PCI Team members in picture: Matt Traynor, Pearl Langley, Crystal Stalnaker, Kristen Grady, Monica Klawuhn, Lisa Garner, Dr. Brian Simpson, Alyssa Cruthis, Jenna White.  Not Pictured:  David Smith

The mission of UNC Health Lenoir is to ensure exceptional health care to the community the organization serves. On January 2, 2025, the hospital introduced a new advanced cardiac care procedure, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, PCI. This procedure is more commonly known as a “heart stent.”  The procedure is performed by inserting a balloon into the narrowed artery, inflating the balloon to widen the artery, and placing a stent to keep that artery open. Previously, patients needing PCI were referred to other hospitals to have this procedure performed. 

PCI is done by Dr. Brian Simpson, an Interventional Cardiologist who joined the UNC Health Lenoir medical staff in July 2024. Dr. Simpson is a native of Chapel Hill, NC and completed medical school at UNC Chapel Hill. His medical school training was followed with residency at ECU Health, a cardiovascular fellowship at the University of South Dakota Sanford Medical Center and lastly a fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at Baylor University. Beverly Jenkins, Director of Medical Staff Development at UNC Health Lenoir stated, “The recruitment of such a highly trained health care provider is a huge win for UNC Health Lenoir and the population we serve. Dr. Simpson brings a level of care that is needed in our rural community, and we have succeeded in hiring a well-trained staff to assist him.” 

Dr. Brian Simpson will be performing this procedure during planned cardiac catheterizations. Emergency cases will continue to be transferred to other facilities. The UNC Health Lenoir McCain Heart Center has gathered a team of medical professionals who have previous PCI experience and all team members have undergone hours of extensive training to prepare for this new procedure. 

Lisa Garner, Nurse Manager in the McCain Heart Center said “I am so excited to be a part of bringing this procedure to UNC Health Lenoir. It is a blessing to be able to offer this service as it will help improve the health and well-being of the community.” 

About UNC Health Lenoir: 

UNC Health Lenoir, licensed for 199 beds, is a nonprofit hospital serving the Lenoir County area with acute, outpatient, and community health services. The hospital has a 118-year history of providing excellent care to the community. In addition to general medical, surgical, and obstetrical and gynecological care, UNC Lenoir offers specialized services including interventional cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, radiology, and urology. Surgical specialties include general surgery, vascular, orthopedic, and bariatrics. UNC Health Lenoir affiliated with the UNC Health Care System in 2017. For more information or to find a physician, visit unclenoir.org.