Carolina Complete Health and the Centene Foundation Award $1.3 Million Grant for Innovative Health Care Workforce Mental Health Program

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 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium announced today a transformative $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 fuel a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening the mental health and well-being of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals across North Carolina.

"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."

This initiative comes at a critical moment. Studies continue to show that healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, experience higher rates of depression and other mental health issues compared to the general population. The urgency of this work is underscored by recent national data showing that 64% of physicians report experiencing burnout symptoms at least once a week.

NCCPRW has already made meaningful progress, including successful efforts to revise state licensure language to better protect clinicians seeking help. The Consortium continues to build 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.

"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."

"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."

Founded several years ago and newly incorporated as a 501(c)(3), the NCCPRW Consortium has emerged as a statewide leader in addressing the clinician mental health crisis. Key partners include 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.

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 unique partnership between Centene, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the North Carolina Community Health Center Association.

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SOURCE Carolina Complete Health