BOONE – North Carolina’s percentage of uninsured residents exceeds the national average, creating new challenges for the state’s medical centers, says Suzanne H. Freeman, president of Carolinas Medical Center. She is the latest guest on Appalachian State University’s “Appalachian Perspective” cable television program.

“There are 45 million Americans without health care about, 15.3 percent. Unfortunately, in North Carolina we have about 1.3 million, which is more than 19 percent. With that comes a huge challenge for us on how to deliver health care in an affordable way that is accessible, particularly in the area of preventable disease,” Freeman says.

“It’s imperative that we are able to deliver effective, efficient and preventive care as much as possible. In Charlotte, we’re fortunate in that we’ve created an elaborate primary healthcare system for these citizens. We serve 300,000 visits per year in those clinics.”

In the 30-minute program, Freeman also addresses shortages among health care providers, particularly nurses, radiologists and pharmacy professionals and ways that institutions like Appalachian can help prepare young people for these careers.

Freeman was interviewed while on campus for the Walker College of Business’s Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture Series.

Freeman began her career at Carolinas Medical Center in 1975 as a staff nurse. CMC is the flagship facility of Carolinas HealthCare System, the third largest public healthcare system in the country.

Prior to assuming her current position, Freeman served as a vice president at CMC with lead responsibilities in nursing, surgical services and ambulatory surgery. She also served as president of specialty facilities of Carolinas HealthCare System.

Freeman attended Appalachian prior to transferring to UNC Charlotte to enroll in that university’s nursing program. Her daughter is now an Appalachian student.

“If I could change one thing in health care it would be a baseline level of care for everyone. Having access to preventive care will change the outcome of adult health for generations to come,” Freeman says.

“Appalachian Perspective” is a 30-minute interview hosted by Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock. It airs in Watauga County on Charter Communication Channel 21 weekdays at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Channel 2 at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and on MTN’s Channel 18 Thursdays at 5:30, 6:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The episode “Healthcare Challenges in North Carolina” airs through early June.

For more information and to view video clips of “Appalachian Perspective” interviews, visit www.perspective.appstate.edu.

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