North Carolina Business and Medical Leaders Elected to American Lung Association Board

Today, the American Lung Association in North Carolina announced that five local business and medical leaders have been elected to the Local Leadership Board of Directors. 

The Lung Association’s Local Leadership Board of Directors, which has 16 members, helps lead the organization in its mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The purpose of the Board is to raise the Lung Association’s profile in the community, advocate for lung health, and increase resources to fund local programs and services. Board members impact the work of the Association’s programs and services, public policy, research, and revenue generation.

“These new board members will be incredible assets to our local work at the Lung Association. Their insight and experience are critical to our work in the community,” said Markus Hill, Chair of the Local Leadership Board, American Lung Association and Chief Information Officer, Rodgers Builders. “Thank you to the service of these individuals, as well as our full Leadership Board, we are helping North Carolina residents breathe a little easier.”

The newly elected Leadership Board members are:

• Shawn Cardner, Executive Vice President, Grubb Properties – A former Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer, Cardner now leads operations for the commercial and multifamily divisions for Grubb Properties and is involved with air quality issues related to indoor spaces. Cardner is additionally drawn to the Lung Association as his mother is a life-long smoker who has battled lung cancer and continues to struggle with breathing issues.  Cardner is an active community member, avid golfer and motorcycle rider, as well as a technical scuba diver.  When the weather does not allow for outdoor activities, Cardner is a devoted reader.  

• Will Lewis, Reporter, Queen City News - Lewis joined the Queen City News team in April of 2021 after several years as an anchor/reporter in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. During that time, Lewis covered everything from issues in Washington D.C. to natural disasters in the northeast. In his free time, you can find Lewis on the numerous walking/running trails, trying to keep the golf ball in the fairway, volunteering for nonprofits, and trying out the numerous local restaurants in the area. As someone living with lung disease, Lewis is hoping to bring greater awareness and help raise funds for the Lung Association by sharing his personal story.

• Josh Otterline, Manager, Partnership Development, Hornets Sports & Entertainment – Otterline is in business development, where he cultivates relationships and develops marketing strategies to drive branding, generate leads, deliver goodwill, and create new revenue for partners. When he is not at the arena, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and four children outdoors and staying physically active and fit. Otterline’s passion for health and wellness stem from watching both his grandfather and mother during their battles of COPD and pancreatic cancer respectively and the effects smoking and not prioritizing wellness had on their lives. By helping to bring awareness to lung disease, and lung health overall, Otterline is hoping to create a generational impact in the region and nationally.

• Melissa Ricker, APP Fellowship Director, Atrium Health Center for Advanced Practice -Since serving as the PA Fellowship Director, Ricker has overseen more than 40 PAs and NPs annually transitioning into various fields of clinical practice. In this role, Ricker has had opportunities to collaborate professionally, teach, guide research projects, and advance for the APP role within the enterprise of Atrium Health, while maintaining the national reputation as the largest, most clinically diverse APP Fellowship in the country. Ricker has a history of donating time to organizations that she is passionate about including the Presbyterian church, the North Carolina Academy of PAs and the North Carolina Medical Board to increase awareness of APP Fellowship value. Outside of work and volunteering, Ricker enjoys traveling, baking, and playing the piano. Ricker looks forward to volunteering as a board member in honor of her grandmother, who recently passed away from non-small cell lung cancer and who was an inspiration at a young age. 

• Juleidy Turnipseed, MPAS, PAC, Certified Physician Assistant, Thoracic Oncology APP Supervisor, Thoracic Oncology Department, Cancer Institute, Novant Health - Turnipseed has a dual clinical and administrative role within Novant. She is a leader in the thoracic oncology department and directs the efforts of the comprehensive lung cancer program. Her clinical interests include thoracic oncology, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and early detection of lung cancer. Turnipseed has a passion for expanding lung cancer screening and awareness for high-risk patients. She is also dedicated to implementing pathways and protocols to ensure a high standard of care for patients with lung nodules. Turnipseed’s clinical interests include thoracic oncology, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and robotic surgery with a special focus on how to expand lung cancer screening awareness and coverage for high-risk patients. Additionally, Turnipseed is engaged in implementing pathways and protocols to ensure a standard of care for patients with incidental lung nodules. Turnipseed is originally from Havana, Cuba, and was raised in Miami, FL. Turnipseed enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, daughter, and son, and focusing on her mission work.

The Lung Association in North Carolina conducts much of its work with money raised at fundraisers throughout the year. On October 13, the organization will host its annual LUNG FORCE Turquoise Tasting at the Duke Mansion, and the Fight for Air Climb is scheduled for March 2023 at Truist Field, Home of the Charlotte Knights. Learn more about local fundraising events at Lung.org.