Join NC Rural Center and Southwestern Commission CoG for "Innovations in Health: A Driving Force of Economic Development in Southwestern NC" on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. This in-person convening will be an opportunity to hear from area innovators in the healthcare space, ending with an optional tour of the WCU Health and Human Sciences Building and a networking hour with light refreshments sponsored by Dogwood Health Trust.

Agenda:

• 1:00 - 1:10 p.m. Welcome from NC Rural Center, Southwestern Commission, and Western Carolina University Chancellor Dr. Kelli Brown
• 1:10 - 1:25 p.m. Healthcare as an Economic Development Opportunity | Dr. Susan Mims, CEO, Dogwood Health Trust
• 1:25 - 1:40 p.m. State of the Workforce | Samantha Cole, Workforce Partnership Manager, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
• 1:40 - 3:10 p.m. Panelists and Q&A (Vecinos, Cherokee Indian Hospital, and Southwestern Community College)
• 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Bold Leadership in the Healthcare Sector | Casey Cooper, CEO, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
• 3:30 - 3:50 p.m. Group Discussion
• 3:50 - 4:00 p.m. Closing
• 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Optional Tour of the Health and Human Sciences Building
• 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Optional Networking Hour Sponsored by Dogwood Health Trust
• 5:30 p.m. Adjourn