ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors Inc. have announced two community meetings with the independent monitor in May 2025. The meetings will provide updates on the monitor’s work and information on how community members can share concerns and feedback regarding HCA Healthcare, a for-profit operator of health care facilities

Affiliated Monitors, serving as the independent monitor, is responsible for overseeing HCA’s compliance with commitments outlined in the 2019 Asset Purchase Agreement of the Mission Health System. The organization was engaged as the independent monitor in 2024.

The community meetings are part of the monitor’s broader engagement strategy, which includes discussions with community groups, organizations and individuals. In 2025, the independent monitor has held 14 meetings — three with organizations, three with groups of concerned residents and eight with individuals — to gather feedback on health care in Western North Carolina. The monitor also continues to accept concerns and feedback through its website.

While more details about the agenda will be shared closer to the community meetings, the locations, dates and times will be:

Monday, May 12 (5:30-7 p.m.)

  • McDowell Technical Community College, Building 11, Room 113, 54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752

Tuesday, May 13 (5:30-7 p.m.)

  • Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College, Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801

Doors will open 30 minutes before each scheduled meeting. The Asheville meeting will also be livestreamed.

“The Independent Monitor plays an important role in listening to the community. These meetings are opportunities to share about their findings and work and to connect community members with the best ways that they can share feedback and concerns about their experiences,” Dogwood Health Trust CEO Dr. Susan Mims said in a news release. “Dogwood is responsible for offering opportunities like this through 2029 – 10 years after the Asset Purchase Agreement was signed – and we are committed to creating spaces for informative exchange.”

The Independent Monitor will also be in Western North Carolina from May 5-14, 2025, and welcomes invitations from civic groups, organizations and community members who want to share their experiences with HCA and the Mission Health System. If you would like to schedule a meeting outside of the community meetings above, please email Mission@AffiliatedMonitors.com.

For more information about the work of the Independent Monitor, please click here.