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SEARCH 2024 Annual Report
Welcome to the 5th SEARCH Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of our projects and events focused on the communities of...
searchwnc
Mar 31 min read
13 views


Healthcare Throughout the Lifespan: SEARCH Tackles Access Issues in Western North Carolina
by SEARCH Board member Sarah Melotte Image by Conrad Leavitt/Trillivision To address the critical issue of healthcare access in Western...
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20243 min read
67 views

SEARCH 2023 Annual Report
Welcome to the 4th Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of SEARCH's projects and events focused on the communities of Mitchell...
searchwnc
Mar 18, 20241 min read
63 views


Connecting and Sharing Healthcare Concerns and Resources in our Community
One of SEARCH’s missions is to connect: to create bridges between organizations and make healthcare information accessible to the public....
searchwnc
Jun 5, 20233 min read
117 views

SEARCH Events Are Springing Up! May 18 Community Forum Next
Spring has sprouted many opportunities to engage with our community: SEARCH's Homeplace and Hog Hollow Nonprofit Night, PATH's Burnsville...
searchwnc
Apr 27, 20232 min read
57 views

SEARCH 2022 Annual Report
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Report. We hope you'll read about the year and find ideas and images that show our work in and for the...
searchwnc
Feb 23, 20231 min read
182 views

Up Next: Phone Calls to Legislators As Over 150 Postcards Make Their Way to Raleigh
Last Thursday evening more than 40 community members joined SEARCH for a postcard-writing party at Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville. ...
searchwnc
Feb 1, 20232 min read
78 views

Take Action to Push Medicaid Expansion Over the Finish Line in 2023!
Show your love this Valentine's season by advocating for affordable healthcare for all North Carolinians SEARCH encourages our...
searchwnc
Jan 19, 20231 min read
31 views

Make 2023 the year that the N.C. Legislature votes to Expand Medicaid
Shockingly, North Carolina is one of only 11 states that has not expanded Medicaid. Recently, SEARCH attended a local presentation on...
searchwnc
Jan 17, 20232 min read
55 views

Mental Health Round Table Forms Strategies to Support Youth Following COVID Isolation & Stresses
In the spring of 2022, SEARCH’s Bring Summer Back Committee (BSB), which began as a collaborative partnership for fighting the COVID...
searchwnc
Oct 26, 20222 min read
63 views


September Meeting Highlights YMCA Plans and "Moms & Babies" Survey
Flowers were provided by SEARCH volunteer Sandra Saunders. Autumn was barely three hours old when we kicked off our second public meeting...
searchwnc
Oct 13, 20223 min read
25 views

SEARCH Invites You to a Presentation & Family Friendly Supper in Spruce Pine
RSVP to the SEPTEMBER 22 SEARCH Event HERE
searchwnc
Sep 6, 20221 min read
38 views

Public Comment Open on 3 Proposals for 67 New Hospital Beds in Buncombe County
Would you like to comment on the three applications that were submitted to provide 67 acute care hospital beds in Buncombe County to...
searchwnc
Jul 11, 20222 min read
104 views


A June SEARCH Party with a Purpose - Photos from the Burnsville Town Center
Photos by Jan Graham The June 16 SEARCH Party at the Burnsville Town Center got under way as guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments....
searchwnc
Jul 6, 20222 min read
43 views

Come to Our First Public Party in Two Years!
When: Thursday, June 16 Time: 7:00- 8:30pm Where: Burnsville Town Center (6 South Main Street, just below the Town Square) Who: SEARCH...
searchwnc
Jun 1, 20221 min read
120 views

The Independent Monitor Comes to Town
Recently ten SEARCHers (present or past board and committee members) met in-person in Spruce Pine with Tom Urban and Ginger Smith of the...
searchwnc
May 17, 20223 min read
55 views

A.G. Josh Stein's Asheville Roundtable on Hospital Consolidation Pivots to HCA Concerns
AG Josh Stein invited local leaders, healthcare advocates, health care providers, and elected officials to a round table in Asheville...
searchwnc
May 17, 20224 min read
93 views

