It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting North Carolina Executive Mansion in Center, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Center, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
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“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pleasant Park in Center, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Capital Grille or visit Bennett Place, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Center, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Center, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Center, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson called on state regulators Tuesday to require prospective data center developers to shoulder more of the cost for the additional power they’ll need — or to produce more of it themselves through renewable energy.The N.C. Utilities Commission has been working for months with Duke Energy and other stakeholders to iron out how data centers should be charged for the power they need. On Oct. 7, Duke announced the group had reached an agreement on a large-load tarif...
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson called on state regulators Tuesday to require prospective data center developers to shoulder more of the cost for the additional power they’ll need — or to produce more of it themselves through renewable energy.
The N.C. Utilities Commission has been working for months with Duke Energy and other stakeholders to iron out how data centers should be charged for the power they need. On Oct. 7, Duke announced the group had reached an agreement on a large-load tariff on data centers, as well as requirements that data centers pay for any grid upgrades needed, like transmission lines and substations.
According to the N.C. Department of Justice, Amazon, Meta affiliate Andale LLC, Google and Microsoft have all agreed to the deal, along with the United States Department of Defense and all other federal agencies.
The Utilities Commission still has to vote to approve the proposed agreement.
Stein called the proposal “a step in the right direction,” but said it’s inadequate because it doesn’t require data center owners to help pay for any new power plants the state will have to build to supply their needs.
“The overall rate of load growth projected in the next 15 years is at least five times what it was in the previous 20 years,” Stein said. ”Data centers make up about 80% of that future projected energy demand,” Stein said.
Stein said a new report produced by the state’s Energy Policy Task Force found that by 2050, the additional power that data centers will need is projected to cost North Carolina about $50 billion.
“If nothing changes, then we’re all going to end up having to pay for that in our electricity bills. It is absolutely unacceptable,” Stein said.
The governor also urged the commission to consider requiring data centers to “build or bring their own clean energy.” In other states, he said, tech giants like Meta, Google and Amazon have agreed to build or fund hundreds of megawatts of wind, solar and battery storage projects to offset their power needs.
“If just half of the new large customers directly pay for or bring the clean energy that they need and operate that flexibly, it will save ratepayers $20 billion,” Stein said. “There is no reason why the largest, wealthiest companies in the history of the world cannot be required to pay for the energy generation and transmission costs that they put onto the system.”
Jackson also urged the commission to approve the deal as a starting point. But he suggested that a large-load tariff might not be sufficient. He said regulators should consider creating an entirely new rate class for large data centers, which he said would better ensure they pay their share.
“We have residential, we have commercial, we have industrial, but really these data centers exist as a separate category because of the sheer amount of energy” they need, Jackson said.
“The Utilities Commission has not rendered a final judgment here yet. So while there is still time on the clock, the governor and I are making our case to the Utilities Commission to have strong defenses for families and your average ratepayer to make sure that costs are not shifted onto them,” Jackson said.
Asked for comment, Duke Energy spokesperson Bill Norton didn’t specifically address Stein’s and Jackson’s recommendations.
“Powering the demands of a growing state at the lowest possible cost requires balanced, diverse energy sources and is at the heart of the Carolinas Resource Plan and our recent settlement on a large load tariff,” Norton said in an email. “We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Stein, the North Carolina Utilities Commission, and other engaged partners on clean energy programs that can benefit all customers.”
No date has been set yet for the Utilities Commission to act on the proposed deal.
Ocean overwash was once again reported near the Pea Island Visitor Center during Friday morning’s high tide, as N.C. Highway 12 remains closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge at Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, with no estimated reopening date.The latest overwash occurred around the 6 a.m. high tide Friday, Oct. 23, along the same stretch of highway where repeated coastal storms have caused extensive pavement damage and destroyed protective dunes over the past month.No new ocean overwash was reported elsewhere on Hatteras Isla...
