8:00 a.m.
Lobby
All Day
Room 7
9:00 a.m.
Room 2
Michelle Ries, MPH | President and CEO, NCIOM
Michelle G. Ries, MPH, is President & CEO of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. Ries has been on the NCIOM team for over a decade, serving the Institute and the state across many roles within the organization, most recently as Associate Director. During her tenure with NCIOM, Ries has provided strategic leadership to the Institute in its work providing advisory support to state stakeholders across many integral health policy issues. Ries led much of NCIOM’s work over the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing facilitation and drafting support for the North Carolina Scarce Resource Allocation Protocol (in partnership with the North Carolina Healthcare Association and the North Carolina Medical Society) and the Vaccine Advisory Committee (in partnership with the NC Department of Health and Human Services); launching statewide task forces on pandemic preparedness and local public health; and providing analysis of state- and federal-level COVID policy response and subsequent impact on North Carolinians.
Adam Sholar, JD | Board Chair, NCIOM; President and CEO, North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association
Adam is the Chief Executive Officer, responsible to the Board of Directors for the effective conduct of the affairs of the Association. He advances the Association’s goals, objectives, and policies and apprises members of issues affecting them. He is responsible for the effective use of the physical and financial resources of the Association, and he represents the Association before governmental bodies, as well as allied groups and constituencies.
Devdutta Sangvai, MD, MBA, FAAFP | Secretary North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Devdutta “Dev” Sangvai was sworn in as the new Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. Gov. Josh Stein selected Dr. Sangvai to lead the department as the state’s 19th Secretary for Health and Human Services. Secretary Sangvai is a family medicine physician and a professor at Duke University. He is also a member of the North Carolina Medical Board. Prior to his role with NCDHHS, he served as President of Duke Regional Hospital and President of the North Carolina Medical Society. His work has focused on improving access, developing the healthcare workforce, and making care more efficient. Dr. Sangvai is the first Indian American cabinet member to serve under a North Carolina governor.
9:20 a.m.
Room 2
Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH | President & Founder, Rickshaw Enterprises; Former Washington State Secretary of Health; Former Harris County, Texas, Public Health Director
Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH is a physician, visionary, and health leader with over 20 years of on-ground experience navigating the front lines of healthcare and government. From Texas to Washington, and beyond, he’s led through countless national and global crises, shaped systems, and built bridges across red and blue landscapes – all with a deep commitment to people and purpose.
Most recently serving as Secretary of Health for Washington state, Dr. Shah previously led Harris County Public Health in Texas and was president of NACCHO, representing 3,000 local health departments. He spent two decades caring for veterans as an emergency physician in the VA health system.
Today, he advises organizations through Rickshaw Enterprises, LLC, focusing on strategy, leadership, and transformation. A proud son of immigrants, shaped by his Asian-American values, Midwestern roots, and Texas grit, Dr. Shah believes that leadership is about showing up – especially when it’s hard – and that the journey matters just as much as the destination. Each and every time.
Hosted by Danny F. Scalise, II, MPH, MBA | Health Director, Burke County Health Department
Danny F. Scalise, II is a nationally recognized public health executive and policy strategist. He serves as Public Health Director for Burke County, North Carolina, where he leads one of the state’s only dual-accredited health departments. With more than two decades of experience across local, state, and national systems, he has led award-winning initiatives in harm reduction, emergency preparedness, and public health modernization. Scalise is Certified in Public Health (CPH) and a Fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and as a Governing Councilor for the American Public Health Association. He also holds adjunct faculty appointments at UNC-Chapel Hill, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University, and is a frequent national speaker on public health infrastructure, workforce development, and health policy.
10:10 a.m.
Room 2
This panel will explore how challenges of the past five years have impacted public health practice and the health of North Carolinians, and thoughts about moving forward in the current context. Challenges to be discussed include the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid and mental health crises, and Hurricane Helene response.
Moderated by Ronny A. Bell, PhD, MS | Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Editor in Chief, North Carolina Medical Journal
Ronny A. Bell, PhD, MS, is the Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also the Deputy Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Bell is a native of Robeson County, North Carolina, and is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Dr. Bell serves as a member of the NC DHHS Minority Health Advisory Council as well as Editor-In-Chief of the North Carolina Medical Journal.
Lawrence Greenblatt, MD | State Health Director, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt is the State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. A general internal medicine physician with more than three decades of experience, he has a long-standing commitment to public health and to improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Dr. Greenblatt served at Duke University Health System for 31 years, where he cared for patients, trained medical students and residents, and led efforts to improve the quality of care for Medicaid populations. During this time, he developed expertise in integrating mental health and substance use treatment into primary care settings.
In his current role as State Health Director, Dr. Greenblatt works with interdisciplinary teams across the state to advance health and well-being for all North Carolinians. His leadership spans initiatives to strengthen and expand the healthcare workforce, reduce the risk of stroke, and improve access to care in rural communities. He co-leads the Cannabis Advisory Council, which is evaluating hemp product availability and public health protections, and serves on a North Carolina Institute of Medicine team developing a comprehensive strategy to improve veterans’ health. He is the son and son-in-law of veterans and briefly served in the Public Health Service.
