About NCCHWA
Meet the Team
Honey Yang Estrada is the President of the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association. She was born in Fresno, California and moved to North Carolina when she was 11 years old. The eldest daughter of Hmong refugees who came to the United States during times of war, Honey understands the struggles families face in navigating various societal systems and the existing barriers that inhibits them from achieving positive outcomes.
A proud Community Health Worker, Honey has worked in healthcare and public health for over 20 years. Her experience is rooted in community health and advocacy. Throughout her career, Honey continues to serve as a catalyst for change where she champions racial and health equity.
She holds a Masters in Public Health and currently lives in Newton, NC with her husband and two children and teaches Zumba at the local library.
Tania Harper has diverse professional experience in the non-profit and government sectors. Committed to service throughout her career, she has accompanied individuals and families through social, healthcare, educational, and legal systems. A highlight of her career was serving in the Peace Corps in Morocco. During her time there, Tania worked alongside community members to develop and implement health-promoting and educational courses. She also served as a member of the Gender and Development Committee and as a trainer in cultural competence and community integration for incoming Peace Corps volunteers.
For the past 6 years, Tania has worked as a public health professional, supporting teams in using data to create positive and sustainable change. Tania is an advocate for data equity and using methodologies that balance quantitative and qualitative data to ensure that individual perspectives are valued. Tania is thrilled to have the opportunity to use her skills to support and elevate Community Health Workers around North Carolina.
Tania grew up at the base of the mountains in Sheridan, Wyoming. In her spare time, she enjoys pottery and outdoor activities. She serves as the Board President of a local non-profit, and she will be completing her Masters in Health Administration with a concentration in Information Systems in 2023.
A first-generation Mexican American, Lupe Avalos was born and raised in North Carolina. At a young age she directly observed the many challenges her community experienced in everyday life. Helping those with barriers brought her great joy, and knew she wanted to work supporting those facing any obstacles.
With 13 years of experience in healthcare, the last 6 have been the most rewarding working directly with her community. Lupe hopes to “poner su granito de arena” do her part in making even a small impact.
Having a huge love for the outdoors, Lupe enjoys spending time hiking, biking, and traveling with her husband and 2 daughters. You can be sure to find her at a racing function or off-roading spending time with family and friends.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Victoria Ramseur is a proud, certified Community Health Worker who has supported her local community for over 15 years. Her lived experience of working in and navigating systems has molded her into the person she is today. Supporting community members to ensure their needs are met is something that brings great joy to Victoria. One of nine siblings, she understands the need for a strong support system to overcome adversity. Victoria is married with three children and loves spending time with them.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Jeremy Moseley is the Associate Vice President of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's FaithHealth Division, located in Winston-Salem, NC. He provides support for six full-time Community Health Workers and twenty-one part-time Connectors aligned with faith and social networks across the region who extend patient care into the community. He also provides administrative support and direction for community benefit and community health needs assessment efforts, population health strategies, Medicaid Managed Care partnerships, and community stakeholder engagement.
He has a B.S. in Public Health Policy and Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master's in Public Health Analysis and Management from East Carolina University. He has worked to improve community-based care transitions, increase community engagement and access to services, and link community resources to healthcare systems. He has previous experience designing regional projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address heart disease and stroke prevention and systems of care, projects funded by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to address care transitions and hospital readmissions, and health system supported programs to improve transitions of care and the health of individuals residing in socially complex communities.
He staffed a state heart disease and stroke prevention legislative committee; and has served on workgroups for Stakeholder Health, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and health system funded learning community, with other participating health systems to transform health through community partnership. He has worked in a variety of settings including an academic medical center, health plan, state health department, academic research center, federally qualified community health center, and community hospital to implement various health care, public health, and strategic planning activities to improve systems, health, and well-being through state and local community partnerships.
