NCHA Honors Gandhari Loomis with Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Gandhari Loomis, Executive Medical Director of Blue Ridge Medical Group, has been awarded the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) highest honor — the 2025 Distinguished Service Award. The award is given each year to an NCHA member executive whose contributions to the healthcare field have had a positive and lasting impact at the local, regional, state, or national level. Dr. Loomis received the award on July 16 at NCHA’s Summer Membership Meeting.
With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Loomis has exemplified leadership, compassion, and resilience throughout her career. She joined UNC Health Blue Ridge at Table Rock Family Medicine in Glen Alpine in 2010, where she spent 14 years delivering full-spectrum care to patients ranging from newborns to seniors. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of her community is reflected not only in her clinical service, but also in her leadership of Blue Ridge Medical Group, where she currently provides oversight for 28 outpatient medical practices, including 13 primary care and 15 specialty care offices.
Her impact was felt most profoundly during Hurricane Helene, when communication systems across Western North Carolina went down. In the face of uncertainty and crisis, Dr. Loomis took it upon herself to go door-to-door, personally checking on staff and providers to ensure patients received the care they needed. Her courageous actions brought calmness and clarity when it mattered most, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout the region.
“I can’t think of anyone better suited to receive the Distinguished Service Award than Dr. Loomis. Her compassion is legendary, and her patient advocacy skills are unsurpassed. I treasure her insights and commitment to our staff and patients. She is truly deserving of this award,” said Gary Paxson, UNC Health Blue Ridge President and CEO.
Dr. Loomis’s leadership extends beyond her executive role. She serves on the Board of Directors for UNC Health Blue Ridge and chairs its Quality and Patient Safety Committee. She is also the Supervising Physician for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics’ Morganton and Durham campuses. Her special interests include women and children’s health, patient safety, clinical process improvement, and healthcare innovation, all of which she has advanced with thoughtful strategy and passion.
Throughout her career, Dr. Loomis has received several awards recognizing her commitment to teaching and medical education. Her colleagues describe her as humble, driven, compassionate, and deeply dedicated to improving the lives of patients and healthcare professionals alike. Her actions during Hurricane Helene served as a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with both skill and heart.
Dr. Loomis’s influence continues to shape her community and the state, leaving a legacy of service and impact that exemplifies the value of the Distinguished Service Award.
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About NCHA
Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support, and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable, and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Strickland, NCHA, sstrickland@ncha.org, 919-677-4241
Dannette Brackett, UNC Health Blue Ridge, danette.brackett@unchealth.unc.edu, 828-580-5690