Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve on the North Carolina State Health Coordinating Council. The council is responsible for developing an annual State Medical Facilities Plan, which is approved by the governor and runs from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31.

The basic principles of the State Medical Facilities Plan are to promote cost-effective approaches, expand health care services to the medically underserved and encourage quality health services. 

“I’m grateful for Gov. Cooper’s appointment and his confidence in me to help serve this vulnerable population,” Stewart said in a press release. “I have a heart to serve our most vulnerable citizens and I believe my involvement on the board of CREST (Cumberland Residential & Employment Services and Training), Cape Fear Valley Hospital, as well as my experience caring for my aging mother, has given me a different perspective on care and facilities. My goal is to be an effective member of this committee.” 

Stewart was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners as a District 2 representative in 2020. She previously served as Vice Chairwoman in 2022 and Chairwoman in 2023. Stewart currently serves on the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System Board of Trustees and Social Services Board.

For more information about the N.C. State Health Coordinating Council, go to https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/ncshcc/index.html. For more information about the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.