Debbie Royster has been a Community Health Worker since 2010. She currently works at Duke Population Health Management Office with the Duke Durham Neighborhood Health Initiative. Debbie holds a BS in Business Administration from Livingstone College. She has provided grassroots community outreach with Clean Energy Durham as a Community Outreach Specialist for Southwest Central Durham, where residents were taught how to save on energy by taking small steps within their homes. Following this experience, Debbie became a Community Health Organizer for Durham Health Innovations Division of Duke Community and Family Medicine working with neighborhoods and community organizations on programs and activities to improve the health of the community. She has served on the NC CHW Initiative Stakeholder Core Competency and Curriculum workgroup making recommendations specific to the training and certification of CHWs in North Carolina. Debbie has great love for Durham and the Duke Community and loves working towards creating a healthier city and state.
Rocio Anderson is a seasoned program development and implementation expert, specializing in organizational capacity building, education, and outreach initiatives. She has made it her professional goal to be part of organizations with programs that engender change in systems and positively affect North Carolinians. Rocio has served in leadership roles applying evidence-based interventions and promising best practices at the provider and community levels. She has led efforts to bridge communications and recommendations between community leaders and stakeholders affecting policy and decision making on the delivery of healthcare services that impact health outcomes. Rocio has contributed to the coordination and training of community health workers programs that build capacity and enhance the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate services throughout North Carolina.
Rocio has fulfilled eighteen years of learned experiences in private, public, and non-profit health and human services, emergency management and public safety programs. She is an appointee of Governor Roy Cooper's Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. She's also a recipient of the 2019 Diamante Latino Award in Health in Science. While humbled to have been recognized for such distinguished honors, Rocio understands they represent a charge and responsibility to further the efforts of organizations such as the NC CHWA to improve the health outcomes of historically marginalized and underrepresented individuals and families in North Carolina who do not have equitable access to healthcare options, education and awareness. Rocio holds degrees in Physics-Mathematics and Business Administration.
Rocio resides in Holly Springs on the border between Wake and Harnett counties.
A well-respected leader in community health, Milton Butterworth has been active in building healthier, thriving, resilient communities for over 20 years. A specialist in the areas of community health, farmworker outreach, and multi-sector collaborations, he has led multiple teams to successfully develop and implement community strategies to increase culturally competent healthcare access for vulnerable populations including migrant & seasonal agricultural workers, those experiencing homelessness, and other diverse communities. Before serving in his current role as a Community Health Manager for a state academic health system affiliate, Pardee UNC Health, Milton served as the Director of Development and Community Engagement for the nation's oldest active migrant health center. Before that, he led the migrant education program for a county school system. He served as a Peace Corp Public Health Volunteer in Paraguay, South America, and continues his commitment to volunteerism by serving as a coalition partner or board member for several health equity, social justice, aging and child advocacy groups, and organizations. He received his B.A. in Government & International Studies from the University of South Carolina and is fluent in English, Spanish and Guarani. Building on his experiences, including as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and a CHW Supervisor, Milton served as one of the co-chairs of the NC CHW Stakeholder Initiative's Certification and Accreditation workgroup, resulting in the 2018 NCDHHS publication, "Creating an Infrastructure for Sustainability - The Final Report and Stakeholder Recommendations of the NC CHW Initiative." Today, Milton is a founding board member of the NC CHW Association and represents the Western region.
Brandon Teal was born and raised in Winston -Salem, NC. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Brandon worked for 3 years in Special Education for the NC Public School System. During this time, he supported students and families through personal advocacy and academic support. He later transitioned to a Community Outreach and Inclusion Director supporting families in Southern Wake County. He focused on academic enrichment, special needs programming, summer camp, specialty programming, and personal support for underserved families.
Brandon is now a Community Health Worker with UNC Health. Brandon helped to develop and implement the CHW program, which focuses on resource coordination, chronic condition management, and addressing patient SDOH needs. During COVID he supported the COVID RESPONSE and Mobile COVID testing and vaccinations through rural and underserved populations in NC.
