Gary Paxson, President & CEO, UNC Health Blue Ridge

In an interview with Invest:, Gary Paxson, president and CEO of UNC Health Blue Ridge, discussed expansion, investment in innovation, and current trends in patient behavior. “Ultimately, our goal is to build a healthcare system that is clinically strong, financially sustainable, and positioned to meet the evolving needs of Western North Carolina,” Paxson added.

UNC Health Blue Ridge expanded its Morganton campus and strengthened its role as a Level III trauma center. How is that changing the care you can provide locally? 

At the end of the day, it’s about elevating the level of care available in our region. The expansion of our Morganton campus and our Level III Trauma Center designation have strengthened our ability to treat patients with serious injuries and complex medical conditions more quickly and more effectively. That means faster intervention, fewer transfers, and greater coordination among specialists when minutes matter most.

The patient is the why behind everything we do. These investments align directly with our mission, “Your Health, Our Priority, Our Passion, Our Privilege.” They allow us to deliver a higher level of care, improve outcomes, and provide patients and families with confidence that exceptional care is available right here in Western North Carolina.

UNC Health is increasing its investment in healthcare innovation and startups. How can regional health systems benefit from that broader innovation ecosystem? 

Innovation is not just about technology. It’s about solving real problems for patients and caregivers. Being part of UNC Health gives us access to emerging technologies, new care models, and strategic partnerships that we could not develop alone.

It also allows us to help shape innovations from a community healthcare perspective, ensuring new solutions are practical, scalable, and focused on improving outcomes. As those innovations mature, our patients benefit from earlier access to advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and care delivery, while our teams gain tools that help them work more efficiently and effectively.

Most importantly, innovation can help patients recover faster, spend less time in the hospital, and get back to the people, activities, and milestones that matter most in their lives. That’s how we define success, using innovation to improve health outcomes and enhance the patient experience.

What are you seeing in patient behavior, particularly around demand for emergency, specialty, behavioral health, and outpatient care?

Patients today are more informed, more engaged, and more focused on convenience than ever before. They expect timely appointments, coordinated care, and digital tools that make healthcare easier to navigate.

We’re seeing significant growth in demand for specialty care, behavioral health services, and outpatient care options, while emergency departments are caring for patients with increasingly complex needs. That shift is driving our investments in physician recruitment, expanded service lines, and improved access points across the region. Healthcare is becoming more consumer-driven, and we’re adapting to meet those expectations while maintaining a strong focus on quality and outcomes.

What investments or capabilities will be most important for UNC Health Blue Ridge to remain a leading healthcare provider and economic anchor for Western North Carolina?

The organizations that will thrive in the future are those that successfully invest in people, technology, and strategic partnerships.

For us, that starts with attracting and retaining outstanding physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals. It also means leveraging technology and data to improve the patient experience, enhance quality, and support more efficient care delivery. Through our partnership with UNC Health, we can continue expanding specialized services and bringing additional expertise to our region.

Ultimately, our goal is to build a healthcare system that is clinically strong, financially sustainable, and positioned to meet the evolving needs of Western North Carolina. When we do that well, we not only improve the health of our communities, but also contribute to the economic vitality and growth of the region.