North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Announces New Board Members for 2026
Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF) today announced the appointment of Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, State Health Director Chief Medical Officer, NC Department of Health and Human Services and Joshua Swift, Public Health Director, Forsyth County Health Department as new members to its Board of Trustees.
“We are thrilled to welcome such accomplished individuals to our Board,” said Dr. LaPonda Edmondson, President of the NCHF. “Their extensive expertise in tackling the social drivers of health, promoting community-based care, and deep understanding of North Carolina’s healthcare landscape will be invaluable in guiding the Foundation’s mission.”
Penney Burlingame Deal, President & CEO of Onslow Memorial Hospital and Chair of the NCHF Board of Trustees said, “NCHF is dedicated to driving the collective impact of hospitals, health systems, and community partners to improve the health of North Carolinians and I believe the addition of these new board members will further propel NCHF’s impact to do just that.”
2026 NCHF Board of Trustees members are as follows:
- Penney Burlingame Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Onslow Memorial Hospital (Chair)
- Jeffrey Creagh, Vice President, Administration Operations, Novant Health (Treasurer)
- Jessie Tucker III, President and CEO, UNC Health Wayne (Secretary)
- Juan Austin, Senior Vice President for Social Impact, Sustainability and Community Relations, Wells Fargo Foundation
- Chad Brown, President, Wilkes Medical Center
- Greg Lowe, President, HCA Healthcare, North Carolina Division, Mission Health
- Josh Dobson, President & CEO, North Carolina Healthcare Association
- Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer, Association of State & Territorial Health Officials
- Adia Ross, Chief Medical Officer, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist—High Point Regional Hospital
- Lynda Stanley, President & CEO, Dosher Memorial Hospital
- Jeffrey Sims, Assistant Professor and Associate Chair for Alumni & External Relations, Department of Health Policy & Management, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
The NCHF is the charitable non-profit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association. The NCHF brings together diverse voices and perspectives to support community-based innovation and develop leading-edge programming to drive lasting change. To learn more about the NCHF and the priority areas visit: ncha.org/foundation.
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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.
About North Carolina Healthcare Foundation
Established in 1964, the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation is the charitable non-profit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association. The Foundation brings together diverse voices and perspectives to support community-based innovation and develop leading-edge programming to drive lasting change. Its goal is to power system-wide solutions, redefine the healthcare delivery system and improve the health and well-being of people in North Carolina and beyond. The Foundation works in concert with the Association to shape policy, inform the public and drive change.