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NCHF’s Newest Mentorship Class Pairs 22 Diverse Professionals with 20 Senior Healthcare Executives
Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF), the charitable non-profit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, announced the 2026 class of the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program. The competitive program is designed to help cultivate a diverse pipeline of leaders for the healthcare field and pairs 22 healthcare professionals from underrepresented communities with 20 executive leaders from health systems and hospitals who serve as mentors.
“NCHF is pleased to welcome its seventh class into the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program. The program marked an important milestone last year with the graduation of its 100th mentee and continues to draw participants from health systems across the state,” said Dr. LaPonda Edmondson, NCHF President & SVP, NCHA. “Many alumni attribute their participation to accelerated career growth and increased organizational visibility, advancing our goal of preparing high-potential professionals for leadership.”
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 meet regularly with their mentors to gain confidence in areas such as executive presence, leadership development, staff coaching, and negotiating skills. Mentees also separately meet with their fellow peers to share their experiences and insights. The mentorship program provides access to educational and networking opportunities such as NCHA’s annual Winter and Summer membership meetings, where class members interact with senior healthcare executives from across the state.
“Mentorship is a key driver of a strong and sustainable healthcare workforce. NCHA and our members are proud to support the development of the next generation of healthcare leaders in North Carolina,” said Josh Dobson, President and CEO of NCHA. “Through intentional investment in leadership development, we are helping ensure our hospitals and health systems are equipped to meet the changing needs of communities across the state.”
2026 Program Mentees:
- Joshua Baucom, Director of Respiratory Care, Atrium Health/Advocate Health
- Demetrius W. Beauford, Associate Director of Heart & Vascular Services, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Charles Cannon III, Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Duke University Health System
- Ijah Egwuonwu, Discharge RN, Cone Health
- Gwendolyn Gilbert, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Agape Health Services
- Sara Griffith, Chief Nursing Officer, NC Board of Nursing
- Jacole Hairston, Service Access Manager, Duke University Hospital
- Raymond Henley, Director of Operations, UNC Physicians Network
- Sarah Hreyo, Clinical Excellence Manager, Novant Health Medical Group
- Kyanh Huynh, Strategic Program Coordinator, ECU Health
- Tumani Jackson, Case Management Nurse, Duke University Health System
- James Jordan III, Health Center Administrator, Duke University Health System
- Lisa Jordan, HCS Director of Community Health Outcomes & Analytics, UNC Health
- Lori Mayhue-Brown, Volunteer Services Manager and Patient Advocate, Duke Raleigh Hospital
- Amber McDowell, Emergency Department Manager, UNC Health Southeastern
- Jeffrey Norris, Clinical Operations Supervisor, Duke University Health System
- Ankedra Reynolds, Administrative Director of Infectious Disease Division, Atrium Health
- Tanae Russell, Project Manager of Pediatric Oncology, Advocate Health
- Violetta Saldanha, Business Operations Manager, Atrium Health
- Ashlee Shands, Senior Strategy Advancement Professional, Humana
- Marcus Strickland, Senior Physician & Clinician Compensation Analyst, Duke Health
- Beverly Whichard, Supervisor of HIMS Operations, ECU Health Medical Center
2026 Program Mentors:
- Chad J. Brown, President of South and West Areas, Wilkes Medical Center
- Alicia Campbell, Facility Executive, Atrium Health Pineville
- Jason Carter, President & Chief Operations Officer, Duke Regional Hospital
- Kenyatta Elliott, Associate Vice President, Duke Primary Care
- Sharon Go, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer for Cardiac Services, HCA Mission Health in Asheville
- John Green, President & Chief Executive Officer, Iredell Health System
- Chere Gregory, Senior Vice President & Chief Equity Officer, Novant Health
- Paul Hammes, Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Chatham Health
- Christine Khandelwal, Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Sabrina Sims, Vice President of Revenue Cycle, ECU Health
- William Spencer Lilly, Former President of Carolinas Medical Center and Central Division, Atrium Health
- Brian Middleton, Vice President of Surgery Care Division, Advocate Health
- Jakki Opollo, Vice President of Talent Initiatives & Regional Chief Diversity Officer, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Tameka S. Peterson, Vice President of Chief Provider Experience Officer, Novant Health
- Adia K. Ross, Chief Medical Officer, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist – High Point Regional Hospital
- Tri Tang, Facility Executive at Atrium Health Lincoln, Advocate Health
- James H. Taylor, Former Chief Executive Officer, University of Louisville Medical Center
- Chuck Wallington, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Cone Health
- Brian M. Wofford, Vice President & Facility Executive at Atrium Health Lake Norman, Advocate Health
- Eric Wolak, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Nursing Officer, UNC Health Chatham
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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.
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.
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