Jimmy Newkirk
Physical Activity Manager
Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch
N.C. Division of Public Health
Jimmy Newkirk serves as the Physical Activity Manager for the Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Branch, N.C. Division of Public Health. In this role, he is committed to increasing the physical activity levels of North Carolinians by creating and enhancing opportunities for physical activity. He provides consultation, technical assistance, and resource development for numerous state and local physical activity programs and initiatives including but not limited to Active Community Environments and Walk to School programs. He also represents the N.C. Division of Public Health on school physical activity and physical education issues. Jimmy provides physical activity expertise for statewide evaluation system as well as data monitoring and surveillance systems. He serves as a representative and liaison for statewide partnerships such as NC Action for Healthy Kids Coalition, NC Smart Growth Alliance, NC Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee, NC Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force and the NC Office on Disabilities and Health.
Throughout his 18 plus years of professional experience in exercise science, health promotion and public contact, Jimmy has presented for numerous national, state, and local audiences. He currently serves as a liaison to the CDC Nutrition and Physical Activity Work Group (NUPAWG) as well as to the national Physical Activity Network Steering Committee and many other collaborative groups.
Prior to joining the PAN Branch, Jimmy served as the Regional Coordinator for the Cardiovascular Health Program in 12 southeastern counties in North Carolina, providing expertise on policy and environmental approaches to health promotion. He has served as the Director of Health Promotion and Wellness for a US Army Hospital in Germany where he was responsible for the creation, marketing, and evaluation of all health promotion activities for community, media, patients and medical staff. Jimmy has also worked as the Assistant Director of the Wellness Research Laboratory at the University of Maryland. He served in the US Army for four years as a photojournalist working with various media including military and civilian magazines, newspapers, advertisements and television.
Jimmy earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiological Sciences from the University of Maryland and is a current member of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
