UNC Health Lenoir Teammates Receive Three UNC Health Impact Awards

Three UNC Health Lenoir teams and teammates have been recognized with UNC Health Impact Awards for making a positive difference in the care and support provided to patients.

Cardiac Rehabilitation — Clinic and Practice Impact Award: The UNC Health Lenoir Cardiac Rehabilitation team, including Brittney Howard, Katie Potter and Julia Daniel, Stephanie Creech, Sarah Uhlman, Dr. Alan Kirollos, and Dr. Gregory Gridley were recognized for making it easier for patients to participate in cardiac rehabilitation. The team added more class times, increased appointments, helped patients with transportation and added staff, equipment and exercise options. As a result, the number of patients completing cardiac rehabilitation more than doubled, from 77 in 2020 to 156 in 2025.

Holly White, RDN, LDN, CDCES — Quality Improvement for Respectful Care, Individual Award: White, UNC Health Lenoir’s Community Diabetes Wellness Coordinator, was recognized for helping patients better manage their diabetes through free education, nutrition counseling and wellness support. Patients who participated saw their average A1C, a measure of blood sugar control, improve from 9.7% to 7.6%.

UNC Health Lenoir Nursing Team — Nursing Excellence in Advancing Access to Care, Team Award: The UNC Health Lenoir Nursing Team was recognized for working together to prevent pressure injuries, which can happen when patients spend long periods in bed. Through regular checks, repositioning patients and working closely with wound care, therapy, nutrition and providers, the team helped reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries by 40% in one year.

“These awards are a reflection of the dedication our teammates bring to improving care for our patients every day,” said Derek Vestal, Vice President of Operations at UNC Health Lenoir. “We are incredibly proud to see their hard work and the difference they are making recognized across UNC Health.”