GrahamCountyDepartmentofPublicHealth

New county health director announced

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 19, 2025
Robbinsville – A familiar face has been named the new Graham County Public Health Director. Angie Knight will step into the role Monday, after being hired by a committee. She was formally introduced as the new director at Tuesday's board of commissioners meeting.

Settlement reached on town sanitation bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Robbinsville – A settlement regarding a sanitation bill in excess of $23,000 has been finalized. At June 17's Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting, county manager Brady Cody presented a May invoice for Robbinsville's past-due amount of $23,914.80.
Members of the Graham County Department of Public Health helped with a mobile pharmacy visit Friday. Seated in front are Jessica Yates (left) and Rosie Roessler. Standing in back are director Donna Stephens (left) and Shawn Turpin. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Members of the Graham County Department of Public Health helped with a mobile pharmacy visit Friday. Seated in front are Jessica Yates (left) and Rosie Roessler. Standing in back are director Donna Stephens (left) and Shawn Turpin. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

MedAssist rolls mobile pharmacy into county

Latresa Phillips
Friday, May 2, 2025
Robbinsville – A sense of belonging is important to every human being – regardless of sex, social status or background.
A three-year state grant has made sure nurse practitioners’ Norma Burdette (left) and Meggan Smith continue to serve patients at the Graham County Department of Public Health. Photo courtesy of Donna Stephens/Graham County Department of Public Health

A three-year state grant has made sure nurse practitioners’ Norma Burdette (left) and Meggan Smith continue to serve patients at the Graham County Department of Public Health. Photo courtesy of Donna Stephens/Graham County Department of Public Health

Grant retains pair of nurse practitioners

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Tallulah – The Graham County Department of Public Health has ensured non-stop medical care for the next three years. Thanks to a yearly community health grant of $150,000 from the N.C.

Land designated for fitness center

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Robbinsville – Plans for a public fitness center close to the county seat received a sprint forward Monday. The Graham County Health Board – made up by commissioners, with an advisory council on standby – voted unanimously to designate one acre of property off West Fort Hill Road for the facility.

Local man charged with animal cruelty

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 25, 2024
A group of residents have spearheaded a movement for better animal control in Graham County, drumming up a topic that has been hotly debated for years. A Facebook post surfaced Jan. 4, showing three deceased dogs lying outside a residence in the Snowbird community.
Nurse practitioners Meggan Smith (left) and Norma Burdette have both joined the staff at the Graham County Department of Public Health. The hires are a resolution to the void that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice’s closing could have on local healthcare. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Nurse practitioners Meggan Smith (left) and Norma Burdette have both joined the staff at the Graham County Department of Public Health. The hires are a resolution to the void that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice’s closing could have on local healthcare. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

One door closes, another door opens

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Tallulah – Citing “ongoing unexpected financial issues,” The Graham Star was informed just as the final copies of its Aug. 24 edition rolled off the press that Graham County Urgent Care & Family Practice was closing exactly one week earlier than believed. Dr.
The Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina paid a visit to the Graham County Dental Clinic on June 13, to present a $5,000 check on behalf of the 2023 Smiles for Kids award program. From left are dental assistant Macy Rogers, Graham County Health Director Donna Stephens, Dr. Rory Frederick of the county dental office and Elaine Loyack, vice president of community engagement and community relations for Delta Dental Foundation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina paid a visit to the Graham County Dental Clinic on June 13, to present a $5,000 check on behalf of the 2023 Smiles for Kids award program. From left are dental assistant Macy Rogers, Graham County Health Director Donna Stephens, Dr. Rory Frederick of the county dental office and Elaine Loyack, vice president of community engagement and community relations for Delta Dental Foundation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

5,000 reasons to smile

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Robbinsville – The Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina paid the Graham County Dental Clinic a special visit on June 13, bringing along a $5,000 check to make the trip worthwhile.
Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Local fitness center discussed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Tallulah – One universal consensus between residents is that a fitness center in Graham County is desperately needed. Donna Stephens agrees – and is looking to make the dream a reality.