About NCPHA.
NCPHA
What drives us.
The North Carolina Public Health Association is driven by our mission, vision, and guiding principles in everything we do.
VISION STATEMENT
Fostering a healthier and more resilient North Carolina where all communities thrive.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Guiding Principles of the North Carolina Public Health Association are: integrity, dignity and respect, pride and commitment, inclusion and education for individuals and communities.
APHA Affiliate Member.
North Carolina Public Health Association is an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association (APHA). We have collaborated with APHA to grow stronger as organizations, to share expertise, influence, and resources, and to advocate for common priorities at the local, state and federal levels.
APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. It is the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.
Resources:
NCPHA Bylaws
NCPHA Manual of Procedures
LEADERSHIP
Our Executive Committee
NCPHA’s Executive Committee includes elected officers, committee chairs, our APHA representative and members at large. The Executive Committee is tasked with key leadership and oversight of the strategic direction of the association.
Nina Beech, MPA
PRESIDENT
Amy Belflower Thomas, MPH, MSPH, CPH
PAST PRESIDENT
Andrea Freeman, MPA, NC-CLGFO
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Trey Wright, MPH
VICE PRESIDENT
Kim McNeal, BA
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Shahnee Haire, MPH, CHC
MEMBERSHIP/OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR
Chris Hoke, JD
AD HOC COUNSELLOR OF LAW
Liz Stevens, MPH, RN, CPHN, SANE
ADVOCACY CHAIR
Leigh Yount, MSPH
FINANCE CHAIR
Marissa Mortiboy, MPH
BIPOC CAUCUS CHAIR
Rod Jenkins, DrPH, MPA
APHA REPRESENTATIVE
Travis Greer
MEMBER AT LARGE
Annette Bey, MD, MBA, FACOG
MEMBER AT LARGE
Kirsten Beasley, DrPH, MPH
MEMBER AT LARGE
Clarissa Ashe
MEMBER AT LARGE
Angel Callicutt, MSN, RN, CPHN
MEMBER AT LARGE
Elane Edwards, MA
MEMBER AT LARGE
STAFF
Our Team
Patrick Brown
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kim Dittmann
OPERATIONS OFFICER
Kim joined NCPHA in 2012. Previously she had been employed by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A), the NC Museum of History, and UNC-TV. In her role with NCPHA, she’s responsible for event management, membership management, and the overall operations of the organization. She is a graduate of Meredith College and has numerous years of volunteer experience in leadership roles with the Junior League of Raleigh, multiple PTA’s, and her church.
Karen Davis
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Karen has been with NCALHD, NCPHA and NCAPHA since 2012. Before her work with the North Carolina Public Health Collaboration, Karen worked with State Government for 32 years, retiring in 2012. Karen also worked with NCDPI for 25 years and spent 7 years with the NC Education Lottery.
Upon retirement, Karen was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Originally from Johnston County, she currently resides in Clayton with her rescue dog Xena.
Bethany Milford
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES PROGRAM MANAGER
Bethany brings a strong health communications background to NCPHA. Prior to joining the North Carolina Public health Collaboration, Bethany worked in health care agency settings, where she focused on translating science into compelling content for communication campaigns, disease awareness initiatives and patient advocacy programs. She also served on the North Carolina Division of Public Health COVID response team, and supported the Division with key initiatives, including the rollout of the AA program and workforce development. Bethany graduated with her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Originally from England, Bethany moved to Charlotte at a young age and has since called North Carolina home. She resides in Wilmington enjoying the coast with her husband and playful dachshund Arlo.
Council
Our Governing Council
NCPHA’s Governing Council includes representatives from each NCPHA section and caucus. The governing council acts as the voice of the membership to leadership and ensures member needs are met.
AGING
Megan Smith
ACADEMIC/PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH
Ashley Jarrett
ACADEMIC/PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH
Rose Byrnes
ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS
Torica Fuller
DENTAL HEALTH SECTION
Dr. Shruti Shastri
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
Diana Hills
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SECTION
Ashley Mize
EPIDEMIOLOGY, STATISTICS, LABORATORY SECTION
Alexis Williams
FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT SUPPORT & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
Monica Short-Owens
MEDICAL DIRECTORS
Cate Lynn, MD
NURSING SECTION
Dr. Heather Willis
PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP SECTION
Heather Jones
SOCIAL WORK SECTION
James Rogers
WELLNESS AND PREVENTION SECTION
Megan Hauser
WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH SECTION
Jacqueline Simmons
EDNCPHA REPRESENTATIVE
Victoria Hudson
ACADEMIC LIAISON
Adam Hege
DPH LIAISON
Erin Fry Sosne
PARLIAMENTARIAN
Alicia Primus
CITIZENS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
Suzanne Lea
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Amy Belflower Thomas
PAST PRESIDENT’S AD HOC COMMITTEE
Amy Belflower Thomas
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Andrea Freeman
PUBLIC AWARENESS COMMITTEE
Trey Wright