UNC Health Southeastern Partners with Robeson County Church and Community Center to Improve Care Access

UNC Health Southeastern has formed a partnership with the Robeson County Church and Community Center to enhance health care access in the region. The collaboration involves physicians in residency training working alongside the nonprofit’s employees and volunteers to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges patients face beyond clinical settings. Lori Dove, UNC Health Southeastern’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, emphasized that this insight can lead to more effective care planning, improved patient education, and better coordination between medical care and community support services.

Robeson County, located in southeastern North Carolina, ranks among the least healthy counties in the state. Factors such as high poverty and unemployment rates contribute to the area’s poor health outcomes. Federal and state data show that over 27% of residents live in poverty, and unemployment stands at 4.7%. Despite Medicaid expansion increasing health insurance coverage, approximately 12% of residents remained uninsured as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Food insecurity is also a significant issue in the region. Robeson County has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state, at 28.4%, nearly double the state average of 15.4%, as reported by the N.C. Cooperative Extension. The Robeson County Church and Community Center addresses these challenges through its food pantry, diaper bank, and utility assistance programs, providing essential resources to those in need.

The partnership includes potential involvement of physicians in the nonprofit’s free health clinics and distribution of health care supplies. Dove noted that the collaboration aims to expose residents and fellows to the nonprofit’s community-based efforts in chronic disease prevention and management. This approach aligns with the biblical principle of caring for others, as seen in Matthew 25:35, which calls for serving those in need.

The collaboration is the result of a long-standing relationship between UNC Health Southeastern and the Robeson County Church and Community Center. The nonprofit’s director, Brianna Goodwin, expressed confidence that the partnership will bring meaningful change to the community. The initiative reflects a commitment to addressing health disparities through community engagement and holistic care, embodying the spirit of neighbor-love described in Galatians 6:10.

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