Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation

08/22/2025

Continues! ✨

Meet Carla Romano, BSN, RN, Manager of Surgical Services at UNC Health Blue Ridge Morganton! 💙 Carla leads with compassion and dedication—not only to her patients and teammates, but also through her support of The Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation.

From serving on the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala silent auction committee to helping bring life-enhancing equipment through the Granting Hope program to her department, Carla is passionate about making a difference both inside and outside the hospital walls. 🙌

We are so grateful for her leadership, generosity, and heart for service! 💙

08/20/2025

Save the Date!

The Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation is excited to assist UNC Health Blue Ridge in the 2026 Lake James Dragon Boat Festival on April 25th, 2026 at Lake James State Park, Paddy’s Creek Area!

This event raises critical funds to provide free screening mammograms for uninsured and under-insured members of our community.

We invite you to join us—whether as a sponsor, racer, or supporter. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

👉 Learn more: www.lakejamesdragonboat.org

SAVE THE DATE!

If you're looking for a fun way to help others in our community, the Lake James Dragon Boat Festival is a great opportunity! Join us for the 2026 Lake James Dragon Boat Festival at Lake James State Park Paddy's Creek Area on April 25th, 2026.

UNC Health Blue Ridge is excited to be the presenting sponsor and to work in partnership with the Healing Dragons of Lake James. The sponsorship funds for this race will help the under-insured and uninsured in our community receive free screening mammograms. For more info and to sign up, visit: www.lakejamesdragonboat.org!

08/19/2025

Granting HOPE in Action! 🎉

Congratulations to Women’s Health on receiving funding for a new bariatric table designed to better serve patients with mobility needs. These tables offer enhanced support, stability, and safety to ensure the highest level of care for every patient.

We’re proud to support this amazing team and their commitment to patient well-being!

08/18/2025

👏 Congratulations to Hope Laingen on being recognized as our newest Carolina Care Champion! We are proud to have her on our team under the leadership of Danette Brackett, VP & Chief External Affairs Officer.

The Foundation team was honored to celebrate Hope and witness her well-deserved recognition. Her dedication and compassion continue to inspire us all. 💙

Please join us in celebrating Hope Laingen, our newest Carolina Care Champion!

Hope exemplifies the Carolina Care values—meeting patients with empathy, kindness, and unwavering support, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Her recent interaction with a patient facing life-altering surgery touched the hearts of many. Through patience and persistence, Hope built a meaningful connection, offering comfort and hope when it was needed most.

Hope, your compassion is a beacon for us all. Thank you for making UNC Health Blue Ridge a place of healing and humanity. 💙

08/12/2025

We enjoyed attending this sweet networking event! 🍨

We’re always grateful for opportunities to connect with fellow business leaders and strengthen our community.

Big thanks to First Horizon Bank of Morganton and the Burke County Chamber of Commerce for making it happen!

08/11/2025

🚨 LAST CHANCE – Don’t Miss Out! 🚨

Final sponsorship opportunities are closing soon for our 2025 Gala!

Be part of something extraordinary. Scan the QR code to secure your sponsorship today and make a lasting impact! ✨

08/08/2025

continues this week! 🎉

Meet Sam Stock, Marketing and Community Relations Manager at UNC Health Blue Ridge, who works closely with the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation—see how she supports us by bringing stories to life and shining a light on the people and programs that make a difference every day! 💙

08/05/2025

Granting HOPE in Action! 🎉

Congratulations to Blue Ridge Pain Specialist in Hickory on receiving funding for two bariatric wheelchairs through our HOPE Prize Patrol!

This important investment will provide safer, more comfortable, and timely transportation for patients with mobility needs.

We’re proud to support this incredible team in their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. 💫

08/01/2025

Another feature! 🎉 This week, we’re excited to highlight one of our newest Foundation Board member's—Janice Macopson! With a remarkable career and a wealth of experience in healthcare, Janice brings invaluable insight and passion to our mission.

We look forward to the meaningful impact she’ll make—both on our board and throughout the community we serve.

Get to know Janice through the inspiring bio she shared with us! 💙

07/29/2025

Are you interested in sponsoring the 2025 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala?

Check out our website at uncbr.org/gala for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities to secure your tickets today to our popular signature event! As a valued sponsor, you’ll help us create a magical night that raises essential support for a new Cath Lab on the Morganton campus. Your sponsorship makes a real difference—and offers visibility and recognition at the most anticipated event of the year.

This is your invitation to be part of something extraordinary. Sponsorship opportunities are now available and include tickets, promotional benefits, and the chance to emanate alongside fellow community champions.

07/28/2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone at UNC Health Blue Ridge! 🎉 The hospital has officially been certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association.

This designation means our community now has access to high-quality, life-saving stroke care—right here at home. 💙

Did you know? Stroke and heart health are closely connected. A stroke can increase the risk of heart complications like irregular heartbeat and heart disease, making rapid, coordinated care more important than ever.

That’s why this year’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala, hosted by the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation, is raising funds to support the addition of a new cardiac cath lab. This expansion will enhance our ability to treat stroke-related heart issues and provide faster, life-saving cardiac care.

A huge thank-you to the incredible team whose hard work made this certification possible!👏

We’re proud to announce that UNC Health Blue Ridge is now certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association!

“Becoming accredited as a Primary Stroke Center means that the community can access high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. With our new designation, we can provide time-critical interventions and monitoring to give patients experiencing a stroke a greater chance at recovery without leaving home.” said Courtney Ashley, Stroke Program & Clinical Excellence Coordinator.

Thank you to our incredible teammates for all of their hard work that made this possible!

07/24/2025

We’re proud to welcome back Amber Bernard-Gantt as a returning Gala Chair for this year’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala! 🎉

Amber has been a passionate and dedicated supporter of the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation for years, and her leadership and heart for our mission continue to inspire us. 💚

Thank you, Amber, for your continued commitment to making a difference in our community. We’re thrilled to have you lead the way once again and this time alongside our newest co-chair, Lyndsay Brisson!

-Chairs