NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Sangvai Impressed by Scotland Health

On Tuesday afternoon, Scotland Health had the honor of hosting Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), for a conversation about local health care services and meeting the needs of those in a rural setting. Dr. Sangvai, a family medicine physician and former President of Duke Regional Hospital, was appointed by Governor Josh Stein in January 2025 as the state’s 19th Secretary of Health and Human Services.

During his visit, Dr. Sangvai engaged with Scotland Health leadership and community health professionals to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural health care systems. In his opening remarks, Dr. Sangvai emphasized the importance of access to comprehensive care in rural communities.

“We have significant access challenges in rural communities,” said Dr. Sangvai. “We understand the importance of having access to primary care and basic services, but at some point, individuals will need more than primary care—they need routine care like endoscopies and mammography. The fact that you’ve been able to get those and many other services here really speaks to keeping local care local.”

He continued by highlighting the deeper meaning of “local” in health care delivery:

“Local isn’t just being geographically where people are; local is the way that you deliver care. I see the spirit of that here. I also feel that the outcomes get better that way, because the more individuals feel they can get their care locally from someone they trust, the more likely they are to go get those visits and screenings and other things they need to do to stay healthy.”

Dr. Sangvai also addressed the impact of social determinants of health, noting that many individuals in rural areas often delay seeking care until their conditions become severe. He cited stigma, financial strain, and other barriers as contributing factors.

Scotland Health President and CEO David Pope shared insights into the region’s demographic and economic landscape, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to health equity.

“Doing it right means making sure every voice is heard,” said Pope. “We’re not perfect, but I’m proud of the strong, mutual support between Scotland Health and our communities. Health equity is a top priority, and we’re committed to ensuring our services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.”

The visit also included discussions with other members of the Scotland Health executive and leadership teams who shared information about financial stewardship, workforce pipeline initiatives, and innovative approaches to expanding care beyond traditional clinical settings – including community health workers, transportation services, and mobile mammography.

“In primary care, our providers used to rely heavily on nurses to act as case managers, which wasn’t always efficient,” said Shelly Lowery, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Practices. “Now, we’ve built programs involving community health workers and community paramedics who serve as our eyes and feet in the community. These resources have our physicians excited about what they can offer to their patients.”

Serving rural communities, according to Pope, comes with unique challenges that demand creative thinking to find effective solutions. Scotland Health remains committed to reimagining how care is delivered and how we support our teammates. Innovation thrives through collaboration, and we welcome partners who share our vision for creative, community-driven healthcare.

“This has been impressive,” Sangvai said in his closing statement.  “There are a couple of things here that the State of North Carolina can borrow.  I look forward to partnering with you going forward.”