Julie Smithwick, CHW

Executive Director, CCHA
803-312-1723
julie.smithwick@sc.edu

Julie Smithwick began her public health career in 1997 as a Community Health Worker in Ecuador, built on her CHW skills while pursuing her MSW degree, and then founded PASOs, a statewide organization that serves and advocates for Latin@ communities in SC. Under Julie’s leadership during over 14 years as PASOs’ executive director, the PASOs CHW team was recognized for their innovative work, receiving multiple national and statewide awards. In 2019, Julie led the vision and development of the Center for Community Health Alignment (CCHA).

Julie has expertise in CHW training and program development, workforce sustainability, organizational leadership and growth, and leadership development, among other skills. She has contributed to multiple publications on critical community public health topics including perinatal health, CHW workforce development and authentic community engagement. Julie is a co-founder of the South Carolina CHW Association and the National Association of Community Health Workers, serves on the board of directors for Cooperative Health (an FQHC), and is Board President of the Blue Ridge Institute for Community Service Leaders.