North Carolina Healthcare Association

06/08/2026

Novant Health has launched Aubrey, an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to help patients stay informed, prepared and connected throughout their care journey. The initial pilot will support surgical patients with personalized reminders, pre-op guidance and 24/7 access to important care information.

The first-of-its-kind deployment in the Carolinas reflects how healthcare organizations are using technology to enhance the patient experience while supporting care teams.

More here: https://bit.ly/4uy7vzG

Ushering in a new phase of digitally enabled care, Novant Health has launched Aubrey, an AI-enabled virtual assistant designed to support patients and care teams across the health system.

06/05/2026

Cone Health is bringing advanced cardiac imaging to Annie Penn Hospital in Rockingham County, expanding access to more precise heart care close to home. The new GE Revolution Apex CT system enables detailed HeartFlow Plaque Analysis, helping physicians better detect and treat coronary disease—supporting earlier intervention and more personalized care for patients.

This technology also improves patient experience with faster scans, lower radiation, and fewer medications needed during imaging.

More here: https://bit.ly/4uIqLLy

Cone Health brings highly advanced cardiac imaging to Annie Penn Hospital.

06/05/2026

Healthcare workers show up for our communities every day. On Day, we're recognizing the importance of creating safe environments for care teams and patients.

Promoting workplace safety is a shared responsibility. Through partnership, education, and community engagement, we can support healthcare teams, protect patients and visitors, and help foster safer communities for all.

Join us in standing up for safety, respect, and support for those who give and receive care every day.

Learn more: www.aha.org/HAVhope

06/04/2026

ECU Health is expanding its Graduate Medical Education rural residency tracks in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Pediatrics, supported by the University of North Carolina System.

In partnership with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, this expansion strengthens rural training opportunities and helps address long-standing physician shortages across Eastern North Carolina. By embedding residency experiences in rural hospitals and clinics, the program builds a stronger pipeline of physicians committed to serving the communities that need them most.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/430Msug

New training tracks in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Pediatrics will increase access to care in rural communities

06/03/2026

CaroMont Health is expanding access to cancer care in North Carolina with the start of construction on a new 125,000-square-foot cancer center in Gastonia.

The new center will bring medical oncology, radiation therapy, imaging, diagnostics and supportive services together in one connected space designed around patients and families. The facility is expected to double CaroMont Health’s oncology capacity and serve approximately 3,000 new cancer patients each year.

More here: https://bit.ly/4vhCKzK

The cancer center is part of CaroMont Health’s $200 million investment in oncology care — the second largest investment in the health system’s history. Once complete, the new facility will bring together medical oncology, radiation therapy, imaging, physician practices, laboratory, pharmacy an...

06/02/2026

A passion for medicine, and caring for others, runs in the family for siblings Mattie and Zach Harris.

This spring marks a major milestone for the pair as Mattie graduates from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and begins her emergency medicine residency at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, while Zach completes his anesthesiology residency training.

Their story highlights the mentorship, family support and next generation of physicians helping shape the future of healthcare in North Carolina. Real the full story here: https://bit.ly/4dIEEmL

For Mattie Harris and Zach Harris, medicine became more than a career path — it became a family bond.

06/01/2026

Access to care in rural communities continues to grow across the Carolinas.

Marlboro Family Practice and Urgent Care, part of the Scotland Physicians Network, has officially earned Rural Health Clinic designation — marking another milestone in Scotland Health Care System's efforts to strengthen primary and urgent care access across the region.

The practice is now the third SPN location to achieve Rural Health Clinic status and earned the designation with zero deficiencies identified during the survey process.

The designation helps support long-term sustainability for rural healthcare services while improving care coordination and access for patients closer to home throughout southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. More here: https://bit.ly/4fIHgCy

Marlboro Family Practice and Urgent Care, part of the Scotland Physicians Network (SPN), has officially received designation as a Rural Health Clinic (RHC)—continuing Scotland Health’s commitment to strengthening access to high-quality primary and urgent care services across the rural communitie...

05/29/2026

Granville Health System has received the 2026 IBCLC Care Award from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the International Lactation Consultant Association, recognizing the health system’s commitment to excellence in lactation care and breastfeeding support.

The recognition highlights the work of Granville Health System’s maternity and women’s health teams, including Certified Lactation Consultant Christine Smith, who provides education and support to families throughout their breastfeeding journey.

Programs like these play an important role in advancing maternal health, supporting new parents and improving outcomes for moms and babies across North Carolina. More: https://bit.ly/4faVFaC

Granville Health System has been recognized for excellence in lactation care with the 2026 IBCLC Care Award by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and the International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®). The award recognizes health care facilities that dem...

05/28/2026

Innovative care is making a difference in rural North Carolina. Scotland Health Care System's Scotland Health at Home program was recognized as a finalist for the 2026 American Hospital Association Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award for its work connecting patients to care beyond hospital walls.

Through community health workers and paramedics, the program helps reduce readmissions, improve maternal health outcomes and address barriers like transportation, food insecurity and access to primary care — bringing care directly into patients’ homes across the Laurinburg region.

More here: https://bit.ly/4wLz7U2

Scotland Health at Home began with one goal: Connect patients to treatment, no matter where they were.

05/28/2026

Mission Hospital brought together healthcare professionals, community organizations and local leaders for “Healing in Every Voice: A Conversation on Mental Well-Being” during Mental Health Awareness Month.

The discussion focused on mental health challenges in underserved communities, culturally responsive care and expanding support across Western North Carolina. Mission Hospital and the HCA Healthcare Foundation also presented a $25,000 grant to NAMI Western Carolina to support mental health education, advocacy and youth programming.

More: https://bit.ly/4tVjYwL

Mission Hospital hosted “Healing in Every Voice: A Conversation on Mental Well-Being” during Mental Health Awareness Month, uniting healthcare professionals, community organizations and local leaders to address mental health challenges and culturally responsive care in underserved communities.