Outer Banks Health President Ronnie Sloan to Visit Local Beaches Ahead of Retirement
NAGS HEAD, N.C. — As he prepares to close the chapter on a remarkable career in healthcare leadership, Ronnie Sloan, President of Outer Banks Health, has announced plans to visit several local beaches this summer as part of his farewell tour before officially retiring later this year.
Sloan, who has served as the head of Outer Banks Health since 2013, is a beloved figure in the Dare County community and has been instrumental in shaping the region’s healthcare landscape. His upcoming beach visits are a symbolic gesture of gratitude — a chance to reconnect with the community in a relaxed, personal way, and to celebrate the unique coastal culture that has defined his tenure.
“Before I retire, I want to take some time to enjoy the very heart of what makes this place so special,” Sloan said in a recent statement. “The Outer Banks has given me more than I could have ever imagined, and it’s important to me to say thank you — not just from behind a podium, but in person, on the sand, where our community comes together.”
A Legacy of Leadership
Under Sloan’s leadership, Outer Banks Health — formerly known as The Outer Banks Hospital — expanded its services, modernized its facilities, and deepened its ties with the community. Sloan played a crucial role in partnering with UNC Health to strengthen the hospital’s clinical offerings and broaden its reach.
One of his most notable achievements was overseeing the construction and launch of the Outer Banks Health Cancer Center, which allowed many patients to receive life-saving treatment closer to home rather than traveling long distances to larger cities. He also helped steer the organization through the turbulent early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safety of staff, patients, and residents.
“Ronnie Sloan has been a steady and compassionate leader,” said Stephanie Harmon, a long-time nurse at Outer Banks Health. “He’s the kind of president who takes time to walk the halls, ask how people are doing, and listen. He always emphasized that we’re here not just to treat illness but to care for the whole person.”
Community-Focused Farewell
Sloan’s beach visits are not just a retirement ritual — they’re also meant to be informal community events. The hospital announced that Sloan will be stopping by multiple public beach access points along the Outer Banks in July and August, with opportunities for residents, patients, and colleagues to say goodbye, take photos, and share memories.
“These are not fundraisers or speeches,” Sloan said with a smile. “I just want to kick off my shoes, walk the sand, and talk with the people I’ve come to admire so much.”
The schedule of appearances will be released on the Outer Banks Health website and social media in the coming weeks, with each stop planned to include brief remarks, light refreshments, and a chance for casual conversation.
Looking Ahead
While Sloan is preparing to step away from full-time leadership, he has made it clear that retirement does not mean farewell forever. He plans to remain a resident of the Outer Banks and hopes to stay involved in community projects and mentorship opportunities.
“I may be retiring from my role, but I’m not retiring from this community,” he said. “The people of the Outer Banks are like family to me.”
Outer Banks Health has already begun the search for a new president, with the goal of ensuring a smooth leadership transition by late fall. Sloan is working closely with the executive team to maintain continuity and support the incoming leader.
In a heartfelt message to the staff, Sloan wrote: “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve alongside each of you. You have inspired me daily with your courage, your skill, and your unwavering compassion. As I walk these beaches one last time in this role, know that I carry your stories and our shared mission with me always.”
As the Outer Banks prepares to bid farewell to a deeply respected leader, many are expected to turn out to the beach events this summer — not just to celebrate a career well-lived, but to honor the man who helped shape healthcare on the coast with humility, warmth, and grace.
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