Next Stage, a North Carolina–based social innovation company, is proud to announce the launch of its Impact for Health service line. The expansion reinforces the company’s dedication to partnering with healthcare and community-based organizations to address barriers to health equity.
The company has made two key appointments to spearhead its enhanced focus on health care:
- Nimisha Patel fills the position of Vice President, Impact for Health
- Jalah Blackmon takes on the role of Director, Impact for Health
These strategic shifts in assignment underscore Next Stage’s commitment to making a lasting impact in the healthcare sector.
“I’m proud to lead Next Stage’s Impact for Health domain at this critical time to find new ways to improve the health and well-being of our communities,” says Patel. “Our goal is to drive meaningful change by partnering with organizations and community partners to address the most pressing health challenges and create sustainable solutions.”
Building on a Decade of Experience
Next Stage isn’t new to the healthcare arena. For years, the company has collaborated with health and community-based organizations, gaining invaluable insights and experience. This moment marks a critical juncture where Next Stage recognizes the urgent need to formalize its focus and leverage its team expertise to tackle the significant barriers to health access and equity plaguing the system today.
The company’s unique positioning stems from the team’s deep understanding of the vital role collaboration management plays in bridging gaps between various health and community partners. Next Stage staff has been on the ground, doing the work, and identifying the pressing needs in this space.
“Next Stage has a demonstrated history of actively engaging in community health initiatives, with a deep commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social drivers of health through strategic collaboration,” says Blackmon. “I’m excited to build on this legacy and drive impactful change through the Impact for Health service line.”
Next Stage’s experience in health care is exemplified by its involvement in impactful projects:
- Next Stage served as a third-party assessment partner for Care Ring’s The Bridge project, a mobile health unit addressing transportation barriers.
- The company partnered with WellCare NC, a statewide managed care plan, to facilitate a leadership and team retreat.
- Currently, Next Stage is collaborating with the Office of Violence Prevention to facilitate community-driven action planning in the Sugar Creek I-85 Corridor.
- Other ongoing collaborations with key players in the health ecosystem include Constellation Quality Health in Raleigh, NC, and Piedmont Health Services, a multi-location community health organization.
Join Next Stage’s Free Impact for Health Webinar Series
Are you a professional in community or population health, social work, care management, health education, or clinical health settings? Next Stage invites you to be part of its movement toward innovative, community-driven health solutions!
Next Stage is launching a free, five-part webinar series, starting October 1, to bring peers and industry experts together to tackle today’s complex healthcare topics. The webinars will explore innovative collaboration examples and the evolving healthcare landscape, both locally and nationwide.
The series will be led by Nimisha Patel (VP, Impact for Health) and Jalah Blackmon (Director, Impact for Health).
Sign up for the Impact for Health email list to stay informed and join a growing network of professionals dedicated to advancing health equity and improving care quality.
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Ready to explore how Next Stage can support your organization’s health equity initiatives? Reach out to Jalah Blackmon and Nimisha Patel to start a conversation about innovative, community-driven health solutions.
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Nimisha Patel joined Next Stage in 2024. Previously, she led The New Guard, a consultancy working with clients in health care, hospitality, real estate, nonprofits and technology. She also served as National Director of Innovation & Design for Health Leads, a national leader in addressing the systemic causes of racial health inequalities, and as Associate Vice President at Duke Health, where she led innovation design and implementation.
Jalah Blackmon uses a social justice and health equity lens to empower underrepresented communities and challenge systemic barriers to wellness. Previously, she served as Director of Innovation and Capacity Building at Care Share Health Alliance and as Program Director at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council. She’s the cofounder of The Black Light Foundation, a 501(c)3, family-led nonprofit focused on bringing light to dark places for individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts and mental health issues.