TPCA Staff

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
I serve as Director of Health Policy, advocating for Tennessee’s health centers at both the state and federal levels of government. I analyze proposed legislation and funding initiatives to determine their impact on health centers’ ability to provide care, then develop and lead strategies to educate policymakers on what is at stake. I also work closely with health centers to engage them in advocacy efforts and amplify their voices in the policymaking process.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence. I believe access to health care is a right too. You can't have life or happiness if you're in poor health. Most of my career has focused on advocating for people who need access to health care.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
A mentor early in my lobbying career told me it's important to know who the true decisionmakers are: Don't take no from someone who can't even tell you yes.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
I admire Abraham Lincoln for his intelligence, moral depth, and steady leadership during one of the most divided periods in our nation’s history. He was an independent and unorthodox thinker who guided the country with clarity and conviction. His deep commitment to healing our nation and his ability to lead with both strength and compassion are inspirational.

Spotlight coming soon!

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
I’m responsible for leading the team that oversees the Center for Quality in Community Health (CQCH). We support our member health centers with all things data and technology-related. For example, adoption of remote patient monitoring, telehealth requirements, data analytics, and a myriad of technical assistance. In this way, we are supporting the day-to-day work of our member health centers as they go about the business of caring for patients across Tennessee.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
There is nothing more fulfilling than being able to help those who spend their lives helping others. The very nature of the work itself is exciting in my book and to get to work with such a dedicated team of professionals at the Tennessee Primary Care Association is a bonus! It’s amazing what can happen when a small group of like-minded people come together…mountains can be, and often are, moved!
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
“What’s the worst that can happen, they say NO?” I had a mentor say this to me very early in my career and it has given me the confidence to ask the question that needs asking, even if it is a hard question. I’ve had a few “Nos” in my time, but more often than not, it’s been a “Yes”.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
One of my early mentors was Dr. Robert Hardin. He was a retired cardiac surgeon but became the Chief Medical Officer for the inner-city hospital I worked at back in the early 2000’s. Not only was he a model citizen, above all else, he was kind. You know people often watch actions over words, and I often watched how he would handle certain situations, many of them difficult given his role in the organization. Somehow, even when it was hard, he was able to garner engagement from the medical staff versus alienation. It takes a tremendous amount of navigation and respect to pull that off and he did it well. I find myself trying to emulate the tactics I saw him employ. It’s a skill for sure…I’m sure I fall short but watching him taught me a lot!

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
As a nurse practitioner and the Quality Manager, I support Tennessee’s Community Health Centers by providing customized support and serving as a content expert in many areas of quality. This includes Uniform Data System (UDS), Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), data and reporting, clinical workflows, compliance, and quality improvement initiatives. I also connect Tennessee Health Centers to each other to discuss issues and share information.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
I love traveling to the health centers and seeing their wonderful work in person. It is fulfilling to reach out and talk to so many caring people from numerous communities and organizations.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Don't live with regret—hindsight is 20/20. The only thing you can do in each moment is do the best you can with the knowledge you have in that exact moment.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
I greatly admire Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller faced and overcame huge obstacles, and I am in awe of the courage she displayed. I also love the dedication Anne Sullivan had to Helen. I wish everyone had such a strong advocate.

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
As Research and Evaluation Manager, I serve Community Health Centers across the state of Tennessee by assessing and analyzing their needs and identifying ways to improve the quality of service to their communities.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
I am passionate about the mission of TPCA. Knowing that the work we do directly contributes to improving healthcare accessibility and quality for communities across the state of Tennessee is incredibly motivating.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
You have the ability to determine your outcomes in life. You are the only one who can control whether you succeed or fail. 
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
I truly admire my sister for her remarkable qualities. Her creativity knows no bounds, and her kindness and gentleness shine through in everything she does. Her supportive nature is a constant source of strength for me. She not only inspires me to work hard but also encourages me to be authentically myself.

