WHF New Staff and Promotions
Williamsburg Health Foundation Announces New Staff and Promotions
By
July 8, 2023
The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is celebrating community partnerships, an extended strategic plan, staff promotions, and new staff in its 27th year of service to the Greater Williamsburg community, it said. The new staff join a team with over 75 years of combined philanthropic service.
- Bill Pribble, former Senior Program Officer, was promoted to Vice President of Programs.
- Shelby Boltz, former WHF Executive Assistant and Office Manager, was promoted to Grants Administrator.
New Staff Members
- Adriene Bivens joins WHF as Executive Assistant and Office Manager.
- Kelly Metcalf-Meese joins as Program Officer
- Deb Fisher serves as Communication Specialist.
Other Foundation News
WHF noted trustees recently voted to extend it current strategic plan from three to five years (through 2025), Community Access Network (CAN) has completed an information gathering process related to integrated care needs in the Greater Williamsburg Area and is developing a summary of their findings which will be available as a resource to those working to promote or implement integrated care, and The National Academy of Medicine recently formed the Commission on Investment Imperatives for a Healthy Nation and has invited WHF to join the local funder coalition to help inform the Commission’s deliberations on priorities and strategies to strengthen cross-sector alignment for health.
Williamsburg Health Foundation Announces Promotions and New Staff
The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) celebrates community partnerships, extended strategic plan, staff promotions, and new staff in its 27th year of service to the Greater Williamsburg community. “It is a pleasure to celebrate the promotion of two long-time staff and welcome three new employees,” said Deanna Van Hersh, WHF President and CEO. New staff join a team with over 75 years of combined philanthropic service. “Staff has been focused on strengthening relationships with community partners by listening and learning about their priorities, their view of the needs in our community, and their view of the Foundation and our work. We will continue to listen as we introduce new staff and feed what we learn back into our work,” said Van Hersh. While there are some new faces at the Foundation, the mission, vision, and strategic focus remain the same.
Promotions
- Bill Pribble, former Senior Program Officer, was promoted to Vice President of Programs. A lifelong resident of James City County, Bill joined the Foundation in 2003. Bill is a dedicated leader who holds WHF’s history, mission, and role in the Greater Williamsburg Area in high regard. Bill is known as a thoughtful listener and has a reputation for inclusive engagement. He is instrumental in WHF’s pursuit of collaborative strategies that bolster the efforts of partners aligned with the Foundation’s vision of health opportunities for all. In his new role, Bill directs program planning, implementation, and assessment, as well as grants administration.
- Shelby Boltz, former WHF Executive Assistant and Office Manager, was promoted to Grants Administrator – her third promotion since joining WHF in 2004. Shelby’s health background, institutional knowledge, keen attention to detail, and vast connections in this community are invaluable. In her new role, Shelby will engage with partners around funding inquiries, proposals, reporting, and site visits.
New Staff Members
These professionals bring more than six decades of combined experience. Each brings unique value and skillsets that complement the Foundation’s mission to “Collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg.”
- Adriene Bivens joins WHF as Executive Assistant and Office Manager. She holds a degree in Business Administration and an MBA. Adriene brings over 20 years of experience in administrative and executive assistant positions including 11 years in the US Air Force as an enlisted aid to Generals, Commanders, various officers, and divisions throughout the world.
- Kelly Metcalf-Meese joins as Program Officer. She has a degree in Government and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Public Policy. Kelly brings a wealth of experience in the health area, having worked in federal executive and legislative branch agencies as well as William & Mary’s Center for Public Policy Research and the Schroeder Center for Health Policy.
- Deb Fisher serves as Communication Specialist. She holds a degree in Sports and Health Sciences, a Master of Public Health, and is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health. Deb brings over 15 years of experience developing, leading, and evaluating strategic plans and programs for various government and nonprofit organizations. Deb is also a US Air Force veteran who served more than 10 years in various locations in the United States and overseas.
Other Foundation News
- Trustees recently voted to extend WHF’s current strategic plan from three to five years (through 2025).
- Community Access Network (CAN) has completed an information-gathering process related to integrated care needs in the Greater Williamsburg Area, and we are grateful to those who provided valuable input during this discovery process. CAN is developing a summary of their findings which will be available as a resource to those working to promote or implement integrated care.
- The National Academy of Medicine recently formed the Commission on Investment Imperatives for a Healthy Nation and has invited WHF to join the local funder coalition to help inform the Commission’s deliberations on priorities and strategies to strengthen cross-sector alignment for health.
Williamsburg Health Foundation Announces Grants for June 2023
On Monday, June 5, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) met and approved 20 grants worth over $4 million. “We are happy to continue our relationship and investments with legacy partners which support our strategic plan,” said Deanna Van Hersh, WHF President and CEO. “This funding cycle, we are also pleased to invest in and highlight two new programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of children in our community.”
Under the strategic goal to “Target behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span,” the Foundation has awarded $816,000 toward “Healthy Eating Active Living” programs. This summer, access to free healthy meals for children will be available in our area. WHF is excited to partner with the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools to provide healthy and “Happier meals” for children in the City of Williamsburg and James City County during summer break. Free lunches will be available 12:00-1:00 pm, Monday-Thursday for children under 18 from June 26th through August 17th at James River Elementary School.
Under the strategic goal to “Strengthen the healthcare safety-net for uninsured and underinsured individuals,” the Board of Trustees has approved over $2 million toward Integrated Care and Behavioral Health Services. WHF is happy to highlight the launch of a new school-based play therapy program, Play to Thrive, developed by William and Mary’s Flanagan Counselor Education Clinic. Play to Thrive aims to improve the well-being of young children experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties in Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency’s Head Start program. Dr. Erin Woods, Director of the Flanagan Counselor Education Clinic said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Williamsburg Health Foundation to deliver services through the Play to Thrive program. This initiative will not only impact the lives of those we serve but will also provide valuable clinical experience to counselors in training.”
