The Ocracoke Health Center is a non-profit, community owned, incorporated organization. We were established and have been operating since 1981 as a provider of family practice medical care, and became a Rural Health Center in 1982. Our mission statement: to operate and maintain a primary care program on Ocracoke for all citizens, residents and visitors desiring those services, especially for those who have limited access to adequate medical services. The Ocracoke Health Center provides care to all persons in need, regardless of their ability to pay for services.

The Ocracoke Health Center is the only medical facility on Ocracoke Island. It provides primary medical care during regular business hours Monday through Friday each week. Because of Ocracoke Island’s location, travel time to the nearest hospital emergency department or an urgent care facility is at minimum a three hour delay in care. Hyde County EMS responds to 911 emergency calls on Ocracoke on a twenty-four hour basis. When the patient is too critically ill or medically unstable for a three hour ambulance ride, it is necessary for the patient to be transported by air medical transport.