05/04/2026
We recently celebrated our outgoing President, Susan Fitzgibbon Shumaker, as she prepares for retirement after leading Cone Health Foundation since 2009.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Greensboro, the Mayor proclaimed April 23 as Susan Shumaker Day, honoring her longstanding commitment to eliminating health inequities through advocacy, collaboration, and investment in community-driven solutions.
The City of Reidsville also recognized Susan for her 20 years as President of Annie Penn Hospital, where she led with deep community commitment and guided the hospital through its successful merger into Cone Health, ensuring continued access to high-quality care for the region.
One of Susan’s most enduring statewide contributions has been her leadership in advancing Medicaid expansion. For nearly a decade, she was a leading philanthropic voice supporting this effort, recognizing its potential to save lives and strengthen North Carolina’s health and economy beyond what any single grant could achieve.
In 2014, Susan commissioned a first-of-its-kind county-level study showing that Medicaid expansion could create more than 43,000 jobs and generate billions in business revenue. Funded in partnership with the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and updated in 2019, the study played a critical role in shaping public discourse and policy across the state.
Under Susan’s leadership, the Foundation made strategic investments to strengthen statewide coalitions advocating for expansion, supporting staffing, policy expertise, community storytelling, and convenings. These coalitions reflected the full diversity of North Carolina and centered the voices of those living in the Medicaid coverage gap, an approach Susan consistently prioritized.
Today, more than 700,000 North Carolinians, including over 45,000 in Guilford County, have gained health insurance through Medicaid expansion, contributing to a significant reduction in uninsured residents locally.
Susan’s leadership is a powerful example of how place-based philanthropy can drive meaningful statewide change, inspiring others to advance equity and improve community health.
In recognition of her exemplary service, Susan was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors!
Susan, thank you for your dedication and lasting impact on our communities. We are proud to carry this work forward, building on the foundation you’ve laid and continuing the pursuit of a more equitable and healthy future for all.
