Christina Forrest recognized for patient-centered healthcare leadership in North Carolina

By AI, Created 10:26 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Christina Forrest, a North Carolina healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience, was recognized by Influential Women for combining clinical expertise and operational strategy. Her career spans bedside nursing, population health, hospice, sales leadership and patient advocacy, with a focus on improving care coordination and outcomes.

Why it matters: - Christina Forrest’s career reflects the kind of hybrid healthcare leadership many systems need now: clinicians who can also manage operations, partnerships and patient pathways. - Her work has focused on improving access to care, reducing hospital admissions and helping patients get support sooner. - Recognition from Influential Women highlights leadership that blends clinical experience with people management and business strategy.

What happened: - Influential Women recognized Christina Forrest, a healthcare operations and clinical leadership professional based in North Carolina. - Forrest currently serves as a Nurse Patient Advocate with Solace, a California-based advocacy organization. - Forrest previously worked as Regional Sales Manager at Well Care Health. - In that role, Forrest led a multi-county team of account executives. - The team focused on expanding access to care, strengthening provider partnerships and improving patient outcomes.

The details: - Forrest has more than 20 years of experience across patient care, clinical strategy and sales leadership. - Her work at Well Care Health included hands-on field coaching. - Forrest also developed strategic sales plans. - She collaborated with intraoperative clinicians and population health teams. - Her background began at the bedside as an orthopedic trauma nurse. - She later held leadership roles as charge nurse, population health manager, orthopedic manager and hospice clinical liaison. - Her experience includes complex care coordination, early hospice engagement, patient pathway optimization and transitions across care settings. - Forrest is known for a leadership style built on clarity, empathy, accountability and patient advocacy. - Her leadership has supported home health, cardiology, orthopedics, hospice and population health programs. - Forrest holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from Wake Technical Community College. - She earned a professional coaching certification through her employer. - She is currently pursuing additional business studies. - Her awards include Chairman’s Club recognition for impacting the most lives in North Carolina.

Between the lines: - Forrest’s career path shows how direct patient care can translate into broader operational influence. - Her mix of clinical and commercial experience suggests a focus on aligning care delivery with business goals without losing sight of the patient experience. - Her advice to young women in healthcare emphasizes curiosity, careful analysis and understanding how different functions connect.

What’s next: - Forrest is continuing her work at Well Care Health and in her patient advocacy role at Solace. - Her leadership focus is likely to remain on coordinated care, team development and outcome improvement across North Carolina. - Influential Women’s profile gives her a public platform to extend that message and connect with other women in healthcare.

The bottom line: - Christina Forrest is being recognized for a leadership model that pairs bedside credibility with operational execution and patient advocacy.