Having dedicated 49 years of her life to the public health/health care sector (13 years at the Department of Health and Environmental Control and 36 years to both the Community Health Center movement and mission of the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association), Lathran Andrea Johnson Woodard decided it was time to transition into her “next season,” having retired on December 31, 2023, from a place she’s called home for more than half of her life.
The legacy she leaves behind is certainly unmatched. During her tenure, she has worked to ensure federally funded health centers in South Carolina and across the country. were strengthened and have the capacity for continued growth as they provide vital services to medically underserved communities.
As a servant leader, she has served as a member of several state and national organizations, which include the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National Association of Female Executives, the National Rural Health Association, and the American Society of Association Executives. She recently completed her tenure as Board Chair for the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Lathran is a recipient of several awards including induction into National Association of Community Health Center’s Advocacy Hall of Fame, 2017 Columbia Urban League’s President’s Award, 2019 Order of the Palmetto Award Recipient – South Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor, 2019 Recipient of the Key to the City of Columbia, SC, and inclusion in the official House of Representatives Congressional Records by Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (October 17, 2019).
Lathran was the catalyst for Henry Schein’s Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities initiative which had its inaugural start in South Carolina and is now a national initiative. As NACHC Board Chair, she created the Task Force on Undoing Racism.
In 2020, Lathran testified before both the SC Senate Finance and the US Congressional Select Committees regarding COVID-19 testing in rural areas and communities of color. Most recently, Lathran was recognized for her service and dedication to social justice and equity by the SCPHCA Board of Directors and her staff during the SCPHCA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Board Governance Retreat. She was presented with the inaugural Champion of Justice Award. Because of her commitment to these areas and the health center movement, this award will be re-named the Lathran J. Woodard Champion of Justice Award and be presented alongside the PCA’s other established awards during this annual event. She was also the recipient of the SC Office of Rural Health’s 2023 Rural Health Leadership Award.
Other notable accomplishments include:
- Adjunct Professor – Kirksville School of Health Management
- Adjunct Instructor – School of Public Health, Department of Health Administration at the University of South Carolina
- Vice Speaker of the House – National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
- Secretary – National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
- Board Member and Board Chair (2016 & 2017) – Welvista, Inc.
- Board Member (2023 to present) – Welvista, Inc.
- Columbia Relations Council Member (2014-2017)
- Center for Community and Family Transitions Board Member (2012-present)
Lathran holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Southern Wesleyan University.