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
As Health Communications Coordinator, my primary goal is to help craft and execute strategic communication plans that effectively engage our members and enhance our brand visibility. Through TPCA's newsletters and social media channels, I strive to deliver valuable content that resonates with our members. My goal is to ensure every communication piece enhances TPCA's brand, positioning us as a dependable and trusted resource within the healthcare industry.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
I love that I get to flex my creative muscles every day, and in so many different ways! Depending on the day, I could be researching for a campaign, designing social media graphics, or collaborating with staff on a newsletter. The variety keeps me engaged and excited for what’s next.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
If you want something, act like you already have it. By taking on this mindset, you subconsciously make decisions that align with your goal.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
My long-time friend, Emily, is one of the most resilient and hard-working people I know. She taught me to have confidence in myself, and that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her!

Spotlight coming soon!

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
My role at TPCA is Executive Assistant to our CEO. I serve by assisting with projects that help TPCA continue offering meaningful services and support to each health center. Additionally, I help free up our CEO's time by facilitating administrative tasks so they can focus their energy on executing TPCA’s goals.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
I love having the opportunity to be a part of such a passionate and people-first team! Every conversation and interaction breeds excitement about what we can do to help communities.  
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Success is not a destination; it is a state of mind.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
My husband. He excels in every area of his life, not simply because of skill but because of unmatched effort.

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
I am the Program Coordinator for TPCA’s Center for Quality in Community Health (CQCH). I serve as the primary point of contact for CQCH health center members; working behind the scenes to coordinate program activities and make sure that our members get the resources and information they need.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
Knowing that I am doing work that makes a difference. Being able to support health centers in their work means that I am making sure patients in Tennessee are getting the care they deserve.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Take every opportunity for growth.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
No one specific person, but anyone who has made something out of nothing. Having the odds stacked against you and still having the drive to work towards your dreams is admirable to me.

Spotlight coming soon!

Spotlight coming soon!

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
I’m the Clinical Informatics Manager at the Tennessee Primary Care Association, where I partner with community health centers across the state to optimize their EHR systems, advance interoperability, and turn health IT into real tools that make patient care better and provider workflows smoother.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
What excites me most about coming to work every day is knowing that every improvement we make - whether it’s streamlining data flow, supporting telehealth, or reducing documentation burden - directly helps underserved Tennesseans get the quality, accessible care they deserve, and I get to do that work alongside a passionate team that’s truly committed to the mission.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was that if a door opens unexpectedly for you, walk through it and see what is on the other side. That simple principle has guided me through every major step in my career – from diving into health IT when the chance appeared, to taking this Clinical Informatic Manager role at TPCA even when it felt like a leap – and it’s proven that the most rewarding opportunities often come from saying yes to the unexpected rather than waiting for everything to line up perfectly.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
The person I really admire is my dad – he’s the one who taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and always showing up for people who need help, and those lessons guide everything I do here at TPCA. 

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
I serve as the Workforce Program Manager at TPCA. My goal is to support Tennessee Community Health Centers by providing resources, education, and strategic guidance around recruiting, retaining, and developing their workforce. Ultimately, I aim to help create thriving, healthy work environments across the state.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
The opportunity to learn something new each day! As this is my first role in healthcare, I am constantly seeking new knowledge and perspectives. I feel grateful to be in a position where I can continue to grow, sharpen my skills, and find better ways to serve our community.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
"The man who said he can't and the man who said he can are both right." This quote has always stuck with me because it reminds me that mindset is everything. The way I view my own abilities and potential has the greatest impact on my success.
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
Sarah Jakes Roberts. She brings a refreshing, relatable, and transparent perspective on being a Christian woman in her 30s. I admire the way she carries herself and how she pours into the lives of other women with authenticity and grace.

Employee Spotlight

What’s your role at TPCA?
My role at TPCA is the Finance Coordinator. I assist all TCPA staff in getting things paid, invoices billed, and payments received as quickly and accurately as possible. By doing so, our staff can assist health centers with anything they need knowing the finances are taken care of.
 
What excites you about coming to work every day?
Every day, I am helping others and helping our community. I feel God put us here to help others when possible, and my role at TPCA gives me that opportunity behind the scenes.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
The best advice I have heard is to always do your best at whatever you do! Your efforts will not go unnoticed and what you leave behind reflects the kind of person you truly are. 
 
Who’s someone you really admire?
My mom is someone I truly admire! She loves the Lord and always turns to Him to get her through this life. She has been through many trials but has shown me if you lean on the Lord, those trials will pass by much easier!

Spotlight coming soon!