Elkin, NC – July 8, 2025. Hugh Chatham Health has officially joined Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, which is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States. This merger includes a $100 million investment from Atrium Health to enhance resources and expertise tailored to community needs.
“Hugh Chatham Health believes in the power of our two organizations coming together to enhance patient care, community engagement and innovation in health care delivery,” said Cynthia Gonzalez, Chair of Hugh Chatham Health Board of Trustees. “Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s deep commitment and experience with serving rural communities like Elkin was one of the key drivers of our decision to select them as our partner.”
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist was chosen for its dedication to rural healthcare, particularly important given North Carolina’s large rural population. The $100 million investment will be used for implementing a new electronic health record system called EPIC, recruiting healthcare providers to the Yadkin Valley region, expanding clinical programs like Women’s Services and Cancer Care, and providing career growth opportunities.
“At a time when rural health care is under pressure across the country, we are stepping up to ensure rural communities have access to leading-edge primary and specialty care close to home – and that’s what this partnership with Hugh Chatham Health is going to deliver,” stated Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health.
“With our 25-year history of collaboration, this next step naturally builds on our shared commitment to deliver high-quality care while providing access to advanced resources,” said Dr. David Zaas, President of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
In addition to this investment, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will also contribute $30 million towards establishing the Yadkin Valley Wellness Foundation.
“For more than 10 years I have had the privilege of working with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist as a partner on many levels,” said Paul Hammes, CEO of Hugh Chatham Health. “I am excited about the unlimited possibilities of our future together.”
Hugh Chatham Health provides healthcare services through physician clinics and an acute care hospital in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley region. It employs over 900 team members and includes a medical group with more than 70 providers.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is based in Winston-Salem and includes an academic core at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It employs over 22,000 teammates within Advocate Health’s broader network.
Advocate Health serves nearly six million patients across multiple states under different names including Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health.
