(SUFFOLK, VA) June 15, 2022 – Obici Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors has selected R. Battle Betts, Jr., MPA, as the Foundation’s new President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 1, 2022.
Mr. Betts joins the Foundation with over 28 years of public health, finance, planning, and policy experience, having served as Health Director of Albemarle Regional Health Services where he led 260 staff providing health promotion and disease prevention programs for over 162,000 residents in eight counties. As Health Director he worked with multiple North Carolina Healthy People taskforces to establish the 2010, 2020, and 2030 health priorities for the State of North Carolina. Mr. Betts was recently honored with the 2022 North Carolina Health Director of the Year award by the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors.
Board Chair, Thomas L. Woodward III said, “Our Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Mr. Betts as the Foundation’s new President & CEO. Having successfully led public health initiatives, Mr. Betts has a deep knowledge of the health needs of rural populations. He is an exceptional leader who values community building and partnerships and will be instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission.”
Looking towards his new role Mr. Betts shared, “I am humbled by the wonderful opportunity to serve Obici Healthcare Foundation in their mission to improve lives and health outcomes. I look forward to working with the diverse and engaged Board of Directors and highly talented staff to form new innovated partnerships in our communities and foster existing relationships to maximize available resources.”
Mr. Betts holds a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in School and Community Health from East Carolina University. He and his wife, Amanda, have two adult children.
About the Obici Healthcare Foundation: The Obici Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation established in 2006 from the sale of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital to Sentara Healthcare. Since its inception the Foundation has awarded over $61 million in grant funding.