa Varno, Certified Integrative Health Coach & MBSR Instructor, trained at Brown University & UMass Memorial Health. This course will help you deepen your practice and understanding of mindfulness through a rigorous practice & community-driven experience.

What is MBSR?

- One of the most widely studied evidence-based mindfulness interventions in medicine.
- MBSR was created by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD in 1979 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center to help people manage stress, chronic pain, anxiety, and other physical and emotional challenges.
- Accessible for beginners and experienced meditators.

Hundreds of studies have found that MBSR can help improve:

- Stress resilience
- Anxiety symptoms
- Depression symptoms (especially preventing relapse)
- Coping with chronic pain
- Sleep quality
- Emotional regulation
- Quality of life for people with chronic illnesses

Course Structure:
- Live Online (Zoom)
- Interactive online learning environment
- 8 weeks of live, instructor-led sessions & orientation
- Day-long at-home meditation retreat

Cost (choose your price):
$600 Solidarity
$500 Standard
$400 Community

Dates:

- Wednesdays from 9:00-10:30 a.m.
- September 23rd Orientation
- September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18
- All-Day Retreat: Saturday, November 7th from 9 am - 4 pm

To register, or ask any questions, please click the link below:

Thank you for your interest in our upcoming MBSR program! We will meet via Zoom on Wednesday mornings this coming Fall. Cost (choose your price): $600 Solidarity $500 Standard $400 Community Dates: Wednesdays from 9:00-10:30 a.m. September 23rd Orientation September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, Novemb...

07/23/2026

Camp season is in full swing and our fearless leader, Dr. Ben Aiken, is enjoying some time as camp nurse at Green River Preserve. We hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable summer! 🌞

07/15/2026

You may have heard about the increase in cyclosporiasis cases in multiple US states, including NC. Be sure to keep your health care team informed via the Spruce app if you experience symptoms listed below. We've also included some helpful tips from the FDA regarding handling & cleaning fresh produce.

ABOUT:
- Cyclosporiasis is a GI illness caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora.
- Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin ~1 week after exposure (range 2 – 14 days).
- Most common symptoms: watery diarrhea (which can be frequent), loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Less common symptoms: low-grade fever and vomiting.
- Without treatment, symptoms can follow a remitting-relapsing course that can last from a few days to a month or longer. Illness can be severe but is not usually life-threatening.
- People can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Previous outbreaks have been linked to consuming contaminated fresh produce.

HANDLING & CLEANING FRESH PRODUCE:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.
- If damage or bruising occurs before eating or handling, cut away the damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating.
- Rinse produce BEFORE you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable.
- Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There’s no need to use soap or a produce wash.
- Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.
- Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.
- Remove the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.

PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina is among dozens of states across the United States experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. From May 1 to July 14…

07/13/2026

July is UV Safety Awareness Month!

UV is the root case of most skin cancers, but you can take a few simple steps to protect yourself:

- Seek shade when appropriate (the sun's rays are strongest between 10am-2pm)
- Wear sun-protective clothing
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher

Learn more by clicking the link below!

You can prevent skin cancer, find it early, and get proper treatment. See what dermatologists recommend.

07/06/2026

Sometimes the best conversations happen while you're moving.

Did you know you can meet with your Lantern Health Coach for a walking coaching session outdoors? Whether you're looking to reduce stress, boost your energy, talk through health goals, or simply enjoy some fresh air while you connect, walking sessions offer a refreshing alternative to meeting in the office.

Research shows that walking can support creativity, improve mood, and help us think more clearly—making it a wonderful setting for meaningful conversations about your health and well-being.

✨ Walking coaching sessions are included as part of your Lantern Health membership.

If you'd like to walk during your next coaching visit, just let your health coach know. We'd love to walk with you!

06/29/2026

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and joyful holiday this upcoming Independence Day! 🎇 😎

Both of our downtown and south offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day. Though our physical offices will be closed, we always have an on-call provider available 24/7 to handle acute needs.

06/25/2026

We're excited to create a new space where we can share educational content while giving you a chance to get to know the people behind Lantern Health.

On our channel, you'll find:
✔️ Health education
✔️ Provider and team bios
✔️ Testimonials

🎥 Subscribe and join us as we grow this community. https://www.youtube.com/