SEARCH Gains Two New Board Members With Valuable Insights on Rural Healthcare
At their March meeting the Board of Directors of SEARCH welcomed two new members, both with valuable perspectives on rural healthcare....
searchwnc
Apr 4, 20222 min read
70 views

Dr. Liz Peverall Discusses the Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Breakthrough Cases
Dr. Liz Peverall recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to discuss why COVID-19 vaccines are extremely beneficial,...
searchwnc
Mar 30, 20221 min read
17 views

SEARCH's Bring Summer Back Group Remains an Effective Collaboration
Even as COVID numbers are falling, a committee formed a year ago to share information and resources continues to meet virtually, and the...
searchwnc
Mar 23, 20222 min read
37 views

Dr. Chad Smoker talks COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility & Safety for Children & Teens
Dr. Chad Smoker recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to talk about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and safety for...
searchwnc
Feb 9, 20221 min read
27 views

Local Family Medicine Physician Speaks About the Omicron Variant & Children
Last week, as part of the M-Y Health Matters podcast series produced by SEARCH and WKYK/WTOE Radio, Bruce Ikard interviewed Dr. Steve...
searchwnc
Jan 20, 20221 min read
25 views

VIDEO: SEARCH Hosts Ambulance Services Forum for Mitchell & Yancey Residents
We take ambulance service for granted in our area, but do we really know how it works? You may wonder what to expect when you call 911,...
searchwnc
Nov 29, 20219 min read
119 views

VIDEO: Yancey County Resident Shares Her Powerful Story as a COVID-19 Long Hauler
SEARCH Board Member Ed Seel recently sat down with Yancey County native Marilyn Woodby and recorded a powerful video detailing her...
searchwnc
Oct 14, 20211 min read
53 views

COVID Policies at Yancey Co. Schools featured in HuffPost Article, Local Radio, & Paper
Yancey County's own Sadie Kneidel was published in HuffPost on September 15th, expressing both her love of the public school system in...
searchwnc
Oct 6, 20212 min read
61 views

Current COVID Vaccine & Testing Availability in Mitchell & Yancey Counties
This list is current as of January 10, 2022, and is subject to change as availability varies. (Email any known changes to...
searchwnc
Sep 28, 20212 min read
207 views

Putting COVID Numbers and Vaccinations into a Meaningful Context
The Joint Commission's Department of Research has put together a series of infographics and a short video to help put the latest numbers...
searchwnc
Sep 22, 20211 min read
31 views

How Do I File A Complaint?
There have been many reports in various news outlets about concerns expressed about Mission Health. As a reader of SEARCH's newsletters...
searchwnc
May 14, 20212 min read
536 views

2021 Independent Monitor Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, April 7th
Register to attend the April 7, 2021, Virtual Independent Monitor Meeting
searchwnc
Mar 29, 20212 min read
66 views


Our Critical Access Hospital
In 2017 when we realized our local hospital was likely to lose Labor and Delivery services many of us started studying the history of how...
searchwnc
Feb 18, 20212 min read
60 views


An Infusion of Gratitude for Nurses
In recent weeks SEARCH has been showing an Infusion of Gratitude for the Nurses in our local healthcare systems for the work they have...
searchwnc
Jan 14, 20212 min read
41 views


Labor and Delivery in Rural Hospitals, some good news, some cause for concern.
Our communities would like to see Labor and Delivery reinstated at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
searchwnc
Oct 7, 20202 min read
62 views

Local Healthcare Issues Impact Us All — Here's how you can stay informed.
Keep abreast of health care developments in our region. Follow the SEARCH Facebook page.
searchwnc
Aug 18, 20201 min read
16 views


Census responses have great impact on local community
Would you trade 10 minutes of your time for more than $18,000?
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20203 min read
21 views


Residents of Mitchell and Yancey County express their concerns to the Independent Monitor
When members of SEARCH attended the Burnsville session of the Independent Monitor’s meeting to hear public comments about how things are...
searchwnc
Feb 21, 20204 min read
47 views

