“Don’t tell the community what they need.”  The Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation’s (FHLI) founding director, James (Jim) D. Bernstein, was a rural health pioneer. Throughout his 35-year career, he led efforts to support community-driven care for low- and moderate-income, isolated, and underserved populations.   As the founder of the first state office of rural health in the United States, Jim’s work has impacted communities across the country. He believed:   Everyone has a right to health care.     Care should be respectful, effectiv ..read more

At FHLI, our mission is to advance collaborative, equity-centered, and community-driven solutions to improve overall health and well-being for every North Carolinian. Throughout Black History Month and year-round, we celebrate and uplift the voices, visions, lived experiences, and wisdom of Black individuals and communities across our state.   For the Black History Month 2024 theme, Celebrating African Americans and the Arts, we especially want to recognize the ways that Black artists and visionaries act as essential and driving forces for systems-level change.  National Rural H ..read more

Last year was a big year for North Carolina. After a decade of action and advocacy, as of this past December, Medicaid Expansion is finally in effect. This is no small accomplishment, even though it is just one step on the road toward truly healthy and equitable communities. Looking ahead, this policy victory will continue to play a major role as those of us at FHLI continue to act, change systems, and improve health.   2023 was also a big year for FHLI. As we kick off the new year, we’re reflecting on everything we were able to accomplish alongside partner organizations and communit ..read more

During the 50th-anniversary celebration of the NC Office of Rural Health held on November 16th, 2023, National Rural Health Day, we had the privilege to announce that the Bertie County Behavioral Health Network received a $300,000 grant from the Merck Office of Social Business Innovation and Merck Foundation. Our partners at the Bertie County Council on Aging – Senior Center accepted it on behalf of the Network.  The goal of the Network is to build health infrastructure in Bertie through community engagement and implement projects focused on reducing stigma about mental health and substan ..read more

Medicaid Expansion finally took effect statewide on December 1st, 2023, thanks to over a decade of advocacy by countless organizations and individuals. All of us here at the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI) are thrilled to see this important step forward for North Carolina take effect, but we will also continue working hard to improve health access and equity for all North Carolinians.  Medicaid Expansion is expected to provide over 600,000 people in the health care coverage gap, including veterans, frontline workers, small business owners, parents, and many more ..read more

On National Rural Health Day, the North Carolina Rural Health Association (NCRHA), a core program of the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation (FHLI), will join the North Carolina Office of Rural Health (NCORH) for its 50th-anniversary celebration: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future.  The hybrid event will highlight the incredible individuals and organizations striving to enhance the well-being of rural communities throughout North Carolina. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be an in-person celebration at the Bertie County Council on Aging/Senior Cent ..read more

Engaging conversation and connection-building were at the heart of this year’s Bernstein Event held on October 4th, 2023. A crowd of nearly 300 health care professionals and advocates gathered to celebrate a slate of awardees who all share the common value that connection, collaboration, and community must be front and center in our work to build a healthier North Carolina.  Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post to see a full image gallery from the event! FHLI CEO David Reese Talked About Centering Community for a Healthier North Carolina  FHLI CEO David Reese ta ..read more

Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina is a hard-won victory for public health, health care professionals, and everyone in our state. Advocates have been working to make this a reality since 2010 when the Affordable Care Act was passed. Legislation to expand Medicaid was approved in March 2023; however, after being tied to the passage of the state budget, it has not gone into effect until now. Last week, the North Carolina Legislature passed a budget, which will finally allow Medicaid Expansion to take effect.   Governor Roy Cooper announced that he will let the budget take effect, but with ..read more

Since 2006, the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation has gathered with public health leaders from across North Carolina each year to celebrate the life of our founder, Jim Bernstein. Jim left a lasting legacy on our state that thrives through FHLI and so many of our partner organizations and programs.  As we look forward to this year’s event on Oct. 4, we wanted to take a moment to look back on how FHLI was founded on Jim’s vision of helping the people of North Carolina, especially in our rural areas.  In 1973, Jim Bernstein established North Carolina’s Office of Rural ..read more

Ayana Simon’s passion is helping others, and that is something she learned at a young age while watching her parents work in and navigate the healthcare system.  “I’ve always worked in spaces where what I did was what I called ‘heart work,’ what I did was not just the task but also who it influenced,” she said. “What motivates me and keeps me going is work that has a positive impact on an individual, community or system.”  We are excited to welcome Ayana as the Director of NCCare360.  Although she began as the NCCare360 Director on June 1, Ayana is not new to the NCCARE360 plat ..read more