Robert A. Ingram Institute launches to support Equitable Healthcare Access

The Robert A. Ingram Institute for Equitable Healthcare Access is a new Institute within UNC Health, which will support workforce development initiatives, pathway programs, rural health access and cancer prevention efforts across North Carolina.

The Robert A. Ingram Institute for Equitable Healthcare Access will support workforce development initiatives, pathway programs, rural health access and cancer prevention efforts in across North Carolina.

“We are incredibly excited about the Ingram Institute, which will enhance our efforts to meet our mission to improve the health and the well-being of North Carolinians,” said Jennifer Wu, MD, MPH, UNC Health’s deputy chief academic officer and the UNC School of Medicine’s vice dean for academic affairs.

Institute Leadership

In addition to Wu’s leadership as deputy chief academic officer, Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, CNL, FAAN, has been named the Institute’s vice president. Zomorodi is an associate provost for interprofessional health initiatives at UNC-Chapel Hill and a professor in the UNC School of Nursing, as well as director of the Rural Interprofessional Health Initiative.

“I am honored to be a part of this new initiative and to have the nursing profession represented as we collaborate to address the workforce needs across our state, said Zomorodi. “Our team is intentionally interprofessional, and the placement of this Institute within UNC Health will help us partner across the system to build the infrastructure needed to support workforce initiatives, pathway programs, and advance rural health.”

“The Ingram Institute was developed to meet a critical healthcare need in North Carolina,” explained Val Howard, dean of the UNC School of Nursing. “With the nursing shortage impacting our state, nursing leadership will be integral to the Institute’s efforts. We are thrilled that Meg Zomorodi, with her extensive experience and commitment to both the nursing profession and interprofessional education, will serve as the Institute’s vice president.”

Jamie McQueen, MBA, has been named the institute’s executive director. McQueen most recently served as the director of the UNC School of Medicine’s Coastal Outreach and Strategy working on the Novant Health – UNC-Chapel Hill –New Hanover Regional Medical Center partnership. 

Meredith Bazemore, MPA, has been named the institute’s director. Bazemore most recently served as the director of the UNC School of Medicine Office of Rural Initiatives and has overseen recruitment, outreach, and pathway programs.

The Ingram Institute’s efforts align with UNC Health Forward Together 2030 strategic plan’s amplifying academics workstream and several pillars across the UNC School of Medicine’s Accelerate Forward Together strategic plan, as well as the shared organizational mission of improving the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians.

About Robert “Bob” Ingram

Robert A. “Bob” Ingram was a leader in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. He served as Chairman and CEO of GlaxoWellcome from 1995 to 2002 and was the founding chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.