Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital

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

09/26/2025

One year ago, Hurricane Helene tested the strength of our community. Today, we remember a few of the incredible heroes who rose to the challenge and carried us through the storm.

“Determination” is the word that comes to Stephanie Greer’s mind when she thinks about September 27, 2024. “We were all scared and in situations none of us had ever faced before. But when I looked into the eyes of the people around me, all I saw was determination. We will get through this together. We will take care of our community,” said the Avery Healthcare Market President. “I have never felt more fear combined with more confidence in my life. I had no idea what the next minutes or hours were going to bring but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the people around me were willing to do whatever it took to take care of our community.

“We learned just how powerful and impactful a group of individuals with a common goal could be. It didn’t matter what your background was, what agency you worked for, or what preconceived notions we may have had on 9/26. On 9/27 and the days following, we were just ONE. Everyone was working together for a genuinely common good. And as a result, we were collectively able to accomplish Herculean tasks. Together.”

Read Stephanie’s story here 👉 unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2024/a-hero-in-bright-red-scrubs/

After Hurricane Helene, Stephanie Greer showed incredible heart and strength, supporting her team and community when they needed it most.

09/24/2025

Whether she's supporting patients at the Rehabilitation Center or serving her church family in Linville Falls, Shea Crenshaw embodies compassion, commitment, and community.

Shea has been working in some capacity of healthcare over the past 51 years in Avery County, and we're so proud she's part of our Avery Healthcare Market team💙

Healthcare has transformed dramatically over the past 50 years — from new technology to expanded patient rights and electronic medical records. Avery County’s Shea Crenshaw has not only witnessed those changes but embraced them throughout her more than five decades in the field.

From her start as a candy striper at the VA to her years at Garrett Memorial, Sloop Memorial, and now Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital, Shea’s story is one of dedication and adaptability.

👉 Read more about her remarkable journey in our latest blog post: https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/blog/2025/shea-crenshaw-a-lifetime-of-service-compassion-and-care/

09/18/2025

A big shout out to our Environmental Services team who keep all of our Avery Healthcare Market facilities clean and safe for our patients, visitors, and staff 👏

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day!

Our business offices as well as provider practices and outpatient offices, are closed Monday, September 1.

For a complete list of practices that are closed for this holiday, visit 👉unchealthappalachian.org/patients-visitors/holiday-hours-closings/

Watauga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial Hospital, and Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital are open 24/7.

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day!

Our business offices as well as provider practices and outpatient offices, are closed Monday, September 1. For a complete list of practices that are closed for this holiday, visit 👉unchealthappalachian.org/patients-visitors/holiday-hours-closings/

Cannon Memorial Hospital, Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health, and Watauga Medical Center are open 24/7.

08/20/2025

We’re proud to celebrate our Avery Healthcare Market providers who YOU voted as the Best of the Best in Avery County! 🏆

Congratulations to our winners:
Best Orthopedist: AppOrtho
Best Medical Practice: Baker Primary Care Center
Best Hospital: Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital
Best Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation Center Cannon
Best Surgeon: Thomas Haizlip, Jr., MD

07/03/2025

🇺🇸We hope you have a Safe and Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

In honor of Independence Day tomorrow, our medical offices, outpatient facilities, and patient accounts office will be closed.

Cannon Memorial Hospital, Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital and Watauga Medical Center are always open.

For more information about our holiday hours and closures visit ➡ https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/patients-visitors/holiday-hours-closings/

06/11/2025

🔥 Now Hiring Cooks – Join Our Healthcare Team! 🍳

Looking for a rewarding job that makes a difference? We’re hiring Cooks to join our healthcare system!

💵 Pay: $15.90–$19/hour (based on experience)
🎉 Sign-On Bonus: $2,500
✅ Full Benefits Package

Apply today ➡ https://www.unchealthappalachian.org/careers/

04/04/2025

Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital has a walk-in option for those who are struggling with a mental health emergency. They're located on our campus in Linville and are open 24/7.

03/05/2025

Congratulations, Scott Bailey from Avery Healthcare Market Plant Ops! 🎉

01/24/2025

Congrats to our OR Team for being recognized for their outstanding ! 🏆

01/23/2025

Thank you, RB for everything you do for our staff at Cannon Memorial Hospital!

This month, we’re happy to spotlight RB Danner, a dedicated volunteer in the cafeteria at Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital. Along with assisting the nutrition staff in the kitchen, RB helps unload, organize, and store supplies during delivery days—a task he fondly refers to as “slinging groceries.”🍅🍏🍞

A Boone native, RB grew up learning the ropes of managing stock at his grandparents’ business, Watauga Motor Market. After a career as a General Contractor and Carpenter Supervisor at Western Carolina University, RB brings his proactive spirit to volunteering. He believes in tackling tasks head-on, saying, “If something needs to get done—do it then and there.” RB also emphasizes the power of kindness, reminding us that “a big smile and a kind word go a long way because you never know the load someone else is carrying.”

Thank you, RB, for your hard work, positivity, and the invaluable support you bring to our team at Cannon Memorial Hospital! 👏

Volunteers are an essential part of our team, supporting patients, visitors, and staff across many areas of our healthcare system. Interested in making a difference? Apply today to volunteer at UNC Health Appalachian! Click the link in the comments to get started.⬇