Ocean overwash was once again reported near the Pea Island Visitor Center during Friday morning’s high tide, as N.C. Highway 12 remains closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge at Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, with no estimated reopening date.
The latest overwash occurred around the 6 a.m. high tide Friday, Oct. 23, along the same stretch of highway where repeated coastal storms have caused extensive pavement damage and destroyed protective dunes over the past month.
No new ocean overwash was reported elsewhere on Hatteras Island Friday morning, although lingering flooding and standing water were reported along portions of N.C. 12 in the Tri-Villages and southern Hatteras Island on Thursday evening.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported Thursday evening that no additional pavement damage had been observed during the day, but crews had been unable to begin rebuilding protective dunes near the Pea Island Visitor Center because of tidal conditions.
Meanwhile, emergency ferry service between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point continues to provide a temporary transportation connection between Hatteras Island and the mainland, while Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency for Dare and Hyde counties and requested federal assistance for N.C. 12 repairs.
NCDOT crews are waiting for ocean overwash and elevated tides to subside before they can fully assess the damage near the Pea Island Visitor Center and determine what repairs will be necessary to restore traffic.
The department previously reported that approximately 800 feet of pavement had been damaged and more than 1,800 feet of protective dunes had been lost near the visitor center. Additional pavement damage and dune loss were reported Wednesday night, although updated measurements have not been released.
Crews plan to begin rebuilding the protective dunes as tidal conditions allow.
The latest damage follows a late-September nor’easter that damaged approximately 1,000 feet of pavement near the same location, forcing NCDOT to construct a temporary roadway detour before two lanes of traffic reopened Oct. 3.
This marks the second time in less than a month that the highway has sustained significant damage near the visitor center, resulting in prolonged closures and the activation of emergency ferry service.
According to the latest National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City briefing, issued Thursday, ocean swell generated by distant Subtropical Storm Josephine is gradually decreasing, although coastal flooding and overwash may continue in vulnerable areas.
The NWS emphasized that the extensive erosion caused by the prolonged coastal storm has left protective dunes along Hatteras Island increasingly susceptible to additional impacts, even as ocean swell subsides.
“Substantial erosion continues with major overwash around Pea Island Visitor Center,” the NWS stated in its Thursday briefing.
High tide occurred around 6 a.m. Friday, with the next high tide expected around 6 p.m. Another high tide is forecast for approximately 6:30 a.m. Saturday.
The NWS previously reported moderate oceanside coastal flooding along vulnerable portions of Hatteras Island, with water levels of 2 to 4 feet above ground level.
Forecasters also cautioned that continued coastal flooding and highway closures could leave Hatteras Island residents isolated for multiple days, potentially creating serious challenges during emergencies.
Thursday’s briefing was the final scheduled NWS briefing on Josephine unless changing forecast conditions warrant another update.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties and called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide emergency relief assistance for repairs to N.C. 12 following the back-to-back coastal storms.
The declaration is intended to help coordinate the state’s response and support its request for federal assistance to restore highway access.
“NC 12 is essential, so I’m asking our federal partners to support immediate repairs and work with us to accelerate longer-term solutions for this vital stretch of highway,” Stein said.
The governor also emphasized the importance of reliable highway access for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, where repeated road closures have disrupted transportation and access to essential services.
The state is seeking federal emergency relief funding for eligible repairs, although approval of that assistance has not yet been announced.
More information is available in the governor’s Thursday announcement.
The emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point remains operational Friday, providing a temporary transportation connection between Hatteras Island and the mainland while N.C. 12 remains closed.
The route was activated Thursday morning and operates with three vessels on a 24-hour schedule. Each one-way crossing takes approximately two hours.
Friday departures from Rodanthe to Stumpy Point are scheduled for 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m.
Departures from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe are scheduled for 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m.
Ferry capacity remains limited, and travelers should expect extended waits and possible schedule changes due to weather and marine conditions.
