THA is proudly committed to addressing inequality in the healthcare system in our state. Addressing lack of diversity and the existence of health disparities in our nation is a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. It requires everyone working together to address these issues because we can all be part of the solution. At THA we believe we are all better together.
Tennessee Hospital Association’s Council on Inclusion and Health Equity promotes equity of care and the elimination of health care disparities. The Council advocates strategies to help members develop culturally competent leaders and staff to improve health outcomes in the communities they serve.
Chair
TISH TOWNS, FACHE
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Regional One Health
| Name | Position | Facility | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Appling | Chief Diversity Officer | Erlanger Health System | Chattanooga |
| Missy Arwood | System Director, Quality & Accreditation | Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation | Memphis |
| Miles Asafo-Adjei | Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | HCA/TriStar Health System | Nashville |
| Rose Bailey | Director, Diversity, Health Equity & Operational Excellence | West Tennessee Healthcare | Jackson |
| John Baldwin | Chief Operating Officer | TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center | Nashville |
| Levi Benson | Clinical Business Development Officer | Williamson Medical Center | Franklin |
| Cindy Bergmeier | Chief Executive Officer | TriStar Horizon Medical Center | Dickson |
| Kathy Boyd | SVP and Chief Philanthropy & Equity Officer | University of Tennessee Medical Center | Knoxville |
| Keith Campbell | Chief Medical Officer | TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center | Hendersonville |
| Cynthia Figaro | Quality and Safety Coordinator | Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital | Nashville |
| Elisa Friedman | Associate VP for Health Equity | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville |
| Betsy Kammerdiener | Market Director, Mission Integration | CHI Memorial Hospital-Chattanooga | Chattanooga |
| Harvey Mason | Chief Quality Officer | Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation | Memphis |
| Paula Masters | Vice President, Health Programs | Ballad Health | Johnson City |
| Patrice Mayo | Vice President for Operations | Tennessee Hospital Association | Brentwood |
| James “JR” Ross | President & Chief Executive Officer | West Tennessee Healthcare | Jackson |
| Tim Slocum | President & Chief Executive Officer | Methodist University Hospital | Memphis |
| Terrell Smith | Sr. Director, Patient and Family Engagement | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville |
| Karisse Spray | Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Community Health Systems, Inc. | Franklin |
| Tish Towns | Exec. VP/Chief Administrative Officer | Regional One Health | Memphis |
| Cyrilyn Walters | Medical Director, Ambulatory Services | Regional One Health UTROP | Memphis |
| Debi Welch | Sr. Vice President, Human Resources | Covenant Health | Knoxville |
| Mamie Williams | Sr. Director of Nursing DEI | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville |
THA Staff Contacts
Patrice Mayo
Vice President, Operations, Tennessee Center for Patient Safety
615-401-7434
Health Disparities 