What is your hometown?
I grew up in Middleton, TN, and moved to Jackson in 1992 to attend Union University for both my undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and graduate degrees (Masters in Business Administration). l have enjoyed living in the Jackson area for over 30 years (yikes!)
What is your profession?
I am currently the Chief Operating Officer for West Tennessee Healthcare and have a passion for working hard to ensure we have the highest quality healthcare in Jackson, as well as in communities across West Tennessee. I began my career as an RN in the Surgical ICU at our Jackson Madison Hospital in 1996, serving in several roles over the years. I have served as a Director of the Surgical ICU, an Administrator of our Camden Hospital, and the Chief Nursing Officer for the Jackson hospital prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer for the healthcare system in 2019. In my current role as COO, I am passionate about caring for people across this entire region and ensuring ease of access to healthcare for everyone. We work to care for patients in our rural communities, close to their homes, with access to the tertiary care hospital in Jackson for any specialized care that a patient might need (if not offered in their own community). Our healthcare system is so very blessed with amazing teams and medical providers across the region who care for over 600,000 people in West Tennessee. To ensure that our healthcare system can fulfill that mission, I am focused on supporting and caring for the teams of great people who provide care to patients in both direct and indirect ways.
Where have you volunteered or contributed your time in efforts to give back?
I currently participate in the Jackson Rotary Club and I serve on the West Tennessee YMCA Board, and our Greater Jackson Chamber Board.
What are some of your favorite things about Jackson?
My favorite thing about Jackson is the “hometown feeling” we have as well as the amenities and fun family activities that equal those in a larger community. I truly enjoy raising my children in the Jackson area. They are teenagers who are very active in church, school, and sports activities.
Three words that best describe you.
Sports Mom, Fiercely Competitive, Always up for some Fun
What is the last thing you Googled?
Beachfront accommodations in Destin…. I love the beach!
Favorite place for going out?
Because my kids are active in sports, we enjoy a lot of time at the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex with baseball and softball tournaments for my twins. My oldest daughter and I also enjoy tennis and appreciate the Jackson Tennis Complex for some fun family matches. With three hungry teenagers, food is always on the agenda! I enjoy taking them to local restaurants such as Picasso, Rock’n Dough Pizza & Brewery, The Blacksmith Restaurant, and Rafferty’s (Who doesn’t love those chicken strips and sauce?!).
What is one thing that you do not go a day without?
As a busy working mom, I can’t go without my coffee!
Finish this statement, I AM JACKSON because…
I AM JACKSON because… I believe in Jackson and the surrounding area, and I am excited to see continued growth in our community. I am blessed to be in a professional role that allows me to not only enjoy living in this community, but also to serve in ways to help improve it. To see Jackson and the surrounding areas thrive throughout the years, and to help make sure this growth and development continues is a beautiful thing!
