UNC Health Rockingham Announces the Appointment of Dr. Angela F. Edwards, MD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNC Health Rockingham Announces the Appointment of Dr. Angela F. Edwards, MD, as Chief Medical Officer

EDEN, N.C., November 21, 2025 — UNC Health Rockingham is proud to announce the appointment of Angela F. Edwards, MD, DFPM, FASA as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Edwards is a nationally recognized anesthesiologist and healthcare leader with more than two decades of experience in clinical leadership and operations, strategic planning, quality improvement and patient advocacy. She brings a proven track record of driving organizational transformation, fostering clinician engagement, and improving patient outcomes across complex healthcare systems.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Edwards join our team to help lead us on our continued quality journey at UNC Health Rockingham,” said Steve Eblin, CEO of UNC Health Rockingham. “Her leadership will help us strengthen quality initiatives, enhance patient safety, and continue to provide outstanding care throughout our community.”

Dr. Edwards most recently served as Vice Chair for Professional Affairs and Section Head for Perioperative Medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist University School of Medicine’s department of anesthesiology. She also served on the Wake Forest University Faculty Senate and Executive Committee, and as Medical Director of the Preoperative Assessment Clinic, leading initiatives that improved surgical outcomes, expanded access to care, and achieved significant growth in patient volume. Dr. Edwards has managed and developed innovative clinical programs and launched telehealth solutions to improve access for underserved populations.

“UNC Health is so fortunate to have recruited Dr. Angela Edwards – an unbelievably talented physician leader who is known national and internationally for her expertise in perioperative medicine,” Dr. Peggy McNaull, UNC Health’s Chief Medical and Quality Officer.

Dr. Edwards’ leadership extends nationally as a past president of the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) and internationally through her two-year service as the director of its annual Perioperative Medicine Summit, where she advanced best practices in perioperative care. She is also the founding director of the Society’s perioperative management core knowledge certificate and perioperative medicine fellowship programs—groundbreaking initiatives that represent several firsts for the organization and the specialty as detailed in the October 2025 edition of Anesthesia and Analgesia.

“I am deeply honored to serve the Rockingham community, patients, and medical staff while ensuring every patient receives access to the highest quality care. My priorities for UNC Health Rockingham are growing sustainable services and programs while maintaining excellence in quality, patient-centeredness, and safety for both patients and our teammates,” said Edwards. “It's clear that our clinicians and teammates are deeply committed to the families of Rockingham County and beyond. I'm excited to see what we'll accomplish together in the months and years to come.”

A nationally sought-after speaker, author, consultant, and creative educational director, Dr. Edwards is recognized as a key opinion leader and respected subject matter expert in perioperative medicine. Her special interests include optimizing patient care processes, advancing quality and patient safety, and medical education. Dr. Edwards has authored more than forty peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than seventy-five national and international presentations, and served as a guest editor for leading anesthesiology journals. Dr. Edwards’ expertise includes quality improvement methodologies, regulatory compliance, and evidence-based care pathway development.

Raised in southwestern Virginia, Dr. Edwards earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia before receiving her medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She is a board-certified physician with dual training in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. As a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and a Distinguished Fellow of Perioperative Medicine, she has dedicated her career to improving patient outcomes through shared evidence-based practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and compassionate care.

Committed to lifelong learning and leadership development, Dr. Edwards completed an Executive Leadership Certificate through Wake Forest Executive Education, School of Business. She was a SPAQI Distinguished Fellow of Perioperative Medicine. When not advancing patient centered care, Dr. Edwards believes firmly in maintaining a healthy work-life harmony. She enjoys swimming, cycling, running and traveling with her husband of twenty-eight years and two adult children.

UNC Health Rockingham is a nonprofit, 108-bed community hospital preserving excellent, compassionate and trusted care where it is needed most: close to home. As a cornerstone in Eden, N.C., and a major employer, UNC Health Rockingham serves people throughout Rockingham County and in neighboring Southern Virginia areas. In addition to inpatient, outpatient, surgical and emergency care, the hospital offers diagnostic and treatment services, provides screenings and tests, and leads wellness initiatives. More information about UNC Health Rockingham may be found at uncrockingham.org.

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