Dr. Dorcas Johnson Selected for Regional Rural Health Advisory Board

Salem College Assistant Professor of Public Health Dorcas Johnson, PhD, MPH, CHES, was recently selected to serve on the NC ROOTS Region 2 Regional Advisory Board, established as part of North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program. Trillium Health Resources was selected as the NC ROOTS Hub lead for Regions 2 and 5 and is responsible for helping coordinate and implement rural health transformation efforts in these regions.

The advisory board brings together leaders and community stakeholders from across Region 2 to provide strategic guidance and community-informed recommendations. With representation from every county in Region 2, the board is intentionally designed to reflect the region’s geographic, professional, and community diversity.

Dr. Johnson’s areas of interest are food access, nutrition, and the role of community or faith-based organizations in promoting health. These interests closely align with her professional background in public health, health equity, and social determinants of health (SDOH). “I look forward to drawing on my background in public health and SDOH to provide insight and contribute a community-informed perspective, particularly around factors that influence health and well-being in rural communities,” Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson’s appointment reflects Salem College’s commitment to health leadership and the contributions its faculty make beyond campus. Through her service, Dr. Johnson will help guide regional efforts to address rural health needs and build healthier, more equitable communities.