Ardmore Institute of Health Welcomes Heather Palmer as President

Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH) is proud to welcome Heather Palmer, MA, MBA, as President.

“We are delighted to welcome Heather to the AIH team,” says Dr. Ron Stout, CEO of AIH. “She brings strong leadership, philanthropic experience, and a genuine commitment to collaboration. We look forward to working with her to advance AIH’s mission, helping people and communities to take better care of themselves.”

For more than 30 years, Heather has worked at the intersection of healthcare, philanthropy, and community impact, helping organizations build partnerships and advance initiatives that improve health and well-being. She began her work in family medicine with the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and most recently served as Executive Director of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and Vice President of Development for the American Academy of Family Physicians. Her leadership experience spans local, national, and international organizations dedicated to prevention, healthcare access, whole-person health, capacity building, and healthier communities. Heather holds a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from American University and a Master of Business Administration from Marymount University. She is recognized for bringing together diverse partners to advance shared goals and create meaningful, lasting impact.

“After 8 wonderful years at AAFP, I could not be more honored to step into this role at Ardmore Institute of Health,” says Heather. “Through grant funding and meaningful partnerships, AIH is advancing lifestyle medicine-infused whole-person care and changing the way people are cared for in America. AIH's mission has inspired me to think differently about purpose and how we treat the whole person, and I am thrilled to join this team as we work to build a system where everyone gets the care they need and deserve.”