Our Mission
Our mission is to help rural and impoverished people lead healthy lives.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to a diverse, equitable, inclusive learning environment where everyone can thrive. We embrace the idea that globalization and diversity must be leveraged into educational experiences through inclusion of faculty, staff, and participants with different geographical, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Our Executive Team
Our seasoned executives have worked in various capacities to provide access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in diverse rural communities.
Dr. Greg Bounds, CEO
Dr. Greg Bounds earned degrees in psychology, business, and theology from Davidson College, The University of Tennessee, and Harvard University. He has worked as a textbook author, commercial general contractor, consultant, professor, and researcher at several colleges and universities, including Harvard Business School. Since 2001, Dr. Greg Bounds has been CEO of Goshen Medical Center and has grown his company from 3 sites to over 40 sites., making it the largest FQHC in North Carolina. In 2009, he was honored with a visit from U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. His organization was recognized by Mr. Vilsack as “The best example of how to leverage federal money in a rural environment”, while Vice President Joe Biden called it a “model center.” Dr. Bounds also founded and co-owns Bounds Trucking and Bounds Transportation. Dr. Bounds has also held membership and leadership positions with The American College of Healthcare Executives, Rotary International, The National Association of Community Health Centers, The American Diabetes Association, The North Carolina Community Health Center Association, and various Bank Boards, Church Councils, and Non-profit organizations.
Joseph Zhou, Deputy CEO
Chief Executive Officer of Community College Student Insurance Services Inc. Joseph’s responsibilities include marketing and strategic alliance development. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Civic Engineering from school in Beijing, China, then Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Economics from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and a CIT in Maritime Shipping Management Law from the Pacific Marine Training Institute in British Columbia, Canada. He also has a Minority Executive Management Training Certification from the Babcock School of Management at Wake Forest University, and a Certification in Project Management from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. Joseph is an active member of his community, where he serves as Founding Member of the United Minority Contractors of North Carolina, a former Board of Director with the American Red Cross, former Vice-Principal and Director of the Cary Chinese School(nonprofit community weekend school), former Board of Director of RTP Chapter of NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals), and proud alumni of Leadership North Carolina, member of Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce and North Carolina Chinese Business Association, and executive committee member for Wake County 2020 Census Completed Count.
Board of Directors
Our Board is composed of diverse professionals who serve rural communities, including: a rural hospital trustee, a president of a community college, an executive director of government affairs at a large Clinical Research Organization, an attorney with deep knowledge of international projects and international affairs, and an official of the state justice department with a focus on juvenile criminal system reform.
Francisco Rivas-Diaz
Francisco Rivas-Diaz is the Assistant Director of Human Resources/Benefits for Duplin County Schools, a school district in eastern North Carolina. In the past, Mr. Rivas-Diaz has also worked for Duplin County Schools as a benefits specialist and migrant recruiter. Prior to working with Duplin County Schools, Mr. Rivas-Diaz worked with the Duplin County Department of Social Services as an interpreter and Medicaid case manager. Mr. Rivas-Diaz holds an associate’s degree in Information Systems from James Sprunt Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mount Olive, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mount Olive. Mr. Rivas-Diaz has also undertaken Board Member Training through the NC Office of Rural Health.
Dr. Lawrence Rouse
Dr. Lawrence L Rouse currently serves as the fifth President of Pitt Community College located in Winterville, NC. He formerly served as President of James Sprunt Community College, Kenansville North Carolina. He also served as Dean of Student Services for Johnston Community College in Smithfield, North Carolina. Lawrence was the Associate Vice-President for Enrollment Management at Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, South Carolina. He has over thirty-six years of higher education experience and leadership in community colleges. Prior to his career in higher education, Dr. Rouse served as Manpower Director and Social Services Coordinator for Wateree Community Action Agency in Sumter, Lee, Kershaw, and Clarendon Counties of South Carolina.
Rachael Tarleton Fones
Rachael Tarleton Fones is native Texan, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Tulane University. Currently serves as Director, Government & Public Affairs, IQVIA. Rachael Fones facilitates IQVIA’s engagement in public policy discussions with elected officials, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and patient and issue advocacy groups. With 17 years at IQVIA, previously Quintiles, she specializes in identifying policy opportunities and collaborations to advance the broader clinical research enterprise. Fones is an active participant in the advocacy efforts of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) and in a number of diversity in clinical trials (DICT) initiatives, including serving on the planning committee for the Society for Women’s Health Research 2016 workshop, “Achieving Meaningful Subgroup Data in Clinical Trial Design and Development” and the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT Center) of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University’s Diversity in Clinical Trials workgroup, from 2017- 2020, and chairs ACRO’s DICT Committee. For the past few years, Fones has leveraged background and passion for DICT, serving as a frequent speaker and strategic advisor for IQVIA’s Diversity in Clinical Trials initiatives and customer solutions.
Jamie Liles
Jamie Liles is a North Carolina native, graduated from Cary Academy. Jamie attended NC State where she was a member of the clogging team and graduated with honors degree in Political Science. She then continued her studies at NC State and earned a master’s degree in public administration. Professionally, Jamie had served as a Deputy Clerk of Court, NC General Assembly Researcher, Grant Administrator for the Governor’s Crime Commission and is currently the Executive Director for the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court. Jamie is passionate about helping local youths to avoid entanglement in the criminal justice system, actively participating in advocacy for public safety and juvenile justice youth advocacy organizations.
Dr. Bailian Li
Dr. Bailian Li is a professor in the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University. Before his return to the faculty of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University, Dr. Li served 16 years as the Vice Provost and Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement for the University. Under his leadership, NC State has made significant progress in global engagement and international collaboration. He has extensive international experience, and developed partnerships with numerous foreign universities, research institutes, and governmental agencies for collaboration with NC State University.
As an active researcher in forest genetics and leader in several international professional organizations, Dr. Li has also served as an adjunct professor at various international universities. His global research partnerships span countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Chile, Finland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Turkey. His diverse international engagements reflect his commitment to fostering global connections and advancing research in natural resources.
Advisory Committee
David Lantrip
David is a from Cary NC, a senior software developer, amateur photographer, and screenwriter. He holds a degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. David is a committed community builder and is actively involved in several community-oriented projects in the state of North Carolina.