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Multi-year initiative aims to combat clinician burnout and improve mental health support across North Carolina’s healthcare workforce
DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 16, 2025 — The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium today announced a $1.3 million grant from the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), and Carolina Complete Health, a provider-led Medicaid health plan created by Centene, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association. This multi-year investment will fund a comprehensive initiative to bolster the mental health and well-being of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals throughout North Carolina. The grant underscores a growing recognition of the critical need to address burnout and mental health challenges within the healthcare sector, particularly as providers navigate increasing demands and systemic pressures.
Carolina Complete Health and Centene Foundation Award $1.3 Million Grant for Health Care Mental Health Program
“Supporting those who care for our communities is essential to the health of our state,” said Chris Paterson, CEO of Carolina Complete Health. “Through this funding, we hope to expand the reach to thousands of healthcare providers, offering education, resources, and direct services. As a provider-led health plan, Carolina Complete Health was founded on the idea that providers are the heart of the health care system.” Paterson’s statement highlights the strategic alignment of the grant with Carolina Complete Health’s core mission. This initiative is expected to leverage telehealth technologies, peer support networks, and evidence-based interventions to create a more resilient and supportive environment for healthcare workers.
This initiative arrives at a pivotal time. Studies consistently reveal that healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, face elevated rates of depression and other mental health issues compared to the general population. The urgency of this initiative is amplified by recent data indicating that 64% of physicians report experiencing burnout symptoms at least weekly. Experts suggest that chronic understaffing, administrative burdens, and the emotional toll of patient care contribute significantly to this phenomenon. The ramifications extend beyond individual well-being, impacting patient care quality, healthcare costs, and workforce retention.
NCCPRW has already demonstrated progress, including successful advocacy for revisions to state licensure language to better protect clinicians seeking mental health support. The Consortium is building momentum through in-person events, digital resource hubs, and strategic partnerships that integrate well-being into the core of health systems and professional associations statewide. The organization’s approach emphasizes not only individual support but also systemic changes within healthcare institutions to create a culture of well-being.
“We are deeply grateful to the Centene Foundation and Carolina Complete Health for their generous support,” said Monecia R. Thomas, PhD, executive director of NCCPRW and vice president of professional growth at the North Carolina Medical Society. “This investment enables us to scale proven strategies and catalyze meaningful change at both the individual and institutional levels.” Thomas’s remarks emphasize the potential for the grant to drive long-term, sustainable improvements in clinician well-being by replicating and scaling successful interventions.
“This is more than raising awareness — it’s a commitment to real change,” said Tatyana Kelly, CHC, board president of NCCPRW and senior vice president of planning, strategy, and member services at the NC Healthcare Association. “This funding empowers us to position North Carolina as a national leader in clinician mental health and workforce retention.” Kelly’s statement underscores the broader implications of the initiative, suggesting that North Carolina could serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges.
Founded several years ago and newly incorporated as a 501(c)(3), the NCCPRW Consortium has become a recognized leader in addressing the clinician mental health crisis within the state. Key partners encompass the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), Carolina Complete Health, the NC Professionals Health Program (NCPHP), the NC Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA), the Old North State Medical Society, and the national Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. This collaborative approach highlights the complex nature of the problem and the need for a multi-faceted response involving various stakeholders across the healthcare landscape.
To learn more about the NCCPRW initiative and explore available resources, visit www.nccprw.org.
About the NCCPRW Consortium
The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being Consortium unites healthcare leaders, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations to address the growing challenges facing North Carolina’s healthcare workforce.
About the Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (“Centene”). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene’s mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation’s website.
About Carolina Complete Health
Carolina Complete Health is a provider-led Medicaid health plan committed to delivering high-quality care to Medicaid beneficiaries in North Carolina. It was established through a collaborative partnership between Centene, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association.
SOURCE Carolina Complete Health
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