Atrium Health

10/20/2026

For Erika, the most rewarding part of her role is helping patients regain their independence after a stroke. Working in inpatient rehabilitation gives her the unique opportunity to witness remarkable progress in a short amount of time and support patients through some of the most important moments of their recovery journey.

“I am passionate about supporting patients throughout their recovery, particularly following a stroke,” Erika shared. “Working in inpatient rehabilitation allows me to witness significant progress in a short period of time and helping patients regain independence is incredibly rewarding.”

At Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation in Mt. Holly, Erika is part of a team that is dedicated to not only delivering exceptional patient care but also to supporting one another. That collaborative environment is one of the reasons she enjoys coming to work each day. “I enjoy being part of the team at Carolinas Rehab in Mt. Holly, where the therapists are deeply committed to both patient care and supporting one another,” she said.

The strong sense of teamwork and encouragement has helped Erika feel valued both professionally and personally, allowing her to continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of her patients.

“I feel valued and supported both professionally and personally,” she said. Through her compassion, dedication and commitment to rehabilitation, Erika is helping patients take important steps toward recovery and regain confidence in their everyday lives.

Explore physical therapy careers: https://bit.ly/47mDFVt

10/15/2026

Today marked an important step forward for behavioral health care in our region.

Atrium Health announced a historic $340 million commitment to expand behavioral health services, including plans for a new behavioral health hospital location in north Charlotte, expanded crisis and emergency services, additional inpatient and outpatient capacity and continued investment in community-based programs and workforce development.

Here’s a first look at future spaces designed to help meet a growing need across our communities and the celebration of this transformative moment. The new hospital location is planned to include 168 inpatient beds for pediatric and adult patients, creating a net gain of 102 beds for the community.

Learn more: bit.ly/4B7E7o3

10/15/2026

This is one person’s story, but it’s a challenge facing families across our communities.

When someone reaches out for help, they shouldn’t have to wait for care. Yet too many people still face barriers to accessing timely behavioral health care when they need it most.

Today, Atrium Health announced a transformational $340 million investment to expand behavioral health care across the region, including a new behavioral health hospital location, expanded crisis and emergency services, additional inpatient and outpatient capacity and investments in community-based programs.

The goal is simple: help more children, adults and families access the care, support and resources they need closer to home.

This is about more than a building. It’s about expanding access, supporting families during vulnerable moments and creating a stronger future for our communities.

10/14/2026

Before taking the longest vacation of his career, Dr. Doug Kelling made sure his patients had one more thing: his cell phone number.

After 50 years of caring for families in Cabarrus County, staying connected simply comes naturally.

Since arriving in Concord in 1976, Dr. Kelling has spent his career putting patients first, caring for generations of families and building relationships that extend far beyond the exam room. Along the way, his impact has reached the next generation of healthcare professionals, too, including more than 200 physician assistants, 50 nurse practitioners and 50 PharmD students he has helped educate.

And after five decades of extraordinary change in medicine, his approach has remained remarkably consistent: listen to your patients, understand the whole person and be there when they need you.

For Dr. Kelling, practicing medicine has never just been a profession. It's a calling rooted in relationships, trust and a community he has been proud to serve for 50 years.

Read more about Dr. Kelling's inspiring career and the legacy he continues to build: https://bit.ly/4zvG3Fv

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

Long before cancer entered his story, Keith spent decades building others up, teaching young athletes lessons that extended far beyond the football field.

Through years of coaching in North Carolina and Georgia, Keith became a mentor, role model and steady source of encouragement for hundreds of student-athletes, helping shape futures and inspiring young people to believe in themselves. As a standout football player at Winston-Salem State University and later as a championship-winning coach, his impact reached every corner of the communities he served.

Earlier this year, Keith faced one of the toughest challenges of his life when an unexpected colon cancer diagnosis changed his path. After noticing concerning symptoms and seeking medical care, he found himself confronting a battle unlike any he had coached others through. Yet those who knew him were not surprised by the way he approached treatment. The same grit, resilience and determination that defined his coaching career became the foundation of his fight against cancer.

Throughout his journey through battling cancer, Keith remained focused on moving forward, drawing strength from his faith, his family and the countless people he had impacted over the years.

In September, Keith celebrated a major milestone when he rang the bell to mark the completion of chemotherapy. In that moment, the coach who had spent a lifetime encouraging others became an inspiration in a new way, reminding everyone around him of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

That spirit was on full display during the Carolina Panthers' Crucial Catch game, where Keith was honored alongside fellow cancer survivors and patients. Standing on the field once again, he represented something bigger than football: hope.

Through his impact on the community and his courageous cancer journey, Keith continues to inspire others to keep fighting, keep believing and keep moving forward through every challenge they face.

10/12/2026

A full-circle moment decades in the making.

In 2023, what began as persistent arm pain turned into a life-changing multiple myeloma diagnosis for Valerie. After undergoing months of treatment including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, through the unwavering support of her family, friends and care team, Valerie conquered what first started as an heavy obstacle to overcome.

Today, her follow-up scans and bone marrow biopsies show no detectable signs of multiple myeloma. Valerie continues to live each day with a positive outlook, encouraging others to prioritize their health, advocate for themselves, and arrive at medical appointments ready to ask questions as she did throughout her treatment.

As a college student at Clemson, Valerie volunteered as a Carolina Panthers ambassador during their inaugural year in 1995, welcoming fans and helping them navigate parking, stadium gates and the game-day experience. What started as a volunteer opportunity turned Valerie into a devoted Panthers fan decades later.

Valerie's journey as a longtime Panthers fan came full circle as she returned to the field to be recognized as an honorary captain along with other inspiring cancer survivors during the Panther's Crucial Catch game.

Thank you, Valerie, for inspiring us all.

10/12/2026

One treatment milestone. One unforgettable patient. 💙

For Daniel, completing proton therapy marked an important personal milestone in his cancer journey — but this moment added meaning for the proton team. As Daniel beat the Keep Pounding drum, he became the 200th patient treated at Atrium Health's Proton and Advanced Radiation Center.

After his cancer returned in lymph nodes deep in his abdomen, Daniel received proton therapy to precisely treat the affected area while helping protect nearby healthy organs and reduce treatment side effects.

A dad of four, Daniel made a lasting impact on the radiation therapy team. Known for his kindness and positivity, he often arrived asking how they were doing before talking about himself.

Atrium Health is proud to be the only provider offering proton therapy in the Carolinas. Join us in celebrating Daniel and this incredible milestone as we continue expanding access to advanced cancer care.

Learn more about proton therapy at Atrium Health: https://bit.ly/4y6UCht

10/09/2026

As part of Atrium Health's New Graduate Nurse Residency Program, some of our critical care nurses recently visited MedCenter Air for a behind-the-scenes look at the lifesaving work that happens beyond the bedside.

The experience helps build relationships between ICU and MedCenter Air teams, strengthens collaboration across specialties, and gives new nurses a firsthand look at another path their nursing career could take.

For these future nursing leaders, it's a reminder that patient care extends far beyond the walls of the hospital.

10/08/2026

Project PINK is a partnership between Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Charlotte Radiology that brings free breast cancer screening to eligible uninsured and underinsured women in our community.

This year, we’re celebrating 10 years of WBTV News hosting the Project PINK mobile mammography bus at its station for an all-day screening event that also raises awareness about the importance of early detection.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hNHDLv