Nash UNC names community relations director

Rocky Mount Telegram

Nash UNC Health Care has named Kirby Slade as director of Community Relations for the hospital.

“In Kirby’s 18 years at Nash UNC, he has played an integral role in building out a number of hospital committees and initiatives, including our Diversity Council, Community Relations Committee, Employee Engagement Committee, as well as the Foundation’s Young Ambassador’s Circle,” said Lee Isley, president and CEO of Nash UNC Health Care. “He has also established himself as a leader in the community, serving on a variety of community boards and volunteering his time and talents.”

“These experiences position Kirby to take on leadership of an enhanced community relations approach for our organization,” said Isley. “Nash UNC’s strategic plan outlines a multi-phase approach to community engagement, including creation of new partnerships and resources to better support our community, and working toward a more robust program to address social determinants of health in our community. Kirby will develop strategies for community engagement that align to our strategic plan and priorities, forward the hospital’s mission and strengthen partnerships in our service area.”

Slade will work closely with the Rev. Richard Joyner, who will be retiring from his Nash UNC community relations role and chaplaincy work in June.

“This transition allows Kirby and Reverend Joyner to ensure a smooth transition of community relationships, while beginning to build a more robust program around community health and employee engagement with those efforts,” Isley said. “I’d like to thank Reverend Joyner for his 20 years of service to our hospital, patients, staff and community, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with him.”

Slade, an Enfield native who now resides in Nashville, has worked at Nash UNC for 18 years, primarily in Information Systems. He received his undergraduate degree from N.C. Wesleyan College and recently earned his master’s degree with a concentration in health care management. He and his wife Freda, who also works at the hospital, have a daughter, Kerrington.

“I am looking forward to building upon the foundation that Reverend Joyner has laid, while developing relationships across diverse stakeholders in the community to create programs and partnerships to address community health needs,” Slade said.