SEARCH 2024 Annual Report
Welcome to the 5th SEARCH Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of our projects and events focused on the communities of...
searchwnc
Mar 31 min read
13 views


Healthcare Throughout the Lifespan: SEARCH Tackles Access Issues in Western North Carolina
by SEARCH Board member Sarah Melotte Image by Conrad Leavitt/Trillivision To address the critical issue of healthcare access in Western...
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20243 min read
67 views

SEARCH 2023 Annual Report
Welcome to the 4th Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of SEARCH's projects and events focused on the communities of Mitchell...
searchwnc
Mar 18, 20241 min read
63 views


Connecting and Sharing Healthcare Concerns and Resources in our Community
One of SEARCH’s missions is to connect: to create bridges between organizations and make healthcare information accessible to the public....
searchwnc
Jun 5, 20233 min read
117 views

SEARCH Events Are Springing Up! May 18 Community Forum Next
Spring has sprouted many opportunities to engage with our community: SEARCH's Homeplace and Hog Hollow Nonprofit Night, PATH's Burnsville...
searchwnc
Apr 27, 20232 min read
57 views

SEARCH 2022 Annual Report
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Report. We hope you'll read about the year and find ideas and images that show our work in and for the...
searchwnc
Feb 23, 20231 min read
182 views

Up Next: Phone Calls to Legislators As Over 150 Postcards Make Their Way to Raleigh
Last Thursday evening more than 40 community members joined SEARCH for a postcard-writing party at Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville. ...
searchwnc
Feb 1, 20232 min read
78 views

Take Action to Push Medicaid Expansion Over the Finish Line in 2023!
Show your love this Valentine's season by advocating for affordable healthcare for all North Carolinians SEARCH encourages our...
searchwnc
Jan 19, 20231 min read
31 views

Make 2023 the year that the N.C. Legislature votes to Expand Medicaid
Shockingly, North Carolina is one of only 11 states that has not expanded Medicaid. Recently, SEARCH attended a local presentation on...
searchwnc
Jan 17, 20232 min read
55 views

Mental Health Round Table Forms Strategies to Support Youth Following COVID Isolation & Stresses
In the spring of 2022, SEARCH’s Bring Summer Back Committee (BSB), which began as a collaborative partnership for fighting the COVID...
searchwnc
Oct 26, 20222 min read
63 views


September Meeting Highlights YMCA Plans and "Moms & Babies" Survey
Flowers were provided by SEARCH volunteer Sandra Saunders. Autumn was barely three hours old when we kicked off our second public meeting...
searchwnc
Oct 13, 20223 min read
25 views

SEARCH Invites You to a Presentation & Family Friendly Supper in Spruce Pine
RSVP to the SEPTEMBER 22 SEARCH Event HERE
searchwnc
Sep 6, 20221 min read
38 views

Public Comment Open on 3 Proposals for 67 New Hospital Beds in Buncombe County
Would you like to comment on the three applications that were submitted to provide 67 acute care hospital beds in Buncombe County to...
searchwnc
Jul 11, 20222 min read
104 views


A June SEARCH Party with a Purpose - Photos from the Burnsville Town Center
Photos by Jan Graham The June 16 SEARCH Party at the Burnsville Town Center got under way as guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments....
searchwnc
Jul 6, 20222 min read
43 views

Come to Our First Public Party in Two Years!
When: Thursday, June 16 Time: 7:00- 8:30pm Where: Burnsville Town Center (6 South Main Street, just below the Town Square) Who: SEARCH...
searchwnc
Jun 1, 20221 min read
120 views

The Independent Monitor Comes to Town
Recently ten SEARCHers (present or past board and committee members) met in-person in Spruce Pine with Tom Urban and Ginger Smith of the...
searchwnc
May 17, 20223 min read
55 views

A.G. Josh Stein's Asheville Roundtable on Hospital Consolidation Pivots to HCA Concerns
AG Josh Stein invited local leaders, healthcare advocates, health care providers, and elected officials to a round table in Asheville...
searchwnc
May 17, 20224 min read
93 views

