Harris Regional Hospital is expanding access for pulmonary care by announcing two new providers, Christine Kryger, NP-BC and Leslie Morris, NP-C that will be offering pulmonary services to patients throughout Jackson and surrounding counties. Morris and Kryger together bring more than 20 years of clinical experience to Harris Regional Hospital and the already established provision of care through pulmonary and sleep providers in our region.

“Both Leslie and Christine have years of experience in treating a range of patients and health conditions, and will be an excellent addition to our hospital team,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital. “Pulmonology conditions are an increasing concern in our region, and our new providers’ expertise will be important as Harris Regional Hospital strives to meet our region’s evolving healthcare needs and make our community healthier.”

Leslie Morris, DNP, NP-C joins Harris Regional Hospital from Pardee where she was a nurse practitioner with Carolina Lung and Sleep. Before Pardee, she was a registered nurse with Mission Health. Morris received her Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner from East Tennessee State University and is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Christine Kryger, NP-BC joins Harris Regional Hospital from Gwinnett Infectious Disease Consultants in Georgia. Before Gwinett, Kryger served as a registered nurse in Asheville and in the ICU at Harris Regional Hospital, among other nationally recognized health care providers. Kryger received her Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Walden University.

In their free time, Kryger and Morris both enjoy spending time outside in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.

The sleep lab at Harris Regional Hospital, Swain Community Hospital and the Harris Medical Park of Franklin diagnose and treat sleep-related complications for men, women, and children. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, lack of sleep affects the ability to concentrate, accomplish tasks, and manage minor irritations, and can impact memory and reasoning. Lack of sleep can be very dangerous and contributes to an estimated 6,000 automobile fatalities each year.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems including:

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks

• Diabetes

• Depression

•Worsening of ADHD

• Headaches

The sleep lab, with locations in Sylva, Franklin and Bryson City, are all accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine demonstrating a higher commitment to the provision of quality diagnostic services and long-term management of sleep patients.

Christine Kryger, NP-BC and Leslie Morris, NP-C are now seeing patients at Harris Pulmonary and Sleep Center located at 186 Medical Park Loop, Suite 503 in Sylva. Appointments can be made by calling 828.586.7994.