Brett Chambers – is a long time broadcast journalist who made the transition into teaching. Now he’s an instructor in the journalism program at NC Central University where he mentors and coaches young journalists. Brett is also deeply involved in making journalism better, he’s been the head of the Triangle Association of Black Journalists, and has been on the board of directors of the Durham Symphony Orchestra. He was also caregiver for his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, which gave him a glimpse of the health care system that has informed his thinking.

Paul Cuadros – is an award-winning investigative reporter and author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Time magazine, Salon.com, The Chicago Reporter, and other national and local publications. He joined the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC Chapel Hill in 2007.

For the past 20 years, Cuadros has focused his reporting on issues of race and poverty in America. In 1999, he came to North Carolina to report on emerging Latino communities in rural poultry-processing towns in the South. The culmination of his reporting was his book, “A Home on the Field: How One Championship Team Inspires Hope for the Revival of Small Town America,” which tells the story of Siler City, N.C., as it copes and struggles with Latino immigration through the lives of a predominantly Latino high school soccer team. He continues to coach the team.

Cuadros serves as the chair and executive director of the UNC Scholars’ Latino Initiative, a three-year mentoring and college preparatory program between UNC students and Latino high school students at six area high schools.

Beverly Edwards, MD – is a family physician with a practice in Ahoskie, in northeastern Hertford County who specializes in pediatrics and adolescent medicine and is one of only two pediatricians in the area. She’s from North Carolina, attended medical school at East Carolina University, has practiced in the area since 1991 and has an affiliation with Vidant Roanoke-Chowan, where she has admitting privileges and serves on their board. Many of Edwards’ patients are un- or underinsured, or receive care through Medicaid.

We met Edwards when NC Health News profiled her practice as it struggled with the financial ramifications of the rollout of a new state Medicaid billing system in 2014. Because of our story, she got help addressing those problems! Since then, she’s become an avid reader, donor, and supporter of our mission and the vital role of journalism.

Allison Kalloo, MPH – is a native Washingtonian with deep North Carolina roots. Ms. Kalloo has been an entrepreneur specializing in minority patient recruitment for clinical trials and held previous positions over the last 25 years focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and improving the health and empowerment of special populations. Ms. Kalloo is the founder of Clinical Ambassador and iParticipate Incorporated, both of which implement practical yet dynamic strategies to broaden access for the pharma industry and for underrepresented communities respectively. Both entities leverage communication expertise through education, community engagement and events, informed strategic marketing, and patient-centric research advocacy to reinforce DEI. She is a graduate of The Madeira School, North Carolina Central University, and Yale School of Public Health. 

Allison can be reached at akalloo@clinicalambassador.com and followed on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. iParticipate can be found at www.i-Participate.org and Clinical Ambassador’s website is www.clinicalambassador.com.

Andy Lipson – is a Certified Financial Advisor with Socratic Better Wealth and has been running his financial planning practice for over 26 years. He brings his practical and communicative approach in working with his clients to the NC Health News board.
Andy has suffered from Crohn’s Disease for over 30 years and knows some of the inner workings of dealing with doctors and health insurance companies from this experience. He is an avid donor and supporter of the NC Health News.

Ruth Sheehan – is an attorney in general practice in Raleigh. Before heading back to law school, Ruth was a reporter and columnist at the Raleigh News & Observer for 18 years, and a reporter for close to 25 years. It’s great to have someone who understands both the law and journalism on our board.

Mark Tosczak – has worked as a writer and communications professional for more than 20 years, including stints as a newspaper reporter and editor, think tank communications director, marketing agency vice president and PR consultant. He has written for numerous publications, including NC Health News and other North Carolina publications, The New York Times, Wired.com and other outlets.

He has a bachelor’s degree in English from N.C. State University and an MBA from Elon University. He also teaches as an adjunct instructor in Elon University’s School of Communications.

Mark used to write for us as our “business of health care” reporter, but now is focusing exclusively on his business consulting. We’re grateful he’s still involved with NC Health News as a board member, lending his considerable business acumen to making our organization a long-term success.

Ann Verdine-Jones – is a human resources professional with a knack for translating HR know-how into practical guidance and resources for new and developing leaders. A natural coach, her passion is consulting and providing HR solutions in such areas as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Capacity Building, Employee Relations and Leadership Coaching. Ann has more than 20 years of HR experience. She earned an MBA from Western Governors University and is a doctoral candidate at Capella University pursuing a doctoral degree in Business with a concentration in Human Resources. She is a member of several professional organizations as well as a board member for organizations throughout the Triangle area. 

Phoebe Zerwick (board chair) – is a prize-winning investigative journalist, narrative writer and college teacher, specializing in telling complex stories in human terms.  Her most recent work includes a multimedia documentary about the Yadkin River and the people whose lives are shaped by its currents. Her work has been recognized by The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, Columbia University and the North Carolina Press Association. Zerwick’s work was instrumental in helping Darryl Hunt, a man wrongfully accused of murder, gain a new hearing on his case. Hunt was subsequently exonerated by DNA evidence and released from prison after serving close to two decades.

We are actively seeking board members!  If you would be interested in serving on the NCHN board, contact editor_at_northcarolinahealthnews.org

In particular, we need someone who knows about fundraising!!