Three Mission Hospital nurses named to 2025 Great 100 Nurses in NC

Mission Hospital is proud to announce that three of its registered nurses have been named among the 2025 Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina, one of the state’s most prestigious honors recognizing exceptional nursing professionals. Inclusion in the Great 100 represents a significant professional milestone and reflects a nurse's lasting impact on patients, peers, and the profession.

Mission Hospital’s honorees for 2025 are Charles Carter, MSN, RN, CFRN; Carrie Underwood, BSN, RN, CFRN; and Melissa Craig, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CV-BC, PCCN-CMC, CCRN. They are among eight Mission Health nurses to be recognized. Each awardee brings an extraordinary combination of clinical excellence, compassionate care, and innovative practice to their work, setting a high standard for the entire healthcare community.

“These nurses represent the very best of our profession,” said Ruth Kain, Chief Nursing Officer, Mission Hospital. “Their leadership, dedication, and compassion exemplify what it means to serve with excellence. We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for the difference they make every single day.”

Nominations for the 2025 Great 100 Nurses Honorees from Mission Hospital read in part:

• Charles Carter, MSN, RN, CFRN – Air Medical (MAMA)
  Charlie has been a cornerstone of Mission’s Air Medical program since 2010, known not only for his advanced clinical skills but for his steady, compassionate leadership. He has also served in the Emergency Department and as a nurse educator, mentoring countless nurses with humility and wisdom. In addition to his hospital work, Charlie has served as a firefighter since 1998 and currently holds the rank of captain—embodying lifelong service in every role he takes on.
• Carrie Underwood, BSN, RN, CFRN – NICU
  Carrie is a trusted mentor and role model in both the NICU and Air Medical teams. She invests deeply in new nurses through structured precepting and ongoing mentorship, fostering confidence, clinical excellence, and a sense of purpose. Her impact extends to the families she serves, one of whom wrote: “If any of our children grow up to embody the character, integrity, skill, and compassion of this nurse, we would consider ourselves incredibly fortunate.”
• Melissa Craig, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CV-BC, PCCN-CMC, CCRN – Nursing Professional Development
  Melissa is a dynamic force in nursing education, known for her innovative, learner-centered approach. She recently developed an escape room training event to improve knowledge and engagement around tracheostomy and laryngectomy care, boosting both retention and collaboration. Her passion for professional development and team building continues to shape safe, informed, and high-performing clinical environments.

These honorees exemplify Mission Hospital’s core values of excellence, innovation, compassion, and community. Their selection to the 2025 Great 100 Nurses list not only reflects personal achievement but elevates the nursing profession and healthcare across Western North Carolina.

The Great 100 award exists to recognize and honor Registered Nurses across the state of North Carolina for their commitment to excellence. Since 1989, the Great 100, Inc., has recognized and admired influential nurses across North Carolina, recognizing 100 professionals from the entire state who are nominated by their peers for the once-in-a-lifetime honor.

Nominations are scored based on how the nominee promotes and advances the profession of nursing in their practice setting and/or community; demonstrates integrity, honesty, and accountability; displays commitment to patients, families, and colleagues; demonstrates caring and assists others to grow and develop; radiates energy and enthusiasm, and contributes to overall outcomes in their practice setting.

The complete list of winners from Mission Heath are: Charles Carter, MSN, RN, CFRN – Air Medical and Carrie Underwood, BSN, RN, CFRN – NICU, Melissa Craig, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CV-BC, PCCN-CMC, CCRN, from Mission Hospital; Shauna M. Maxson, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CWOCN, Nurse Manager, ED from Angel Medical Center; Carrie James, BSN, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, ED, Wendy Woody, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Acute Rebecca Hensley, RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator, ED, Kayleigh Chrisawn BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN Nurse Educator from Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

Please join us in celebrating these remarkable nurses and their well-earned place among North Carolina’s Great 100.