Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

09/12/2025

Who else is ready for fall? 🍂🍁

Our amazing Plant Ops team for the Avery Healthcare Market is behind all the beautiful fall décor that has started appearing on the campus of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital and Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital. 🍁🍂⛅🌻

09/12/2025

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

Check out these 5 tips to help you prioritize your mental well-being – small changes can make a big impact.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or you can walk in and self-present at Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital anytime. They are open 24/7.

The address is 432 Hospital Drive, Linville, NC, call 828-737-7071

Or you can call, text, or chat with counselors at 988 (National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline).

Send a message to learn more

09/11/2025

🌟Employee Spotlight 🌟
on Iliana Granados
Learning Center

In just seven months as Employee Experience and Culture Coordinator at UNC Health Appalachian, Iliana Granados has seamlessly stepped into her busy role.

She leads the New Employee Success Transition program, staying in regular contact with new hires to support a smooth onboarding experience. Iliana also facilitates General New Hire Orientation, creates professional development opportunities for teams across UNCHA, and plans meaningful employee engagement events throughout the year.

“What I love most about my job is being part of a team that creates events and initiatives that show genuine appreciation for our everyday heroes. It’s incredibly meaningful to me that I get to ‘make someone’s day’ whether it’s through an appreciation event, a thoughtful phone call, a handwritten card, or a simple email. I also genuinely enjoy working with my co-workers. They’ve been an absolute joy and make coming to work even more rewarding,” she shares.

Married to her high school sweetheart, Iliana and her husband are proud parents of three children and remain deeply engaged with their church, Unified City Church, which is an important part of their lives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family at church activities, sporting events, and outdoor adventures, as well as relaxing with a good book or indulging in a little retail therapy.

09/10/2025

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Melinda Belcher, PA, the newest member of our AppOrtho team! We’re excited to have her on board. 🎉

09/09/2025

✨ Now Open (Again)! ✨
We’re thrilled to share that App Pain Management is welcoming patients at our new location — 261 Longvue Drive, right across from Watauga Medical Center.
Our team provides personalized care for both acute and chronic pain, offering a wide range of treatments including:
💉 Advanced injection-based procedures
🌀 Minimally invasive spine care
🌿 Holistic therapies like acupuncture, electroacupuncture & osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)

Our goal is simple: to help you find relief, restore comfort, and improve quality of life.
📋 A referral is preferred.

For more information, visit: unchealthappalachian.org/locations/profile/app-pain-management/

09/09/2025

Our High Country Wilderness Medicine Conference is just 10 days away and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet with hands-on experience and an exciting line up of speakers and topics.

Presented by the MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residents, this conference is for anyone looking to build skills in wilderness medicine, emergency preparedness, and emergency response.

Check out our scheduled speakers and topics:

🗻 Jessie Gehner, MD – Altitude Medicine
🚵‍♂️ David Berkoff, MD – Performance and Altitude
☀ Andrew Morris, MD – Heat-Related Illness
🥶 Chris Davis, MD – Frostbite
👣 Tricia Hall, DO – Ankle, Foot, Knee Injuries
🌳 Watauga Rescue – Adult Hug-a-Tree
💧Joe Mahoney, MD – Water Purification
⚕ JC Steinbaugh – Litters, Carries, Patient Care
⚡ Eric Hawkins, MD, MPH – Lightning
💉Stephanie Lareau, MD – Managing Type 1 Diabetes in the Wilderness
🧠 Kallie Kurtz – Mental Health in the Wilderness
🪲 Nat Mann, MD – Tick-Borne Illness
✈Ryan Corbello, MD – Travel Medicine
🌀Henderson McGinnis, MD and Abbie Wehner, MD – Disaster & Emergency Management

For more information or to register, visit: 👉 hcwmc.com

09/08/2025

💙 September is Su***de Prevention Month—but awareness and support matter every single day.

Su***de is the second leading cause of death for ages 10–34 and the tenth leading cause of death overall in the U.S. It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Just like mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts can touch anyone. By starting conversations, reducing stigma, and showing compassion, we can all play a part in prevention. 💙

If you or someone you know is in crisis or struggling with suicidal thoughts, support is available:
• In an emergency, please call 911 or come to the nearest emergency department
• Call, text, or chat with trained counselors at 988 (National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline).
• You can also walk in and self-present at Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital anytime.
The address is 432 Hospital Drive, Linville, NC, or call 828-737-7071

For more information, visit:👉 unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2025/understanding-suicide-awareness-prevention-and-support/

09/08/2025

This month, we’re happy to recognize Rachel Weaver, one of our incredible volunteers who helps out in both the Gift Shop and Human Resources!

Rachel has a heart for people and a passion for serving the High Country. After earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology from App State, she chose to give back to the Boone community through volunteering. She was drawn to UNCHA because our mission to build a healthy, resilient, and connected community reflects her own values.

“I enjoy being able to assist the staff and patients at UNC Health Appalachian. There’s a nice community here, and we all help each other,” she said.

Outside of volunteering, Rachel stays busy working, hiking, spending time with loved ones, and collaborating with App State’s Collab Lab research team on projects focused on strengthening communities.

We’re so glad to have Rachel on our volunteer team at UNCHA! 💙

09/05/2025

😴 Did you know walking can help improve your sleep?

Join our resident doctors for Walk with a Doc on Saturday, September 6 at 9 a.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park!

We’ll start with a quick 5-minute talk on better sleep, then head out for a relaxed, self-paced walk with local physicians. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

It’s a fun, casual way to move your body, ask questions, and connect with others in the community.

👟 Bring a friend and come walk with us! 💬🩺

For more information, visit unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2025/walk-with-a-doc/

09/04/2025

Want to hear more about our new Pulmonologist, Dr. Garret Duron? Check out this recent radio interview with Mark in the Morning at WATA 1450AM and 96.5!

09/03/2025

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Caleb Smith to the team at Elk River Medical in Banner Elk! 🎉
He’ll be caring for patients and also serving as faculty with our MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program. Join us in giving him a warm welcome!

09/02/2025

💉 Flu season is here—protect yourself and your loved ones!

Our flu vaccine clinics are now open through the end of March.

📅 Clinic Schedules:
• AppInternal Medicine - Wed & Thurs, 1–4:30 PM
• AppFamily Medicine – Mon, 8 AM–12 PM & Wed, 1–5 PM
• Baker Primary Care Center & Elk River Medical – Tues (all day) & Thursday afternoons

Easily schedule your appointment through myuncchart.org at any of our convenient Boone, Linville, or Banner Elk locations.