Ellis Matheson, DNP, RN | Public Health Director, Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Ellis Matheson is a nurse leader with a doctoral degree and a long career in public health. She has extensive experience in local government, public health nursing, and executive leadership. Ellis is dedicated to eliminating health disparities and promoting community-centered care.
She advocates for the public health workforce through research on recruitment and retention, aiming to strengthen the pipeline for future professionals. As an educator, she emphasizes essential public health skills and the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
Believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, Ellis is committed to building public health systems that respect individuals' unique histories and amplify their voices in creating healthier communities.
Omari Richins, MPH | Health Improvement Program Officer, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
Omari Richins is a Health Improvement program officer at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. He works deeply in community around the state, building relationships across sectors and participating in grantmaking that focuses on improving the health and well-being of residents with low-incomes, communities of color, and areas that have been marginalized. He also works collaboratively with partners and residents to advance the Trust’s Healthy Places NC initiative in rural North Carolina.
Prior to joining the Trust in 2020, Omari served as a community health fellow at the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Alaska. Before accepting the Mat-Su Health Foundation fellowship, Omari was the community initiatives assistant planner for WellFlorida Council Inc.
In 2019, Omari created a website, The Public Health Millennial, to build community and dialogue among public health professionals and students. In 2023, Omari Co-founded Brothers in Public Health Inc, a nonprofit organization working to increase the involvement of Men of Color in public health to affect change within Communities of Color.
Omari holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Tampa.
Charlene Wong, MD, MSPH | Adolescent Medicine Pediatrician and Health Services Researcher, Duke University; Former Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Charlene Wong, MD, MSPH is a physician and health policy leader who is serving as the Chief Health Officer at the Common Health Coalition and is co-founding a national, non-profit organization called Seen & Heard to ignite change with young people to through advocacy, education, and partnership.
Dr. Wong served in federal and state government from 2020-2025, first as Chief Health Policy Officer for COVID-19 and the inaugural Assistant Secretary for Children and Families in the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. She then served as the Senior Advisor for Health Strategy to the CDC Director, where she led the agency’s collaborative approach of integrating public health and health care.
Dr. Wong is on faculty at Duke University and launched the North Carolina Integrated Care for Kids (NC InCK) as Executive Director in 2020, an innovative model serving ~100,000 Medicaid-insured children. She is a primary care pediatrician, specializing in adolescent and young adult medicine.
Dr. Wong completed her clinical, research and policy training at the CDC, University of Washington, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, earning her degrees at UNC–Chapel Hill, Emory School of Medicine, and University of Pennsylvania. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters.
11:00 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
Room 1D
This session will highlight the role that federal policy has played in public health in North Carolina from the state, local, health care, and university perspectives. Panelists will discuss issues related to public health data, research, and practice.
Moderated by John Lumpkin, MD, MPH, FAAN, FACEP, FACMI | Owner, Lumpkin Health Strategies
John R. Lumpkin, MD, MPH (he/him/his) is the Owner of Lumpkin Health Strategies, LLC consulting on Food is Medicine, Drivers of Health and Public Health. Formerly the Executive Strategic Counselor, Corporate Social Responsibility and Drivers of Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina since October 2019. In addition to this role, Lumpkin also served as the president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Prior roles included serving as Senior Vice President, Programs for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and as the first African American director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Lumpkin is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Medical Informatics, and a member of the NC Institute of Medicine. He has also served on, and advised, several federal-level committees and commissions to advance and improve health in the US. His many distinctions and honors include the Arthur McCormack Excellence and Dedication in Public Health Award from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, as well as the Jonas Salk Health Leadership Award. He earned his Medical Degree and Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree from Northwestern University Medical School and his Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois School of Public Health. He was the first African American trained in emergency medicine in the country after completing his residency at the University of Chicago and has served on the faculty of the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Josh Dobson, MPA | President and CEO, North Carolina Healthcare Association
Josh Dobson became president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association Nov. 12, 2024. The Association unites hospitals, health systems and care providers for healthier communities, advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships to make high quality healthcare equitable and accessible for all.
With over 14 years of experience as a North Carolina elected leader, his career has included serving as a county commissioner, serving in the state House of Representatives, and serving as the state’s Commissioner of Labor, during which he also was a member of the Council of State. During his eight years serving in North Carolina General Assembly, Mr. Dobson represented the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state. He also served as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Health Committee.
During his time in the state house, Mr. Dobson contributed to shaping healthcare legislation by helping to write and pass a law to protect healthcare worker safety by making violence against hospital employees a felony. He also worked across the aisle to enact changes to the state’s mental health law regarding involuntary commitment (IVC) of individuals in behavioral crises and contributed to landmark legislation expanding Medicaid to provide access to care and coverage for an additional 600,000 North Carolinians.
