New Hanover Regional Medical Center recently hired Joe Conway as its first director of health equity and human experience.

“Health equity” refers to the social reality that not all patients have the same access to health care or the same ability or opportunity to access care, a NHRMC news release said.

The release said social barriers, such as housing, food and transportation, and long-embedded racial and other biases can prevent many in the community from achieving the best health care and quality of life possible.

Conway has worked at NHRMC for 10 years. He comes to the new role following four years as a lean coach and facilitator.

“Although only one of many talents, it is Joe’s passion for organizational development of cultural competency that makes him uniquely prepared to lead our efforts in health equity and human understanding,” Chief Physician Executive Phil Brown said in the release.

“New Hanover Regional Medical Center has done great work in reaching a point where the employee population reflects the community it serves; however, disparities still exist within the under- or unrepresented populations within our own organization and the community,” Conway said in the release.