Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals formally renew partnership with Western Carolina University Athletics
July 29, 2026
Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital have renewed their longstanding partnership with Western Carolina University Athletics through a new four-year agreement, continuing the hospitals’ role as the official healthcare providers for the Catamounts.
The agreement was formally signed Tuesday, July 28, during a ceremony at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center. WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Ph.D., WCU Director of Athletics Kyle Pifer, and Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals’ CEO Ashley Hindman participated in the signing.
The renewed agreement extends a relationship that has connected the hospitals and Catamount Athletics for many years. It reflects a shared investment in the health and well-being of WCU student-athletes, the continued strength of the university’s athletics programs, and the broader impact both organizations have throughout the region.
“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Western Carolina University and Catamount Athletics,” Hindman said. “WCU is an important part of the identity, energy, and future of western North Carolina, and this agreement reflects our shared commitment to the people and communities of this region. We are honored to support Catamount student-athletes and to continue building on a relationship that means so much to our hospitals and the communities we serve.”
As the official healthcare providers for Catamount Athletics, Harris and Swain work closely with the university to provide comprehensive health and performance support for its student-athletes throughout the year. Harris Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, a department of Harris Regional Hospital, plays an integral role in that broader effort, providing team physician coverage and collaborating with WCU’s athletic training and athletics staff as part of a coordinated network of care.
The four-year agreement also underscores the hospitals’ broader commitment to delivering high-quality care close to home. For generations, Harris Regional and Swain Community have served as trusted healthcare providers and community partners, offering a broad continuum of care that includes emergency and surgical services, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, cardiovascular care, cancer care, women’s and children’s services, and primary and specialty care.
Through continued investment in people, programs, and partnerships, the hospitals remain focused on strengthening access to care and supporting the long-term health of the communities they serve.