Simms Named Director of Professional Development and Alumni Relations

Jeffrey Simms

As director of professional development and alumni relations, Simms will work with students on professional development experiences, job placements, internships, and professional networking. He will be responsible for cultivating professional contacts, particularly from the department alumni, and promoting, planning, and conducting an employment recruitment program. Simms will also manage alumni relations to include the development of a sustainable program of activities.

“We are extremely pleased to have Jeffrey join our department. He has been an active alumnus, preceptor, and faculty associate,” said Peggy Leatt, PhD, professor and chair of the department of health policy and management. “He brings years of knowledge, experience, and commitment to our students and alumni.”

Before joining UNC’s School of Public Health, Simms worked at the NC Department of Health & Human Services as the deputy director for the Office of Rural Health & Community Care and assistant director for the division of Medical Assistance. In that position, he managed the department’s statewide Medicaid managed care program called Community Care of NC and assisted with the development of the rural health care delivery system in underserved communities across the state. He oversaw and assisted in the development of the HealthNet Uninsured initiative and managed the Pharmacy Assistance programs located in the safety net provider system across the state. Prior to this role, he was also a consultant for Managed Care Consulting, Inc. and a health care specialist for the NC Division of Medical Assistance.

“I am excited to be taking this position at UNC,” added Simms. “I look forward to giving back to the School and mentoring students on a day-to-day basis.”

Simms received a bachelor of arts in public policy analysis and a master of sciences in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a master of divinity from Duke University’s Divinity School.

Simms has spoken at several local, regional, and national conferences on children’s health care and public policy issues. He is members of the Technical Advisory Committee for the NC General Baptist State Convention Health and Human Services, the UNC Chapel Hill-Shaw University Faith Based Collaborative Advisory Committee, and the Duke Endowment and NCHA Sponsored Care + Share Uninsured Initiative Advisory Board. He is chairman for the Center for Health and Healing Board of Directors. He is also an associate minister for First Baptist Church in Lucama, NC and pastor of New Vester Missionary Baptist Church in Sims, NC.

Simms lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and two children.