WHO WE ARE

The WNC Health Policy Initiative was created to serve as a convener of and conduit for information, resources, and coalition-building between 5 core groups:

  • Policymakers

  • Health and healthcare leadership and professionals

  • Community-based service organizations

  • Educational and research institutions

  • Community members

EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

The Health Policy Initiative (HPI) is anchored by two Experts in Residence: NC State Senator Ralph Hise, Jr. (R), and Marc Malloy, founder of Sevenya Healthcare and former Senior Vice President of Mission Health Partners.

OUR PARTNERS

The WNC Health Policy Initiative is co-hosted by the NC Center for Health and Wellness and the Mountain Area Health Education Center, and is supported by the Dogwood Health Trust (DHT).

In addition, the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville partners with the UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC, UNC School of Medicine, Impact Health, WNC Health Network/Healthy Impact, and Mission Health Partners, among others.

WNC HEALTH POLICY INITIATIVE’S CORE TEAM

Joining our Experts is a dynamic and diverse team representing a wide range of area healthcare systems, public health teams, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, policymakers, and other entities committed to creating a healthier future for Western North Carolina.

WNC HPI Staff

  • Soni Pitts headshot

    Soni Pitts

    Project Manager

  • Andrew Rainey headshot

    Andrew Rainey, M.P.H.

    Research Assoc. and Audio Producer

  • Ema Champney headshot

    Ema Champney

    Health Policy Research Assistant

WNC HPI Leadership Team

  • Aubri Rote headshot

    Aubri Rote, PhD

    Director, NC Center for Health and Wellness
    Chair and Professor of Health Sciences, UNC Asheville

  • Derek Shook headshot

    Derek Shook

    Adjunct of Business
    Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations
    UNC Asheville

  • Ralph Hise headshot

    Senator Ralph Hise

    Senator, 47th District
    NC General Assembly

  • Marc Malloy headshot

    Marc Malloy

    Founder
    Sevenya LLC Healthcare Consulting
    PCP4ME Direct Primary Care

  • Amy Russell headshot

    Amy Russell, MD

    Chief Medical and Population Health Officer
    Mountain Area Health Education Center

  • Bryan Hodge headshot

    Bryan Hodge, DO

    Chief Academic Officer
    Mountain Area Health Education Center

  • Laurie Stradley headshot

    Laurie Stradley, DrPH

    Chief Executive Officer
    Impact Health

FEATURED GUESTS: FRIDAY FORUMS

Our Friday Forum convenings provide a collective space for topical and timely health policy discussions between guest subject matter experts, health and healthcare leadership, and other regional partners and stakeholders. Topics cover a wide range of WNC health opportunities, including: rural primary care, access to healthcare, healthcare transformation, workforce development, health related social needs, and child and maternal health. All conversations cover health needs endemic to populations within Western North Carolina.

Featured presenters bring together health topics for policymakers, industry experts, clinical and public healthcare professionals, community leaders, researchers, and others engaged in regional health practice related to improving the health of Western North Carolinians.