Key Takeaways
- Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) expanded medical, dental, pharmacy, pediatric, and behavioral services across Western North Carolina, reaching more patients and improving care quality.
- Under Dr. Shantelle Simpson’s leadership, the organization’s financial and operational turnaround created a stronger, more resilient health system grounded in whole-person care and community partnerships.
- Mobile medicine, school-based care, and expanded clinical capacity positioned Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) as a leading regional health provider able to meet people where they live, learn, and seek support.
Appalachian Mountain Health has emerged as one of Western North Carolina’s fastest-growing community-based health systems, expanding access to integrated, whole-person care across six counties. Since 2021, the organization has grown its annual operating budget from roughly $4 million to $38 million, expanded its workforce to 250 employees, and increased its patient base by 78%.
In 2025 alone, more than 17,000 patients were treated across over 70,000 visits spanning medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, pediatric, and mobile services. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Shantelle Simpson, Appalachian Mountain Health has transitioned from financial instability to operational scale, strengthening both its clinical infrastructure and its long-term sustainability.
Care That Reaches People Where They Are
Some of AMH’s most meaningful growth in 2025 happened outside the health center walls. The Mobile Medical Unit delivered 2,431 visits, an 87% increase from the previous year. For unhoused patients, this support was significant. Mobile teams served 751 individuals experiencing homelessness, the highest number in six years. With two exam rooms and expanded clinical staffing, the Mobile Medical RV allowed AMH to deliver primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy services directly to shelters, public housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing communities.
School-based health showed similar momentum. AMH documented more than 1,500 student visits and expanded services at Asheville High School and PEAK Academy in 2025. Community Resource Advocates helped families navigate Medicaid enrollment, reducing financial barriers in nearly 200 approved cases. These partnerships helped students access preventive care, chronic condition support, and behavioral health services without leaving school.
Across its six health centers, AMH blends health services with a community-driven mindset. The organization works with local partners, listens to residents, and aligns its programs with on-the-ground needs. Dr. Simpson emphasizes that AMH cannot succeed by imposing its own ideas. It succeeds by listening first. This perspective has helped the organization create care pathways that reflect regional realities.
A Care Model Designed Around the Whole Person
At the core of Appalachian Mountain Health’s strategy is an integrated, whole-person care model designed to improve continuity and reduce fragmentation. Patients receive coordinated services that account for clinical, behavioral, and social determinants of health. Primary care teams work alongside behavioral health professionals. Dental screenings extend into schools. Pharmacy services connect directly with mobile and community-based care. Dr. Simpson describes this approach simply. “We don’t just treat the symptoms. We address the whole person.”
The care feels personal and consistent. And the data backs it. The retention rate remains strong, and the atmosphere in health centers reflects a culture of empathy and continuity. Staff members approach care as a shared effort. That sense of purpose shows up in small everyday moments, whether a parent brings a child for a visit or a senior needs help managing chronic conditions. AMH treats those touchpoints as part of their larger commitment to long-term health.
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
Behind the clinical expansion sits a major internal transformation. AMH’s workforce reached 250 employees systemwide. More than 30 clinicians were added across pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, pharmacy, and dental services. Leadership training partnerships with Western Carolina University supported staff development. A new mental health benefit provides free counseling for employees and dependents.
Financially, AMH is more stable than it has been in years. “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.”
The organization has also secured more than 4.3 million dollars in grants to support staffing, infrastructure, oral health, behavioral health services, and disaster recovery. This stability has helped AMH expand services across all the counties it serves.
“Our goal is to be the gold standard for community health centers, not just in our region, but across the country,” declares Dr. Simpson.
Dr. Simpson views the organization’s momentum as the product of shared commitment. “The time has come for health centers like Appalachian Mountain Health to stand boldly as true medical homes delivering high-quality, compassionate care,” she said. Her message reflects the culture inside AMH. With a team of passionate, skilled professionals and a relentless drive to improve health outcomes, AMH is poised to continue its transformative work.
“It had to all align,” says Dr. Simpson. “It was my responsibility to understand how to align all the different pieces to move us forward, but I could not have done any of this on my own.”
This emphasis on teamwork underscores the collaborative spirit that has fueled AMH’s growth over the past several years. This sentiment speaks to the core of AMH’s success and the dedicated team members who are the driving force behind the organization’s impact. As rural communities across the country search for sustainable healthcare models, Appalachian Mountain Health is demonstrating that integrated, community-rooted systems can thrive and scale without losing their mission.
To learn more about Appalachian Mountain Health, its services, or upcoming expansions, visit www.appalachianmountainhealth.org or contact the AMH team directly to get involved or schedule care.
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
Written in partnership with Tom White
