Lewis Heart & Vascular Center: A heartfelt donation 

Formerly known as The Cardiology Center, the 8,000-square-foot facility opened in a new heart care wing at Watauga Medical Center on August 17, 2020. The Heart & Vascular Center provides more efficient and convenient access for patients, by integrating outpatient heart care with diagnostic services in the same convenient location.

On June 17, 2021, Blowing Rock resident Ken Lewis surprised his wife, Donna, with a $1.5 million contribution to UNC Health Appalachian in her honor to name the Lewis Heart and Vascular Center.

Both Donna and Ken have needed cardiac interventions in the past. “Donna had some heart issues and she needed repair work about 15 or 16 years ago. I’ve had a heart stent myself,” Lewis said, “When this (opportunity) came up, I thought about how lucky and blessed we were to have the ability to access this kind of facility.”

Lewis noted that as seasonal residents, they typically have all the facilities and technologies nearby their primary homes to address emergency situations. “But that is not necessarily the case when you are in the mountains,” he said, “It’s all about time in those situations. We have what we think are the best hospitals in the world [in our primary home cities], but they might as well be in China. At certain times of our lives, it is all about this hospital [in Boone]. It may be enlightened self-interest, but it’s also about all of the things we can do for the people of this region and this community. This is a great thing to do because it will help save people’s lives and Donna and I feel privileged to be a part of it.”

You may have noticed the new “Lewis Heart & Vascular Center” sign on the exterior of the Heart & Vascular Center. Although we have experienced several name changes over the past few years, our commitment to high quality heart care remains the same.