Blue Ridge Regional Hospital is proud to announce that four of our exceptional nurses have been recognized among the 2025 Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina. This prestigious honor celebrates nursing excellence across the state, and we are thrilled to see these dedicated team members receive the recognition they deserve: Carrie James, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Emergency Department; Wendy Woody, RN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Acute Care; Rebecca “Becca” Hensley, RN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Emergency Department; and Kayleigh Chrisawn, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Nurse Educator.
They are among only eight Mission Health nurses named to this distinguished list.
Each of these individuals exemplifies leadership, compassion, and innovation in nursing practice, and their nominations read in part:
- Wendy Woody is celebrated as a dynamic and spirited leader who constantly seeks creative ways to enhance patient care. Whether organizing supply drives for children in the community or improving internal care processes, Wendy meets every challenge with enthusiasm and dedication.
- Rebecca “Becca” Hensley is known for her unwavering ethics and commitment to timely, high-quality care. Her leadership in a project that significantly reduced emergency department hold times demonstrates her ability to drive impactful change across the patient care continuum—from prehospital to discharge.
- Melissa Craig radiates energy and innovation in her role as an educator. Her creative approach and forward-thinking mindset inspire those around her, strengthening staff development and overall patient outcomes.
- Kayleigh Chrisawn is deeply respected by both nurses and providers for her fierce advocacy for patient safety and exceptional critical thinking skills. As one provider shared, “It is challenging to find a nurse who possesses the trifecta of heart, knowledge, and critical thinking. Kayleigh has all three—and more. She’s a light to patients and their families during the darkest times.”
“Wendy, Becca, Melissa, and Kayleigh represent the very best of nursing—compassionate, skilled, and relentlessly committed to excellence,” said Tonia Hale, CEO and Chief Nursing Officer at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. Their recognition among the Great 100 is not only a reflection of their individual talents, but also of the culture of care we strive to foster every day at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. We couldn’t be more proud.”
The Great 100 award exists to recognize and honor Registered Nurses across the state of North Carolina for their commitment to excellence. Since 1989, the Great 100, Inc., has recognized and admired influential nurses across North Carolina, recognizing 100 professionals from the entire state who are nominated by their peers for the once-in-a-lifetime honor.
Nominations are scored based on how the nominee promotes and advances the profession of nursing in their practice setting and/or community; demonstrates integrity, honesty, and accountability; displays commitment to patients, families, and colleagues; demonstrates caring and assists others to grow and develop; radiates energy and enthusiasm, and contributes to overall outcomes in their practice setting.
The complete list of winners from Mission Heath are: Charles Carter, MSN, RN, CFRN – Air Medical and Carrie Underwood, BSN, RN, CFRN – NICU, Melissa Craig, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CV-BC, PCCN-CMC, CCRN, from Mission Hospital; Shauna M. Maxson, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CWOCN, Nurse Manager, ED from Angel Medical Center; Carrie James, BSN, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, ED, Wendy Woody, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Acute Rebecca Hensley, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, ED, Kayleigh Chrisawn BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN Nurse Educator from Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
Please join us in celebrating these remarkable nurses and their well-earned place among North Carolina’s Great 100.
ABOUT BLUE RIDGE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a community hospital serving Mitchell, Yancey, lower Avery and upper McDowell counties. Located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital operating 25 beds. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital offers medical specialties including emergency services, prenatal and postnatal obstetrical care, wound clinic, cardiac stress testing, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, nuclear medicine, 3D mammography, endoscopy services, critical care, rehabilitation services and fitness center, cancer services, orthopedics, general surgical services, pediatrics and family medicine, and walk-in, non-emergency care at Mission My Care Now Spruce Pine. For more information, please visit missionhealth.org/blueridge.
ABOUT MISSION HEALTH
Mission Health, located in Asheville, North Carolina, serves as the regional tertiary and quaternary care center in Western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital is licensed for 815 beds and is the region’s only Level II trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and includes the only children’s hospital in Western North Carolina. Mission Hospital is also a Magnet® designated hospital for nursing excellence. For more information, please visit missionhealth.org or @MissionHealthNC.
