Chief Executive Officer

When you meet Beverly Irby, she will talk with you like you've known each other for years. She effortlessly inspires you with her passion, while remaining focused on her mission to keep you healthy. As the new director of C.W. Williams Community Health Center, Ms. Irby moves between her roles as administrator, marketer, fundraiser, supervisor, patient advocate, teacher without blinking an eye. She makes it look so easy because she is dedicated to providing a healthcare home for those that need one. She is committed to creating a community partner in C.W. Williams that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to health care.

If success equals preparation plus opportunity, then Beverly has been preparing for this position for her entire life. As the daughter and sister of nurses, she had access and exposure to the health field long before she received her Master's of Education, Health Promotion. Her career path has taken her from here to there, with stops along the way in banking and finance, marketing, teaching, and of course health care administration. She has a solid background in healthcare working at such organizations as Carolinas Health Care System (Mecklenburg County Health Department & Huntersville Oaks), and the Red Cross. In addition, she served on the board of C.W. Williams Community Health Center. "I have high expectations for Ms. Irby," says Dr. John Murphy founding member of C.W. Williams and current board member.

"In order to do a good job, you have to have a strong foundation spiritually," says Irby. She describes herself as a servant-leader, using her strengths to help others get to where they need to be – that means patients as well as staff. "We have a dedicated staff of people that love serving the population." Over the years she has served on numerous community committees and worked on various initiatives that advocated for those who often did not have a voice or did not feel compelled to speak.

In addition, she has been an adjunct professor for New England College, Gardner Webb University, and Johnson C. Smith University. Beverly never misses an opportunity to teach. Her roles in health education and staff development fuel her fire for teaching. "In order to teach, you have to continue to study", she says as she explains the importance of continuous learning.

In order to support a cross-section of populations – from babies to seniors, African American, Caucasian, Hispanic and Latino, Asian and Native American across all socioeconomic classes -- Beverly plans to build on C.W. Williams' reputation as the "credible messenger" of health information for the center's patients. She will also develop, nurture and strengthen collaborative partners to continue to provide top-notch medical care to the community. "We have to deliver quality health care while meeting patients at a place where they can relate." Her broad experience combined with her spiritual leadership style, along with her passion for public health are sure to open the door to innovative and exciting things at C.W. Williams Community Health Center.

"I just feel very fortunate that I am doing the work that I love, because most people can't say that."