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Hallum Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Staff Spotlight: In accepting the award, Jacquelyn thanked the great women who paved the way for us today and invoked the mythical Sankofa bird from Ghana.

Congratulations to Jacquelyn Hallum, MBA, MHA, director of Health Careers and Diversity Education, who was honored yesterday with the Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s annual WomanUP Celebration hosted by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. The lifetime achievement award recognizes WNC women who have excelled in their careers, fostered the growth and development of other women, and improved our community by sharing their time and talents. Those who have had the pleasure of working alongside Jacquelyn here at MAHEC over the past 27 years know that she meets all of these criteria and more.

In accepting the award, Jacquelyn thanked the great women who paved the way for us today and invoked the mythical Sankofa bird from Ghana. “Sankofa reminds us to go back to the past and bring forward that which is useful. This is symbolic of the life of a trailblazer.” Although she has dedicated more than half of her life to public service, Jacquelyn said this award is a reminder that she’s not done yet.

Jacquelyn has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years and is passionate about helping youth succeed in their chosen careers. She currently leads our AHEC Scholars program and Minority Medical Mentoring Program, which has supported more than 80 high school students from underrepresented minority groups. Over the years, she has inspired thousands of middle, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students through innovative health careers programming at MAHEC.

Jacquelyn is also passionate about making MAHEC and Asheville more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. She is an integral member of MAHEC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and the Spirit of MLK, Jr. planning committee. She serves on the boards of Buncombe County Health and Human Services and the National Association of Medical Minority Educators and is president of the Asheville alumni chapter of NC A&T State University. Jacquelyn has also served on the boards of A-B Technical Community College, Asheville City Board of Education, Asheville Housing Authority, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Buncombe County.

We are grateful for all the ways Jacquelyn has worked to improve health and opportunities for underrepresented members of our community. Her lifetime of service will continue to benefit our region for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor!