BY MILES LAYTON
HYDE COUNTY — In response to growing public speculation, the leadership of Ocracoke Health Center, Inc. issued a formal statement Thursday morning confirming that Dr. Shannon Sawin will remain with the organization and continue serving patients in Hyde and Dare counties.
The clarification comes after rumors began circulating that Dr. Sawin was preparing to leave the Manteo Community Health Center, one of three healthcare sites operated by the organization. According to Interim CEO Jamie Carter, those rumors are false and stemmed from discussions Dr. Sawin had about potential career changes — discussions that never reached a final decision before the public became aware.
“Dr. Shannon Sawin has announced that she is not leaving our organization or the Manteo Community Health Center,” Carter emphasized in a press release dated July 10. “While she was considering other options, she has decided to stay and continue to serve the patients of Hyde and Dare counties.”
Carter acknowledged that news of her potential departure reached the community prematurely, creating confusion and concern among patients and staff. “Unfortunately, that [information] has been circulated to the public before we could react,” she wrote. “Help us share the correct information in our communities and we apologize for any confusion that caused.”
A family medicine physician in Engelhard, Sawin has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001.
Manteo Clinic Not Closing
The statement also addressed another persistent rumor — the supposed closure of the Manteo Community Health Center. Carter was clear: “There are no plans for the Manteo Community Health Center, or any site of our organization, to close and that is a rumor that has spread quickly.”
He added that the organization understands how quickly misinformation can spread, particularly when it concerns healthcare services in rural communities. “We want to reassure our patients we are open and continuing to see our patients at all sites,” the statement reads.
A Critical Health Resource for the Region
Ocracoke Health Center, Inc. operates three medical clinics in northeastern North Carolina: the Ocracoke Health Center in Ocracoke, Engelhard Medical Center in Engelhard, and the Manteo Community Health Center in Manteo.
“Our team continues to operate as usual,” Carter assured.
These centers are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), a designation that helps them receive federal funding and serve underserved populations. As such, they play a vital role in providing medical and behavioral healthcare in remote areas that often struggle with access.
“We welcome new patients every day,” the statement said. “We also have pharmacies at each site to enhance the services we are able to offer to our patients.”
Carter concluded the release by thanking the community for its support and reinforcing the importance of spreading accurate information. “Thank you for your continued support of our Federally Qualified Health Center,” she wrote.