The North Carolina Institute of Medicine presented Ben Money, CEO of the N.C. Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA), with the Award for Excellence in Health Policy Leadership at the NCIOM 2017 Annual Meeting today.
Money was nominated for the award through an open nominations process and was selected for his impactful public health achievements. Under Money’s leadership, the number of community health centers in N.C. increased from 23 to 41 in less than 10 years, resulting in nearly 500,000 patients receiving care in 2016; over $150 million in federal grants were awarded to the NCCHCA and member organizations to provide care to the underserved; and his efforts led to the expansion of school-based health centers and integrated behavioral health services throughout the state.
Money is the third recipient of the annual award. Previous award winners include Allen Smart, formerly of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and Flo Stein, formerly of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
“In this time of polarizing politics, health policy leaders like Ben that can look for solutions beyond partisan positions are critical to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians,” said Adam Zolotor, President and CEO of the NCIOM. “Health policy is a bedrock to well-being, jobs, a strong economy, and our competitiveness as a state.”
