AMOREM recruiting staff for new patient care unit in the High Country
BOONE—Following a second inspection by the state in May, AMOREM, the nonprofit hospice and palliative medicine provider serving the High Country, is actively recruiting staff to operate its new patient care unit.
“As we prepare to open the High Country’s first hospice patient care unit, we are seeking compassionate and dedicated professionals to join our team,” says AMOREM CEO April Moore. “This patient care unit will provide an important new resource for families across the High Country, and we are excited to welcome caring nurses, certified nursing assistants, dietary staff and housekeeping team members who share our commitment to exceptional patient care.”
In 2021, the state granted AMOREM’s request to build a patient care unit to serve the High Country. A seven-bed unit was approved based on the populations of Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.
“We are honored to bring this patient care unit to the High Country and look forward to ensuring families have access to compassionate, high-quality care close to home,” Moore said.
The unit is located on Moonstruck Lane in Boone, conveniently situated between Avery and Ashe counties.
AMOREM hosted an open house for the AMOREM SECU Patient Care Unit of the High Country in July 2025. Shortly afterward, representatives from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Division of Health Service Regulation conducted an inspection of the building.
During the inspection, several items were identified that required additional construction to ensure the facility meets all code requirements. Work on those items was completed in May at an additional cost of $200,000, bringing the project’s total cost from $8.1 million to $8.3 million.
After a second inspection by the state, only a few items were noted that needed correction. Moore said, “However, these issues do not warrant a third in-person inspection.”
Moore said the organization’s greatest need right now is filling open positions at the patient care unit so staff can complete training and prepare for the patient care unit’s opening in the fall.
To view the full list of job openings at the patient care unit, visit AMOREM’s career page at www.amoremsupport.org/careers
AMOREM has been actively fundraising for the patient care unit since fall of 2021. The building is named after the State Employees Credit Union, who gifted $1.5 million toward the project from its foundation.
Through community support, corporate gifts and grants, AMOREM has raised approximately $6.6 million toward its goal, which increased from $8.1 million to $8.3 million due to the unexpected expenses incurred following the facility’s initial inspection.
“As a nonprofit hospice provider, AMOREM needs the community’s help to reach its $8.3 million goal,” says Kerri L. McFalls, AMOREM’s senior director of marketing and development. “We have come so far with reaching the goal and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. But we can’t stop now. AMOREM needs everyone’s help to raise the remaining of the goal. As of now, we have not raised enough to cover the costs of the facility.”
An anonymous donor pledged $250k last summer and challenged the High Country community to match their gift, dollar for dollar. Since the challenge started, more than $159k has been raised toward the match.
“No gift amount is too small. Can you imagine if every person in the High Country gave $20 – we would surpass our goal,” McFalls says.
To make a gift toward the match challenge or learn about naming opportunities at the campus, visit www.amoremsupport.org/donate/high-country-capital-campaign or contact McFalls directly at kmcfalls@amoremsupport.org
AMOREM is your non-profit hospice provider that has proudly served the High Country since 2014 – first as Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care and now as AMOREM.