After more than four decades of nursing and public health service, Tami Hilton—an Integration Consultant with North Carolina’s Integrated Care for Kids (NC InCK)—has retired. She is leaving behind a legacy of compassion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to children and families across the state.
Hilton began her career in 1982 as a nurse, serving in health departments, emergency rooms, and home care for children with complex medical needs. Her journey through public health eventually led her to Medicaid-managed care with United Healthcare and, most recently, to NC InCK, where she found a community of professionals equally committed to improving the lives of children.
At NC InCK, Hilton’s role was multifaceted. She mentored Family Navigators—nurses or social workers new to case management—helping them grow into confident advocates for children and families. “It’s so fun to watch someone blossom and be empowered to walk beside the families they’re serving,” she said. “They realize there’s no limit to how they can help lift the burden for families—whether it’s connecting a family to Make-A-Wish or helping a mom get a break.”
Creating Practical Resources for Family Navigators
A big part of Hilton’s recent work with NC InCK has involved creating practical resources for case managers that address everyday challenges such as sleep disruptions and sunscreen safety. “These aren’t things Medicaid usually pays for, but they’re things I care about—and they matter.”
Understanding how sleep disruptions uniquely affect families, Hilton developed a training initiative to equip Family Navigators with strategies for improving sleep routines. Whether helping a toddler sleep independently or supporting a newborn’s nighttime schedule, her work offered real relief to families. Colleagues often turned to Hilton for guidance on complex cases, including children in foster care who had experienced trauma and struggled with sleep. Though she didn’t consider herself an expert, Hilton embraced these opportunities to collaborate and offer compassionate, informed support.
Hilton has also championed awareness around sunscreen safety, especially for children. She raised concerns about common sunscreens containing hormone-disrupting ingredients and advocated for mineral-based options, particularly those with zinc. “I thought a lot of my sunscreens were good,” she explained, “but when I checked them on this great website that analyzes ingredients, I found some weren’t. It shows you which ones might cause skin allergies or contain hormone blockers.”
“You Can Become the Expert”
A pivotal moment in Hilton’s career came early on, when a child died from an asthma attack. “It changed me,” she said. “From that point on, I learned everything I could about asthma.” She was even named the North Carolina Asthma Champion in 2013 (a distinction from the Asthma Alliance of North Carolina) and the Smart Start of New Hanover County’s 2019 Children’s Champion. “It wasn’t about doing something new—it was about making sure people knew what was already out there.” Her story is a testament to the power of persistence, advocacy, empathy, and the belief that small changes can lead to lasting impact.
Hilton also emphasized the importance of NC InCK’s long-term case management model, especially for high-risk families. “A grandmother with mobility issues raising her grandkids needs consistent support—not just when the family is in crisis.” She praised the program’s success in partnering with child welfare agencies, easing the burden on social workers and improving outcomes for placement providers and guardians.
As NC InCK and the broader healthcare community bid farewell to Hilton’s daily presence, her influence will continue to ripple through the families she’s supported, the colleagues she’s mentored, and the systems she’s helped shape. In retirement, Hilton looks forward to focusing on movement and wellness—water aerobics, Pilates, and yes, pickleball. “That’s a requirement when you’re retired, I think,” she joked. “I’ve worked from home for decades, so I’m ready to move more and live healthier.”