2023 class pairs 24 diverse individuals with 18 senior healthcare executive mentors
Cary, NC – January 3, 2023 –The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF), the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, today announced the fourth class of participants in the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program, designed to help cultivate a diverse pipeline of leaders for the healthcare field. The nine-month program pairs 24 individuals from underrepresented communities employed in healthcare with 18 executive leaders from health systems and hospitals who will serve as mentors.
As national and North Carolina demographics continue to shift, hospital and health system executives increasingly want to develop and promote diverse leaders who can contribute different perspectives to issues and help accelerate industry innovation and transformation.
Throughout the duration of the program, participants will meet monthly with their mentors to gain confidence in areas such as financial management, leadership development, staff coaching and negotiating skills. Mentees also separately meet with their fellow peers to share their experiences and learning insights. The mentorship program provides access to educational and networking opportunities such as the healthcare association’s annual Winter and Summer membership meetings where the class members can interact with senior healthcare executives from across the state.
Mark Gordon, President of Alamance Regional Medical Center and Senior Vice President of Cone Health, is a returning mentor this year. He said, “Mentorship is essential to development. We all have been at beginning stages or seeking to grow. However, growth and development cannot be successful within a vacuum. As mature professionals, we have a personal responsibility to shepherd young talent with the hope that they will be prepared to care for our diverse communities.”
Earl Chen, Business Development Associate at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and one of Mr. Gordon’s mentees from the 2022 class, expressed gratitude for this mentor and the opportunities he gained through his participation. “I’m thankful for the Mentorship Program because it helped me to connect with my mentor who has helped me build my confidence and extended my network portfolio.”
2023 Program Mentees:
Irene Bolis,Business Operations Manager, Atrium Health
Kevin Briggs,Administrator-Laboratory & Respiratory Care Services, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Health Equity, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Carlton Brunson, Assistant Director, Human Resources, Duke University Health System
Dolapo Busuyi, Digital Content Specialist/Fellowship Program Manager, ECU Health
Kimberly Carter, Quality Nurse Specialist III, ECU Health
Seth Csan, Strategy Execution Manager, Novant Health
Amanda Eley, Nurse Manager, Operation, Duke Raleigh Cancer Center
Candice Faison, Revenue Manager, Duke University Medical Center
Melissa Fennell, Project Manager, Atrium Health
Douglas Fisher, Director of Pharmacy, Atrium Health
Morgan Jones, Manager, Patient Experience, UNC Health Southeastern
Evette Law, Director, Emergency Department, MedCenter HighPoint and Greensboro Drawbridge
Bridgett Luckey, Director, Community Hospital Grants and Outreach, ECU Health
Kris-Shae McCall, Assistant Director, Enterprise Health Information Management, Novant Health
Delores McNair, Administrative Manager, Duke University
George Monjimbo, Business Operations Program Manager, Novant Health
Crystal Redfern, Director of Clinical Improvement, Novant Health
Cassiopeia Reid, Director, Talent Insights, Novant Health
Stefanie Resillez, Administrative Director, Duke University Hospital
Derrick Rodgers, Manager Learning Systems and Technology, Novant Health
Vernita Kaye Rouse, Health Equity Manager, ECU Health
Mayra Wagoner, Nurse Manager, Novant Health
Jennifer Williams, Clinical Nurse Manager Operation, Duke University Hospital
Fred T. Brown Jr., Retired Chief Executive Officer, Atrium Health WF Baptist
Greg Gombar, Retired Executive Vice President, CFO, Atrium Health
Mark Gordon, President, Alamance Regional Medical Center, and SVP, Cone Health
Crystal Hayden, DNP, RN, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, Nash UNC Health Care
Christine Khandelwal, DO, Vice Chair of Medicine, Wake Med Hospital
Steve Lawler, President & CEO, NCHA
William Spencer Lilly, Retired Former President, Carolinas Medical Center and Central Division, Atrium Health
Brian Middleton, Vice President, Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health
Catherine Mohr, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Dosher Memorial Hospital
Tameka O’Neal, Vice President, Chief Provider Experience Officer, Novant Health
Robert (Bob) Singletary, Interim CEO, Rutherford Regional Hospital and Person Memorial Hospital
Tri Tang, Vice President of Administration, Atrium Health
Amanze Ugoji, MD, CEO, Washington Regional Medical Center
Chuck Wallington, EVP and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Cone Health
Phyllis A. Wingate, Retired Senior Vice President/President, Carolina Health System Northeast
Charlene Wilson, Chief People Officer, ECU Health
In addition, the North Carolina Healthcare Association and the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation congratulate the following individuals from the 2022 cohort who have completed the program:
Jasmine Ballard, Administrative Director, Levine Cancer Insitute
Ramona Basnight, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke Cancer Institute-Wake County
Euniqua Bullock, Operations Nurse Manager, Duke Health System
Liening (Earl) Chen, Business Development Associate, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Marissa Garcia, Strategy Execution Manager, Novant Health
Swapna Joseph, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Rosalynne Lopez, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services, Cone Health
Robert Colby Marks, Practice Administrator, Cone Health
Koai Martin, Equity and Special Projects Consultant, ECU Health
Dennis Mitchell, Analytical Solutions Manager, UNC Health
Dana Peebles, Assistant Director, Leadership, Culture & Change Strategy, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Antonio Peterkin, Practice Manager, Cape Fear Valley Health System
Candace Ramirez, Administrative Director, Perioperative Services, Duke University Hospital
Ylenia Sharif, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager, UNC Health (former)
Jonathan Young, Administrative Specialist/Credentialing Coordinator, Rehab Therapy Services, UNC Health
Visit NCHA’s YouTube page to view participants from previous classes of the of the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation’s Diverse Leaders Mentorship Program share their appreciation for being part of this initiative.
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
The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the North Carolina Healthcare Association. Established in 1961, the Foundation supports the Association’s work in quality improvement, behavioral health, and rural health care. The Foundation serves as a pathway for the Association to:
Convene member hospitals and their community partners to address social determinants of health
Advocate for rural hospitals to provide essential services
Support innovative data-driven initiatives to improve healthcare
Address barriers to establishing a high-quality behavioral health system across the state