UNC Health Blue Ridge Desginated Trauma Center
MORGANTON, N.C. (May 20, 2025)
After more than a year of preparation, UNC Health Blue Ridge has received a one-year designation as a Level 3 Trauma Center.
“This milestone means our community and patients will no longer face the challenge of accessing quality trauma care due to distance and time,” said Gary Paxson, President and CEO. “We are equipped to provide emergency care and stabilization for patients with traumatic injuries. Our trauma team can handle a wide range of injuries and is prepared to transfer patients to higher-level centers if necessary, allowing for comprehensive care for all.”
As the only Level 3 Trauma Center in this region, UNC Health Blue Ridge is uniquely positioned to offer advanced trauma services close to home. The trauma center designation is a process outlined and developed with the NC Office of Emergency Services.
“We are thrilled to achieve this designation, which reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in trauma care,” said Kaylee Pittman, RN, Trauma Program Manager. “Our team has worked tirelessly to meet the rigorous standards required for Level 3 status, and we are proud to offer these enhanced services to our community.”
According to the NC Office of Emergency Services, which administers the designation, a Level 3 trauma center provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency operations, and stabilization for patients with traumatic injuries. They also arrange for transfer to a facility that can provide definitive trauma care when needed. Level 3 centers typically serve communities that may not have easy access to a Level I or II center, offering a critical role in many areas.
”Thank you to the trauma team for their dedication and hard work behind the scenes to get this designation,” said Ann Pohl, Chief Nursing Officer. “This designation is a testament to the skill and dedication of our trauma team. This status improves health outcomes in our community, reducing the need for long-distance travel for critical care. We are proud to be able to offer our community access to the highest quality trauma care, right here at UNC Health Blue Ridge.”
The next closest Level 3 trauma centers are Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby and Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. A level 2 trauma center is located at Mission Health in Asheville while level 1 trauma centers are located in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
UNC Health Blue Ridge (www.unchealthblueridge.org) is a not-for-profit community healthcare system, providing advanced healthcare and wellness services from more than 50 locations across a three-county region of Western North Carolina. We are the only Level III Trauma Center in the region, offering advanced trauma services close to home. The system includes one hospital with two locations and a continuing care retirement community. Nearly 150 primary care physicians, physician specialists, and extenders in the Blue Ridge Medical Group combine with other physicians on the Medical Staff to serve patients in the region. UNC Health Blue Ridge provides graduate medical education programs for medical school graduates and students in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. UNCBR is affiliated with UNC Health System (www.unchealthcare.org), a not-for-profit integrated healthcare system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill.
