Cary, NC – June 14, 2019 – The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) has named Cynthia Charles to the position of vice president of communications and public relations. Charles will be responsible for developing and implementing public relations and communications activities to support the association’s strategic direction and enhance its effectiveness as an advocate for the state’s healthcare industry. She will report to Cody Hand, senior vice president, government relations and deputy General Counsel.
“Cynthia brings the right combination of skills and experience to help NCHA take our public relations and communications programs to the next level to serve our members,” said NCHA President Steve Lawler. “She understands the challenges facing healthcare organizations and has a proven track record of effective leadership, having directed public relations and communications in several multi-hospital health systems as well as for teaching, rural and large urban hospitals and physician groups.”
Charles comes to NCHA from SCL Health, a faith-based multi-hospital nonprofit healthcare organization based in Denver, Colorado where she served as system director of public relations and communications since March 2018. In that role, she oversaw public relations, internal communications, social media, community sponsorships and crisis communications. Before that, Charles was executive director of marketing and communications for Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, North Carolina. She also previously served as senior director of marketing and communications for Novant Health in the Triad region.
A graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, Charles earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a dual major in political science. She also holds an accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.
About NCHA
Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.
