HENRICO, VA (January 8, 2025) – Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), in collaboration with the University of Richmond, is excited to announce the 20 Federally Qualified Health Center and Free and Charitable Clinic professionals selected who will represent the 2025 Community Health Center University (CHCU) Leadership class.
- Amber Lawrence, Clinic Administrative Specialist, Connect Health + Wellness
- April Shumate, OBAT Care Coordination Supervisor/Certified Substance Abuse Counselor-Supervisee, Community Health Center of the New River Valley
- Arlenys Pimentel Diaz, Program Manager, Access Now
- Ashley Greene, Executive Director, Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Inc.
- Heather Diem, Case Management Coordinator, Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems, Inc.
- Jamie Clark, Dentist, Rockbridge Area Health Center
- Jenall Roane, Office Manager, Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic
- Jessica Ferguson, Clinical Director, Rockbridge Area Health Center
- Jessica McKee, Director of Nursing, Neighborhood Health
- Joy Wilson, Medication Assistance Program Manager, Blue Ridge Medical Center
- Kaitlyn Patterson, Director of Nursing, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
- Lucy Elder, Executive Director, Stony Creek Community Health Center
- Neisma Perez Leon, Associate Director of Operations, HealthWorks for Northern Virginia
- Nicole Lewis, HR Manager, Capital Area Health Network
- Rachael Cox, Director of Family Medicine, Johnson Health Center
- Samuel Caudill, Business Development and Strategy Coordinator, Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc.
- Sarah Hersh, Sr. Director of Operations and HR, Daily Planet Health Services
- Sarah Land, Pharmacy Services Director, Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc.
- Sophie Parson, Executive Director, Augusta Regional Dental Clinic
- Iman Khatib, Director of Behavioral Health, HealthWorks for Northern Virginia
The CHCU Leadership Program targets employees from community health centers, free health clinics, and other safety-net providers in Virginia and addresses the demands for developing healthcare leaders to help support the growth of their organization’s operations, succession planning, and development. Throughout the year-long program, participants gain experience through participation in both in-person and remote seminars, individual coaching sessions and practical activities.
“CHCU is a cornerstone of VCHA’s commitment to fostering exceptional leaders who will shape the future of healthcare across Virginia and beyond,” said Dr. Angela Taylor, VCHA’s Director of Health Center Control Network – Center for Data, Analytics, and Quality (CDAQ) and CHCU Director. “Through our partnership with the University of Richmond, we are committed to developing healthcare professionals who can navigate complex challenges, drive innovation and create a lasting positive impact on our industry. I’m looking forward to getting to know, and learning from, the 2025 class!”
To learn more about the CHCU Leadership Program, visit www.vcha.org.
ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), established in 1980, is a non-profit membership organization that serves as the primary care association for Virginia’s community health centers and look-alike health centers. VCHA’s mission is to advocate on behalf of, educate and elevate our member health centers by enhancing their ability to provide affordable, accessible, quality healthcare to the communities they serve regardless of their ability to pay. For more information, visit www.vcha.org.
