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
HEALTH EQUITY
Health Equity and Anti-Racism Statement
From the NC Center for Health and Wellness
Land Acknowledgement Statement
From UNC Asheville
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.
MEET THE TEAM
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Kol Gold-Leighton, MPH
WNC HPI Support Team
Program Manager
Department of Community & Public Health, Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) -
Soni Pitts
WNC HPI Support Team
Research Associate
NC Center for Health and Wellness -
Andrew Rainey
WNC HPI Support Team
Research Associate & Audio Producer
NC Center for Health and Wellness -
Vanessa Howe
WNC HPI Support Team
MPH Fellow, Spring 2024
UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings School of Public Health -
Senator Ralph Hise
EXPERT IN RESIDENCE
District 47 Senator, NC General Assembly
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Marc Malloy, MBA
EXPERT IN RESIDENCE
Founder, Sevenya LLC
Former Senior Vice President of Mission Health Partners
FEATURED GUESTS: FRIDAY FORUMS
Our weekly Friday forums introduce rotating topical discussion areas presented by featured regional guest presenters. Topics cover a wide range of WNC health opportunities; rural primary care, access to healthcare, healthcare transformation, workforce development, 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.