Peak Wellness: A Guide to Medical Care and Healthcare in Surry County, NC
Surry County’s charming small towns and close-knit communities are home to an array of high-quality healthcare providers offering a full range of essential medical services right where they are needed most.
“As a regional healthcare provider with more than 1,000 staff members and hundreds of medical professionals, we are proud to offer advanced services while maintaining the personal connection that comes with being a community hospital,” says Robin Hodgin, interim president and CEO of Northern Regional Hospital.
For new and longtime residents alike, accessing comprehensive family medicine and specialized healthcare in Surry County, NC, has never been more seamless.
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Rooted in Community: Acute Care at Northern Regional
Founded in 1957, Northern Regional in Mount Airy has 133 beds and offers the northwest Piedmont region of North Carolina and neighboring counties in southwestern Virginia services including advanced imaging, surgery, rehabilitation, women’s health and specialty clinics. The organization also provides educational programs, screenings and partnerships with local organizations to promote wellness and prevention.
“Healthcare rooted in community is at the heart of everything we do,” Hodgin says. “We are proud to be part of Surry County, and look forward to continuing our mission of caring for our patients, our families and our neighbors.”
Proactive Care and Triad Clinic Expansions
Novant Health also has a long-standing presence in Surry County and continues to grow its primary and specialty care services across the region.
“As a healthcare system headquartered right here in the Triad, this is home for us,” says Alisha Hutchens, president of Novant Health’s acute care operations in the Triad and president of Novant Health Forsyth Medical CenterandNovant Health Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem.
Hutchens says the focus is on meeting patients where they live by expanding access to advanced, high-quality care in Surry and neighboring counties.
“Our approach is rooted in prevention – helping patients stay healthier by engaging with them earlier and reducing the need for hospitalizations down the road,” Hutchens says. “It’s all part of our strategy to make healthcare more accessible, proactive and impactful for the communities we serve.”
Recent expansions include adding a dedicated diabetes specialist at Novant Health Surry Medical Associates and significantly enhancing the Novant Health Cardiology clinic in Elkin. This completely reimagined clinic now features new specialty-trained clinicians, additional patient exam rooms and on-site diagnostic screening technology – all designed to bring expert cardiovascular care closer to home.
Investing for the Future
In 2025, Hugh Chatham Health – a not-for-profit community healthcare network of physician clinics, home health services and an 81-bed hospital – officially joined Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, part of Advocate Health.
“Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist was selected, in part, because of its long-standing commitment to rural healthcare,” says Danielle Marion, director of marketing for Hugh Chatham. “North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in the United States, with many located in and around the Yadkin Valley area.”
She says Atrium Health is investing $100 million to keep care local, supporting and expanding current clinical programs for women’s services, heart, vascular and cancer care.
A new electronic health record will facilitate seamless care coordination and help advance recruitment and retention of primary care and specialty care providers. Additionally, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will advance health and wellness priorities in the community through its $30 million investment to establish the Yadkin Valley Wellness Foundation.
Compassionate Connections: Community-Driven Hospice Care
Beyond its excellent acute care hospital providers, the county benefits from vital specialty services, including the comprehensive programs at Mountain Valley.
“Hospice care is about coming together as a team with a shared passion for quality of life, focusing on comfort, support and making the most of the time people have,” says Audrey Cassell, director of marketing and communications. “We rely heavily on volunteers and community support, which makes this truly a community-driven mission.”
Cassell says hospice isn’t about giving up but rather shifting the focus to what matters most. “When curative treatment is no longer the goal, our priority becomes helping patients live as fully and comfortably as possible, with dignity and meaning in each day,” Cassell says.
Hospice provides comprehensive support for the entire family.
“The impact we have on Surry County is deeply personal in our tight-knit community. We care for families in their homes, in our care centers and in long-term care settings, but it goes beyond the clinical work,” she says. “We support caregivers, walk with families through grief, and stay connected to the community through education and outreach. At its core, our work is about connection, compassion, and making sure no one feels alone.”
Defined by Purpose: Find a Healthcare Career in Surry County
Healthcare opportunities are diverse and growing in Surry County. “The need for compassionate, skilled providers continues to grow,” says Robin Hodgin, interim president and CEO for Northern Regional Hospital.
Whether someone is interested in nursing, allied health, administration or clinical specialties, there are many pathways to grow, she says.
Audrey Cassell, director of marketing and communications at Mountain Valley, says working for Mountain Valley offers an opportunity to build relationships and experience firsthand making a difference in someone’s life.
“As experienced clinicians retire and the need for compassionate professionals continues to grow, there’s a real opportunity to step into a role that’s both meaningful and deeply rewarding,” she says.
Alisha Hutchens, president of Novant Health’s acute care operations in the Triad, says healthcare is one of the most rewarding career paths. “We’re not just focused on recruiting new talent – we’re also investing in new career development programs,” she says. “Whether you’re interested in becoming a nurse, doctor, clinic administrator, phlebotomist or X-ray technician, there’s a place for you.”
Anyone considering a healthcare career in Surry County is stepping into a field defined by purpose, connection and a deep commitment to caring for others, says Danielle Marion, director of marketing for Hugh Chatham Health.
“It’s an inclusive environment,” she says. “People from all backgrounds, roles and experiences come together, united by a shared mission – to improve the health and well-being of the community.”
Get to Know Surry County
Want to learn more about living and working in Surry County, NC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Surry County, North Carolina.