SEARCH Gains Two New Board Members With Valuable Insights on Rural Healthcare
At their March meeting the Board of Directors of SEARCH welcomed two new members, both with valuable perspectives on rural healthcare....
searchwnc
Apr 4, 20222 min read
70 views

Dr. Liz Peverall Discusses the Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Breakthrough Cases
Dr. Liz Peverall recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to discuss why COVID-19 vaccines are extremely beneficial,...
searchwnc
Mar 30, 20221 min read
17 views

SEARCH's Bring Summer Back Group Remains an Effective Collaboration
Even as COVID numbers are falling, a committee formed a year ago to share information and resources continues to meet virtually, and the...
searchwnc
Mar 23, 20222 min read
37 views

Dr. Chad Smoker talks COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility & Safety for Children & Teens
Dr. Chad Smoker recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to talk about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and safety for...
searchwnc
Feb 9, 20221 min read
27 views

Local Family Medicine Physician Speaks About the Omicron Variant & Children
Last week, as part of the M-Y Health Matters podcast series produced by SEARCH and WKYK/WTOE Radio, Bruce Ikard interviewed Dr. Steve...
searchwnc
Jan 20, 20221 min read
25 views

VIDEO: SEARCH Hosts Ambulance Services Forum for Mitchell & Yancey Residents
We take ambulance service for granted in our area, but do we really know how it works? You may wonder what to expect when you call 911,...
searchwnc
Nov 29, 20219 min read
119 views

VIDEO: Yancey County Resident Shares Her Powerful Story as a COVID-19 Long Hauler
SEARCH Board Member Ed Seel recently sat down with Yancey County native Marilyn Woodby and recorded a powerful video detailing her...
searchwnc
Oct 14, 20211 min read
53 views

COVID Policies at Yancey Co. Schools featured in HuffPost Article, Local Radio, & Paper
Yancey County's own Sadie Kneidel was published in HuffPost on September 15th, expressing both her love of the public school system in...
searchwnc
Oct 6, 20212 min read
61 views

Current COVID Vaccine & Testing Availability in Mitchell & Yancey Counties
This list is current as of January 10, 2022, and is subject to change as availability varies. (Email any known changes to...
searchwnc
Sep 28, 20212 min read
207 views

Putting COVID Numbers and Vaccinations into a Meaningful Context
The Joint Commission's Department of Research has put together a series of infographics and a short video to help put the latest numbers...
searchwnc
Sep 22, 20211 min read
31 views

How Do I File A Complaint?
There have been many reports in various news outlets about concerns expressed about Mission Health. As a reader of SEARCH's newsletters...
searchwnc
May 14, 20212 min read
536 views

2021 Independent Monitor Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, April 7th
Register to attend the April 7, 2021, Virtual Independent Monitor Meeting
searchwnc
Mar 29, 20212 min read
66 views


Our Critical Access Hospital
In 2017 when we realized our local hospital was likely to lose Labor and Delivery services many of us started studying the history of how...
searchwnc
Feb 18, 20212 min read
60 views


An Infusion of Gratitude for Nurses
In recent weeks SEARCH has been showing an Infusion of Gratitude for the Nurses in our local healthcare systems for the work they have...
searchwnc
Jan 14, 20212 min read
41 views


Labor and Delivery in Rural Hospitals, some good news, some cause for concern.
Our communities would like to see Labor and Delivery reinstated at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
searchwnc
Oct 7, 20202 min read
62 views

Local Healthcare Issues Impact Us All — Here's how you can stay informed.
Keep abreast of health care developments in our region. Follow the SEARCH Facebook page.
searchwnc
Aug 18, 20201 min read
16 views


Census responses have great impact on local community
Would you trade 10 minutes of your time for more than $18,000?
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20203 min read
21 views


Residents of Mitchell and Yancey County express their concerns to the Independent Monitor
When members of SEARCH attended the Burnsville session of the Independent Monitor’s meeting to hear public comments about how things are...
searchwnc
Feb 21, 20204 min read
47 views

