“Kathey Avery is truly a gift to Western North Carolina. She is a skilled educator, facilitator, and healer, with a heart as big as the mountains she calls home. Kathey meets people where they are — from local churches and community centers to public forums or residential housing.

Kathey is an avid researcher, with deep knowledge of systemic health issues affecting rural and underserved populations. She regularly presents on the health disparities within the African American community. But Kathey is more than a researcher. She is a change agent — a passionate proponent for raising awareness of the social determinants of health. She speaks about the importance of health equity on the radio, on local news broadcasts, in print and online media, and in weekly lunch and learns. Kathey is a health advocate powerhouse. We all know better than to get in her way! 

I had the pleasure to co-facilitate a trauma education training with Kathey for a local nonprofit. Her knowledge, empathy, and skilled orchestration of a difficult subject was a joy to witness. I could see the participants’ faces light up as Kathey shared insights from her own experience, inviting others to feel safe, open, and respected.

I cannot say enough about Kathey Avery’s contributions to Western North Carolina and beyond. I am blessed to have Kathey as a colleague, a mentor, and a friend.”

—S. Elizabeth Snyder, PhD, Founding Director of Applied Culture Group, Asheville, N.C.

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“Kathey Avery puts herself out there every day to help underserved people get the life-giving health services they need like cancer screenings, diabetes treatment, and counseling to help control and reduce stressors. 

She works hard at empowering them to know their own bodies, take responsibility over their personal health issues, and understand and mitigate as much as possible the impact of societal factors on their illnesses and symptoms, access to care, and health outcomes. 

As a community nurse, Kathey delivers much needed health and wellness information and encouragement to people on their home turf – be that in their churches, public housing communities, at their kitchen tables, or on their front doorsteps.

 She is hands on, heart in. And she’s in it for the long haul, doing what it takes to realize real and sustainable change. I admire the research, fieldwork, empathy, and advocacy that is part of all that Kathey does. 

It is so wonderful to see her moving forward with her own health education and consulting enterprise after so many years working in hospital and nonprofit settings. Here’s to her and to her vision of lifelong good health for everybody! “

— Dr. Norma Parker Wilson, long-time friend who met Kathey through Building Bridges in 1997

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“Kathey Avery is a world changer in the truest sense. She has a lifetime of building relationships and partnerships throughout Western North Carolina in ways that make for deep impact. 

Through her community education, she meets people where they are and provides people with practical skills about how to improve well-being. Kathey uses the expertise gained through a career in nursing to shape her outreach by a team of community health care workers. 

In everything she does, Kathey Avery brings an equity lens, an extraordinary capacity to show how systems have unintended and unjust consequences, and an inclusive heart.”

—Heather Laine Talley, Tzedek Social Justice Fund

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“ Kathey Avery, a registered nurse, is a woman on a mission —to be a catalyst for community health improvement in Western North Carolina.

I have known Kathey for more than a decade.  She is committed to extending health care beyond the limits of doctors’ offices and hospital walls.  She reaches people who most need care but who are marginalized by insurance companies and politics. 

Kathey understands the social determinants of health care disparities. Her work is energized by uncommon vision and passion. “

—Jim Pitts, PhD, retired sociologist, Asheville, N.C.

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“My association with Kathey Avery goes back ten years as friend and board member of ABIPA. During this time, I have witnessed what motivates her. 

Kathey is a visionary leader— focused on both long-range goals and the day-to-day activities of educating and healing the underserved communities of Buncombe and Henderson counties.  As a Community Nurse, she understands the breadth of the problems that exist.  During this pandemic, she has worked tirelessly, distributing masks, sanitizers, and mobilizing “short notice” COVID-19 shots.  As a fierce advocate for the underserved, she boldly speaks truth to power.  

In contrast, she is also compassionate and understands that health issues are often exacerbated by houselessness, food insecurity, and hoarding. This holistic approach develops credibility within the community she serves. As such, Kathey is trusted and beloved. 

Kathey Avery’s dedication is truly exceptional. She is living out her calling to provide health care and education to the underserved. I have a deep respect for this rare woman, friend, and visionary leader, and it is my honor to provide a testimony on her behalf.”

—Florence Mayberry, Write-On Writing & Editing

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“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kathey is her endless energy and commitment for supporting the people most in need in our communities.  Not only does she tirelessly fight for resources and rights for people—from basic needs such as toilet paper and healthy foods to policy change to improve the quality of health care—she is there, with them in their daily struggles and celebrations. 

  She builds relationships with clients and with donors alike.  She moves adeptly from community to boardroom setting, and she asks the hard questions that people do not want to ask, and even more so, that people do not want to answer! Kathey's care and contributions are many, and her talents and expertise run deep.”

—Ameena Batada, professor of health and wellness, UNC Asheville

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“Kathey Avery knows that relationships built through trust and caring are what heal and build the Beloved Community. She is both a healer with individuals and strategically with organizations. Need a person with a particular skill set for a project? Ask Kathey – she knows everybody. Need something done on a deadline? Ask Kathey – she will make it happen.  Need another point of view? Ask Kathey – she's a critical thinker.”

–Deborah Miles, founder and retired director of the UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education