Williamsburg Health Foundation continues to prioritize funding and investing in collaborative programs and innovative ways to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals in the Greater Williamsburg area across their lifespan. According to Bill Pribble, Vice President of Programs, “An important part of investing across the lifespan includes making investments to improve the health of youth. This is a long-term investment in the future health of our community.”
Williamsburg Health Foundation Names Deanna Van Hersh as New President and CEO
WILLIAMSBURG, Va., March 8, 2023 – Deanna Van Hersh, a visionary leader in grantmaking and program management, has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer, by the Williamsburg Health Foundation Board of Trustees. She began her new role on March 6.
Van Hersh succeeds Carol Sale, who recently retired after leading the Williamsburg Health Foundation for five years.
The extensive search led to an internal staff member with an impressive career background to carry out the strategic goals and mission of the Foundation.
“The Board of Trustees is delighted to name Deanna as the President and CEO,” said Chairman Beth Davis. “Her accomplishments and leadership skills coupled with her philanthropic experience makes Deanna the perfect person to lead the Foundation’s efforts to provide healthy options and lifestyles for those living in the Greater Williamsburg area.”
Van Hersh is not new to the Williamsburg Health Foundation; she most recently served as the Director of Health and Wellness where she led the grantmaking for Advanced Primary Care, Medication Access, Integrated Care, and the Foundation’s increasing focus on the needs of older adults. She managed over $2 million in grants and contracts; including oversight of the Greater Williamsburg Chronic Care Collaborative, which works to strengthen the area safety net. In addition to her Foundation expertise, Van Hersh is equally dedicated and involved in several professional organizations, including the Virginia Funders Network, Grantmakers in Health, and Grantmakers in Aging.
Prior to joining the Williamsburg Health Foundation, Van Hersh spent 23 years with the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) culminating with roles of Interim Executive Vice President and Vice President for Programs. As the Vice President for Programs, Van Hersh was credited with leading a grant-making staff to devise, implement, and evaluate $20 million in grants each year, focusing on healthy behaviors, access to care, civic and community engagement, and educational attainment.
“The Board of Trustees is confident that Deanna’s impressive track record of identifying opportunities, building partnerships and her high level of integrity and respect for others will serve to advance the Foundation’s mission to inspire collaboration, encourage innovation, and commit to investing in systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals in the community,” said Davis.
“I am honored by this opportunity to lead the Williamsburg Health Foundation,” said Van Hersh. “And I look forward to collaborating with community partners, this dedicated staff and Board of Trustees to work toward a shared vision of health opportunities for all.”
The Williamsburg Health Foundation has a corpus of over $135 million and distributes an average of $5 million in grants annually in the Greater Williamsburg area. The Foundation also convenes agencies to address health-related challenges that cannot be solved by one organization or sector alone. For more information on the Williamsburg Health Foundation, visit WilliamsburgHealthFoundation.org.
Foundations join to support mental health education in Virginia
The Williamsburg Health Foundation is collaborating with 17 other philanthropic foundations from throughout Virginia to provide funding for expanded REACH behavioral health trainings for primary care providers treating children, adolescents, and young adults across the Commonwealth. More than $170,000 has been contributed by these foundations to address the growing need for improved access to mental health care.
The primary goal of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is to ensure better mental health for children. Through education initiatives, training, and access to specialists, primary care providers are better equipped to screen, diagnose, manage, and treat mental health, ensuring better quality of life for children and their families. VMAP will coordinate two REACH trainings serving up to 80 primary care providers. These intensive three-day, 16-hour interactive courses for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are focused on building skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating pediatric behavioral health problems. Following course completion, they participate in bi-monthly calls with national primary care and child/adolescent psychiatry experts to address cases in their daily practices.
The VMAP program is administered by the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation (MSVF) through a contract with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Melina Davis, CEO of MSV & Executive Director of MSVF shared, “To have the philanthropic community come together in support of this work has been incredible. We’re hopeful that the impact of these trainings will benefit all of Virginia by improving education and resources for youth mental health.”
According to Fairfax pediatrician and VMAP Founder, Dr. Sandy Chung, “Our foundation partners responded quickly in a meaningful way to help us address pediatric behavioral health needs - needs that are growing exponentially, outpacing the availability of mental health providers. The pandemic worsened a youth mental health crisis that was already present. We now have more young people than ever before suffering from anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm. With VMAP, primary care providers can be prepared with the best information to help children and their families right away.”
Participating foundations include:
The Alleghany Foundation
The Annabella Jenkins Foundation
Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation
Claude Moore Charitable Foundation
Community Foundation for greater Richmond
Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Culpeper Wellness Foundation
Danville Regional Foundation
The Harvest Foundation
Northern Piedmont Community Foundation
Northern Virginia Health Foundation
PATH Foundation
Potomac Health Foundation
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Virginia Health Care Foundation
Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia
Williamsburg Health Foundation
Deanna Van Hersh, CEO and President of the Williamsburg Health Foundation, says, “The Williamsburg Health Foundation is grateful to be part of this collaborative of foundations from around the Commonwealth who are working together to address mental health. We believe partnerships across organizations is critical to addressing the mental health challenges facing our children and communities.”
The Williamsburg Health Foundation has a corpus of over $135 million and distributes an average of $5 million in grants annually in the Greater Williamsburg area. The Foundation also convenes agencies to address health-related challenges that cannot be solved by one organization or sector alone.
For more information about The Virginia Mental Health Assistance Program and REACH visit: www.vmap.org