Ten Thousand Visits

Written By: Josh Bryson, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation | Issue: September 2024

Blue Ridge Health, a federally qualified health center, has achieved a significant milestone by serving its 10,000th patient visit at their Highlands-Cashiers clinic. Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is extremely proud to recognize this accomplishment, as it reflects the Health Foundation’s commitment to supporting accessible and quality healthcare for all.

Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers opened in June of 2021. The clinic offers comprehensive care for individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, screenings, vaccinations, preventative care, testing for minor infections, mental and behavioral health services, nutrition services, and more.

“When the Health Foundation set out in 2019 to improve the health of our community, we immediately prioritized access to healthcare,” said Charlotte Muir, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. “Blue Ridge Health is an ideal partner for this as they serve all ages, all levels of income, and offer comprehensive care. We are incredibly proud to have made healthcare more accessible here on the Plateau and look forward to the future success of Blue Ridge Health.”

The Health Foundation’s support for primary care is especially important in our rural mountain communities, where access to healthcare is often limited. Barriers like transportation and financial resources can hinder individuals from receiving the necessary care they need. The recently published 2024 data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmap highlights the primary care needs in our region.

• One primary care physician is available for every 1,790 people in Macon County, well below the state and national averages (NC: 1 for every 1,410 residents; US: 1 for every 1,330 residents). Jackson County compares at one for every 1,400 residents.

• 16 percent of Jackson County and 15 percent of Macon County Adults are considered to be in poor or fair health, above the state and national averages (NC 14 percent, US 13 percent).

• 18 percent of Jackson County and 17 percent of Macon County residents are uninsured, compared to 12 percent in NC and 10 percent nationally.

These statistics are startling, but they show why the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation’s commitment to primary care is so vital. Access to healthcare is at the core of the Health Foundation’s mission to improve health and well-being across the Plateau. Partnerships with organizations like Blue Ridge Health are helping to ensure that all residents have access to high-quality, compassionate, and affordable healthcare.

To learn more about the impactful work of the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and their dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of residents in Highlands, Cashiers, and the surrounding communities, please visit their website at healthyplateau.org.

Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers is located on the third floor of the Jane Woodruff Clinic located at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital campus. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (828) 482-6160.