NCHF Congratulates 2025 Class of the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF), the charitable, innovative, and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA), announces the graduation of the 2025 class of the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program.
This year’s program paired 24 healthcare professionals from underrepresented communities with 20 senior executives from hospitals and health systems across North Carolina. With this cohort, the program celebrated a significant milestone, graduating its 100th mentee.
Established to strengthen representation in healthcare leadership, the program provides mentorship, professional development, and leadership training to cultivate a robust pipeline of diverse leaders prepared to advance healthcare access across the state.
“NCHF commends the hard work and dedication of the newest alumni of the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program,” said Dr. LaPonda Edmondson, NCHF President, Senior Vice President of NCHA. “We are honored to celebrate the milestone of our 100th mentee through this initiative, which engages leaders from hospitals and community healthcare organizations across all four major regions of North Carolina.”
Over the course of nine months, mentors and mentees convened regularly to exchange insights and experiences on topics including leadership development, organizational culture, and more. Participants also took part in NCHA events, including the Summer Membership Meeting, to expand their professional networks and engage with peers from across the state.
The program concluded with a celebration in High Point, N.C., where mentees presented their capstone projects addressing key challenges and solutions related to North Carolina’s healthcare workforce. During the event, mentees reflected on their professional growth and expressed appreciation to their mentors for their guidance and dedication to supporting the future of healthcare leaders.
NCHF congratulates the 2025 Program Mentees:
- Amber Locklear, Critical Care Manager, UNC Health Southeastern
- Anthony Tyre, Executive Director, Clear Point Behavioral Health
- Artina Dawkins, AD & Associates
- Ashley Owen, Clinical Informaticist, Advocate Health/Atrium Health
- Chanda Miller, Supportive Care Nursing Coordinator, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Charles Mallett, Assistant Director Human Resources/Senior HRBP, Duke University Hospital
- Cory Holt, Director, HR Business Partner, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Demetries Green, Supervisor for Claims Follow-up, ECU Health
- Derrick Boyce, Senior Operational Excellence Specialist, ECU Health
- Ernest Samuel, Administrative Director, Imaging Services, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
- Gillian Agyemang, Public Health Epidemiology, HCA Healthcare/Mission Hospital
- Jalyn Howard, Practice Manager III, UNC Physicians Network
- Kamica Johnson, Pharmacy Employment Coordinator, UNC Health
- Linda Yang, Director of Information Strategy and Analytics, Family Health Initiatives
- Mike Jimenez, Manager of Cardiopulmonary Rehab and Fitness Services, UNC Health Southeastern
- Nialah Sharp, Senior Strategist – Help NOW and Hope Housing Programs, Advocate Health
- Rebekah Scrivens, Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Houston Methodist the Woodlands Hospital
- Sarah Figueroa, Project Manager Strategic Planning, AdventHealth
- Seyi Olusina, Administrative Director for Urgent Care, Atrium Health
- Shavonne Brewington, Manager, ECU Health – Access East
- Tiffany Wilson, Manager, Operations Administration, Duke Raleigh Hospital
- Tiffany Young, Patient Financial Services, Assistant Manager, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist
- Uzuri Holder, Program Manager, Duke University Hospital
- Yasmin Gay, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Hospital Based Violence Intervention Program Director, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
2025 Program Mentors:
- Alicia Campbell, Facility Executive, Atrium Health
- Jason Carter, COO & Interim President, Duke Regional Hospital
- Kenyatta Elliott, Associate VP, Duke Primary Care
- Mickey Foster, CEO, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
- Greg Gombar, Former CFO, Atrium Health
- John Green, President and CEO, Iredell Health
- Chere Gregory, Senior Vice President, Chief Health Equity Officer, Novant Health
- Paul Hammes, CEO, Hugh Chatham Health
- Christine Khandelwal, Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Campbell University, Vice Chair of Medicine, WakeMed Hospital
- Spencer Lilly, Former President, Central Division, Atrium Health
- Brian Middleton, Vice President, Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health
- Jakki Opollo, Vice President of Talent Initiatives and Regional Chief Diversity Officer, Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist
- Tameka Peterson, Vice President, Chief Provider Experience Officer, Credentialing and Medical Staff Operations, Novant Health
- Adia Ross, CMO, High Point Medical Center, Atrium Health
- Tri Tang, Facility Executive, Atrium Health Lincoln
- Jim Taylor, Former CEO, University of Louisville Medical Center
- Chuck Wallington, EVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Cone Health
- Brian Wofford, Vice President and Facility Executive, Atrium Health Lake Norman
- Eric Wolak, COO, CNO, UNC Health Chatham
Learn more about the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program here: https://www.ncha.org/programs/mentorship-program/
XXX
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 NCHF
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.