As president & CEO of the NCHA, he oversees the association’s work to represent its membership of more than 135 hospitals and health systems throughout the state. NCHA’s members include state hospitals, military and governmental treatment facilities, VA, primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, rehabilitative services, behavioral health care, and post-acute care.
His role with the association also includes overseeing the operations and staff of the NCHA Strategic Partners, a subsidiary helping healthcare providers access cost-effective products and services to respond to the changing healthcare landscape, and the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the charitable, non-profit innovative and programmatic arm of the association.
A North Carolina native, Mr. Dobson received his bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. He lives in Raleigh and Nebo with his wife Valerie and their daughter Kennedy.
Kelly Kimple, MD, MPH | Director, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
Dr. Kelly Kimple serves as the Director of the Division of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer for Public Health at NCDHHS where she advances statewide efforts to improve health and well-being in North Carolina. She first joined NCDHHS in 2016, holding leadership roles in maternal and child health and health promotion.
Previously, Dr. Kimple was on faculty at the UNC School of Medicine, where she led initiatives to reduce hospital readmissions through a whole-person approach and addressing non-medical needs through a medical-legal partnership. She provided primary care in academic and rural community health center settings, with an additional focus on children and youth with special health care needs.
As a native North Carolinian, she ventured north to earn her B.A. in Biologic Basis of Behavior and Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania. She later returned to NC to earn her M.D. and M.P.H. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed residencies in pediatrics and preventive medicine/public health at the University of North Carolina.
Nancy Messonnier, MD | Dean and Bryson Distinguished Professor in Public Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Nancy Messonnier, MD, became dean of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and Bryson Distinguished Professor in Public Health in fall 2022.
Dean Messonnier’s dedication to achieving public health impact through successful implementation informs her leadership of the Gillings School across academics, research, practice, policy and outreach. With a focus on impact in North Carolina and globally, she works with Gillings School faculty, staff, students and partners to expand initiatives around public health practice, behavioral health, climate and health, generative artificial intelligence, and women’s health, among other opportunities.
Before she joined the Gillings School as dean, Dr. Messonnier’s 25-year career as a public health leader was devoted to developing and implementing accessible vaccines, promoting vaccine confidence, addressing disparities in immunization coverage and preventing future pandemics — all on a global scale.
Dr. Messonnier served in influential roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including as director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) from 2014 to 2021. She led the NCIRD’s response to COVID-19 and served as the CDC’s chief architect of the COVID vaccine implementation program, helping to develop, evaluate and distribute vaccines across the United States.
Dr. Messonnier served as executive director for pandemic prevention and health systems at the Skoll Foundation from 2021 to 2022. She was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine in 2021.
Dr. Messonnier received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, earned a medical degree at the University of Chicago School of Medicine and completed internal medicine residency training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Danny F. Scalise, II, MPH, MBA | Health Director, Burke County Health Department
Danny F. Scalise, II is a nationally recognized public health executive and policy strategist. He serves as Public Health Director for Burke County, North Carolina, where he leads one of the state’s only dual-accredited health departments. With more than two decades of experience across local, state, and national systems, he has led award-winning initiatives in harm reduction, emergency preparedness, and public health modernization. Scalise is Certified in Public Health (CPH) and a Fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and as a Governing Councilor for the American Public Health Association. He also holds adjunct faculty appointments at UNC-Chapel Hill, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University, and is a frequent national speaker on public health infrastructure, workforce development, and health policy.
11:15 a.m.
Room 1C
This session will examine state policy and local programming for people struggling with substance misuse and addiction. The discussion will focus on projects supported by the opioid settlement funds and their impacts on reducing overdose deaths.
Moderated by Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH | Health Director, Granville Vance Public Health
Lisa Macon Harrison, local health director in Granville and Vance Counties in North Carolina since 2012, has worked at the intersection of public health research, practice, policy and advocacy. Ms. Harrison’s areas of expertise and public health leadership and training include:
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill. She is a co-author on more than 40 peer-reviewed publications in public health and regularly presents to advocate for the public health workforce including a Congressional briefing in 2021. Lisa remains associated with UNC-Chapel Hill as an adjunct research associate in the Public Health Leadership Program, and as a consultant adjunct with the Duke University School of Nursing.
Lisa helped establish the Rural Academic Health Department model for GVPH which receives approximately $2,000,000 per year in grant funds. She served as President of the NC Public Health Association in 2015 and was elected to represent five southern states on the Board of Directors of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) 2018-2022 where she now serves as Past-President. Lisa serves as a member of the NC Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) and co-chaired the NCIOM “Future of Public Health” task force. Lisa’s work on addressing the opioid crisis continues in the Rural Justice Collaborative and the NACO Opioid Leadership Solutions Network – both national connections on this important work in public health. In spring of 2024, Lisa received the NC Association of Local Health Directors “Health Director of the Year” award.
