Less than a week after resigning as North Carolina’s Labor Commissioner, Josh Dobson has taken on a new role as the president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association.
NCHA announced the change effective Tuesday. He succeeded Stephen J. Lawler, who retired after seven years in the position.
According to a press release, the Board of Trustees conducted a nationwide search to take over the position representing more than 135-member hospital systems. Dobson will become NCHA’s fifth President and CEO in the association’s more than 100-year history.
Dobson said he is honored to take over the position.
“I am deeply passionate about healthcare issues and health policy,” he said in the release. “NCHA’s vision to bring equitable, accessible healthcare to all North Carolinians aligns perfectly with the work I started as McDowell County Commissioner and as a member of the local Public Health Board. Hospitals are essential to the well-being and vibrancy of our communities – not just for care, but as economic anchors.”
Dobson continued by saying that the NCHA must have policies in place to ensure hospitals’ financial sustainability while they continue to deliver high-quality, high-value care.
“This position reflects Josh’s lifelong dedication to creating healthy and safe North Carolina communities through effective public policy and collaborative partnerships,” said NCHA Board Chair Chris Peek, president and chief executive officer of CaroMont Health. “Throughout his service in three elected offices, Josh has developed strong relationships and deep policy expertise that will advance our association and our members in the years to come.”
NCHA said that one of Dobson’s priorities as CEO will be to connect with members and their communities to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face in an evolving healthcare landscape. The organization has long defended Certificate of Need laws which many experts believe stifle healthcare access and inflate costs in counties around the state, but artificially limiting the care options made available in local communities.
Dobson will also oversee NCHA Strategic Partners, a wholly-owned subsidiary that offers healthcare providers access to products and services that provide cost-effective solutions to respond to the evolving healthcare landscape. Additionally, he will oversee the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the association’s charitable, 501(c)(3) non-profit innovation and programmatic arm. Dobson currently serves on the Foundation’s board.
Dobson was elected Labor Commissioner in November 2020 after defeating Democratic nominee and current State Auditor Jessica Holmes. He had previously served eight years as a House Representative representing Avery, McDowell, and Mitchell counties. Before that, he was a McDowell County Commissioner for two years.
In a statement last Wednesday, Dobson said that he was grateful to have served in elected office for the last 14 years, including the opportunity to be the state’s commissioner of labor.
“After 21 years of public service, I look forward to pursuing new opportunities in the private sector,” he said. I want to thank the employees at the N.C. Department of Labor for all of their hard work and service to the State of North Carolina. It has been a tremendous honor to work with them over the last four years ensuring the safety and health of all North Carolinians.”
Dobson announced in December 2022 that he would not be seeking re-election and would not be a candidate for any other office.
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday that Kevin O’Barr would fill the position until Republican newcomer Luke Farley takes over in January.
O’Barr currently serves as Bureau Chief of Consultative Services at the NC Department of Labor (NCDOL).
Dobson, a native of McDowell County, Nebo and Raleigh with his wife Valerie and daughter Kennedy.