December 12, 2022 – The NC PACE Association has selected Linda S. Shaw as its first executive director. The Association’s member organizations provide medical and other needed services to help frail elderly remain in their homes through PACE – Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Organized in 2011 by 14 North Carolina healthcare organizations that operate or plan to operate PACE programs, the Association supports the development, expansion, success and quality of PACE throughout North Carolina.
Shaw brings considerable experience to her new role. The original executive director of the NC Low Income Housing Coalition, she has held many nonprofit management leadership positions and was employed by Wachovia Bank as Vice President and Senior Community Development Officer. Ms. Shaw received an MSW degree from the University of Kentucky and an undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.
“We are excited to take the next step to ensure older adults in North Carolina have the opportunity to live in the community as long as possible,” said Tim Clontz, NC PACE Association Board Chair. “We are very fortunate to have someone with Ms. Shaw’s experience to guide our organization and work collaboratively with state and federal officials and our elder care colleagues to establish a balanced and supportive regulatory approach to PACE services. Not all North Carolina residents have access to PACE programs and Ms. Shaw will work with our partners to meet the vision of our Association to extend PACE services to all in North Carolina who are eligible.”
PACE – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly - provides a comprehensive range of services that enable people age 55 and older who qualify for nursing home care to continue living in the community. PACE utilizes an interdisciplinary care team to tailor medical and social services to each participant’s needs. Care is provided in an adult day health center that is supplemented by in-home and referral services. Most PACE participants are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, but eligibility is not a requirement for service.
There are six North Carolina PACE sites currently in operation serving approximately 500 people. These are located in Wilmington, Greensboro, Burlington, Fayetteville, Lexington, and Newton. (Information about each site is attached.) An additional six sites are under development and awaiting approval to provide services (in Charlotte, Durham, Asheville, Gastonia, Asheboro, and Smithfield.) The NC PACE Association will be working to expand these needed services into more areas, especially rural regions, of the state.
Currently operating under the aegis of the NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs in Cary, NC, the Association is funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and member dues.
“The Trust continues to support the statewide PACE Association, as well as individual sites around the state, because of the organization’s ability to deliver excellent health outcomes for low-income, elderly North Carolinians,” said Allen Smart, director of the Health Care Division at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. “In fact, PACE is one of the few programs that deliver results that meet or exceed those for more financially advantaged elderly residents. Investing in PACE is in line with Mrs. Reynolds’ vision to improve the quality of life and health for all North Carolinians, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.”
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was created in 1947 by the will of Mrs. William N. Reynolds of Winston-Salem, NC. Three-fourths of the Trust’s grants are designated for use for health-related programs and services across North Carolina and one-fourth for the poor and needy of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.