Haylee and Emily Orellana were recognized during North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s State of the State Address on Wednesday night for their achievements in healthcare and their dedication to our community.
Emily Orellana is currently a student nurse intern in the ICU and will graduate from Surry Community College’s Nursing ADN Program this May. She has shown passion and commitment to her nursing career, and we are excited to welcome her as a registered nurse at Northern after her graduation.
Haylee Orellana, Emily’s sister, is a first-year ADN student and CNA-Apprentice on Med-Surg. Haylee will graduate from Surry Community College’s Nursing Program in May 2026. She was inspired by her sister Emily’s journey and is now pursuing her own nursing career, with a passion for labor and delivery.
Governor Josh Stein recognized the important role both sisters have played in addressing local healthcare needs. In his remarks, Governor Stein shared:
“Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy had a nursing shortage. So, in partnership with Surry Yadkin Works, a local workforce organization, the hospital worked with Surry Community College to create an apprenticeship program. Emily Orellana always knew she wanted to be a nurse, but she didn’t know where to start. This apprentice program helped connect Emily to Northern Regional when she was in high school. She earned her certified nursing credential in high school. Now she is about to graduate from the community college’s nursing program as a registered nurse. Emily inspired her sister Haylee, who is now pursuing her own nursing credential to work in labor and delivery. Haylee, Emily, would y’all please stand up so we can thank you for taking care of our people. Thanks to this apprenticeship program, Northern Regional Hospital is training its next generation of healthcare workers, homegrown, and has completely eliminated its dependence on traveling nurses. It’s about turning apprenticeships in careers which is good for both the workers and employers.”
You can listen to Governor Stein’s remarks using this link- https://youtu.be/tm6VVOj4bj8?t=960, where he specifically speaks about Northern Regional Hospital and the work of Emily and Haylee.
This recognition highlights a key part of Northern Regional Hospital’s “Grow Our Own” strategy, a commitment to developing and nurturing local talent through partnerships with organizations like Surry Community College and Surry Yadkin Works. The apprenticeship program is a powerful example of how we are helping to address our community’s healthcare workforce needs by creating opportunities for local students to grow within our hospital. This partnership ensures that we have dedicated, skilled professionals who are invested in the community they serve.
We couldn’t be prouder of Emily and Haylee for their hard work and dedication, and we are so fortunate to have them both as part of the Northern Regional Hospital team.
Please join us in congratulating Emily and Haylee for this well-deserved recognition! We look forward to their continued success and contributions to our hospital and the healthcare community.
(Pictured L-R: Haylee Orellana, Governor Josh Stein, Emily Orellana)
