Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear Inc. (CCLCF) recently welcomed Bess Blackburn as its new director of business development.

"Blackburn will expand the reach of CCLCF’s population health service lines serving Medicare, dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid, Medicaid, uninsured and commercial populations while promoting a local patient-centered care experience," according to a news release. "Bess has an extensive background in healthcare services ranging from clinical relations within the skilled healthcare (home and hospice) setting to pharmaceutical and medical equipment sales, assessing client needs and delivering targeted product solutions."

Blackburn (pictured at right) is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a business degree in communications, the release stated.

In another CCLCF announcement, the organization recognized nurse Doris Robinson, MSN, RN, CCM, for receiving the Legacy Award at the N.C. Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) convention.

"Doris was nominated by her fellow perinatal nurse champions. The award recognizes an individual’s significant, extraordinary contribution to the nursing profession, sustained over the course of their career," the release stated. "Doris has worked tirelessly to help reduce health care disparities and increase access to health care and maternal-child health resources for underserved women and children."

Robinson (pictured at left) serves as the CCLCF Perinatal Nurse Champion for a grant from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health-Women’s Health Branch to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Perinatal Care Region V.

CCLCF is a local 501c3 organization "that improves health outcomes for eligible Medicare, Medicaid, uninsured and privately insured enrollees in southeastern NC including New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Onslow and Bladen counties. With 19 years of experience, our interdisciplinary Care Teams include RN care managers, social workers, pharmacists and provider support," the CCLCF release stated. "We work with Prepaid Health Plans, ACOs, practices and providers to improve patient outcomes, experience, and satisfaction. In 2021, NCDHHS selected CCLCF as one of three organizations to be Network Lead for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot. The Healthy Opportunities Pilot is the nation’s first comprehensive program to test and evaluate the impact of providing non-medical interventions related to food, housing, transportation, and interpersonal safety to high-needs beneficiaries."