Dr. Sarah Banks, Ph.D., RN, CPHN
Dr. Sarah Banks serves as the Public Health Director in Haywood County, NC and has devoted her tenure to creating and delivering services that will improve health outcomes. This includes implementing a program to assist individuals with substance use disorders, increasing community awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention, and expanding dental services for uninsured individuals. She has also led numerous public health initiatives and health outreach programs. She holds degrees in Nursing (BSN), Nursing Education (MSN), and Nursing Leadership (PhD) and has more than 21 years of nursing experience. She is a 2026 Presidential Leadership Scholar and serves on the Board of Trustees with the Haywood Health Foundation and is a member of professional organizations including Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Sigma theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Society of Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, and the National Society of Leadership and Success