Dare County’s state of emergency and mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island visitors remain in effect. Visitors are not permitted to enter the island, although those currently on Hatteras Island may use the emergency ferry to leave.
Rodanthe-bound ferry travel is restricted to individuals who qualify under Dare County’s authorized reentry categories, including permanent residents, essential personnel, eligible property owners, and employees of Hatteras Island businesses.
Eligible Hyde County residents may also use the emergency ferry to travel through Hatteras Island to Ocracoke.
The Stumpy Point emergency ferry terminal is located at 100 Log Storage Road, and the Rodanthe terminal is located at 23170 Myrna Peters Road.
Additional information about ferry operations is available through NCDOT’s emergency ferry announcement.
N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island remains open and passable, despite minor ocean overwash earlier in the week.
NCDOT reported Thursday that crews were able to reinforce protective dunes along the highway on Ocracoke, helping to protect the roadway from additional ocean impacts.
Limited ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke also continues, along with service between Ocracoke Village and the mainland via Cedar Island and Swan Quarter.
Travelers are encouraged to check current ferry schedules before departing, as weather and marine conditions may affect operations.
For current road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov. Ferry information is available by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY, while updates on Hatteras Island reentry restrictions and storm conditions are available at DareNC.gov/Storm.
The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at Campbell University is celebrating another successful year of pharmacy residency placements, with graduates achieving a 91 percent residency match rate, surpassing the national average of 84 percent.The strong outcome reflects the continued success of Campbell’s Doctor of Pharmacy program in preparing graduates for advanced postgraduate training and professional practice. Pharmacy residencies provide intensive clinical experiences that allow pharmacists to further develop their sk...
The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at Campbell University is celebrating another successful year of pharmacy residency placements, with graduates achieving a 91 percent residency match rate, surpassing the national average of 84 percent.
The strong outcome reflects the continued success of Campbell’s Doctor of Pharmacy program in preparing graduates for advanced postgraduate training and professional practice. Pharmacy residencies provide intensive clinical experiences that allow pharmacists to further develop their skills in patient care, leadership, research and specialized areas of practice.
“This exceptional match rate is a testament to the hard work, determination and professionalism of our students, as well as the dedication of our faculty and preceptors who are committed to providing an exemplary educational experience,” said Dr. Beth Mills, chair of Pharmacy Practice. “We are incredibly proud of our graduates and excited to see the impact they will make as they continue their training and serve patients in communities across the country.”
Members of the Class of 2026 secured Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) residency positions at healthcare organizations across the nation, while members of the Class of 2025 earned Postgraduate Year Two (PGY2) residency placements that will allow them to pursue advanced specialty training.
The residency match results continue a long tradition of success for Campbell pharmacy graduates and underscore the College’s commitment to preparing practice-ready pharmacists equipped to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients and communities.
The following graduates agreed to be recognized for their residency placements.
