Dr. LaPonda Edmondson to lead the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation

Raleigh, NC – September 30, 2024 — The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is pleased to announce the promotion of LaPonda Edmondson, DrPH, MHS to president of the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF) and senior vice president of NCHA, effective Oct. 1, 2024. 

Dr. Edmondson is an exceptional leader,” said NCHA President and CEO Steve Lawler. “Her strategic vision, collaborative approach, and commitment to driving positive change has played a pivotal role in the success of the Foundation’s initiatives to enhance access to care, support rural healthcare delivery, create greater equity of care, and improve behavioral health. I am excited about the future of the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation. Great things await.” 

Dr. Edmondson led the launch of the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program in 2019, connecting leaders who are willing to share their knowledge and experience to high-achieving professionals from underrepresented communities. Since then, the program has graduated 59 professionals and includes representation from eight major health systems across the state. 

She helped co-lead the NCHA Equity Committee, which began its work in 2020. In 2022, Dr. Edmondson started the NCHF Social Impact Program, which recently awarded grant funding to several entities across Robeson County dedicated to advancing health equity and social impact by addressing transportation barriers to good health. Last year, she launched the NCHF Quality Improvement & Safety Committee. 

Dr. Edmondson joined NCHA in 2017. She has over a decade of experience in health research, evaluation, and community outreach, with a passion for chronic disease prevention and management, eliminating health disparities, and advocating for vulnerable populations.  

Dr. Edmondson is a Raleigh, NC native and earned her Master of Health Sciences degree from Western Carolina University and Doctor of Public Health degree from Georgia Southern University.  

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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.