UNC Health Blue Ridge has appointed Fran Charlton as Executive Director of Cardiac and Emergency Services

UNC Health Blue Ridge, a not-for-profit community healthcare system serving Western North Carolina with a mission to enhance life by excelling in care, has appointed Fran Charlton as Executive Director of Cardiac and Emergency Services. Known for its culture of collegiality, community focus, and commitment to high-quality, compassionate care, UNC Health Blue Ridge continues to expand services and elevate patient care across its Morganton and Valdese campuses.

In this role, Fran will oversee the clinical and operational leadership of the Cardiac and Emergency Departments, ensuring safe, high-quality, patient-centered care across both campuses. She will guide nursing practice, staffing, throughput, performance improvement, and interprofessional collaboration, while supporting team development and advancing strategies that align with Blue Ridge’s mission, values, and vision for exceptional community care.

Fran brings more than two decades of progressive nursing and operational leadership experience, most recently serving as Regional Director of Emergency Services for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Her background includes leadership roles overseeing emergency departments, heart and vascular service lines, patient flow operations, critical care, and clinical operations across large, complex health systems.

With her deep clinical expertise, transformational leadership approach, and commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care, Fran will play a key role in advancing cardiac and emergency services and supporting UNC Health Blue Ridge’s vision to be the best community healthcare system in America.

To read more about our healthcare team, explore our practice page here.