Community Health

UNC Family Medicine is committed to working in partnership and service to individuals, community organizations and local, state and government agencies to address the health needs of the population. As one of the best Family Medicine departments in the nation, we aspire to a leadership role in improving the health of the communities we serve. Community Health at UNC Family Medicine can be divided into four different areas. Read below about all the ways we try to care for our communities.

Community Health News

Pictured (L/R): Kevin Fitzgerald, MPA, Tim Daaleman, DO, MPH, and Marni Holder, MSN, RN

UNC Family Medicine to Lead Bridge to Health Initiative with $1.3 Million Grant

Pictured (L/R): Kevin Fitzgerald, MPA, Daaleman, and Holder UNC Family Medicine will lead a new effort to improve care for patients with complex health and social needs, following a $1.3 million grant from The Duke Endowment to the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. The funding will support the Bridge to Health initiative, a … Read more

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Learn about Our Community Health Efforts

UNC Chatham Designated Baby Friendly USA

Iglesias (right) and Carpenter (left) at Chatham MCC UNC Health Chatham Hospital has been designated a Baby‑Friendly hospital by Baby‑Friendly USA, recognizing its commitment to evidence‑based maternity care and support for breastfeeding patients and families. The Baby‑Friendly designation reflects implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of practices developed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to support bonding, informed decision‑making, and healthy starts for newborns. Hospitals earning this designation demonstrate consistent, team‑based practices across labor and delivery, postpartum care, and newborn services. “For families, the first hours and days after birth can feel like a whirlwind,” said Beverly Carpenter, MSN, RN-BC, Patient Services Manager in the Maternity Care Center at UNC Health Chatham. “Baby‑Friendly designation validates the way our staff shows up at the bedside by listening first, offering hands‑on help, and tailoring guidance to each family’s goals. We are proud to provide a welcoming environment where parents feel confident, respected, and cared for.” At UNC Health Chatham, these efforts are carried out through the Family Medicine–led Maternity Care Center, a partnership between UNC Health Chatham Hospital and the UNC Department of Family Medicine. The MCC brings together family physicians, midwives, nurses, and lactation support staff … Read more

Health Education

In order to keep our communities healthy, our faculty, staff, and community partners are constantly striving to educate and serve those who need care most. We know that good health relies on a number of societal and environmental factors– that’s why we are involved with, or have funded, programs to foster greater wellness.

Professional and Student Education

UNC Family Medicine is a leader the field of primary care, offering a top-notch academic experience for residents, fellows, and young professionals. We strive to give back to the healthcare workforce by training future leaders in family medicine: our commitment to rural care, vulnerable populations, and evidence based practice is unrivaled.

Leadership and Innovation

We are also seeking to lead through innovation, by shaping both policy and practice. Our work both in our own practice, as well as collaboratively in the healthcare community, is setting an example for academic clinics every where.

Community Health

We aspire to improve the health of the communities we serve