Heather Murphy

Year Inducted: 2019

Upon her graduation from The Ohio University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism Heather Murphy accepted a position as office manager at WWWC Radio in Wilkesboro. A few years later she started her own business as co-owner of Thursday Magazine.

It was this work which afforded Murphy the opportunity to get to know the strengths and challenges of the community. This, combined with her volunteerism as an undergrad for the Appalachian Regional Commission, led to her desire to improve the public’s health. She was named director of The Health Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Wilkes, shortly after being hired in 1995.

Under her leadership, The Health Foundation has made significant improvements to health care services, beginning with the renovation of West Park into a vibrant medical campus. Murphy is known for her skills as a professional fundraiser and grant writer, having led volunteer efforts to fund the start-up of The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic and Mobile Unit and The Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Health Care. Murphy also led capital campaigns to fund the on-site helipad, birthing center, and emergency department expansion at Wilkes Medical Center, among others.

She is a networker who effectively leads cross-sector collaborations among numerous organizations including the hospital, Wilkes County Schools, and The Wilkes County Health Department. She chaired North Carolina’s first cohort accepted into the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health, which ultimately led to The Health Foundation’s acceptance into The Duke Endowment’s Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas initiative. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also selected Murphy to facilitate The Health Foundation’s participation in Raising Places, supporting local child health.

Awards recognizing her achievements include the Vision 20/20 Volunteer of the Year Award and the Randy Lyon Memorial Award from the Child Prevention Team. The WRMC Auxiliary dedicated its Love Light Tree to Murphy in 2007 and she was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club in 2009. During her tenure, The Health Foundation has received local and statewide recognition, as well.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is Murphy’s spiritual home, where she has served as senior warden of its vestry and on both its stewardship committee and fiscal affairs committees. She has done transition ministry work for the Diocese of Western North Carolina and served on various committees. She also worked closely with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to introduce FaithHealth NC to Wilkes County.

She has served as a volunteer with the Wilkes Playmakers, the Yadkin River Greenway, and as a member of the Hospice of Wilkes Advisory Board. She is currently chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Wilkes Community College.

Murphy believes her accomplishments reflect the generosity and resilience of the people of Wilkes.