In this episode, host Josiah Irvin of Smith Anderson’s Health Care practice is joined by Wes Edwards, chief financial officer of MedFirst Primary and Urgent Care, and Smith Anderson attorney John Gibson for a discussion on the healthcare provider workforce and recent licensure reforms in North Carolina.

The conversation focuses on House Bill 67, newly enacted legislation aimed at addressing provider shortages across the state. The panel explores key components of the law, including North Carolina’s entry into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, new licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians, the pending licensure compact for physician assistants and expanded team-based practice models for PAs. 

Beyond the statutory framework, Wes offers an insider perspective on provider recruitment, retention and the day-to-day operational challenges facing primary care practices, while examining how these licensure reforms may reduce barriers to care, support value-based healthcare models and expand access for underserved communities.

Host – Josiah Irvin, Counsel, Smith Anderson
Co-host – John Gibson, Associate, Smith Anderson
Guest – Wes Edwards, Chief Financial Officer, MedFirst Primary and Urgent Care

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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Technology, trust and transformation — three forces reshaping the future of healthcare in North Carolina. In this episode of Pulse on Carolina Health, host Robert Shaw, co-chair of Smith Anderson’s Health Care practice group, sits down with Shaun Cox and Doug Golub of Element by Arkhe Consortium Health, two leaders driving the state’s Medicaid transformation toward integrated, value-based care. 

Shaun and Doug share how Element is helping small mental health and substance use disorder providers leverage data analytics, AI-powered insights, and clinically integrated networks to close care gaps, improve outcomes, and bring culturally sensitive mental and physical healthcare to North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities. 

From navigating the challenges of Medicaid reimbursement to embracing AI’s growing role in care coordination, this conversation explores how innovation and collaboration are transforming healthcare delivery. 

Host - Robert Shaw, Partner, Smith Anderson
Guest – Shaun Cox, Chief Executive Officer and Doug Golub, Value-Based Care and Population Health Consultant, Element by Arkhe Consortium Health

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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In this episode of Pulse on Carolina Health, host Robert Shaw welcomes Elle Basile, public affairs senior manager with the North Carolina Dental Society, which represents more than 3,900 member dentists in the state and is committed to advancing oral health for North Carolinians. 

Elle discusses the critical role Medicaid plays in providing dental care for North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations, challenges with access to care and the impact of low reimbursement rates on dentists’ ability to serve Medicaid patients. She also shares insights on current legislative efforts, the importance of preserving the adult dental benefit and what policy changes could mean for patients and providers. 

Host - Robert Shaw, Partner, Smith Anderson
Guest – Elle Basile, Public Affairs Senior Manager, North Carolina Dental Society

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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Host Robert Shaw talks with Dr. Roger D. Israel, Chief Medical Officer for WakeMed Key Community Care (WKCC), an accountable care organization (ACO) formed by WakeMed Health & Hospitals and Key Physicians. Dr. Israel shares how WKCC engages with its independent physicians, high-value specialists and payers to deliver coordinated, highest quality care at a lower cost to more than 200,000 patients across the Triangle. 

They discuss how WKCC leverages data analytics, referral management tools and dedicated care managers to reduce hospital visits, improve patient outcomes and support providers. Dr. Israel offers his vision for the future where ACOs become the standard model for delivering care to all patients in North Carolina.

Host - Robert Shaw, Partner, Smith Anderson
Guest – Dr. Roger D. Israel, MD, Chief Medical Officer, WakeMed Key Community Care (WKCC)

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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Primary care is evolving in North Carolina. Host Robert Shaw talks with Dr. Tom Wroth, CEO of Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), about the state of primary care in North Carolina and its intersection with value-based care. They discuss primary care challenges, changes over the last decade, the impact on patient care, independent medical practices’ benefits, and how the shift to a value-based care payment model is reshaping primary care. 

Dr. Roth shares insights on how CCNC—the nation’s largest and longest-running medical home system—has reduced healthcare costs while improving outcomes. Learn how value-based care is reshaping primary care and why independent practices may offer better value, continuity and comprehensive care for patients.

Host - Robert Shaw, Partner, Smith Anderson
Guest – Dr. Tom Wroth, MD, MPH, CEO, Community Care of North Carolina

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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In our inaugural episode, host Robert Shaw sits down with Chip Baggett, CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society, to unpack the complexities of prior authorization for patients to get approval from a payer to receive insurance coverage for medical treatment—a pressing issue impacting patients, providers and payers today. Together, they discuss its challenges, its impact on patient care, and what it means for healthcare providers.

Host - Robert Shaw, Partner, Smith Anderson
Guest - Chip Baggett, CEO, North Carolina Medical Society

Smith Anderson is a full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Our team of experienced health care lawyers are committed to guiding medical professionals, hospitals, health care facilities and industry organizations through the attendant changes and evolving regulatory environment. We advise on health care policy, legislative advocacy, executive strategy, mergers and acquisitions, privacy and data security, litigation and the complex business requirements of organized medicine. We have been integrally involved in launching innovative health care delivery initiatives such as clinically integrated networks, joint ventures between health systems and practitioners, Community Care of North Carolina and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) nationwide.

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