UNC Sheps Center Releases New Report Providing Critical Data to Identify Gaps in North Carolina’s Mental Health and Substance Use Services Workforce

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2026 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research has released the first comprehensive look at North Carolina’s mental health and substance use services workforce, offering critical data to guide statewide policy and planning. Commissioned by the NC Department of Health and Human… Read more »

Workforce Data and Tools Presented to NCIOM Legislative Fellows

The NCIOM Legislative Fellows  program brings together legislators from the NC Senate and NC House to dig deep into health data and information needed for evidence-based policy making. The Program’s work was highlighted in a January meeting about health workforce challenges and policy solutions to address nursing, primary care, behavioral health and other shortfalls. We… Read more »

Erin Fraher presents at APHA Pan American Health Organization Panel

On November 4th, Dr. Erin Fraher, Program Director, presented alongside colleagues at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, at a panel organized by the Pan American Health Organization, “Enhancing Primary Health in the Americas through Strategic Health Workforce Education Planning.” Dr. Fraher’s presentation, “The Three-Legged Stool in Primary Care: Education,… Read more »

Sheps Center researchers featured in The Well

ICYMI: The July 15, 2025 issue of THE WELL featured five Sheps Center researchers for their work to improve health care in rural areas. Read the article to learn more about the rural work Mark Holmes, PhD; Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP; Emily Hawes, PharmD, BCPS, CPP; Jacquie Halladay, MD, MPH; and Kristin Reiter, PhD are… Read more »

New Blog Post: How has RN Retention in North Carolina Changed over Time?

North Carolina is projected to face a shortage of approximately 12,500 registered nurses in 2033 (NC Nursecast). Our latest blog summarizes findings from an analysis of registered nurse retention and exit from the NC workforce between 2016 and 2023 using licensure data collected by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Authors: Caroline Spencer, Abhi Joshi, Evan… Read more »

Dr. Lombardi and Moore present to NCIOM Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program

On January 27th, Program Co-Director Dr. Brianna Lombardi and Sheps Workforce NC/HPDS Director Dr. Catherine Moore presented at the 2025 North Carolina Institute of Medicine Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program. The program brings together legislative assistants to learn from health policy experts about key health issues facing the state. Drs. Lombardi and Moore presented about the… Read more »

Carolina researchers awarded $11M to strengthen physician and dental training programs in underserved areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration funding will expand existing UNC-Chapel Hill initiatives that support the development of residency programs to improve North Carolinians’ access to health care. As part of its strategy to improve access to healthcare, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a contract to the University of North Carolina… Read more »

Sheps announces new HPDS Director: Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN

  Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN joined the Program for Health Workforce Research and Policy in April. Dr. Moore joins the team as the Director of Sheps Health Workforce NC and the North Carolina Health Professions Data System (NC Health Workforce – North Carolina Health Professional Supply Data). She will lead state health workforce initiatives… Read more »

Erin Fraher appointed to Congressional Budget Office Panel of Health Advisors

Our Program Co-director, Dr. Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP, has been appointed to the 2024 Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Panel of Health Advisors. Dr. Fraher joins a distinguished group of health policy and healthcare experts. The CBO hosts an annual meeting to discuss important and emerging health care issues and also engages with advisors throughout the… Read more »

Dr. Brianna Lombardi Appointed Co-Director of Health Workforce Research Program

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research is pleased to announce the appointment of Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW as Co-Director of the Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. This prestigious role recognizes Dr. Lombardi’s significant contributions to the field and underscores her growing influence and impact within North Carolina, nationally, and internationally…. Read more »

Erin Fraher gives inaugural Peter Curtis Lecture

Sheps Health Workforce Program Director Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP gave the inaugural Peter Curtis Lecture to the UNC Family Medicine Faculty Development Fellows on Friday, June 7th. Entitled “Harnessing the Friction to Influence Policy: The Power of Research Questions that Emerge from the Clinic,” Dr. Fraher’s presentation challenged fellows to follow their passion, ignite their… Read more »