Brandon has a passion for serving his community. He is motivated and excited to promote new opportunities and growth for the NC CHW community.
Meet Our Master Trainers
Erica is a Community Health Worker (CHW) instructor at Durham Technical Community College and serves as the Director of Community Health Programs at the NC Community Health Center Association. At the NCCHCA, Erica leads training and technical assistance efforts for special and priority populations defined by the Bureau of Primary Health Care's (BPHC) plans, provides guidance for the East Coast Migrant Stream Forum conference, and coordinates efforts to expand workforce development opportunities and interventions for CHWs in community health centers throughout NC.
She is a health educator by trade with experience in NC, SC, GA, and OK. Her career has afforded opportunities to work in various health promotion and prevention areas to include tobacco, diabetes, heart disease, end stage renal disease, physical activity and nutrition, and disability benefits to name a few. She has over 18 years of public health knowledge and credits her success to NCCU's Department of Public Health Education.
Jennifer has over 33 years of public health and health education experience. She is currently the Director of Health Occupations for Edgecombe Community College. She serves as an instructor for the Community Health Worker program and the American Heart Association CPR course. She serves as the coordinator for Phlebotomy, CNA 1 and CNA 2, Medication Aide, TEAS Prep and TABE Testing. She has developed courses and instructed students on medical law and ethics, medical terminology, developmental English and reading and early childhood education. During her tenure, Edgecombe Community College served as a pilot college for the redesign of the Developmental Studies program. She has completed the ELI (Edgecombe Leadership Initiative) program with ECC. She currently serves on the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Committee, and Edgecombe Wellness Committee. She is a member of the Down East Partnership Child Care Resource and Referral Advisory Committee. Jennifer is a member of the NC Core Competency Community Health Worker development team.
During her time at Edgecombe County Health Department she served as the Health Education Supervisor and managed employees and health education programs. She wrote numerous grants and created programs to improve the health of the community.
A native of Tarboro, (Edgecombe County), she enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, Rick of 33 years, her son, Kyle and his wife Jesseca (Jennifer will become a grandmother in December), and her daughter Kaylyn who is scheduled to finish graduate school in May from Jennifer's alma mater, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Meet Our Community Health Worker Ambassadors
Jose was born in Mexico and is the father of 2 children, Diego (17) and Eva Paloma (14). He spent 18 years working in retail, 16 of those as a manager and 3 years working with the community. Jose's first job serving the community was as a Recruiter/Outreach Specialist for the Migrant Education Program (MEP) where he learned about how important and impactful it is to serve underserved communities by overcoming barriers and assisting to navigate the different systems such as medical and educational. Now, as a Community Health Worker, Jose's work has expanded to understand not just to connect and assist the clients with needs but also to advocate for them bringing equity and to find new and creative ways to outreach our communities.
Cassandra Wright Glenn is a native of Winston-Salem who has truly embraced her role as Community Health Worker with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health. Her passion and desire to see all people healthy and living at a sustainable quality of life, keeps her engulfed in her work day which sometimes transcends outside work hours. From feeding the homeless, to volunteering at various community events, to even lending her musical talents and gift of singing to uplift all who are privileged to hear her.
Lending to and in recognition of her success in this current role, she received approval from the Medical Center allowing her to start a DME (durable medical equipment) Closet that assists underinsured, uninsured and or low income families with used equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, adult briefs along with a list of other donations.
She has been in the role of Community Health Worker for over 21 months and her presence has made an indelible impact. Her continued efforts to connect with community leaders, clergy and organizations fuel her drive to collaborate when and where most beneficial for the people of this great city - Winston-Salem.
Cassandra is a proud mother of four children, two daughters, 28 and 25 years old, both college graduates, and two teenage sons.
Tamika Williams is a Certified Community Health Worker at Atrium Health covering Mecklenburg, Union, Anson, Stanley, and surrounding counties. Tamika has a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Government Management. Tamika is also a certified financial education instructor. As a leader in her community, Tamika is passionate about economic mobility and promoting health and self sufficiency. In addition to her work as a CHW, Tamika is the President of the Monroe Rotary Club (2022-2023) where she continues to model "Service Above Self."
