Administration Team

Tim Evans

CEO

LaCosta Tipton

Director of Operations

Jamie McMahan

Director of Grants & Business Development

Tim Evans is the Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Community Health Partnership, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing health care in Mitchell and Yancey Counties in western North Carolina.

Receiving his bachelor's degree from Connecticut College in 1988 and his Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 1998, Tim previously worked as a Behavioral Health Provider, construction manager and small business owner.

Tim served as Manager of the Celo Health Center before its merger with Bakersville Community Medical Clinic to form Mountain Community Health Partnership. Following the merger, Tim served as Director of Grants and Business Development for Mountain Community Health Partnership, establishing a successful grant funding portfolio that has helped provide the capital resources to grow Mountain Community Health Partnership’s healthcare services in the community.

When he is not at work, Tim loves to be outside. He lives with his wife and sons in Yancey County. Prior to becoming a nonprofit administrator, he spent as much time as he could cycling, hiking, camping, and skiing.

LaCosta Tipton began her career as a Critical Care Registered Nurse. She then received an opportunity to return to her home county, Yancey County, where she worked as a Public Health Nurse Supervisor for 12 years. With her exceptional management and leadership skills she was offered the Nurse Manager position with MCHP and within 6 months was transitioned into the Director of Operations role, that she has held since 2021.

LaCosta completed her Associates Degree in Nursing in 2005 at Walter's State Community College and was then accepted into the first full time RN-BSN cohort through ETSU, completing her BSN in 2006. In May of 2021 she completed a new chapter in her education, graduating from the UNC-Chapel Hill with a master's degree in Public Health, Leadership in Practice Concentration.

LaCosta enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her Husband and two children. Weekends at the campground around the firepit is her happy place.

Jamie McMahan is the Director of Grants & Business Development for Mountain Community Health Partnership. A native of the Pensacola community of Yancey County, Jamie previously served as the Director of Planning & Economic Development for Yancey County until joining MCHP in February 2023. Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree from Berkeley College, is a graduate of the Yale School of Management’s Executive Business Administration program, and holds a professional certification in Economic and Community Development from Duke University. Jamie is proud to be a member of the MCHP team and to lead the organization’s grant funding and business development efforts as MCHP grows and expands its efforts to provide quality healthcare to all Mitchell and Yancey Counties residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Jamie lives with his partner in the Seven Glens community in Weaverville and enjoys volunteering in the community, traveling, fly fishing, and golfing in his spare time.

April Briggs

Finance Officer

Kayle Buchanan

HR Manager

April is the Finance Officer at Mountain Community Health Partnership. She obtained her associate in Medical Office Technology and bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University while working as the payroll clerk for Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. She spent the next 15 years as Blue Ridge’s accountant/financial analyst. In 2014 she transitioned to MCHP.

April is a native of Yancey County where she resides with her family. She enjoys crunching numbers and counting beans.

Kayle Buchanan began her career with MCHP in February 2017. Her starting position was a Data Entry Clerk, later moving to Administrative Assistant, where she worked directly with the CEO and DOO. The experience and knowledge she gained in those positions lead to her next endeavor as the Human Resources Manager in January 2021. During her tenure at MCHP, she obtained a B.A. in Business Administration and Law through Western Carolina University. During her free time, Kayle enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and friends. She has enjoyed being a part of MCHPs growth and looks forward to what is in store for the organization, herself, and her family.

Candace Winters

Dental Site Manager

Harvey Bates

Mitchell County Sites Manager

Santana Wright

Yancey County Sites Manager

"I have a strong passion for dentistry and making sure our patients receive quality service and attention from our team. My highest priority as the Dental Site Manager is to ensure that all of our patients have a wonderful dental experience and understand the importance of oral health".

Candace Winters began her dental career in 2004 as a Dental Assistant II, (DAII) assisting licensed dentist(s) in comprehensive dental care to both children and adults. After spending 16 years in the clinical department, she later transitioned to Dental Site Manager with MCHP in April 2020 where she oversees the operation of the dental clinic and leads the dental team to promote a well-organized and efficient practice.