Alyssa Kitlas, MPH | Opioid Settlement Program Manager, Wake County
Alyssa Kitlas is the Opioid Settlement Program Manager for Wake County. In this role, she oversees the opioid settlement funds coming to Wake County which includes co-leading a county-wide coalition, managing the program budget and contracts, communicating regularly to key stakeholders, leading collaborative strategic planning, and evaluating funded interventions. Prior to coming to Wake County, she worked at the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, NASTAD, and NACCHO. Alyssa received her Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where she was a Bloomberg American Health Fellow focused on Overdose and Addiction.
Amanda Martin | Executive Director, GreenTree Peer Support
Alyssa Kitlas is the Opioid Settlement Program Manager for Wake County. In this role, she oversees the opioid settlement funds coming to Wake County which includes co-leading a county-wide coalition, managing the program budget and contracts, communicating regularly to key stakeholders, leading collaborative strategic planning, and evaluating funded interventions. Prior to coming to Wake County, she worked at the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, NASTAD, and NACCHO. Alyssa received her Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where she was a Bloomberg American Health Fellow focused on Overdose and Addiction.
Elyse Powell, PhD | Executive Director, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
Dr. Elyse Powell is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC), NC's only statewide harm reduction organization. Under her leadership, NCHRC provides direct overdose prevention services to more than 6,000 North Carolinians each year, distributes over 19,000 naloxone kits, implements innovative, evidence-based programs, and advocates for policies that protect and empower people who use drugs.
Previous roles for Dr. Powell include Director of Strategy and State Opioid Coordinator at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped develop and launch the current North Carolina Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan, wrote NCDHHS' department wide strategic plan, and supported the creation of NC's Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Agreement. She is an experienced public health leader deeply committed to building compassionate, evidence based systems that save lives and strengthen communities. In her spare time, you can find her hiking and rock climbing in NC's many parks.
Nidhi Sachdeva, MPH | Director of Strategic Health and Opioid Initiatives, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
Nidhi Sachdeva, MPH (she/her) is a thoughtful leader and passionate public health professional committed to creating healthy, safe, and equitable communities. She is a systems-thinker with hopes of creating a culture of curiosity and care. Ms. Sachdeva serves as the Director of Strategic Health and Opioid Initiatives with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) where she assists counties in planning for and utilizing national opioid settlement funds, implementing and evaluating health initiatives, and maximizing resources and impact through technical assistance. She has worked in public health and harm reduction in various capacities and on multiple levels within government (local and state) and research universities.
11:15 a.m.
Room 8
In this session, panelists will discuss how policy reforms and community organizations are working together to tackle housing quality and affordability in North Carolina. We will consider the impact of natural disasters on housing and how rebuilding efforts are meeting the needs of displaced communities.
Moderated by Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, MCRP, MPP | Director of Housing Policy, North Carolina Housing Coalition
Stephanie Watkins-Cruz is a North Carolina native and housing policy leader with nearly a decade of experience in affordable housing and local government. She is the Director of Housing Policy at the North Carolina Housing Coalition, leading efforts to expand affordable housing across the state, including rural and underserved communities. Previously, Stephanie was a Policy Analyst in the Chatham County Manager’s Office, where she led housing initiatives, facilitated public-private partnerships for new development, and worked to preserve existing affordable housing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UNC Asheville and dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill. Combining technical expertise with lived experience, Stephanie focuses on advancing practical, community-centered housing solutions for long-term stability in North Carolina.
Stephanie McGarrah, MPA | Deputy Secretary for the Division of Community Revitalization, North Carolina Department of Commerce
Stephanie McGarrah serves as Deputy Secretary for the Division of Community Revitalization within the North Carolina Department of Commerce, leading the state’s efforts to support recovery and revitalization in western North Carolina following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
A native of western North Carolina, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of the region’s unique challenges and opportunities, along with a strong commitment to fostering sustainable growth and resilience.
Stephanie’s extensive career in public service and policy spans over two decades. Prior to her current role, she served as Executive Director of the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office, where she successfully led the state’s response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her expertise in addressing critical state issues also includes her work with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to identify and mitigate healthcare workforce shortages, as well as leadership roles with the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) and UNC Health.
Stephanie also served under the North Carolina Department of Commerce as Assistant Secretary, from 2007 to 2013. During her tenure, she played a key role in advancing economic initiatives that strengthened communities and supported job growth statewide.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.
Will Parry-Hill | Deputy Executive Director, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
Will Parry-Hill is the Deputy Executive Director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, a self-supporting public agency that has financed more than 321,000 homes and apartments totaling $34.4 billion.
He has been with NCHFA for over 20 years, primarily focused on state and federal housing policy and representing the agency with members of Congress, the General Assembly, and the business community.
Prior to his tenure at the Housing Finance Agency he has been a secondary school teacher and held several governmental and political roles. A native North Carolinian, he’s a graduate of Greensboro College.