Pharmacy Residencies (July 1, 2026 thru June 30, 2027)
| Class of 2026 | |||
| Name | Residency Location | Type of Residency | |
| Blue, Kristen | Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC | PGY1-Community | |
| Bunting, Madison | Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC | PGY1 -Community, Healthwise | |
| Carswell, Morgan | Novant Health Specialty Pharmacy, Winston-Salem, NC | PGY 1-Community (Charlotte) | |
| Caskey, Brittany | VA Coastal HCS, Fayetteville, NC | PGY1 | |
| Collinsworth, Megan | Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC | PGY1-Ambulatory Care Electives | |
| Danks, Christopher | ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, NC | PGY1 | |
| Draper, Logan | Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Lumberton, NC | PGY1 | |
| Fowler, Parker | Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC | PGY1-Traditional | |
| Gillett, Gabrielle | Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC | PGY1 | |
| Herman, Amanda | WakedMed Health and Hospitals, Raleigh, NC | PGY1 | |
| Hester, Makenzie | Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC | PGY1-Acute Care Electives | |
| Holder, Kasey | Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC | PGY1-Acute Care Electives | |
| Hooker, Jayana | Johnston Health, Smithfield, NC | PGY1 | |
| Kearney, Rayquelle | VA-Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA | PGY1 | |
| Kucko, Nicholas | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO | PGY1 | |
| Long, Alexander | Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, NC | PGY1 | |
| Prieve, Mason | Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea and Austin, Austin, MN | PGY1 | |
| Propst, Susan | VA-Asheville, NC-Western NC VAHCS, Asheville, NC | PGY1 | |
| Roccanova, Jason | Mohawk Valley Health System, Utica, NY | PGY1 | |
| Scovel-Gepfert, Ashley | Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, NC | PGY1 | |
| Skillen Jr., James | ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, NC | PGY1 | |
| Vinson, Quanshaul | The John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD | PGY1 & PGY2 Health System Administration, Leadership Masters | |
| Wheeler, Alnisha | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC | PGY1-Community | |
| Wyatt, Kensley | UNC Rex, Raleigh, NC | PGY1 | |
| Class of 2025 | ||
| Name | Residency Location | Type of Residency |
| Lewis, Lauryn | Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC | PGY 2 Internal Medicine |
| Munroe, Hannah | Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC | PGY2-Emergency Medicine |
| Vadlapudi, Sri Siva Sai Sankalp | Regional One Health, Memphis, TN | PGY 2 Ambulatory Care |
Note: A few members of the Class of 2026 and of the Class of 2025 who matched with residency programs elected not to be listed.
Source: Google Street ViewAfter 20 months of planning, building and preparation, JOY Community Center in Greenville is inviting the public to see what it calls North Carolina's first brick-and-mortar free dental clinic. The nonprofit has scheduled an open house for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at its building on 700 Albemarle Street, where visitors can tour the new space, meet the staff, and find out how to volunteer or donate.The clinic's stated mission, according to WCTI, is to help people experie...
Source: Google Street View
After 20 months of planning, building and preparation, JOY Community Center in Greenville is inviting the public to see what it calls North Carolina's first brick-and-mortar free dental clinic. The nonprofit has scheduled an open house for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at its building on 700 Albemarle Street, where visitors can tour the new space, meet the staff, and find out how to volunteer or donate.
The clinic's stated mission, according to WCTI, is to help people experiencing dental pain and to address other health concerns tied to oral problems. JOY describes the facility as the state's first brick-and-mortar free dental clinic, a framing the organization itself has promoted as the project nears its public debut. The open house will give neighbors a chance to look inside the building after nearly two years of groundwork.
JOY's dental effort didn't begin with a finished building. Back in March 2025, the center opened its doors for the first time to provide free dental exams to community members in need, according to WITN. That launch came after ECU orthodontist Dennis Ross donated a dental chair to JOY and offered his own time and expertise to run screenings, the station reported. At the time, WITN noted that the ECU dental clinic was eventually expected to hold appointment slots for JOY patients based on evaluations done at the center.
Around the same period, a separate report from WNCT described the operation as already screening patients and mostly stocked with equipment and supplies, though still awaiting an X-ray machine. That station said the clinic had helped several people dealing with chipped teeth. The dossier does not make clear whether that earlier screening effort is the same operation now opening as the finished brick-and-mortar clinic, or how the two phases of the project connect.
JOY's clinic is arriving in a state where dental access has long been strained. A 2020 report from North Carolina Health News found that residents in 98 of the state's 100 counties lived in federally designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, while a 2024 North Carolina Medical Journal article put the figure at 97 of 100 counties. The same 2020 report estimated that, as of September 2019, roughly 2.4 million North Carolinians struggled to get adequate dental care, and identified cost as the leading national barrier to adult dental access.