Outside of work, you'll most likely find her spending time with her husband, Will, and their two daughters. They love spending time at Lily Branch Church located in Bakersville, NC where her husband pastors, and enjoying family time at the beach.

“I love working with the ‘Mountain Community Health Partnership team’ in an effort to provide the best patient care possible for our local community.”

Harvey Bates is a Registered Nurse, serving in the position of Site Manager for MCHP’s Bakersville and Spruce Pine locations.

Prior to earning his Nursing Degree from Mayland Community College and Lees McRae College, Harvey served in the U.S. Military. During this time, he met his wife of 25 years and settled in the NC mountains near her family. There they raised two children...and a couple of dogs!

"I have always had a passion for Primary Care and the services that our team is able to provide to our community."

Santana has worked with MCHP since early 2012 where she first started as a Medical Assistant for the first five years of her career. She then pursued her education in Business Administration and transferred into the Site Manager position in 2017. She is so proud to be a part of such an amazing team and the efforts that are made to better the health in their communities.

In her free time she loves spending time with her family and vacationing at different beaches.

Amber Dillinger

Outreach Manager

Ellie Hoover

Communications Manager

Karey Rocha

Quality & Risk Manager

Amber has been with MCHP since June 2015. As Outreach Manager, she oversees the Community Health Worker Program and the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach.

Amber has almost 20 years’ experience in the medical field. Amber serves as the Chair for the Healthy Yancey Coalition and is an active member of the CARE Ambassadors Team.

Amber has a degree in Healthcare Administration and a passion for serving her community. She knows the value of hard work and the hardships that face local families. She is dedicated to improving the quality of life for MCHP patients and the community as a whole.

Amber loves all animals but dogs, giraffes, pandas, and sloths in particular. Outside of work you can often find her reading on the beach, any beach, any time!

For over 10 years, Ellie has been a noteworthy leader in the sales and marketing space, working for notable companies such as State Farm and Heineken. She is known for her strong work ethic and love for learning. She holds a degree in Psychology from The University of North Carolina - Asheville. Ellie currently serves as the Communications Manager for MCHP and has worked there since 2021.

Ellie is a cat lover, amateur adventurer, and nap & burrito enthusiast. Outside of work you can find her taking her cat Moose for walks through the mountains or frequenting live music events.

Karey Rocha has been a part of the MCHP team since June of 2021. She began here as a Registered Nurse before moving into the Quality and Risk Manager position. She obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing from Mayland Community College and later obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Karey has a genuine passion for helping others and creating new processes that will improve patient care.

Outside of work, Karey enjoys cooking and spending time with her son and family.

Lori Robinson

Billing Manager

Misty Bates

EHR Specialist

Sandra Ringo

EHR Specialist

Misty is currently serving as an EHR specialist with MCHP. Before accepting this position, she worked as an LPN with MCHP at the Celo/Burnsville Sites, where she previously worked as a clinical lead and vaccine coordinator for all MCHP locations. She has been working with MCHP for approximately 13 years and previously worked with MAHEC. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, loves the Lord, and animals (especially dogs).

Sandra is so proud to be part of the MCHP family which provides excellent care for our community. She began her career with MCHP in October 2016. Her starting position was Front Office Check-in and later Front Office Lead for the Yancey County sites. With this experience and knowledge of our EHR system, she now has the honor of being the EHR Specialist for Mitchell County sites.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter and fur babies. Together they love kayaking the North Toe River and will be found there on most sunny days with friends and family.

Lori is the Billing Manager for MCHP. She has been at the Celo location for the past 14 years. She worked in Billing, Coding, and Management positions for 30 years and is AAPC, Community Health, and ADA Dental certified for Billing and Coding.

Outside of work, she has 3 daughters, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy spending time at the lake, fishing, church, and with their family. She feels blessed to be a part of the MCHP family.