Ronald Wesson | Board Chair, Partners for Bertie County Public Schools
In 2008 I retired from the Dun & Bradstreet Corp. after 32 yrs. of service as the Senior Vice Pres. and Global Leader of their Supply Mgmt. Solutions Division. During that tenure, Black Enterprises Magazine named me “One of the 100 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America for 1999”, and The Nat. Assoc. of Women Business Owners named me their “Man of the Year for 2002”.
After retirement, I returned to my hometown of Windsor, N.C. in Bertie County where I have had the pleasure of serving as a civic leader (Chair – Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of Martin/Bertie Comm. College, Chair – Partners for Bertie County Public Schools (Non-Profit that built our Teacher Housing Complex), Founder/Chair – Youth Bertie, Inc,). Citizens of Bertie County elected me as a County Commissioner 13 yrs. ago (2010-2024). I served as Chair or Vice Chair, 7 of those 12 yrs. I served the N.C. Assoc. of County Commissioners as Chair of their Tax & Finance Committee in 2017, and their General Gov. Committee - Chair in 2019. I also served our Council of State (Mid-East Commission) for 12 yrs., Chair in 20 21. In September 2025, Gov. Stein appointed me to the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority.
In 2022, Gov. Roy Cooper honored me with the State’s highest Volunteer Service Award; The Medallion Award for Volunteer Service.
I completed my undergraduate degree from the Univ. of N.C. at Chapel Hill in 1972, and my graduate studies at the Sloan School of Business at M.I.T’s Senior Executive Leadership Development Program in 1982; with a concentration in Managing Change in Complex Organizations.
My wife, Dr. Patricia Wright Wesson, is a retired regional Psychiatrist (35 yrs. in practice). We have two adult children.
Yolanda Winstead | President and CEO, DHIC, Inc.
Yolanda Winstead, President/CEO, DHIC, Inc. has three decades of experience in affordable housing development, financing, and related services. Her prior roles include VP of Finance at Greystone Affordable Development, where she was responsible for underwriting and sourcing financing tools, including Tax Exempt Bonds, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and providing support and technical assistance to developer clients. She spent 15 years at Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation (CAHEC), placing equity investments in LIHTC and Historic Tax Credit transactions across the Southeast. Ms. Winstead began her housing career at DHIC in 1994, where she started as Housing Services Coordinator, before transitioning to real estate development as a Project Manager. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and received her Nonprofit Management Certification from Duke University. Ms. Winstead serves on the National NeighborWorks Association Advisory Board, and the boards of Community Housing Capital and American Community Capital.
1:30 p.m.
Room 1D
This session will explore local efforts to improve access to healthy foods across North Carolina, focusing on food deserts in low-income neighborhoods and rural communities where residents travel longer distances for their groceries.
Moderated by Merry Davis | Director, The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation - Health Through Food
Merry Davis serves as Director of Health Through Food at the Blue Cross NC Foundation, where she helps lead efforts to improve health through better access to nutritious food across North Carolina. Guided by a belief that everyone—no matter where they live—should have access to healthy, affordable food, Merry works with partners to support community-driven solutions and system-level strategies. Since joining the Foundation in 2016, she has drawn on her experience in strategy, program design, project management, and communications to support initiatives that expand access to healthy food, grow Food is Medicine efforts, and make the healthy choice the easy choice. Merry’s commitment to this work is rooted in the wide-reaching impact food can have—not just on individual health, but also on local nonprofits, farms, and rural economies. Over the past 20+ years, she’s worked at leading organizations including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, California HealthCare Foundation, Duke University, and RTI International. Outside of work, Merry enjoys hiking near the Eno River, visiting farmers markets, and discovering North Carolina’s hidden gems. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Eric Aft, MHA | CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina
With over 35 years in nonprofit leadership roles, Eric feels privileged to lead Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina as its third CEO. He has been in this role since 2018.
During Eric’s tenure at SHFBNWNC, he has focused the organization on integrating immediate response activities with root-cause initiatives. This work has been brought to life by 1) expanding partnerships with schools (primary through college) and area health systems, 2) expanding the organization’s workforce preparation activities beyond its highly successful culinary training to include supply chain management, 3) developing a robust delivered meals program serving over 12,000 meals weekly to children and seniors, including multiple medically-tailored meal projects, 4) establishing the organizations first-ever satellite location in Greensboro, 5) leading the teams response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene, and 6) completing a $25 million new headquarters building with no debt.
He is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis and holds a Master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. His wife, Lisa, is a historian and former nonprofit leader and pre-school teacher. She is currently a PhD candidate in History at UNC-Greensboro. Their son, Avery, is a high school teacher and band director in Colorado Springs, and their daughter, Claire, is a clinical mental health counselor working in the Triad region of North Carolina.
