NAGS HEAD, N.C. — March 3, 2026 — ThriveOBX announced the success of its inaugural Thrive Month, observed throughout February 2026. The community-wide initiative, led by Outer Banks Health, the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services and in part sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, promoted well-being and community unity through events, partnerships, tools and resources, including the Playbook, during the off-season. More than 25 activities drew hundreds of residents and visitors, centering on the Thrive5© pillars and advancing healthier lifestyles across the Outer Banks.

The Thrive Month Playbook served as a guide, offering a passport of events and inspiration for both organized hallmark events and participant-led activities. Standout events included the Don’t Stress … Thrive! Dinner with a Doc on Feb. 10 at Jennette’s Pier, featuring Christina Bowen, MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM and Sarah Summerton, FNP and focused on stress management and areas of control. The in-person session filled to capacity, and combined with the live stream, reached more than 300 viewers. The Move-a-Thon on Feb. 14 delivered a full day of movement from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across multiple locations, including First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, the Virginia Tillet Center in Manteo and the Fessenden Center in Buxton, where more than 20 rotating move leaders guided over 400 event participants with free group activities, including yoga, line dancing and a featured inclusive movement group, ComMotion.

The final hallmark events were the Winter Picnic at the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island on Feb. 15, where more than 150 community members enjoyed a ThriveOBX recipe and connection, and the Big Beach and Island Cleanup on Feb. 21, spanning more than 74 miles from Duck to Buxton, including Roanoke Island and Wanchese. During the cleanup, over 220 volunteers and more than 550 total participants removed more than 2,500 pounds of trash and debris in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, North Carolina Coastal Federation and National Park Service. Refreshments were provided by Shore Coffee Roasters, Ashley’s Espresso Bar, Front Porch, Waverider’s Coffee, Deli and Market, and the ThriveOBX food trailer, Thrive Bites. Trash buckets were provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement.

The Playbook further encouraged personal and small-group efforts such as game nights, cooking ThriveOBX recipes, sleep education, breathwork, local fitness classes, trail exploration, movement snacks, community book reads, Thrive at 5 meetups, purpose posting and social media balance challenges.

“Thrive Month exceeded expectations and showed the power of our community coming together to prioritize well-being,” said Amy Montgomery, executive director of operations at Outer Banks Health. “From virtual sessions reaching hundreds to hands-on events making real impact, the response was inspiring. We thank our partners, including the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, who in part sponsored Thrive Month, and every participant. This success fuels our mission to weave well-being into daily life year-round,” added Jennifer Schwartzenberg, director of community outreach and development at Outer Banks Health.

To commemorate, Outer Banks Health will host the ThriveOBX-themed gala, Stayin’ Alive with ThriveOBX, at Duck Woods Country Club on March 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. This 70s-themed event will feature culinary food, drinks, live music, dancing and a silent disco and will raise funds to expand ThriveOBX programs in Dare County Schools, local businesses and organizations. Tickets are $300 per person (formal attire preferred), with limited availability. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at $100 each for a chance to win an eight-night stay in Athens, Crete and Santorini, Greece. Proceeds directly support the well-being fund. For tickets, sponsorships or details, visit OuterBanksHealth.org/Gala2026.

ThriveOBX encourages continued use of Playbook resources beyond February, as the tools, events and ideas support well-being throughout the year. ThriveOBX is just getting started bringing well-being to the Outer Banks community.

For more on programs, event photos, videos and involvement, visit ThriveOBX.com. 

Pictured: The Don’t Stress…Thrive! event at Jennette’s Pier at full capacity.

Pictured: Speakers Christina Bowen, MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM (left) and Sarah Summerton, FNP (right), standing beside the Thrive Month event banner at the “Don’t Stress…Thrive!” event. Speakers Christina Bowen, MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM (left) and Sarah Summerton, FNP (right), standing beside the Thrive Month event banner at the “Don’t Stress…Thrive!” event.

Pictured: Collected trash and debris in front of a Big Beach and Island Cleanup banner.

Pictured: The Big Beach and Island Cleanup event graphic.

Pictured: Big Beach and Island Cleanup event leaders from Outer Banks Health and the Surfrider Foundation in front of the Thrive Bites food trailer.

Pictured: Group of participants moving through a yoga flow at the Move-a-Thon.

Pictured: The Move-a-Thon event graphic. 

About Outer Banks Health

Outer Banks Health is a growing health system that provides a range of health and wellness services for our community. Designed especially to meet the health needs of our coastal community, whose year-round population of 35,000 swells to over 250,000 in the summer season, we’re first in the state for patient satisfaction, first in the nation to pilot groundbreaking rural health cancer programs, and the very first to be designated a Dementia Friendly Hospital. We work with our partners, ECU Health and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, along with other health organizations throughout North Carolina and Virginia, to help our residents and visitors access the best possible care for their diagnosis. Many times we deliver that care right here, close to home.