Health & Human Services Week 2026

Monday, March 23  •  10:15-11:30 a.m. 
McNeill Hall 1005

Can't join us in-person? Register to attend virtually here.

10:15-10:40 a.m.:
Reducing Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients: A Rural N.C. Hospital Case Study

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Columbus County. At Columbus Regional Healthcare System (CRHS), which serves a community faces significant health challenges, post-discharge care was fragmented, and readmission rates were high. An intervention was critically needed for patients with a heart failure diagnosis.  
 
CRHS partnered with Ventricle Health, a virtual cardiology network, local cardiology providers, home health agencies, and primary care providers to create a coordinated post discharge program focused on improving transitions of care and reducing readmissions. Hear how this integrated care strategy improved access to care and patient outcomes - reducing 30-day heart failure readmission rates from 21% to 4.8%, a 77% improvement. 

Presented by: 

• Evangeline Gonzalez, MD, Perioperative Director and Physician Lead for Quality, Columbus Regional Healthcare
• Megan Sargent, BSN-RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Columbus Regional Healthcare
• Nancy Nobles, Case Management Director, Columbus Regional Healthcare

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10:40-11:05 a.m.:
Collaborating to Achieve the Highest Quality of Healthcare, Health, and Wellness for All: Research at Novant Health 

As a non-profit community healthcare system, Novant Health is committed to ensuring the highest quality of healthcare, health, and wellness for all people we serve. This presentation will describe how Novant Health is leveraging research to advance these goals, with a focus on research investigating and addressing barriers in access to health. We will discuss current research infrastructure and ongoing collaborations; the current affiliation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine to promote the lifelong health and wellbeing of all Southeastern North Carolinians will be highlighted. Current goals and opportunities for future collaboration will be discussed.

Presented by:

• Kiran McCloskey, PhD, Health Equity Research Scientist, Novant Health 

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11:05-11:30 a.m.:
Improving Patients Satisfaction within Hospitals

This program examines how healthcare is delivered in hospitals and multi‑practice settings by focusing on real patient experiences and the challenges they face in receiving quality care. Through quantitative analysis of treatment and satisfaction data, participants learn how to strengthen primary care, improve management practices, and build stronger patient–provider relationships.  
  
Explore how bringing together community leaders, state policymakers, and medical professionals can encourage collaborative solutions that can transform healthcare delivery and create more equitable, patient‑centered systems.

Presented by:  

• Karen Renee McIntyre-Pearson, MHA, PhD(c), Medical Clinical Assistant Instructor, Miller-Motte College