Filling Medical Form, document, stethoscope

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Former commissioner of labor Josh Dobson raised eyebrows last week when he left his post nearly two months before the end of his term.

On Tuesday, the reason for that decision became clear. Dobson has been named president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA), an advocacy group for the state’s hospitals.

Josh Dobson (Photo: NC Healthcare Association)

In his role as president and CEO, Dobson will lead the association in representing its membership of hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other health care organizations across the state.

“I am deeply passionate about health care issues and health policy,” Dobson said in a statement. “NCHA’s vision to bring equitable, accessible health care to all North Carolinians aligns perfectly with the work I started as McDowell County Commissioner and as a member of the local Public Health Board.”

Dobson said hospitals are essential to the well-being and vibrancy of our communities and serve as economic anchors.

“It is crucial that we have policies in place to ensure their financial sustainability, while continuing to deliver high-quality, high-value care,” he said.

NCHA Board Chair Chris Peek, president and chief executive officer of CaroMont Health, said Dobson has developed strong relationships while holding three elected offices.

“He is a proven collaborator who can bring people together to build the best solutions for ensuring North Carolina remains a top state for employers and residents to access high-quality health care close to where they live and work,” Peek said.

Dobson resigned as commissioner of labor on Nov. 6, a day after fellow Republican Luke Farley was elected to replace him.

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Kevin O’Barr to replace Dobson until Farley takes office in January. O’Barr is the bureau chief of consultative services at the state Labor Department. He has worked at the department in various positions for 24 years.

Dobson was elected commissioner of labor in 2020 following the retirement of long-serving commissioner Cherie Berry, a Republican who served in the office for 20 years and was known as the “elevator lady” because her picture was plastered on certificates hanging in every elevator in the state.

A NCHA press release noted that Dobson served eight years in the state House of Representatives where he represented the 85th district, covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties in western North Carolina. During his final term, Dobson served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Health Committee, contributing to legislative efforts to expand Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of additional residents. Prior to his service in the state house, Dobson served two years as a McDowell County Commissioner.

In his new role, Dobson will also oversee NCHA Strategic Partners, a wholly owned subsidiary that offers health care providers access to products and services that provide cost-effective solutions to respond to the evolving health care landscape. Additionally, he will oversee the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the association’s charitable, 501(c)(3) non-profit innovative and programmatic arm.

Dobson currently serves on the Foundation’s board.