Atrium Health

09/04/2026

Creating connection, one seat at a time.

Loneliness is more than being alone. It is the feeling of being disconnected, and it can affect anyone at any stage of life. In a world where many people feel disconnected, even when surrounded by others, small moments of connection can remind us that we are seen, valued and never truly alone.

Atrium Health behavioral health teammates partnered with Team Hope, community leaders and local organizations to bring the Charlotte region's first "Happy to Chat" bench to Cane Creek Park in Union County. Marked with a welcoming sign, the bench offers an invitation to sit down, start a conversation and make a connection with someone new. The initiative was inspired by a shared goal of reducing social isolation and creating opportunities for meaningful human interaction in our community.

"Connection is an extremely important part of being human," shares Kate Penny, program coordinator for Zero Su***de at Atrium Health. "When people build supportive relationships, they have someone they can reach out to during times of sadness. That connection can make a meaningful difference."

As communities continue to seek ways to support mental health and well-being, initiatives like the Happy to Chat bench serve as a reminder of the importance of connection.

We are proud of our behavioral health team who helped bring this meaningful resource to Union County and are grateful to everyone who made it possible. Together, we're building a healthier community, one conversation, one connection and one shared moment at a time.

Learn more about the impact of this initiative: https://bit.ly/4gGuof2

09/03/2026

For Jackie, survivorship care is personal.

After seeing her young cousin’s cancer journey continue long after treatment ended, Jackie found her purpose in helping survivors navigate life after cancer — physically, emotionally and practically.

Today, Jackie is a nurse program coordinator with the Survivorship Clinic at Atrium Health Levine Cancer, where she helps survivors rebuild their lives “brick by brick” with care, education and supportive programs.

“Cancer doesn’t just impact the part of your body where it is found — it impacts your whole self,” Jackie says.

Outside of work, she recharges on her mini-farm, caring for goats, a horse and chickens, and volunteering with community theaters in Salisbury.

In the clinic, Jackie is most proud of the growth of the program and she works hard to raise awareness around its benefits.

Learn more about the Survivorship Clinic and other supportive services at our Journey Through Survivorship event in Charlotte.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 26
⏰ 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 The Pearl CLT
RSVP: https://bit.ly/4gIhSvD

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

A reunion made possible by a miracle❤️

After a complication from tongue cancer surgery, Jennifer went into septic shock, and her organs started to fail. She spent nearly a month in the hospital at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where her care team worked tirelessly to pull her through.

“I thought there was probably a 1% chance of survival,” her ICU surgeon, Dr. Logan Carney, shared. But even in the face of overwhelming odds, Dr. Carney and the rest of her care team didn’t give up, even performing bedside surgeries – allowing her to make a full recovery.

Months later, after completing treatment and beginning to reclaim her life, Jennifer returned to the hospital for a follow up appointment with her surgical oncologist. What happened next was a powerful, unexpected moment with the physician who once feared she wouldn’t survive the night.

Jennifer’s story is proof that when unwavering love and faith meet a care team that refuses to give up, miracles can happen.

Read Jennifer’s full story: https://bit.ly/4guoqPR.

08/27/2026

After caring for patients and families for more than 36 years, retired Atrium Health physician Dr. Bill Lorentz never imagined he would one day find himself in need of that same care. At nearly 89 years old, an unexpected diagnosis led him from doctor to patient, facing difficult decisions about his own health.

Thanks to advanced robotic surgery and a compassionate team that saw possibilities instead of limitations, Dr. Lorentz received life-saving treatment that removed precancerous pancreatic cysts and a stomach tumor, helping prevent future cancer and allowing him to return home just days later.

For Dr. Lorentz, the experience was a powerful reminder of the impact of innovative care and the human connection at the heart of medicine.

Read his story: https://bit.ly/45NaOsN

08/26/2026

The smallest details can make a big difference.

As a radiation therapist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Christi has spent nearly 12 years helping ensure patients receive the care they need during some of life's most challenging moments. Long before the first patient arrives, she's already at work, bringing the focus, experience and dedication that help make each treatment possible.

While patients may only see part of what goes into their care, it's professionals like Christi who help build the foundation for every step that follows. Her years of experience and commitment to her patients are felt far beyond the treatment room.

Thank you, Christi, for all you do for our patients, families and community.

08/25/2026

Meet Amy – for 25 years, she has been a dedicated teammate at Atrium Health Cabarrus and has spent 21 of those years caring for mothers, babies and their families on our Mother Baby unit.

Amy’s journey began in 1999 when she started at Cabarrus, then known as Northeast Medical Center, as a healthcare technician while in nursing school. After becoming a registered nurse, she began her career on Post Surgical Care before finding her passion for Mother Baby nursing in 2005.

Over the years, Amy has grown into leadership roles while continuing to support patient care. She served as a night shift clinical supervisor through September 2025 before transitioning into an administrative clinical supervisor role on day shift, where she continues to support teammates and operations across the organization.

What does Amy love most about Mother Baby? The opportunity to care for the whole family during one of life's most meaningful moments.

"Whether we are helping a mother heal, facilitating bonding, supporting breastfeeding or building parents' confidence before they leave the hospital, every interaction is meaningful."

Known by her teammates as organized, dependable and always willing to help, Amy was once given the perfect Nurses' Week superlative: "Walking Policy Book!" She takes pride in being a resource for her teammates and supporting both the staff and families she serves.

From Nurses' Week celebrations and the March of Dimes walk to teammate bonding and Halloween parades, Amy has made so many memories throughout her 25 years at Cabarrus.

Thank you, Amy, for 25 years of dedication, leadership and compassionate care. We are so grateful to have you on our team! 💙

08/21/2026

We’re excited to share that Morehouse School of Medicine and Atrium Health, part of Advocate Health, have received approval to move forward with plans for a new acute care hospital and integrated care network in South and West Atlanta.

Backed by more than $700 million in capital and clinical investment, the initiative is designed to expand access to acute care, primary care, specialty care, emergency services and academic medicine across communities that have experienced significant healthcare access gaps.

The plans include a new Level III trauma center, outpatient care locations, virtual care services and a coordinated network designed to bring high-quality care closer to where people live.

Together, Morehouse School of Medicine and Atrium Health are combining complementary strengths around a shared goal: making high-quality care easier to reach and developing a stronger pipeline of physicians and health professionals prepared to serve Georgia communities for generations.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UcMtKh

08/20/2026

Meet Samantha, a familiar face to countless student-athletes at Nation Ford High School and a trusted source of support for students, families, coaches and staff. Whether she's on the sidelines during a game, cheering students on at a play or concert or helping someone navigate a difficult recovery, Samantha has become a valued part of the school community through the relationships she's built and the care she provides every day.

An athletic trainer with Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute and a member of our Event Medicine team, Samantha has served Nation Ford High School since 2017. Now entering her 10th year, she has become deeply woven into the fabric of the school, creating an environment where students feel supported both on and off the field.

As one colleague shared, "Samantha is an essential piece of the NaFo Family. She has truly embedded herself into our school community. By supporting our student-athletes in their non-athletic passions, she builds a level of trust and rapport that allows her to provide more personalized, effective care when they step onto the field."

Samantha's dedication was recently recognized when she was named the 2025-2026 South Carolina Athletic Trainer of the Year by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association and South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association. The award honors athletic trainers who go above and beyond for their student-athletes and communities.

When asked what she loves most about her work, Samantha points to the connections she's built over the years:
"I love my job because of the opportunity for connections. I've been able to connect with so many different people while being here, and it's been an incredible time."

We're proud to celebrate Samantha and the expertise, compassion and commitment she brings to students, families and the community every day.