Watauga Medical Center

10/30/2025

Last week, teammates and their families from the Avery Healthcare Market gathered at the YMCA for a fun-filled Trunk or Treat! 🎃 We loved seeing everyone’s creativity shine through their festive table decor!

📷 Iliana Granados

10/29/2025

This month, we’re thrilled to recognize one of our dedicated volunteers, Eli Williamson!

Eli has been volunteering with UNC Health Appalachian for just over a year, lending a helping hand in the ICU by restocking supplies, keeping patient rooms organized, and assisting nurses and patients in any way he can. Recently, he’s also taken on a new role helping with lab couriering.

“I try my best to treat others how I would want to be treated—especially in the hospital, where there’s a lot of uncertainty and people just want someone to talk to,” he shared.

A cell and molecular biology student at App State, Eli dreams of attending medical school and one day returning to Boone as a physician. This summer, he earned his EMT license and plans to begin working locally in that role soon. When he’s not volunteering or studying, Eli enjoys skiing, biking, working out, and spending time with friends.

“The High Country has a special place in my heart,” he says. “Volunteering has helped me build the foundation for the kind of meaningful career I hope to have in healthcare.”

Volunteers play an integral role in helping our patients, visitors, and staff. They serve in a variety of areas throughout the healthcare system. Find out how you can become a UNC Health Appalachian Volunteer here: https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/about-us/volunteer/

10/28/2025

We’re proud to celebrate the Emergency Department team at Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital for their outstanding ! This incredible group consistently goes above and beyond—caring for patients, visitors, and one another with compassion and teamwork.

10/27/2025

A huge shoutout to the ICU team at Watauga Medical Center for their outstanding ! This amazing group goes the extra mile—providing exceptional care for patients while also supporting one another every step of the way.

10/24/2025

It’s Respiratory Care Week!🎉

We can’t let the week get away from us without celebrating our incredible team of Respiratory Therapists and Sleep Technicians who play a vital role in caring for our patients at Watauga Medical Center and Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital. From the ER to the Sleep Lab, ICU and everywhere in between, they bring expertise, compassion, and calm when it’s needed most.

10/23/2025

🌟Employee Spotlight 🌟
on Brandon Sullivan, RACR
People Services

Brandon Sullivan has worked for UNC Health Appalachian for the past three years as a Clinical Recruiter in the People Services Department.

In his role, he helps connect talented professionals with careers across our health system — from inpatient nursing and surgical services to our ARMA clinics.

“What I love most about my job is the opportunity to connect people with meaningful careers,” he says. “I’m proud to support our employees as they grow professionally, such as advancing from CNA to RN, and playing a part in improving patient care for our entire community.”

An App State grad and now pursuing his master’s at NC State, Brandon loves spending his free time hiking, kayaking, and relaxing by the river with his dog. 🐾

10/22/2025

Today Boone Area Chamber of Commerce helped us cut the ribbon for our newly reopened AppPain Management at 261 Longvue Drive in Boone (across from Watauga Medical Center).
Guests toured the updated space and met the team, including Dr. Phuong Nguyen.

10/21/2025

💊 It’s Pharmacy Week, and we’re celebrating our incredible team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at Watauga Medical Center and Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital!

From ensuring every medication is safe and effective to supporting patients and providers across our hospitals and clinics, our pharmacy teams play a vital role in delivering exceptional care.

10/21/2025

Update on Medicare Advantage Coverage

Beginning January 1, 2026, UNC Health will no longer be in-network with the following Medicare Advantage plans:
• Humana (if you have Humana coverage through the NC State Health Plan (SHP), nothing is changing)
• WellCare
• Health Care Service Corporation (formerly Cigna)

Need Help?
UNC Health has partnered with Chapter to offer free, personalized Medicare guidance. Chapter can help you find a plan that keeps UNC Health in-network.

Call: 1-877-230-3239
Visit: askchapter.org/unchealth

We know these changes can be confusing. You are not alone. We are here to support you and help you keep the care you trust.

10/20/2025

It’s Physical Therapy Month! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate our incredible Physical Therapy teams who help patients in the High Country regain strength, mobility, and independence every day. 💪

Our dedicated professionals serve patients across three locations: The Rehabilitation Center–Watauga, The Rehabilitation Center–Cannon, and the Inpatient Physical Therapy team at Watauga Medical Center.

10/17/2025

We’re hiring!

Our UNC Health Appalachian Learning Center in Boone, NC is seeking an IT professional to support technical education needs, with a focus on Epic training. 💻

This role helps deliver IT training to staff across the organization through classroom, small group, and one-on-one sessions. Prior healthcare or Epic experience is preferred.

For more information visit: 👉https://jobs.unchealthcare.org/jobs/16188058-it-trainer-unc-health-appalachian-boone-nc

07/10/2023

We are proud to be nationally recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for our commitment to providing research-based, high-quality stroke care with a Get With The Guidelines achievement award. Find out more at

Watauga Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke: Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimate...

05/12/2023

As we wrap up Healthcare Week we would like to share this review of Watauga Medical Center and give a shoutout to our wonderful employees. We’re so grateful for the compassion and commitment you bring to your jobs each and every day. 🎉❤

05/12/2023

Congrats to the WMC Daisy and Sunflower Award Winners !!!!

05/03/2023

We’re proud to announce that we recently received an ‘A’ in Hospital Safety from the Leapfrog Group. 🎉🎉🎉

This national distinction reflects performance during the height of the pandemic. It also celebrates our commitment to protecting our patients from preventable harm and errors.

Watauga Medical Center received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates Watauga Medical Center’s achievements in prioritizing patient sa...

03/27/2023

Following current CDC guidelines, we have updated our mask policy for patients and visitors. Masks are now encouraged rather than required for patients and visitors with the following exceptions:
• Patients and visitors who have symptoms of respiratory illnesses must wear a mask.
• Certain units and clinics may require masks based on their specific patient populations and patient care needs (e.g. immunocompromised patients or teammates, aerosol generating procedures, etc.).

The latest information from Appalachian Regional Healthcare System on the response to COVID-19

03/07/2023

Great job, Dr. Dagher of Watauga Surgical Group and the outpatient surgery staff at Watauga Medical Center! 🙌

02/01/2023

We have a great team at Watauga Medical Center! We love this recent review ❤

12/06/2022

📣We are proud to be one of only 115 nationwide to be recognized as a . We are committed to serving our community and providing high-quality, safe care.

Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Watauga Medical Center was named a Top Rural Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. Announced recently, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospita

11/05/2022

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce held its 73rd Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Appalachian Theatre.