SEARCH 2024 Annual Report
Welcome to the 5th SEARCH Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of our projects and events focused on the communities of...
searchwnc
Mar 31 min read
13 views


Healthcare Throughout the Lifespan: SEARCH Tackles Access Issues in Western North Carolina
by SEARCH Board member Sarah Melotte Image by Conrad Leavitt/Trillivision To address the critical issue of healthcare access in Western...
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20243 min read
67 views

SEARCH 2023 Annual Report
Welcome to the 4th Annual Report. Within it you'll find a review of SEARCH's projects and events focused on the communities of Mitchell...
searchwnc
Mar 18, 20241 min read
63 views


Connecting and Sharing Healthcare Concerns and Resources in our Community
One of SEARCH’s missions is to connect: to create bridges between organizations and make healthcare information accessible to the public....
searchwnc
Jun 5, 20233 min read
117 views

SEARCH Events Are Springing Up! May 18 Community Forum Next
Spring has sprouted many opportunities to engage with our community: SEARCH's Homeplace and Hog Hollow Nonprofit Night, PATH's Burnsville...
searchwnc
Apr 27, 20232 min read
57 views

SEARCH 2022 Annual Report
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Report. We hope you'll read about the year and find ideas and images that show our work in and for the...
searchwnc
Feb 23, 20231 min read
182 views

Up Next: Phone Calls to Legislators As Over 150 Postcards Make Their Way to Raleigh
Last Thursday evening more than 40 community members joined SEARCH for a postcard-writing party at Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville. ...
searchwnc
Feb 1, 20232 min read
78 views

Take Action to Push Medicaid Expansion Over the Finish Line in 2023!
Show your love this Valentine's season by advocating for affordable healthcare for all North Carolinians SEARCH encourages our...
searchwnc
Jan 19, 20231 min read
31 views

Make 2023 the year that the N.C. Legislature votes to Expand Medicaid
Shockingly, North Carolina is one of only 11 states that has not expanded Medicaid. Recently, SEARCH attended a local presentation on...
searchwnc
Jan 17, 20232 min read
55 views

Mental Health Round Table Forms Strategies to Support Youth Following COVID Isolation & Stresses
In the spring of 2022, SEARCH’s Bring Summer Back Committee (BSB), which began as a collaborative partnership for fighting the COVID...
searchwnc
Oct 26, 20222 min read
63 views


September Meeting Highlights YMCA Plans and "Moms & Babies" Survey
Flowers were provided by SEARCH volunteer Sandra Saunders. Autumn was barely three hours old when we kicked off our second public meeting...
searchwnc
Oct 13, 20223 min read
25 views

SEARCH Invites You to a Presentation & Family Friendly Supper in Spruce Pine
RSVP to the SEPTEMBER 22 SEARCH Event HERE
searchwnc
Sep 6, 20221 min read
38 views

Public Comment Open on 3 Proposals for 67 New Hospital Beds in Buncombe County
Would you like to comment on the three applications that were submitted to provide 67 acute care hospital beds in Buncombe County to...
searchwnc
Jul 11, 20222 min read
104 views


A June SEARCH Party with a Purpose - Photos from the Burnsville Town Center
Photos by Jan Graham The June 16 SEARCH Party at the Burnsville Town Center got under way as guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments....
searchwnc
Jul 6, 20222 min read
43 views

Come to Our First Public Party in Two Years!
When: Thursday, June 16 Time: 7:00- 8:30pm Where: Burnsville Town Center (6 South Main Street, just below the Town Square) Who: SEARCH...
searchwnc
Jun 1, 20221 min read
120 views

The Independent Monitor Comes to Town
Recently ten SEARCHers (present or past board and committee members) met in-person in Spruce Pine with Tom Urban and Ginger Smith of the...
searchwnc
May 17, 20223 min read
55 views

A.G. Josh Stein's Asheville Roundtable on Hospital Consolidation Pivots to HCA Concerns
AG Josh Stein invited local leaders, healthcare advocates, health care providers, and elected officials to a round table in Asheville...
searchwnc
May 17, 20224 min read
93 views

