About Us

The Appalachian District Health Department comprises the counties in the northwestern most corner of North Carolina Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga. As of the 2000 census information, 78,305 people live in the Appalachian District which covers 974 square miles of mountainous terrain. Currently, the Appalachian Health District employs approximately 120 people. Each of the three counties in the District has its own health department providing local clinic and environmental services. Health promotion, financial and administrative services are provided on a district basis. The financial office is located in Sparta, NC in the local health department and the administrative office and health promotion offices are located in the Boone health department.

Mission Statement

Through education and provision of essential services Appalachian District Health Department:

Promotes Safe and Healthy Living

Prevents Disease

Protects the Environment

History

The Appalachian District Health Department was established in 1933 with the counties of Watauga and Avery making up the health district. Dr. Robert King, Sr. served as the first Health Director from 1933-1944.

In 1945, Dr. Robert King, Jr. assumed the director’s role from his father and remained director until 1949.

In 1950, Dr. Mary Michael became director of the District with a total staff of 11 in the three counties. Dr. Michael remained director until 1958. From 1959 – 1962 Dr. Gouge guided the District until Dr. Wayne Richardson, a pharmacist from Boone, became acting director during 1963-1964. As 1964 ended, Dr. Mary Michael returned as director and remained until 1967 when Dr. Wayne Richardson again served as acting health director.

Mr. Carl Tuttle come on board as health director in 1968 and remained until 1973 for the Region D Council of Government. In 1973, Yancey County joined the district as Mr. Stan Hunter became director and guided the then four (4) county health district, until his death in November, 1975.

In February 1976, Mr. Carl Tuttle left the Region D Council of Government and rejoined the Appalachian District as health director. This is when the district quickly expanded, as Avery County joined the District with Mr. Cliff Aldridge becoming assistant director.

Soon to join the district was Mitchell County in 1977 making Appalachian District the largest health district in the State of North Carolina, with 170 employees.

Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties comprised the Appalachian District from 1977 until 1980, when the District officially dissolved Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties after the formation of the Toe River District Health Department and Cliff Aldridge became director of the Toe River District.

Mr. Carl Tuttle remained as director of the re-formed Appalachian District of Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga counties until his retirement in 1997.

Mr. Daniel Staley served as the director from 1997 to 2011.

Mrs. Beth Lovette is the current director of the Appalachian District.