Rachel Findley, MS, RDN, LDN | Senior Director of School Nutrition, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Rachel Findley became a registered dietitian in 2006 while in her first role in a child nutrition program as a Summer Food Service Program Consultant. After leaving that role and a quick stint in clinical dietetics, Rachel found herself exploring her first transformational career experience with Johnston County Schools, NC, as a Child Nutrition Supervisor in 2008. In 2010, Rachel was promoted to Director of Child Nutrition Services where she led a team of 300 school nutrition professionals. Despite her love for school nutrition, she transitioned to teaching at her alma mater, Meredith College, in 2015, where she taught for nearly 10 years. But, school nutrition called her home and in January of 2025, Rachel enthusiastically rejoined the school nutrition community as the Senior Director of the Office of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In this role, she also supports the office of transportation and driver’s education in addition to her responsibilities to the office of school nutrition.
Rachel holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Environmental Studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Amanda Hege, MPH, RDN, FAND | Community Health Coordinator, North Carolina Local Food Council
Amanda Hege, MPH, RDN, FAND, serves as a faculty member and Director of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship program at Appalachian State University. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she brings extensive experience in program evaluation, policy, and systems-level strategies to address food and nutrition security while strengthening local and regional food systems.
A strategic leader who bridges community action with state and federal policy, Amanda has led and supported Food is Medicine and food systems partnerships that expand healthy food access for rural and underserved populations. Her collaborative work spans organizations such as the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Resourceful Communities, and the Blue Cross NC Foundation, advancing innovation across agriculture, clinical nutrition, and public health sectors. She also serves as Board Chair of FARM Café in Boone, on the Advisory Committee for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, and as Chair of the Community Health Working Group of the NC Local Food Council, advancing progress from community roots to statewide impact.
Driven by the power of local food to build healthier communities, Amanda applies a systems-thinking approach to asking critical questions, digging deep, and mobilizing authentic action.
Sarah Ridout, MBA, SPHR | HOP Program Director, Community Care Lower Cape Fear
Sarah C. Ridout, MBA, SPHR is the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) Program Director for Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear (CCLCF) where she focuses on implementation, planning and evaluation of the HOP program along with an incredibly talented team and network of Human Services Organizations (HSO) within a six-county region. Sarah’s previous work includes leading communications and grant writing for CCLCF and grant management and compliance for a program funded by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant through FEMA.
1:30 p.m.
Room 8
This session will highlight innovative programs and legislation that have been implemented to address mental health access and suicide prevention in populations such as Veterans, children, and other underserved populations.
Moderated by JP Jameson, PhD | Professor, Appalachian State University Department of Psychology
Dr. JP Jameson is a Professor of Psychology at Appalachian State University and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in North Carolina. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009, completed a predoctoral internship at the Salem VA Medical Center, and completed a post-doctoral residency at the Baylor College of Medicine and Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. He directs the Assessment, Support, and Counseling (ASC) Center, a school-based mental health program to provide free mental health services for K–12 students and their families through a university-community partnership.
In addition to his work locally, JP serves as the Executive Director of CALM America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and dissemination of means safety interventions for suicide prevention. This approach, pioneered by CALM, promotes safety while respecting the rights and autonomy of individuals at risk.
Victor Armstrong, MSW | Vice President of Health Equity and Engagement, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Victor Armstrong serves as Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Victor previously served as the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer for North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services. Prior to his Chief Health Equity Officer role, Victor served as Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. Prior to his NC state government roles, Victor spent 6 years as Vice President of Behavioral Health with Atrium Health, based in Charlotte, NC.
Victor has over 30 years of experience in human services, primarily dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to serve individuals who have been historically marginalized. He is a nationally recognized speaker on issues regarding health equity and access to healthcare, particularly as it relates to individuals living with mental health challenges.
Victor currently serves on the steering committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. He also serves on the Board of Directors for College for Behavioral Health Leadership, McLeod Centers For Wellbeing, and i2i Center for Integrative Health. He is a member of the NC Institute of Medicine and is the host of the “Strong Talk” podcast.
Victor’s awards and recognitions include:
Victor graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and received his MSW from East Carolina University. He is the husband of Dr. Charletta Armstrong and the father of three sons, Carter, Alonzo, and Victor Jr.
Paul Berry | Director of Strategic Partnerships and Integration, Veterans Bridge Home
Paul Berry joined Veterans Bridge Home in October 2020. Prior to coming to Veterans Bridge Home Paul worked for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs where he served as the Military Installations Coordinator. Paul also worked for the USO of North Carolina where he serves as the NCServes Central Carolina Network Director.
Paul served in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. He was stationed in several locations around the world that include Ghana, South Korea, Poland, Morocco, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Paul earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2 awards), combat action ribbon and many more individual and unit awards.
Paul currently serves as the co-chair of the North Carolina Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, co-chair of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine Veterans Health Task Force, and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Healthy Veterans Community project. Paul also assists in coordinating the efforts of the seven Community Veterans Engagement Boards in North Carolina.
