Appalachian Mountain Health Under Dr. Shantelle Simpson: Building a Stronger Model for Whole Person Healthcare

Key Takeaways

• Appalachian Mountain Health expanded care across Western North Carolina through medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, pediatric, and mobile services.
• Under Dr. Shantelle Simpson, the organization achieved major financial and operational growth while strengthening community-based care.
• Mobile medicine, school-based care, and expanded clinical capacity helped Appalachian Mountain Health reach more people where they live and learn.

Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) has grown into one of Western North Carolina’s fastest-growing community-based health systems, expanding access to integrated, whole-person care across six counties. Since 2021, the organization has increased its annual operating budget from roughly $4 million to $38 million, expanded its workforce to 250 employees, and grown its patient base by 78%.

In 2025 alone, more than 17,000 patients received care across over 70,000 visits spanning medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, pediatric, and mobile services. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Shantelle Simpson, Appalachian Mountain Health has moved from financial instability to operational strength, reinforcing its clinical infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

Scaling Access Beyond Traditional Care Settings

Some of the organization’s most meaningful progress in 2025 occurred outside traditional clinic settings. The Mobile Medical Unit delivered 2,431 visits during the year, an 87% increase from the previous year. For individuals experiencing homelessness, this service proved especially valuable. Mobile care teams served 751 people facing housing insecurity, the highest number recorded in six years.

School-based health programs have shown similar momentum. AMH recorded more than 1,500 student visits in 2025 and expanded services at Asheville High School and PEAK Academy. Community Resource Advocates played an important role by helping families navigate Medicaid enrollment and reduce financial barriers in nearly 200 approved cases. Through these partnerships, students received preventive care, support for chronic conditions, and behavioral health services without leaving their school environment.

Across its six health centers, AMH blends clinical services with a strong community-centered approach. The organization works closely with local partners, listens carefully to residents, and adapts programs to address the needs identified within each community. Dr. Simpson often emphasizes that successful healthcare cannot be imposed from the outside. Instead, it must grow through listening and collaboration. This philosophy has helped AMH develop care pathways that reflect the realities of life across Western North Carolina.

Integrating Whole-Person Care Into Everyday Practice

At the heart of AMH’s strategy is an integrated model built around whole-person care. The goal is to improve continuity and reduce fragmentation so patients receive coordinated support that reflects the full context of their lives.

Patients can access services that address clinical, behavioral, and social factors together. Primary care teams work alongside behavioral health professionals, while dental screenings are incorporated into school-based programs. Pharmacy services are integrated with mobile and community care so patients can obtain medications without unnecessary delays.

Dr. Simpson describes the philosophy simply: “We don’t just treat the symptoms. We address the whole person.”

The impact becomes visible in everyday interactions. Parents who bring their children for routine checkups often have access to additional support services when needed. Seniors managing chronic illnesses receive coordinated care that includes medication guidance and follow-up support. Appalachian Mountain Health treats each interaction as part of a larger commitment to long-term community health.

Creating a Stronger Future for Community Health

Behind the expansion of services lies a major internal transformation. Appalachian Mountain Health’s workforce has grown to 250 employees across the system. More than 30 clinicians have joined the organization across pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, pharmacy, and dental care.

Financial stability has also strengthened the organization’s foundation. “When I first joined AMH, we were struggling to keep our doors open,” Dr. Simpson recalls. “But through strategic planning, innovative partnerships, and a relentless focus on quality, we’ve been able to grow our patient base by 78% and increase our annual revenue from $4 million to $38 million.”

In addition, Appalachian Mountain Health has secured more than $4.3 million in grants to support staffing, infrastructure improvements, oral health services, behavioral health programs, and disaster recovery efforts. These investments have helped expand services across the counties the organization serves.

“Our goal is to be the gold standard for community health centers, not just in our region, but across the country,” Dr. Simpson says.

She views the organization’s momentum as the result of shared commitment across the team. “The time has come for health centers like Appalachian Mountain Health to stand boldly as true medical homes delivering high-quality, compassionate care,” she explains. “It was my responsibility to understand how to align the different pieces needed to move us forward, but I could not have done any of this on my own.”

That collaborative spirit has played a central role in Appalachian Mountain Health’s growth. As rural communities across the United States continue searching for sustainable healthcare models, the organization demonstrates that integrated, community-rooted systems can grow and scale while remaining deeply connected to the people they serve.

About Appalachian Mountain Health

Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare services across Western North Carolina. Led by President and CEO Dr. Shantelle Simpson, AMH offers primary care, behavioral health, women’s health, pediatrics, mobile medical services, and on-site pharmacy support, with a focus on expanding access to care for underserved communities. Guided by its mission, AMH is committed to delivering accessible, high-quality, patient-centered healthcare to individuals and families throughout the region. For more information, visit appalachianmountainhealth.org