December 16, 2024 (Chapel Hill, NC) -- The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) today announced that Ayana Simon, MSW, MHA, has joined the organization as Associate Director, effective December 16.

An accomplished health care leader, Simon has significant experience in strategic program development, relationship-building, evaluation, and mentorship. She brings these skills to a key role at the NCIOM focused on helping guide the organization’s strategic direction. As associate director, Simon will supervise and mentor team members, foster a culture aligned with the mission, and support project staff with task force convenings and report development.

“We are excited to welcome Ayana to this role, which is key to the NCIOM’s mission of improving health for all North Carolinians. Her creativity, leadership, and deep experience with health policy development make her a great addition to our team,” said NCIOM President & CEO Michelle Ries, MPH.

Simon joins the NCIOM from the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation, where she served as Director of NCCARE360, the state¬wide digital care coordination network that connects health care and human services organizations to allow for coordinated care delivery. Previously, she served as Healthy Opportunities Program Director for Carolina Complete Health, Interim Manager of Performance Improvement at UNC Medical Center, and Program Manager at UNC Medical Center.

She earned her Master of Social Work from UNC-Charlotte and Master of Healthcare Administration, with a focus on health policy and management, from UNC-Chapel Hill. Simon has published and presented on topics including HIV/AIDS in the African American community, North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots, NCCARE360, and coordinating care for social determinants of health. She serves as a Board Member of the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County, and previously served on the Board of the Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary.

“I am excited to embark on this new journey with NCIOM! It is an incredible opportunity to align my passion for public health with impactful solutions to improve the lives of North Carolinians through effective health policy. I look forward to contributing to already existing work by this great organization.”

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) is forward-looking and focused on solutions. The organization was founded in 1983 by the North Carolina General Assembly to serve as a source of non-partisan information and analysis to promote effective health policies focused on improving the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. Learn more at nciom.org.