LaPonda Edmondson, DrPH, MHS
President, Foundation; Senior Vice President, NCHA
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NCHF’s Newest Mentorship Class Pairs 24 Diverse Professionals with 20 Senior Healthcare Executives
Raleigh, NC – February 12, 2025 – The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF), charitable non-profit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, announced the 2025 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 24 healthcare professionals from underrepresented communities with 20 executive leaders from health systems and hospitals who serve as mentors.
“NCHF is thrilled to welcome its sixth class into the Diverse Healthcare Leaders Mentorship Program. To-date, the program has graduated 85 professionals and includes representation from several major health systems across the state,” said Dr. LaPonda Edmondson, NCHF’s President. “Many of our past participants credit their program experience for continued career progression and enhanced visibility with their employers – achieving our ultimate goal of positioning these accomplished professionals for success and 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 financial management, 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 key in creating a strong and effective healthcare workforce. NCHA and our members are proud to be mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders in North Carolina,” said NCHA President and CEO, Josh Dobson. “By focusing on investing in the development of our healthcare workforce, especially at the leadership level, we can ensure that our hospitals and health systems are better prepared to meet the unique needs of communities across our state.”
2025 Program Mentees:
- Amber Locklear, Critical Care Manager, UNC Health Southeastern
- Anthony Tyre, Executive Director, Clear Point Behavioral Health
- Artina Dawkins, Co-Director, Diversity and Inclusion and Program Manager, Social Impact, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- 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, Pharmacy Manager, Sterile Products and Perioperative Services, UNC Health Rex
- 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:
- Mickey Foster, CEO, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
- Paul Hammes, CEO, Hugh Chatham Health
- Greg Gombar, Former CFO, Atrium Health
- Tameka Peterson, Vice President, Chief Provider Experience Officer, Credentialing and Medical Staff Operations, Novant Health
- John Green, President and CEO, Iredell Health
- Brian Middleton, Vice President, Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health
- Jason Carter, COO & Interim President, Duke Regional Hospital
- Chuck Wallington, EVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Cone Health
- Tri Tang, Facility Executive, Atrium Health Lincoln
- Chere Gregory, Senior Vice President, Chief Health Equity Officer, Novant Health
- Eric Wolak, COO, CNO, UNC Health Chatham
- Spencer Lilly, Former President, Central Division, Atrium Health
- Christine Khandelwal, Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Campbell University, Vice Chair of Medicine, WakeMed Hospital
- Adia Ross, CMO, High Point Medical Center, Atrium Health
- Alicia Campbell, Facility Executive, Atrium Health
- Brian Wofford, Vice President and Facility Executive, Atrium Health Lake Norman
- Jakki Opollo, Vice President of Talent Initiatives and Regional Chief Diversity Officer, Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist
- Jim Taylor, Former CEO, University of Louisville Medical Center
- Kenyatta Elliott, Associate VP, Duke Primary Care
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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 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.
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