Melissa Elliott serves on the Henderson City Council as a council member. Her Background in Criminal Justice has catapulted her into founding her own organization, Gang Free Inc. Ms. Elliot has served in many positions in the Criminal Justice field ranging from, Correctional Officer, Correctional Case Manager, Gang Intel Unit, 911 Dispatcher and most recently the Gang Officer for the Vance County Sheriff's Office. Ms. Elliott received the Delta Sigma Theta community service award for her outstanding community service by informing citizens through workshops and seminars about gang culture. The Warren County Gang Assessment Steering Committee also honored Ms. Elliott with an "Outstanding Community Service Award" as a Gang Specialist for participating in the county's Gang Assessment. The "Gang Lady" as many call her, has a passion for youth and assisting them to reach their God given destination. Ms. Elliott was also honored on a national level by Steve Harvey on the Steve Harvey show as a "Game Changing Woman" for her untiring efforts in her community. Ms. Elliott has been called upon both locally and statewide to inform many audiences concerning the ills of gang culture. Ms. Elliott received her start at VGCC in the GED program, she also graduated from VGCC with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Augustine University, Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Hidden Manna Bible College and a master's degree in Public Administration. A post master's Certificate in Criminal Justice, Ms. Elliott also received numerous awards from Crime stoppers, Coastal Federal Credit Union "Hometown Hero Award," Food Lion "Great Pantry Makeover" and Vance County Schools "Partner of the Year." Ms. Elliott's education as well as passion for her work has opened many doors for her to utilize her abilities in informing school systems, churches, community organizations and others about the perils of gang activity. Elliott is the epitome of trial and triumph, hardship and a helping hand! Theodore Roethke says, "What we need are more people who specialize in the impossible." Some disregard, write off and forget about those involved in or considering involvement in gang activity, substance abuse or other social ills. Some consider these people impossible to reach. Ladies and gentlemen, the lady who heard Theodore Roethke's cry and specializes in the seemingly impossible…Ms. Melissa Elliott!
Charissa "Nikki" Smith was born and raised in southeastern North Carolina. Charissa is known for her passion about making a difference in her community. She has served and continues advocating for equity and equality for the place she calls home with her community members plus peers at heart for 23 years.
Charissa has experience working in Substance Abuse/Mental Health & Recovery in addition to Infectious Disease Prevention and Awareness. Charissa’s experience includes working with Duke University School of Medicine - Infectious Disease where she collected data for the CDC and NC Health and Human Services. Duke is where she became formally introduced to the Community Health Worker role. Her well rounded medical background encompasses working in various medical specialties ranging from Dermatology to Orthopedics. Charissa is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Whole Health Action Management Facilitator, and Certified Phlebotomist Technician. Currently, she’s pursuing becoming a CPR/First Aide Instructor. While being employed with a non-profit organization that focuses on reducing recidivism for injustice involved individuals re-entering into society after being released from incarceration. She looks forward to continuing sharing her experiences, skills, and compassion to uplift her peers in all members of her community and surrounding areas.
Ashley Owens is a Registered Medical Assistant and has worked in the healthcare field for over 14 years. She is currently employed by United Healthcare as a Community Health Worker Supervisor and a member of the DEI Committee. Her goals include completing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in the year of 2025, traveling to a few different countries and serving her community. She enjoys giving back and doing fundraisers. Ashley finds joy in knowing that she can not only help her community, but she can make a difference in it also. Ashley loves children and wants to create a big family of at least five kids. She currently only has one right now, a 4-year-old named Ania. Ashley serves as an usher at her local church and is also a youth leader. Her most proud achievements are having her daughter and purchasing her first home. Some fun facts, Ashley has a photogenic memory and loves the smell of paint.