The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is excited to welcome Dr. Myrle Grate to our community as its new Executive Director. With over twenty-five years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Grate’s proven track record and visionary approach make him well-suited to further the Health Foundation’s mission of enhancing health and well-being in our community.
Most recently, Dr. Grate served as the Executive Director of Sunnybrook in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where his energetic leadership led to transformative growth and innovation. Under his guidance, Sunnybrook completed over $10 million in facility improvements, increased fundraising by 110% within four years, and earned its first national accreditation. This important milestone highlighted the organization’s dedication to excellence.
One of Dr. Grate’s notable initiatives at Sunnybrook was launching an innovative driver’s education program designed to support foster youth in Mississippi. This program significantly increased the percentage of foster youth getting driver’s licenses from 4% to 10%, effectively doubling the national average of 5%. This achievement underscores Dr. Grate’s dedication to developing meaningful programs that directly meet community needs and empower vulnerable populations.
In his role as Executive Director, Dr. Grate plans to build on the Health Foundation’s past achievements while focusing on new initiatives aimed at expanding healthcare access, behavioral health services, and programs to support young people in our community. His collaborative leadership style and passion for community engagement are expected to strengthen partnerships across the region and increase the Health Foundation’s impact.
Q&A with Dr. Myrle Grate
Q: What attracted you to the Executive Director position at Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation?
Myrle: The Health Foundation’s dedication to improving health outcomes resonates deeply with my mission of service. I was impressed by the strong groundwork already in place here and the opportunity to help elevate that work by addressing critical health challenges through community-driven partnerships.
Q: What are your top priorities as you begin your tenure with the Foundation?
Myrle: I want to create sustainable impact that improves outcomes for the individuals living in Western North Carolina. We will create this impact by supporting programs that expand access to primary care and behavioral health resources. Additionally, I hope to expand the frequency and diversity of support to our non-profit community.
Q: How do you envision engaging with the Highlands and Cashiers communities?
Myrle: I value open, ongoing dialogue and plan to immerse myself fully by participating in local events, forums, and collaborative efforts. The Health Foundation should be a trusted partner, and that means consistently involving the community in shaping our direction and solutions. We already have a strong presence here, so our ability to effect sustainable change is significant.
The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is thrilled to welcome Dr. Myrle Grate and looks forward to the meaningful innovation and progress his leadership will bring. We invite you to join us in welcoming Dr. Grate to the Plateau and supporting the Health Foundation’s dedication to improving health and well-being across the region.
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