Catawba Valley Medical Center

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Catawba Valley Medical Center

Catawba Valley Health System in Hickory, N.C., is the region’s largest not-for-profit health system. hospitals.

Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., is the region’s largest not-for-profit, public healthcare system and serves the community without direct funding from taxes. CVMC provides and promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventive medicine and acute care. CVMC has received fiv

e Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and has been recognized recently with 10 Women’s Choice Awards, including being named one of America’s Best 100 Hospitals for Patient Experience and having a 2020 Patient Safety score that ranks among the top 2% or all U.S. For more information, please visit www.catawbavalleyhealth.org.

08/14/2026

A little coffee, a few cookies and some great conversations made for a special night at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Our executive leadership team recently spent time with our night shift staff during our Cookies, Coffee & Conversation event. It was a chance to connect with the team members who work through the night caring for our patients, hear their ideas and simply spend time together.

Thank you to our night shift staff for the important work you do around the clock. We’re grateful for each of you!

08/12/2026

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time to recognize the importance of breastfeeding education, support and resources for families.

At Catawba Valley Health System, that support begins before your baby arrives and continues well beyond your hospital stay. Through The POD: Women & Children’s Education Center, families can access prenatal breastfeeding education, lactation support, breastfeeding supplies and breast pump rentals and sales, nursing bras and professional fittings, and ongoing resources to help them feel confident in their feeding journey.

After delivery, our trained staff and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are here to help families navigate questions, challenges and the many changes that come with feeding a new baby. Support is also available after you go home.

Whether you are preparing for your first baby or adding to your growing family, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. We’re here to educate, encourage and support you before and after birth.

Learn more about The POD and the resources available to families at Catawba Valley Health System, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/ThePOD.

08/11/2026

For patients going through cancer treatment, a simple gesture of comfort can mean so much. Once again this year, Jim Armstrong Subaru partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the Subaru Loves to Care program to deliver blankets and handwritten cards to our Oncology department at Catawba Valley Medical Center. These thoughtful gifts will be shared with patients undergoing cancer treatment.

“Seeing the surprise and joy these gifts bring to our patients is always special, but I am especially grateful to witness the kindness being shown to these courageous people when they need it most,” said Melanie Lutz, Director of CVMC’s Cancer Program.

CVMC has been fortunate to receive this annual donation since 2016. We are grateful to Jim Armstrong Subaru and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for continuing this meaningful tradition and bringing a little extra comfort to our patients during their cancer journey.

Learn more about cancer services provided at CVMC, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Cancer.

08/10/2026

Staff across Catawba Valley Health System had some fun together all week as part of our Golden Days of Summer team-building event. From vacation-inspired looks and colorful tie-dye to wacky outfits, dynamic duos and plenty of golden vibes, our teams embraced each day’s theme and enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with their coworkers.

Staff at both the hospital and our Family & Specialty Care clinics joined in on the fun, showing that team spirit extends across every part of Catawba Valley Health System. The week was a great opportunity to build connections, step away from the everyday routine and enjoy some time together.

Take a look at some of our favorite staff looks from throughout the week. Our teams definitely understood the assignment!

Want to be part of a team that knows how to have fun while making a difference? Explore career opportunities with Catawba Valley Health System and apply today at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.

08/06/2026

Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals edition as a High Performing hospital for orthopedics, Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) care, and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a ‘High Performing’ designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News.

U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

Phil Greene, MD and Chief Medical Officer for CVMC, said, “We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Top Performer in Orthopedics, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) care, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. This distinction reflects the dedication, expertise, and compassion of our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, therapists, and support staff who work collaboratively every day to deliver exceptional patient care.”

He added, “This recognition underscores our commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, and outstanding outcomes across a broad range of specialized services. This achievement reinforces our mission to provide high-quality, evidence-based care close to home and inspires us to continue advancing our services to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community.”

“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that Catawba Valley Medical Center outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.

08/04/2026

Catawba Valley Health System is proud to announce its latest quarterly DAISY Award winner – Holly Freeman, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her nomination read:

“We would like to nominate Holly for the DAISY Award because of the incredible impact she had on our NICU journey with our son. From the very beginning, she was someone we knew we could always count on. Even on days when she wasn’t assigned to him, she still took the time to check on him, answer our questions, and make sure we felt supported. As first-time parents navigating the NICU, that meant everything to us.

“She went above and beyond in ways we will never forget—like helping us set up FaceTime on an iPad so we could still see our baby during our baby shower. That moment alone showed how much she truly cares, not just about the babies, but about the families too. She was always there to reassure us that he was doing okay, especially during the harder moments.

“What stood out most is how she treated our baby like he was her own. She celebrated every milestone with us—from the times we thought we were going home, to when we finally did. When those first discharge attempts didn’t go as planned, she was a constant source of comfort and positivity, helping us stay hopeful during those emotional setbacks.

“She didn’t just care for our baby—she cared for us. She talked us through the hard days, reassured us when we were overwhelmed, and gave us confidence as new parents. Knowing she was on shift always gave us peace of mind when we had to leave. She is truly the kind of nurse every family hopes to have during such a vulnerable time. Reassuring, comforting, and loving—she made a lasting impact on our lives, and we will always be grateful for her.”

The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died of complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way. The award is given in numerous countries around the world.

To learn more, visit DAISYFoundation.org. If you would like to nominate someone to receive the DAISY Award, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/DAISY.

08/03/2026

Breastfeeding is a journey, and every family's experience is unique.

