Dr. Shantelle Simpson is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, from bedside nursing to executive leadership, she has built her career around strengthening healthcare organizations and supporting the people who make their missions possible. Her leadership has helped guide AMH through significant organizational growth, including restoring full HRSA compliance, strengthening its executive and provider teams, improving financial performance, and expanding access to care across rural and underserved communities.

Dr. Simpson is passionate about the role Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play in providing high-quality, accessible care to communities that need it most. During her tenure at AMH, the organization has expanded services and access through mobile medical and dental units, school-based health centers, women’s health services, and integrated, comprehensive care across the region. She has also focused on developing strong teams and creating opportunities for staff to grow within the organization, recognizing that sustainable success depends on both sound operations and engaged, mission-driven people.

Dr. Simpson considers the opportunity to lead AMH and serve its communities a privilege and a responsibility. She believes healthcare leadership is ultimately about stewardship—ensuring that organizations remain strong so they can continue to serve patients well. She understands that effective leadership can expand access, strengthen care, and build trust, while poor leadership can have a direct and lasting impact on the communities an organization serves. Her approach is grounded in humility, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that AMH remains focused on its mission and the people who depend on it.