From a press release:
The N.C. Council of Community Programs has recognized Smoky Mountain LME/MCO
and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) for working together to integrate and expand
physical and behavioral healthcare services in western North Carolina.
Smoky CEO Brian Ingraham and Elizabeth Flemming, MAHEC’s continuing education planner, accepted
the Programs of Excellence Award for Partnership to Improve Services at the council’s annual
conference in December in Pinehurst. The partnership’s activities aim to increase access to both physical
and behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability services, especially for individuals with
limited options for affordable care.
Both organizations are based in Asheville. Smoky is a public managed care organization that manages
services for mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual/developmental disabilities in 23
western N.C. counties. MAHEC is a regional healthcare leader that provides care as a foundation for
training top physicians and health professionals.
“Working together, like-minded organizations like Smoky and MAHEC can expand their reach to make
positive, life-changing advances in the care of the people we serve,” said Smoky CEO Brian Ingraham.
“We’re proud to have a trusted partner in helping us move our region toward integrated and
collaborative care.”
“As a leader in primary care innovation, MAHEC has enjoyed a robust partnership with Smoky,” said
MAHEC President and CEO Dr. Jeff Heck. “Both organizations recognize that the key to healthy
communities and quality health services is a dynamic partnership that integrates behavioral health with
primary care. Our pilot projects are already beginning to show how the synergies between our
organizations can result in benefits for our communities greater than either could do alone.”
MAHEC has effectively integrated behavioral health services and psychiatric consultation into its health
clinics, and Smoky and MAHEC recently partnered to create a regional workforce development program
About Smoky Mountain LME/MCO
Smoky Mountain LME/MCO is a local government entity that manages public funds for mental health,
substance use disorder and intellectual/developmental disability services in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe,
Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison,
McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties in
North Carolina. Access to services is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-849-6127.
Visit Smoky online at smokymountaincenter.com.
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