Key Takeaways
- Appalachian Mountain Health expanded integrated care across six counties, reaching more patients through medical, dental, behavioral, pediatric, pharmacy, and mobile services.
- Under Dr. Shantelle Simpson, Appalachian Mountain Health achieved major financial and operational growth, building a stronger, more sustainable community health system.
- Mobile medicine, school-based care, and whole-person services helped Appalachian Mountain Health improve access and meet patients where they are.
Appalachian Mountain Health has grown into one of the fastest-expanding community-based health systems in Western North Carolina, increasing access to integrated, whole-person care across six counties. Since 2021, the organization has expanded its annual operating budget from roughly $4 million to $38 million, increased its workforce to 250 employees, and grown its patient base by 78%.
In 2025 alone, more than 17,000 patients received care through over 70,000 visits, including medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, pediatric, and mobile services. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Shantelle Simpson, Appalachian Mountain Health has moved from financial instability to operational strength, reinforcing its clinical infrastructure while positioning the organization for long-term sustainability.
Care That Reaches People Where They Are
Much of the organization’s most meaningful growth in 2025 took place outside traditional health center settings. The Mobile Medical Unit delivered 2,431 visits during the year, representing an 87% increase from the previous year. For patients experiencing housing instability, this service proved particularly valuable. Mobile teams provided care to 751 individuals facing homelessness, the highest number reached in six years.
With two fully equipped exam rooms and expanded clinical staffing, the Mobile Medical RV enables Appalachian Mountain Health to deliver primary care, behavioral health services, and pharmacy support directly to shelters, public housing communities, transitional housing programs, and permanent supportive housing sites.
School-based healthcare services also continued to expand. Appalachian Mountain Health documented more than 1,500 student visits in 2025 while broadening services at Asheville High School and PEAK Academy. Community Resource Advocates played a key role in supporting families by helping them navigate Medicaid enrollment, which reduced financial barriers in nearly 200 approved cases.
Across its six health centers, Appalachian Mountain Health combines healthcare services with a strong community-centered approach. The organization collaborates closely with local partners, listens carefully to residents, and shapes its programs around the needs identified within each community.
A Care Model Designed Around the Whole Person
At the core of Appalachian Mountain Health’s strategy is an integrated care model centered on whole-person healthcare. The goal is to improve continuity while reducing fragmentation so that patients receive coordinated support that reflects the full scope of their health needs.
Patients can access services that address clinical, behavioral, and social factors together. Primary care providers work alongside behavioral health specialists, while dental screenings extend into school settings. Pharmacy services are connected to both mobile and community-based care, ensuring patients can obtain medications without unnecessary barriers.
Dr. Simpson describes this philosophy in straightforward terms. “We don’t just treat the symptoms. We address the whole person.”
This integrated structure helps create care that feels both consistent and personal. Retention rates remain strong, and the culture within the health centers emphasizes empathy and continuity.
The impact of this model becomes visible in everyday moments. A parent bringing a child in for a routine appointment may also receive support for behavioral health or dental concerns if needed. Seniors managing chronic conditions can access medication guidance and coordinated follow-up care within the same system. Appalachian Mountain Health views each interaction as part of a broader commitment to improving long-term health outcomes across the region.
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
Behind the expansion of clinical services lies a significant internal transformation. Appalachian Mountain Health’s workforce has grown to 250 employees across the system, with more than 30 clinicians added in pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, pharmacy, and dental care.
Leadership development partnerships with Western Carolina University have strengthened professional growth opportunities for staff members. At the same time, a new mental health benefit now provides free counseling services for employees and their dependents, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting the well-being of its workforce.
Financial stability has also played a crucial role in the organization’s transformation. “When I first joined AMH, we were struggling to keep our doors open,” Dr. Simpson recalls. “But through strategic planning, innovative partnerships, and a relentless focus on quality, we’ve been able to grow our patient base by 78% and increase our annual revenue from $4 million to $38 million.”
In addition to revenue growth, Appalachian Mountain Health has secured more than $4.3 million in grants to support staffing, infrastructure improvements, oral health services, behavioral health programs, and disaster recovery efforts. These investments have helped the organization expand services throughout the counties it serves.
She views the organization’s progress as the result of shared commitment across the team. “The time has come for health centers like Appalachian Mountain Health to stand boldly as true medical homes delivering high-quality, compassionate care,” she explains. “It was my responsibility to understand how to align all the different pieces needed to move us forward, but I could not have done any of this on my own.”
About Appalachian Mountain Health
Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare services across Western North Carolina. Led by President and CEO Dr. Shantelle Simpson, AMH offers primary care, behavioral health, women’s health, pediatrics, mobile medical services, and on-site pharmacy support, with a focus on expanding access to care for underserved communities. Guided by its mission, AMH is committed to delivering accessible, high-quality, patient-centered healthcare to individuals and families throughout the region. For more information, visit appalachianmountainhealth.org