This World Breastfeeding Week, we're celebrating the families we have the privilege to support through every stage of that journey. From prenatal education and guidance immediately after delivery to continued resources and encouragement long after you leave the hospital, our team is here to help you meet your breastfeeding goals with confidence.

Support doesn't end at discharge. Through resources like The POD, including Baby Weigh Thursdays, we continue to provide families with a welcoming place to stay connected as their little ones grow.

Learn more about our breastfeeding resources and services at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/women-children.

07/31/2026

Connected by Compassion: The Stories Behind the Family Ties That Strengthen CVHS

At Catawba Valley Health System, we believe a great workplace is one worth sharing. Connected by Compassion is a storytelling series highlighting the family connections that make CVHS a special place to work. Across our organization, employees are inviting their loved ones to join a mission they believe in—creating a community of caregivers connected by shared purpose.

Meet the Fulbright Family: Growing Together Through Shared Purpose

For Katie Fulbright, Catawba Valley Health System has been more than the place where she launched her nursing career—it has become a place where her family has grown together, both personally and professionally.

Katie joined Catawba Valley Medical Center in 2010 as a new graduate nurse. Excited about the supportive environment and opportunities she found, she often shared stories at home about the positive experiences she was having and the welcoming culture she had discovered.

"When my dad was exploring a career change in 2015, I expressed how great it would be for him to come to CVMC," Katie shared.

Inspired by Katie's experiences, her father, Tony Lail, joined the CVMC family in 2015 in the Environmental Services (EVS) department. A few years later, he transitioned to Plant Operations, where he continued serving the organization until his retirement in 2025. Retirement didn't last long, however. Tony soon returned to CVHS as a PRN team member in Plant Operations, continuing to support the organization he had grown to love.

As Katie's family grew, so did her connections to CVHS.

After marrying Bobby Fulbright, Katie continued sharing the positive experiences that had made CVHS feel like home. In 2023, Bobby joined the organization in Supply Chain and now oversees the Courier Service, helping ensure supplies and materials are delivered where they're needed to support patient care.

For the Fulbright family, working together at CVHS has created a unique bond built on shared experiences and a common purpose.

"CVMC has always supported professional development and has allowed us to all grow both personally and professionally during our time with the organization," Katie said.

Whether celebrating successes or navigating challenges, the family appreciates having a shared understanding of what it means to serve patients and support one another.

"It's great to work with family! We can share our wins and struggles with a commonality that many individuals don't have the opportunity to do," Katie shared. "We love being a part of the CVMC family, literally and figuratively!"

The Fulbright family's story is a reminder that one person's positive experience can inspire an entire family. Through encouragement, support, and a shared commitment to serving others, they've built careers rooted in compassion while strengthening the culture that makes Catawba Valley Health System feel like family.

Thank you to Katie, Bobby, and Tony for sharing your story and for showing us what it means to be Connected by Compassion.

Are you looking for a workplace where you can grow, make a difference, and be part of a team that feels like family? Explore career opportunities and join the CVHS family today at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.

07/29/2026

Important Update Regarding Our North Hickory/Viewmont (Belle Hollow) Urgent Care Clinic

Dear Community,

At Catawba Urgent Care of Mountain View, we remain committed to providing accessible, dependable, and high-quality care across the communities we serve.

Effective August 1, 2026, patient care operations at our Belle Hollow clinic in North Hickory/Viewmont will be suspended.

This transition is part of a broader effort to strengthen and optimize our urgent care network following its integration with Catawba Valley Health System. By aligning our providers, staff, and operational resources across the network, we can support more consistent access, reliable staffing, and continuity of care for our patients. We are also evaluating opportunities for a future relocated site that will better support the long-term urgent care needs of the North Hickory/Viewmont community. Additional information will be shared as those plans progress.

During this transition, our providers and staff will continue caring for patients at other Catawba Urgent Care of Mountain View locations, including Newton, Morganton, Sherrills Ford and Hickory/Mountain View. Patients will continue to have access to the same convenient, compassionate care they have come to expect from our team. This network optimization also supports preparations for the upcoming opening of our new Taylorsville clinic, further expanding access to high-quality urgent care throughout the region.

We sincerely appreciate the trust you have placed in us and thank you for your understanding during this transition. We look forward to continuing to serve you at our existing locations and to sharing future updates regarding urgent care access in the North Hickory/Viewmont area.

Sincerely,
The Team at Catawba Urgent Care of Mountain View

07/28/2026

More patients in our community now have access to one of the most advanced pacemaker technologies available.

On July 9, Dr. Mark Marieb of Catawba Valley Cardiology performed Catawba Valley Medical Center's first implantation of the Abbott AVEIR™ DR dual chamber leadless pacemaker system.

Unlike traditional pacemakers, this minimally invasive device is implanted directly into the heart without leads, expanding access to leadless pacing for more patients with slow or abnormal heart rhythms while helping reduce some of the complications associated with traditional pacemakers.

"Bringing the AVEIR DR system to Catawba Valley allows us to offer more patients an advanced, minimally invasive treatment option for abnormal heart rhythms," said Dr. Mark Marieb, cardiologist at Catawba Valley Cardiology. "It's an important step forward that expands access to leadless pacing while helping reduce some of the complications associated with traditional pacemakers."

We're proud to continue bringing innovative heart care close to home.

Learn more about the cardiovascular services available through Catawba Valley Cardiology at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Cardiology.

Address

810 Fairgrove Church Road SE
Hickory, NC
28602

Telephone

+18283263000

Website

http://www.catawbavalleyhealth.org/

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