UNC Health Blue Ridge

06/05/2026

Recently, our President & CEO, Gary Paxson, spoke with the Morganton Rotary, where he shared updates on UNC Health Blue Ridge and our continued commitment to delivering exceptional care close to home.

Opportunities like this allow us to connect with community leaders, strengthen partnerships, and share our vision for the future of healthcare in our region.

Thank you to the Morganton Rotary for the warm welcome and for your ongoing support of our mission to improve the health and well-being of those we serve!

06/04/2026

UNC Health Blue Ridge is excited to be part of the action all month long at the Hickory Crawdads Baseball Club games! Join us at the ballpark in June to connect with our team, learn more about our services, and enjoy a fun night out with the community.

We’d also like to give a huge shoutout to the incredible physicians and APPs from Valdese Medical Associates who represented UNC Health Blue Ridge—you make us proud and help bring care beyond our walls and into the community.

Come by, say hello, and cheer on the Crawdads with us this June, we can’t wait to see you there! ⚾💙

06/03/2026

Please join us in congratulating our incredible teammates who have completed the Critical Care Nurse Residency program!

This achievement reflects their dedication to advancing their skills, providing the highest level of care, and going above and beyond for the patients and families we serve every day.

We are so proud of their commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care—values that truly define UNC Health Blue Ridge.

06/02/2026

After 40 years of dedicated service to Burke County, longtime pharmacist Bruce Cannon is stepping into a well-earned retirement. As of June 1, 2026, UNC Health Blue Ridge is honored to assume ownership of Cannon Pharmacy on East Parker Road.

While ownership is changing, what matters most is staying the same:
✅ The name Cannon Pharmacy will remain
✅ The same trusted staff will continue to serve you
✅ The personalized care you expect isn’t going anywhere

“I have owned and operated the independent pharmacy for 40 years… you will still see the same familiar faces offering the same personal service,” shared Cannon.

UNC Health Blue Ridge leadership echoed that commitment: “The exceptional service the public has come to expect from Cannon Pharmacy will remain the same, now strengthened by hospital support,” said Drew Thomas, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President.

For four decades, Mr. Cannon has built more than a pharmacy—he’s built relationships, trust, and a lasting legacy in our community. We are proud to carry that legacy forward while continuing to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

Please join us in thanking Bruce Cannon for his incredible impact and wishing him all the best in retirement!

06/01/2026

Please join us in celebrating our newest DAISY award winner, Briana Craig!

“Briana has been caring for my mother during her stay in the ICU. While I’ve had to remain out of town for work during such a critical time, she has gone above and beyond to ensure I feel both comforted and informed every step of the way.
She consistently takes the time to break down complex medical information into language I can easily understand, helping me stay connected to my mom’s care—even from afar. On multiple occasions, she has brought the hospital phone into my mom’s room so I could speak with her, which has meant more than words can express. Briana’s empathy and compassion truly stand out. Her kindness and commitment to exceptional care have not gone unnoticed, and I am incredibly grateful for everything she has done.”

Briana, thank you for embodying the spirit of the DAISY Award through your extraordinary compassion and dedication to patients and their families.

05/29/2026

The Girl Scouts’ Cookies for a Cause program is a simple yet meaningful act of gratitude, created to share kindness and appreciation with those who serve our community.

Through this program, Alexa, Junior Girl Scout from Troop #30058 chose to honor the nurses and therapists at our Cancer Center whose compassion and care meant so much to her grandmother and family. This thoughtful gift was her way of saying thank you, for the comfort, dignity, and love provided during an incredibly challenging time.

We are deeply grateful for this gesture and for the reminder of the lasting impact our care team has on patients and families.

05/28/2026

Join us in congratulating Golden Gown winner, Katherine Mace!

Katherine was recognized for her compassion, teamwork and quick action in supporting a patient in need. When a high-risk outpatient situation arose, she immediately stepped in, traveling to another campus to provide in-person support, resources and reassurance during a critical moment.

Her willingness to go beyond the typical workflow and collaborate across departments ensured this patient received the care and support they needed.

Katherine’s actions are a powerful example of how our teammates come together, across campuses and specialties, to put our patients first. Please join us in celebrating her well-deserved recognition!

05/27/2026

We are proud to recognize Hope Laingen as our very first ROSE Award recipient!

Created by the Nursing Shared Governance Recruitment and Retention Council, the ROSE Award honors teammates outside of nursing whose compassion and actions make a meaningful difference for our patients and staff.

On Christmas Day, Hope chose to be present—supporting both patients and teammates during the holiday. While making rounds, she learned about a pediatric patient spending Christmas in our ED without visitors. After hearing the child say that Santa must have forgotten him, Hope took it upon herself to stop at the only store open, purchase gifts, wrap them, and personally deliver them—bringing joy, comfort, and a smile to a child who truly needed it. Hope’s selfless actions reflect the very best of UNC Health Blue Ridge. Her heart to serve, kindness, and unwavering support embody what the ROSE Award represents.

Congratulations, Hope—and thank you for making a lasting impact when it mattered most.

05/26/2026

Great care starts with people who care deeply.

Our passion lives in the teams who show up every day with compassion, skill, and dedication to your well-being.

This is the care you can feel the moment you walk through our doors. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/uncbrpassion.

UNC Health Blue Ridge is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through top-notch care in Morganton and Valdese. Read our mission statement and core values.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. As we reflect today, we also express our deepest gratitude to the families who carry their legacy forward. 🇺

From all of us at UNC Health Blue Ridge, we honor their sacrifice and remember their service.