Anne Geissinger, MPH, RD | Project Lead, Faith Leaders for Life
Anne L. Geissinger has a Master of Public Health degree in Health Behavior and Health Education (MPH) and is a Registered Dietitian (RD). She has over ten years of experience in injury and violence prevention, focusing on suicide prevention. Although she has worked in Arizona, the Midwest, and the Middle East, her work has primarily centered on her home state of North Carolina.
Anne is lead for the NC Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team that is funded jointly by CDC and COVID-19 Health Equity grants. In this position, she creatively and passionately leads the successful planning and implementation of suicide prevention strategies across the state.
Kella Hatcher, JD | Executive Director, North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force
Kella Hatcher, JD, is currently the Executive Director of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force, a study commission that makes policy recommendations on child health and safety to state leaders. Kella’s background is in juvenile law and her previous roles include authoring juvenile law manuals for the UNC School of Government, serving as associate counsel for North Carolina’s Guardian ad Litem Program, and working as an assistant district attorney. Kella currently serves on multiple state-level advisory groups and she has served in various volunteer leadership roles for organizations serving the needs of children. She received her law degree from UNC Chapel Hill and her undergraduate degree from Purdue University.
1:30 p.m.
Room 1C
This session will highlight the role that policy and health communications have played in the sexual health of populations in North Carolina. We will particularly highlight teen pregnancy and HIV infection, as these are two indicators in HNC2030.
Moderated by Victoria Mobley, MD, MPH | Medical Epidemiologist, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch
Dr. Mobley received her undergraduate and medical degree from Duke University and a master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. She completed an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, followed by an Infectious Disease Fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill and now serves as the HIV/STI Medical Director for the NC Division of Public Health.
Bianca Allison, MD, MPH | Associate Professor, UNC Children’s Research Institute
Dr. Bianca Allison is a practicing teen-focused primary care pediatrician and health services researcher at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, specializing in adolescent and young adult health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology from Harvard University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Allison completed her pediatrics residency and NRSA Primary Care Research fellowship at UNC, where she now serves as an Associate Professor in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Her research program focuses on improving sexual and reproductive health service delivery for all adolescents. Dr. Allison has led numerous projects, including community-based participatory research, intervention development, and quality improvement initiatives, to enhance healthcare delivery.
Shannon Dowler, MD, CPE, FAAFP | Acting CMO, US Health and Human Services Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy; Author, Never Too Late: Your Guide to Safer Sex After Sixty
Shannon Dowler, MD, is a Family Physician, Fellow, and Certified Physician Executive (CPE) and is a Health Policy Consultant. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians and since February of 2024 has been an STI Consultant for the US HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary and Acting CMO for the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy. In April she completed a 5-year term on the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT). She enjoys numerous other consulting roles dedicated to improving health policy and population health. She is the immediate past CMO for NC Medicaid and Assistant Secretary for Health Access with NC DHHS.
An avid educator and advocate for sexual health, Dr. Dowler speaks to professional and lay audiences at the local, state and national level on STD prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Known by the moniker "RapDktaD", she has produced many educational rap videos, the second (STDs Never Get Old) achieving brief international attention; in 2023 John Hopkins Press published, Never Too Late: Your Guide to Safer Sex After Sixty. To learn more, go to ShannonDowlerMD.com.
A resident of Madison County, NC, Dr. Dowler volunteers at the local free clinic and teaches English as a Second Language, when not playing with her baby goats, chickens, dogs and barn cats.
Matthew Jenkins, MPA | Director, Mecklenburg County Health Department HIV/STD Division
Matt Jenkins has dedicated more than 22 years to advancing Public Health across North and South Carolina, serving in leadership roles within Non-Profit Organizations, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and State and Local Health Departments. His career began as an HIV Prevention Specialist, and over the years he has built a broad portfolio of experience in roles such as HIV Case Manager, Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS), Contract and Grants Monitor, Practice Manager, Health Program Manager, and Senior Health Program Manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human service management and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
In his current role as HIV/STD Director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, Matt provides strategic oversight for a comprehensive portfolio of HIV/STD programs, including Ryan White Services, HIV/STD Prevention and Education, Investigations and Surveillance, and the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. He leads efforts to strengthen community engagement through partnerships, ensuring programs are responsive to community needs while aligning with departmental and countywide priorities. Matt also plays a key role in program development, recommending and implementing new services through contracts with community organizations and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
A strong advocate for health equity, Matt is committed to improving access to high-quality Public Health services and advancing initiatives that foster better health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance.
Outside of his professional work, Matt enjoys international travel, wine tasting, and connecting with his granddaughters over FaceTime.
Jordan Karas | Adolescent Health Program Manager, Cabarrus Health Alliance
Jordan Karas, MPH, is a dedicated public health professional with ten years of experience in the field. She currently serves at Cabarrus Health Alliance, the local public health department in Cabarrus County, where she leads federal and state projects focused on adolescent health. Jordan brings a strong background in project management, leadership, strategic planning, and community stakeholder collaboration.