SEARCH Gains Two New Board Members With Valuable Insights on Rural Healthcare
At their March meeting the Board of Directors of SEARCH welcomed two new members, both with valuable perspectives on rural healthcare....
searchwnc
Apr 4, 20222 min read
70 views

Dr. Liz Peverall Discusses the Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Breakthrough Cases
Dr. Liz Peverall recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to discuss why COVID-19 vaccines are extremely beneficial,...
searchwnc
Mar 30, 20221 min read
17 views

SEARCH's Bring Summer Back Group Remains an Effective Collaboration
Even as COVID numbers are falling, a committee formed a year ago to share information and resources continues to meet virtually, and the...
searchwnc
Mar 23, 20222 min read
37 views

Dr. Chad Smoker talks COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility & Safety for Children & Teens
Dr. Chad Smoker recently sat down with Mountain Community Health Partnership to talk about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and safety for...
searchwnc
Feb 9, 20221 min read
27 views

Local Family Medicine Physician Speaks About the Omicron Variant & Children
Last week, as part of the M-Y Health Matters podcast series produced by SEARCH and WKYK/WTOE Radio, Bruce Ikard interviewed Dr. Steve...
searchwnc
Jan 20, 20221 min read
25 views

VIDEO: SEARCH Hosts Ambulance Services Forum for Mitchell & Yancey Residents
We take ambulance service for granted in our area, but do we really know how it works? You may wonder what to expect when you call 911,...
searchwnc
Nov 29, 20219 min read
119 views

VIDEO: Yancey County Resident Shares Her Powerful Story as a COVID-19 Long Hauler
SEARCH Board Member Ed Seel recently sat down with Yancey County native Marilyn Woodby and recorded a powerful video detailing her...
searchwnc
Oct 14, 20211 min read
53 views

COVID Policies at Yancey Co. Schools featured in HuffPost Article, Local Radio, & Paper
Yancey County's own Sadie Kneidel was published in HuffPost on September 15th, expressing both her love of the public school system in...
searchwnc
Oct 6, 20212 min read
61 views

Current COVID Vaccine & Testing Availability in Mitchell & Yancey Counties
This list is current as of January 10, 2022, and is subject to change as availability varies. (Email any known changes to...
searchwnc
Sep 28, 20212 min read
207 views

Putting COVID Numbers and Vaccinations into a Meaningful Context
The Joint Commission's Department of Research has put together a series of infographics and a short video to help put the latest numbers...
searchwnc
Sep 22, 20211 min read
31 views

How Do I File A Complaint?
There have been many reports in various news outlets about concerns expressed about Mission Health. As a reader of SEARCH's newsletters...
searchwnc
May 14, 20212 min read
536 views

2021 Independent Monitor Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, April 7th
Register to attend the April 7, 2021, Virtual Independent Monitor Meeting
searchwnc
Mar 29, 20212 min read
66 views


Our Critical Access Hospital
In 2017 when we realized our local hospital was likely to lose Labor and Delivery services many of us started studying the history of how...
searchwnc
Feb 18, 20212 min read
60 views


An Infusion of Gratitude for Nurses
In recent weeks SEARCH has been showing an Infusion of Gratitude for the Nurses in our local healthcare systems for the work they have...
searchwnc
Jan 14, 20212 min read
41 views


Labor and Delivery in Rural Hospitals, some good news, some cause for concern.
Our communities would like to see Labor and Delivery reinstated at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
searchwnc
Oct 7, 20202 min read
62 views

Local Healthcare Issues Impact Us All — Here's how you can stay informed.
Keep abreast of health care developments in our region. Follow the SEARCH Facebook page.
searchwnc
Aug 18, 20201 min read
16 views


Census responses have great impact on local community
Would you trade 10 minutes of your time for more than $18,000?
searchwnc
Jul 29, 20203 min read
21 views


Residents of Mitchell and Yancey County express their concerns to the Independent Monitor
When members of SEARCH attended the Burnsville session of the Independent Monitor’s meeting to hear public comments about how things are...
searchwnc
Feb 21, 20204 min read
47 views
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