How Better Health for Middle Tennessee is Seeking to Strengthen Healthcare in the Region
In Middle Tennessee, healthcare is both a community commitment and a policy issue. Thisprinciple has driven my personal mission to improve access to high-quality, affordable careacross the region.
As spokesperson and chairwoman for Better Health for Middle Tennessee, my advocacy stemsfrom a deeper calling to serve.
Before establishing Better Health for Middle Tennessee, a community advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality care, I spent more than30 years in politics and government, starting as an intern for Bush-Quayle in 1992 and most recently serving as a delegate-at-large for President Donald Trump during the 2020 Republican National Convention. Working on 10 political campaigns across the country in various roles,such as campaign manager for a congressional campaign to field director in a gubernatorial race,has deepened my understanding of how health policy shapes states and communities.
My passion to serve extends beyond politics. When our son entered kindergarten in Williamson County in 2010, I attended my first school board meeting as a parent. It was a vastly different experience from attending as a government employee or politician. I realized then that my experiences as a government employee, private citizen, and mother provided a unique point of view.
I returned to work a year later as Legislative Liaison for the Department of Children’s Services.After just a few months back at work, after being a stay-at-home mom, our son, Luke, was diagnosed with autism. I ended up leaving my dream job after nine months because both our public school and our healthcare system did not have the resources to help our son move forward.
My husband, Gregory, and I have spent years trying to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans after our own experiences and listening to the perspectives of other parents and Middle Tennessee residents. We have worked to help others overcome barriers to care and support services by working with Autism Speaks to champion important legislation and byassisting special needs schools such as Benton Hall Academy with government relationsinitiatives during COVID to secure valuable resources for students with autism. We have also supported Tennesseans who are survivors of trauma and addiction.
Through these efforts, I have built deep ties throughout Williamson County and Middle Tennessee.
Improving Health for All of Middle Tennessee
My experience in politics and connection to my neighbors shapes Better Health for Middle Tennessee’s work today.
As more families, businesses, and seniors call Middle Tennessee home, the demand for accessible, high-quality care will continue to rise. We created Better Health for Middle Tennessee to meet this moment by advocating for local access, smart policy, and an expanded healthcare system that serves residents across urban, suburban, and rural communities alike.
Better Health for Middle Tennessee’s mission is to help deliver the care Middle Tennesseansdepend on close to home by advancing these core priorities:
Building Healthier Communities: Expanding access to care is the first step to a healthier community. From new freestanding emergency rooms to prevention programs, health care systems play a critical role in bringing care closer to where people live and work.We're committed to building local talent and supporting health systems to deliver care for years to come.
Shaping Smarter Policy: The future of healthcare access depends on the legislative decisions made today. Better Health for Middle Tennessee advocates for state and localpolicies that protect every corner of our community, especially rural areas that are too often left behind.
Keeping Care Local: Every ~6-mile increase in travel distance to a hospital is associated with a 1 percent increase in mortality. Better Health for Middle Tennessee advocates for CON reform and stronger local infrastructure to reduce travel for residents.
The future of Middle Tennessee should be shaped by our communities. As a trusted community voice, Better Health for Middle Tennessee will advocate for healthcare decisions to be made with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to the long-term health of every resident.
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