She earned her Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a concentration in public health leadership. Passionate about serving youth in her community, Jordan works to expand access to resources and education, develop innovative programming, and advocate for policies that positively impact adolescents. Outside of her professional role, she is a proud mother of two daughters and enjoys skiing and exploring the mountains with her family.
2:30 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
Room 2
To round out our day, we have brought together a bipartisan and bicameral group of legislators who are going to talk about how leadership across all sectors of government can help move the needle on key public health indicators.
This panel is titled Health in All Policies: Building a Whole Government Strategy for North Carolina. When we think about Health in All Policies, we think about the many ways that government policy impacts the everyday lives of people and the opportunities they have in their communities to be healthy. That can look like transportation policy that improves access to public transit, which can help people get to work and reduce local air pollution. Or it could be improvements in broadband internet access that could help people connect to telehealth services or decrease their social isolation.
We are excited to hear from some of our North Carolina legislators about how they think about the influences policy of all kinds can have on our health.
Moderated by Lori Byrd, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE | Associate Dean of Strategic Partnerships and Practice, UNC School of Nursing
Dr. Lori Byrd, a first-generation college graduate from Johnston Community College, boasts over three decades of expertise in nursing, nursing education, research, and service in North Carolina. As the Associate Dean of Strategic Partnerships and Practice at the Carolina School of Nursing, she fosters external collaborations to advance health equity and support Carolina Nursing's mission.
Previously, Dr. Byrd served as the Associate Director of Academic Programs and Health Sciences Coordinator for the North Carolina Community College System, overseeing nursing and allied health programs across 58 community colleges. She was also instrumental in establishing the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing at Campbell University, where she developed the curriculum and secured initial accreditation, leading the first graduating class to a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination.
Dr. Byrd's research career began with investigating tuberculosis incidence among migrant farm workers in Johnston County, N.C. She has since become a recognized authority in clinical nursing leadership, rural health, and workforce development. Currently, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and contributes to numerous health policy initiatives and taskforces across the state.
Senator Val Applewhite | District 19 (Cumberland)
Senator Applewhite is a veteran, trailblazer, and public servant representing Cumberland County in the North Carolina Senate. A retired 20-year Air Force veteran and former Fayetteville City Council member, she brings a lifelong commitment to integrity, service, and excellence. In the legislature, she serves on key committees including Appropriations, Finance, Healthcare, and State and Local Government, and was recently appointed to Governor Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. She holds a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, graduating cum laude.
Senator Steve Jarvis | District 30 (Davidson, Davie)
Senator Steve Jarvis was recently elected to serve in his third term as a Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly. This is his eighth year serving in the General Assembly. He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives.
Senator Jarvis has been appointed to serve on four committees for the upcoming Interim Session.
Prior to serving his constituents in district 30, Senator Jarvis was a county commissioner for six years. Additionally, Senator Jarvis has been a business owner in the residential and commercial construction industries since 1990.
Representative Donny Lambeth | District 75 (Forsyth)
Representative Donny C. Lambeth has served in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2013. He currently chairs the House Health Committee and is Senior Chair of House Appropriations. He also serves as a member of the Education - University Committee; K-12 Education Committee; State Pensions, Insurance and Board of Governors Nomination Committees.
Over his career, Representative Lambeth has received numerous recognitions including Alumnus of the Year from High Point University and has been named Legislator of the Year by various organizations and agencies and was also recognized by The Triad Business Journal as one of the Region’s Most Influential Leaders – for six consecutive years and as Person of the Year in 2019 by The Kernersville News.
During his tenure in the North Carolina House, he has introduced many legislative bills related to heath care and education. Most significantly, he was the primary sponsor of HB76 Medicaid Expansion which was ratified March 23, 2024.
Lambeth was elected to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board five consecutive times and served as its chair. He also chaired the North Carolina March of Dimes and served on local boards, including the United Way and Chamber of Commerce.
Representative Lambeth retired from Wake Forest Baptist Health where he served in a variety of leadership positions including CEO of Baptist Hospital, Lexington and Davie Hospitals. Currently he is CEO of 437 Logistics, a FedEx Contractor in the Winston-Salem Area.
Representative Lambeth is a graduate of High Point University and earned his MBA from Wake Forest University. In 2024, he was appointed to the High Point University Board of Trustees.
He and his wife, Pam, celebrated 50 years of marriage just prior to her passing in May of 2024. He is blessed with four daughters, seven grandchildren and three sons-in-law.
Representative Ya Liu | District 30 (Wake)
Representative Ya Liu is a second-term North Carolina House Representative serving Wake County. She serves as a Whip for the NC Democratic House Caucus.
Representative Liu is the first and only Chinese American woman to have served in the NC General Assembly. Before serving in the NC House, she served on the Cary Town Council where she was the first Asian American to be elected to the Cary Town Council.
Representative Liu earned her Ph.D. in sociology from NC State and her J.D. from NC Central. She lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband and three children where she operates a small business