Luminarias atop Grandfather Mountain

Health roundup: Top hospitals, NC children’s health outcomes worsen

Three Western North Carolina hospitals were named among the best in the country in Healthgrades’ 2021 America’s Best Hospitals. The 2021 Child Health Report Card shows the state failing in several areas, including mental health, substance use, birth outcomes and housing and economic security. Plus more health and wellness news in this week’s roundup.

Biz Briefs: Mountain BizWorks, Dogwood Health Trust team up for PPP 2.0

PPP 2.0 Help is at hand for qualifying local businesses seeking to access federal pandemic relief funding. In partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, Mountain BizWorks has opened the application process for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program awards. As with the first round of funding, DHT is committing $2 million to enable Mountain BizWorks […]

Richard Houck, Fred Jones and José McLoughlin

Wellness in brief: Dogwood Health Trust shifts board makeup

Retired Rear Adm. Richard Houck of Transylvania County, attorney Fred Jones of Macon County and Bishop José McLoughlin of Henderson County will join the board of Western North Carolina’s largest nonprofit as Buncombe County’s Dr. John Ball departs. The change fulfills requirements stipulated in N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein’s approval of Mission Health’s sale to HCA Healthcare.

CommunityLab testing facility

Wellness in brief: WCRM offers Code Purple shelter

The COVID-19 pandemic forces local organizations that serve individuals experiencing homelessness to develop new strategies for the coldest winter nights. The Campaign for Southern Equality reports on health care access for Black transgender residents in the South. A new sensory mindfulness garden at the Buncombe County Courthouse is a peaceful oasis for those accessing the Veterans Treatment Court and other courthouse users.