Company Profile

Company Overview

Dogwood Health Trust is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities across Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust is the successor foundation of the nonprofit Mission Health System.

Dogwood Health Trust became operational upon Mission Health's recent acquisition by HCA Healthcare and is the recipient of the net proceeds of the sale. HCA paid approximately $1.5 billion for the assets of Mission Health, which previously operated as a private not-for-profit health system that was the sixth largest in Western North Carolina. Proceeds from the purchase will be combined with Mission Health's remaining cash and investments – after all debts and obligations are paid – and transferred to Dogwood Health Trust. The Trust will operate independently from HCA and will be a key source of support for the community. The Trust begins its operations at a time of great need and opportunity for the area's local communities, as is evident from the following statistics.



Area Statistics

Population of all 18 counties - 908,379
Median household income - $42,670 (national median $55,322)
Persons below poverty level - 15.8% (national average 12.7%)
With disability (<65) - 11.8% (national average 8.6%)
Without health insurance (<65) - 13.5% (national average 10.1%)
Bachelor’s degree or higher - 26.5% (national average 30.3%)
Civilian labor force - 55.4% (national average 63.1%)
Persons age 65 and over - 22% (national average 15.2%)


Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina consists of 18 counties and a 2017 estimated population of 908,379. This region of North Carolina includes the Appalachian Mountains; thus it is often known as the state's Mountain Region. Located east of the Tennessee state line and west of the Piedmont, Western North Carolina contains a few major urban centers. Asheville is the area's largest city and most prominent commercial hub. Boone and Blowing Rock are well-known areas within the region.
The Foothills region of the state is loosely defined as the area along Western North Carolina's eastern boundary; this region consists of a transitional terrain of hills between the Appalachians and the Piedmont Plateau of central North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have a reservation situated in the Western North Carolina region, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tourism is the region's largest contributor to the economy, with over $3B spent yearly. Officials and economic developers are partnering new industries with the region’s longtime economic players such as agriculture, tourism and higher education. Together they strengthen the economy and elevate an already high quality of life. Diversification is a goal of local economic development and manufacturers, such as Evendale, Ohio-based GE Aviation, craft brewers and others have provided Asheville with $5 billion in economic development over the last five years. In Polk County, Tryon International Equestrian Center opened in 2014 with 10 riding arenas and 850 permanent stalls, while featuring 30 weeks of shows each year. Caldwell is home to strong plastics and packaging industries, with growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors as well. Technology will be a key part of North Carolina’s future economy.

Agriculture always has been strong in western North Carolina, where apples and Christmas trees are the top crops. Farming has been a large contributor to North Carolina's economy, but a recent study anticipates that agribusiness in the state could increase some 80 percent, becoming a $150 billion annual industry by 2050.