New Healthcare Concepts, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol L. Cheatham, Ph.D., Chair
Dr. Cheatham is a National Institutes of Health funded developmental cognitive neuroscientist with a dual appointment as Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and the UNC-CH Nutrition Research Institute (NRI). Dr. Cheatham earned her Ph.D. in Child Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience in 2004 at the U.S. News & World Report’s #1-Rated Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. During her tenure at the Institute, she studied the development of memory and attention, while simultaneously studying the effects of stress and social support on memory development. At the NRI, Dr. Cheatham is studying the effects of fatty acids, choline, lutein, and anthocyanins on the development and functioning of the hippocampus and frontal lobes, brain structures that are integral to the formation and retrieval of memories and to higher-order cognition. She uses an electrophysiological technique known as event-related potentials as well as behavioral tasks in her work with infants, children, and older adults. To determine individual nutrition needs, Dr. Cheatham assesses background genetics and dietary habits. Notably, she studies the effects of nutrition on mild cognitive decline, a precursor for dementia, in older adults. Dr. Cheatham’s work incorporates developmental psychology, neuroscience, nutrition, genetics, and epigenetics. She views interdisciplinary work as a pathway to a cohesive picture of lifespan development.
Tim Mills, Chair Elect
Tim is currently the Research Chef for the University of North Carolina metabolic kitchen in Kannapolis. He also is the Food Service Supervisor for the Lettuce Eat Cafe at the Nutrition Research Institute. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in food service and nutrition to our team. Tim is a local resident who relocated to the area after a successful career in the resort hospitality industry. Since returning to the area, he has been the Executive Chef of The Club at Irish Creek and was the owner of Chef’s Choice Gourmet Pastries. In 2014, he was provided the opportunity to work with the University of North Carolina to offer personalized nutrition. His passion for nutrition is evident in the food he creates.
Susan S. Stirewalt, Founder/Secretary
Susan S. Stirewalt graduated from American Business and Fashion Institute in Charlotte, NC, now the Art Institute of Charlotte with a concentration in Executive Secretarial Science and Word Processing Specialist. Since that time, Susan has worked with several arenas of the business world to include university, non-profit, insurance, Concord Mills land developers, and the NC State University Plants for Human Health Institute located on the NC Research campus to name a few. Susan has forty years’ experience in the administration realm and is an experienced Business Officer who has also cross trained in legal, payroll, facilities, inventory, risk management, insurance, HR, and internal auditing. Susan’s experience expands to her church background as Treasurer, Financial Secretary, board member, and Secretary of the church board.
Karen Worthy, Treasurer
Karen L. Worthy currently works at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the Controller’s Office as an Accounting Technician II in the Reporting and Fixed Assets Department. Her time at the university totals 23 years. Karen’s experience at the university includes working in the Purchasing Department as Purchasing Expeditor Maintenance Coordinator, as well as, working as a Processing Assistant III in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Prior to her career at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Karen worked in several arenas of the business world to include accounting, administrative secretary, patient account representative, data control administrator, and supervisor/Financial Systems Coordinator for various companies that include Stonewall Jackson School, Barber-Scotia College, Biomedical Home Care, Carolina Manufacturing Service, and Young & Rubicam, Inc.
June Whaley, Assistant Treasurer
June graduated from American Business & Fashion Institute in Charlotte, NC, currently the Art Institute of Charlotte, with a concentration in Travel/Business. She is a nationally Certified Activity Director through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals and a Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She has been an Activity Professional for over twenty years and is a Consultant and Educator as well. She has been an instructor for the healthcare Activity Director Course and has taught at Rowan Cabarrus Community College and Mitchell Community College. She has been very active in the North Carolina Activity Professionals Association serving on the Executive Committee as President, Past President, acting 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Treasurer. June is a Presenter for seminars and conferences, some of the topics that she has presented are: Activity Organizational Skills, Inspiring In Room Activities and Spectacular Special Programs.