More recent data underscores the disparity. More than one in four North Carolina adults between ages 20 and 64 have untreated tooth decay, according to a guide published by Enlace Latino NC. That same guide reported that untreated dental disease affects 42% of African American adults and 36% of Hispanic adults in the state, compared with 22% of white adults. The number of practicing dentists in North Carolina climbed from 2,207 in 1979 to 5,112 in 2017, per North Carolina Health News, though the state's dentist-to-population ratio has remained below the national average.
JOY is not the only option for North Carolinians seeking no-cost dental help, though it fills a specific niche. Access East lists a free clinic located inside JOY Community Center and Soup Kitchen on Albemarle Avenue, and says patients from surrounding counties may be seen there as well, provided they lack health insurance. Statewide, the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics reported 17 member clinics providing dental care directly and 22 more referring patients out to dentists and specialists, according to Enlace Latino NC's guide.
Nearby, East Carolina University's faculty and student dental clinics in Greenville already offer a wide range of services to the Eastern North Carolina community, the same guide noted. Elsewhere in the state, the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic offers comprehensive on-site dental services.
For now, JOY's focus is on Sunday's open house, where the center hopes to turn curious neighbors into volunteers, donors, or future patients. The specifics of the clinic's treatment menu, hours, staffing and eligibility rules beyond the open house have not been detailed. Greenville residents looking for a firsthand look at the new facility can stop by 700 Albemarle Street between 2 and 4 p.m. on Nov. 1.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - City council members on Monday voted to extend the data center moratorium for the city of Charlotte for nearly one year.On Monday, Oct. 26, the Charlotte City Council voted to adopt a measure that extends the city’s data center moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027.In June this year, the city council approved a 150-day data center moratorium amid growing concerns nationwide about data centers’ impact on the environment, resources, and community.The initial 150-day data center moratorium for ...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - City council members on Monday voted to extend the data center moratorium for the city of Charlotte for nearly one year.
On Monday, Oct. 26, the Charlotte City Council voted to adopt a measure that extends the city’s data center moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027.
In June this year, the city council approved a 150-day data center moratorium amid growing concerns nationwide about data centers’ impact on the environment, resources, and community.
The initial 150-day data center moratorium for the city of Charlotte was slated to expire on Nov. 5, 2026. The moratorium’s end date has been pushed back nearly a year, however, following a unanimous vote at a council meeting on Monday.
The language in the newly-adopted moratorium is similar to the previous moratorium, which temporarily pauses the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for new data center projects within city limits.
The moratorium will give city leaders time to evaluate existing ordinances, consider new ordinances, and determine best practices related to data center development, according to the city.
Under the initial moratorium that took effect on June 8, data center projects that had already been approved would not be impacted by the city’s moratorium.
Communities across the United States have been outspoken against data centers over the past few years, and more potently over the past few months.
Residents point to a variety of concerns about issues of polluted water, centers’ energy and water usage, noise pollution, and the possibility of chemical leaks.
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Action NC and local climate groups said earlier this year that U.S. communities have seen a strain on infrastructure and an impact on the quality of life due to data centers.
Prior to the initial moratorium enactment in June, Action NC specifically pointed to the proposed Powerhouse Charlotte development, which would span five buildings across 122 acres. The site could use 300-400 megawatts of electricity -- enough power for about 300,000 homes -- according to advocates.
Another proposed data center in east Charlotte drew concern from neighbors, who do not believe there are enough policies in place to address possible harms.
“I hope the council would do the right thing and go at least another year because, as we found on the task force, there is an enormous, enormous amount of work that still needs to be done,” said Cristopher Scalise, who served on a city task force regarding data centers. “We’re not ready to move forward as a city on this issue.”
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Data centers have been around for years, but are becoming more prevalent as companies look to expand and rely more on artificial intelligence.
The Donald Trump administration maintains that the U.S. must keep its lead over China when it comes to AI advancement, and has frequently dismissed AI concerns. Opponents across the U.S. argue that there is not enough AI regulation, and that the technology could have serious impacts on jobs, infrastructure, the environment, and humanity.
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