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ACU will soon bid adieu to Kathie Westpheling, MPH, who has served as executive director since 2002. She is a passionate advocate for the underserved, transdisciplinary care, health professions education, and health information technology. Kathie began her career at ACU in 1996 as the project director for the NHSC 25th Anniversary Initiative. She oversaw the relocation of the organization from its headquarters in Lexington, KY, to its current home in the Washington, DC area.
Under her leadership, ACU has become known for its work on access to care, language, culture and literacy, and the primary care workforce. Westpheling shared, “I always envisioned ACU to be an organization where all of my former students, preceptors, and professional colleagues working on the front lines in primary care and public health could find a national home. A nutritionist by training, I have been an advocate for the team approach to health care. ACU is all about sharing one’s knowledge and skills, with trust and respect, for the benefit of the patient in the community. I want to thank the ACU board, staff, and members who have supported me in my various roles here at ACU and for teaching me so much about health care on the front lines. It has been and will continue to be my honor and privilege to tell your stories.”
ACU Board President Katherine Brieger praised Westpheling, saying, “Kathie has been a tireless advocate for ACU and its members. She has mentored numerous health professionals who have built careers serving the poor and underserved. We will miss her enthusiasm for this work but know that she will continue to advise the board on matters related to ACU and our mission.”
Kathie previously worked for the American Medical Student Association from 1985-1996. Although stepping down from the day-to-day running of ACU, she will continue to consult on issues including the primary care workforce and health information technology, while spending more time with her husband Paul.
In lieu of gifts, Kathie has requested donations to ACU in support of the ACU internship program which focuses on public policy and advocacy. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution, please donate here.
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