Enjoy Our CPP Participant Highlight on
Karr Lynn Johnson, FNP

December 2023

The Community Practitioner Program strives to increase access to quality
healthcare for the underserved of North Carolina. The program's participants
are committed to this mission.

Where We Stand

Hot Topics

1. NC Medicaid - ePASS Online Application Portal

On December 1st, North Carolina implemented Medicaid Expansion which extended benefit eligibility to over 600,000 people. Adults from 19 through 64 earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line are now eligible for coverage, however, many do not know they can get coverage. Due to state-level changes to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), many Americans were disenrolled from coverage at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and may not be aware. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) encourages patients to check on their eligibility and apply online through ePASS, for the fastest processing. Applications can also be submitted in person, or by phone or mail. Information and toolkits for your patients who would like to learn more are available here.

2. NCPAL - Psychiatric Access Line

The North Carolina Psychiatric Access Line (NCPAL) is a free telephone consultation and education program that provides healthcare clinicians with direct support from pediatric and perinatal behavioral health specialists. Their on-call psychatrists can assist with diagnostic clarification and medication management questions as well as provide information on local resources.

Click here to learn more.

3. Dementia Alliance of North Carolina 

The Dementia Alliance of North Carolina partners with healthcare clinicians and aging service providers across the state to improve the care and support of patients living with dementia as well as their caregivers. The organization serves as a direct refferal program connecting patients in your practice with Dementia Navigators who can assist with:

 Click here to learn more

CPP Practice Job Board

1. The CPP Practice Job Board

Click here to view current openings.

Contact us, if your practice has an opening you would like to post. 

Educational Opportunities

2. Upcoming NCMSF Webinar: "2024 Legislative Landscape"

Register Here

2. Women's Health Conference - In-person or Live Webinar

The 2024 Brody School of Medicine Women’s Health Conference is designed to equip physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants with the knowledge and tools they need to assist women in making informed decisions about health, well-being and personal safety. The agenda hosts a broad range of the most clinically important topics relevant to women’s health across the lifespan.

View event details here. 

3. CME Series for Opioid Use Prescribers

The North Carolina Medical Board and Wake AHEC, in collaboration with the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation / Project VBOT and the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program at UNC School of Medicine, have developed an eight-hour CME series that meets the new training requirement recently established by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

Learn more and how to register here.

CPP Participant Highlight

Karr Lynn Johnson, FNP

at Roxboro Family Medicine & Immediate Care 

1. What is a quote that has had a significant influence on your life?

“In all things be thankful.” - Growing in relationship with God and understanding that all we are and all we have is not of ourselves is the secret to contentment in life.

2. Where are you from?

Born in Greensboro, most of my life I have lived in North Carolina. I grew up in Morehead City but relocated to Caswell County 29 years ago.

3. Why did you decide to become a physician?

Employment in healthcare affords the opportunity to serve others in many different areas. There is never a boring day at work! In my nursing career over the past 39 years, I have worked in family practice, urgent care, emergency care, inpatient hospital, occupational and correctional health - All the while, touching the lives of people when they are most vulnerable.

4. What do you like about practicing in an underserved area?

Practicing in underserved areas provides healthcare in closer proximity to those who have the greatest need and fewer resources to travel beyond the boundaries of their home. Moreover, living in this same community, I feel I am more keenly connected to these people and aware of these needs.

5. Is your practice using any tools to address social determinates of health for patients?

Social determinants of health are screened for on all patient visits. In our practice we need more administrative support to ensure follow-up and referral on these needs are met.

6. How has Medicaid Transformation/Expansion affected your practice?

Medicaid Expansion has provided greater access to medical care and medications to more underserved children in our practice.

7. Do you have any hobbies or activities for self-care?

I enjoy morning meditation, gardening and spending time with family, friends and community. I am stronger when I connect with these people.

8. Is there anything that CPP can do to help you and your practice?

CPP has enabled and encouraged me and other healthcare providers to practice in underserved communities. I am thankful for these opportunities and the commitment this program is making to serve the people of this state.

Upcoming Meetings

2. CPP Annual Meeting - 2024

Mark Your Calendars!

CPP Initiatives

1. CPP 2.0 - Currently Seeking Candidates

The NCMS Foundation is seeking candidates for the CPP 2.0 program who specialize in maternal, women’s or behavioral health. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please share this link to learn more and apply.

2. Have You Ever Considered Precepting?

The Community Practitioner Program is exploring avenues that could provide support to preceptors in rural and underserved areas in NC, which are facing major shortages in the healthcare workforce. More than half of current CPP participants serve as preceptors. To learn more about becoming a preceptor Click Here.

3. Join NC CARE 360 Here!

Be a part of the first statewide resource and referral network that unites healthcare and human service organizations through a shared technology - a great tool for delivering person-centered care to your patients. If your practice has not already onboarded, contact us as soon as possible. Click Here to Onboard

4. Stop & Take the Pledge for Diabetes Prevention.

The pledge demonstrates your willingness to support diabetes prevention in NC. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a lifestyle change program that has free or low-cost options for patients, regardless of their insurance provider and you can refer using any of these convenient platforms: OCHI (Our Community Health Initiative), NC CARE 360 and the DPP Navigator. Click Here to Pledge

5. Interested in Leadership Development?

If you are a CPP participant who is a MD, DO or PA, you are eligible to be sponsored by CPP to the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s (KIPL) Leadership College (LC) and Health Care Leadership & Management (HCLM) classes of 2024. We pay the tuition…you go to school. To enjoy project-based curriculum designed to foster leadership skills and help you build your network in the health care community, contact us and answer the following questions:

• Are you supporting CPP’s programmatic initiatives (i.e. Take the Pledge, NC CARE 360, preceptorship, etc.)?
• Are you doing anything within your practice or community that we should take note of?
• Do you have an interest in leadership development, and why?

Contact us Here to learn more.

6. Why Join NCMS? - Membership Benefit Highlights

Insurance Solutions for you!

Join NCMS and get exclusive access to the NCMS Employee Benefit Plan, NCMS Insurance Solutions and the NCMS Retirement Plan. For a full list of benefits Click Here.

North Carolina Medical Society Foundation
PO Box 27167 | Raleigh, NC 27611
Phone: 919.833.3836 | Fax: 919.833.2023 | Email: ncmsfoundation@ncmedsoc.org
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