Advocate Health Social Impact Champion Named to Modern Healthcare’s Diversity Leaders List

Advocate Health, based in Charlotte, N.C., is excited to announce that Brandi Newman, senior vice president of strategic operations for community and social impact at Advocate Health, was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of its “2024 Diversity Leaders.” Newman’s profile was featured in the Sept. 9, 2024, print issue of Modern Healthcare, and she was recognized at the Diversity Leader Gala held Sept. 17 in Chicago.

The Diversity Leaders in Healthcare awards program honors health care executives and organizations working to further equity and inclusion at their organizations and throughout the industry. Newman was nominated by a colleague for her efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) internally and externally within the communities Advocate Health serves over the past year. She was selected based on these efforts and the measurable results she achieved. 

Newman has significantly advanced DEI at Advocate Health by helping to lead efforts to integrate corporate social responsibility, community engagement, community health, DEI and other key functions into a unified community and social impact division.  

“Brandi is a true champion for diversity, equity and inclusion in health care,” said Kinneil Coltman, executive vice president and chief community and social impact officer for Advocate Health. “She has been instrumental in creating a culture of belonging and empowerment at Advocate Health, where everyone can thrive and contribute to our mission of improving health and well-being. She has also forged strong partnerships with community organizations that share our commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health. Brandi is a role model and a leader who inspires us all to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”  

Newman helped launch the “Advocate Health Gives” initiative, raising over $7.6 million for community partners like the United Way, Children’s Miracle Network and numerous organizations focused on community and social impact, as well as provide for internal needs such as the Teammate Emergency Care Fund. One year after Advocate Health’s inception, she spearheaded the creation of the health system’s inaugural community benefit report, which highlighted roughly $6 billion in community contributions.  

Newman joined Atrium Health in 2005 and has held various leadership roles within the organization. She began her career as a women’s health staff nurse at UNC Health. In her current role, Newman has executive oversight of the day-to-day strategic operations that position Advocate Health as a national leader in community and social impact and health equity. She has more than 20 years of health care leadership experience in hospital operations, nursing, service line strategy, human resources, health equity and community and social impact.