Kathey Avery Receives 2021 Trailblazer Award

Area Agency on Aging at Land of Sky Regional Council
May 26, 2021  · 

Land of Sky Regional Council is proud to award Kathey Avery the Carol McLimans 2021 Trailblazer Award.

Kathey Avery, RN, is a native of Western North Carolina and a lifelong healthcare provider, educator, and advocate. She has worked in numerous settings and is especially dedicated to improving the health and well-being of minority and other underserved populations.

Kathey has educated Ashevillians about chronic diseases and other health issues through community health screenings and educational events held in churches, Asheville public housing, MAHEC, the YMCA, and through the Shiloh Neighborhood Association. During her 11-year tenure at ABIPA, Kathey helped serve over 7,200 clients.

Kathey’s practical approach to solving healthcare inequities includes training and promoting the use of Community Health Workers to broaden the reach of health professionals in low-income settings. Her caring extends to people living alone with dementia who have little or no support by helping them receive a diagnosis and guiding them to appropriate resources. When the COVID vaccine came out, she traveled door-to-door in Shiloh, listening to residents’ fears and concerns, and offering information.

Kathey’s work for racial equity has spanned decades. Her involvement with Building Bridges, Mission Hospital’s Diversity Committee, the Racial Justice Coalition and the WNC Health Equity Coalition all speak to her commitment to helping the Asheville – Buncombe County community confront and overcome racism.

Kathey’s many accomplishments are impressive, but her character truly makes her a community leader and inspiration to others. Her integrity, positivity, compassion, sense of humor, work ethic, and love for her profession set her apart. She quickly puts people at ease with her openness and ability to find common ground.