Kimberly J. Chatak-Nelson, PMP, Director
Kimberly Chatak-Nelson graduated from Penn State with a degree in Labor and Industrial Relations. She has more than a decade as a career Administrator, having supported C-Suite Executives in small companies to large corporations in a variety of industries such as banking, real estate, software development, consulting, hardware service, and global network marketing, plus a non-profit. She is a certified Project Management Professional. In addition, she has over 20 years in Sales. She has been a member of a variety of Boards and has held leadership roles on several. Kimberly brings her administration, project management, board, and sales skills and experiences to our organization. She specializes in Project Management, Event Planning, Operations, Procedures Development, Public Speaking, and Leadership. In addition, she loves to touch H/R as well as mentor others.
Ingrid Zahora
Ingrid Zahora is a designer for an international marketing solutions company that focuses on client’s marketing experiences through print, content, media, packaging, and digital messaging. She is part of a team that supports one of their many retail clients, assisting with daily production processes, as well as art directing weekly photo shoots. Ingrid graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Graphic Design and has subsequently worked in a variety of design capacities throughout her 40-year career. She started her own design company, worked overseas for an agency in London, and was the creative lead at AAA Carolinas, working alongside 11 lines of businesses and overseeing the production of two magazines. Ingrid also was part of a re-branding initiative for a global bank and was in charge of 20 designers. Her vast experiences also include copywriting, editing, photography, illustration, project management, and social media. Ingrid understands what it entails to bring a project to life and to see it blossom.
student intern program
Faith Watson
UPDATE: Faith is now teaching Biology at South Rowan High School!
Faith is currently a freshman at Catawba College studying Elementary Education. While at South Rowan where she attended high school, she joined the Crosby Scholars during her Sophomore year. Crosby Scholars is an organization that helps middle and high school students coordinate and stay on track to graduate and start their next step, college, career, or military. Through the program, Faith has completed at least two hours of community service each year. Faith was a member of the National Honors Society which is a group of Juniors and Seniors that have and maintain a high GPA (grade point average) and a heart for service. NHS requires students to maintain good grades and allows students to make a difference in their schools and communities. Faith has a GPA of 4.2. Faith was a member of the chorus since sixth grade. Faith was accepted into the Varsity Singers the summer after her Freshman year and began the class her sophomore year. Faith has been an active member of her church since the summer before her seventh-grade year. She immediately started her involvement in church functions to include helping with the teens’ annual project which is a BBQ fundraiser. She also is involved in Operation Christmas Child each year and helps to coordinate the boxes for the children. She is involved in singing on Sunday mornings, helps to lead worship, and runs the sound system.
CURRENT TASK FORCE
Tom Brooke, Attorney, Legal Committee
Carol L. Cheatham Ph.D., Nutrition Committee
Jennifer Hare, Site Location Committee
Tim Mills, Chef, Nutrition Committee
Susan Stirewalt, Founder/Board Secretary/Interim Financial Controller/Project Manager
June Whaley, Activity Coordination Committee/Finance Committee/Development Committee
Karen Worthy, Finance Committee
Ingrid Zahora, Communications & Marketing Committee/Development Committee
FOUNDING TASK FORCE
Maged Botros, Architectural Committee
Tom Brooke, Attorney, Legal Committee
Carol L. Cheatham Ph.D., Nutrition Committee
Lula Hart, Office Processes Committee
Laura Horton, Office Processes Committee
Sharon Kiser, Contracts & Grants Committee
Tim Mills, Chef, Nutrition Committee
Gina Smith, Systems Development Committee
T.L. Smith, Systems Development Committee/Facilities Committee
Susan Stirewalt, Founder & Project Manager
June Whaley, Activity Coordination Committee
consultants
Susan Brooks, Retired Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance, UNC Charlotte
Kelly Burgess, MDS RN
Melody Hartsell, Hartsell Farms
Sharon Kiser, Retired Director for Sponsored Programs
Cindi Stewart, LPN Wound Nurse
Keith Wassum, Retired Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Services, UNC Charlotte