Rachel Rice is a Senior Epidemiologist for the Immunization Program at Shelby County Health Department in Memphis TN. She has been in her current role since 2022 and with the Shelby County Health Department since 2020. Rachel completed her bachelor’s in public health in 2017 and Master of Public Health in Epidemiology in 2019 at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. In fall 2023, Rachel began her PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Memphis Robison School of Public Health. Since 2022, Rachel has presented at state and national conferences. Most recently at the American Public Health Association annual conference in 2023.

Prior to becoming a nurse, Erica obtained her first undergraduate degree in Biology from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) in 1997. After that, she moved to Philadelphia, attended Drexel University, and earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in 2000. She also briefly attended medical school from 2000 to 2002. From 2002 - 2006, Erica tutored elementary, middle, and high school students in math and eventually became a high school physical science teacher for two years. Before starting nursing school, she worked as a clinical research coordinator on a smoking cessation research study at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Erica began nursing school at the University of Memphis in January 2007 and graduated with a BSN in December 2008. After graduation, she worked as an ICU nurse in Memphis and New York for three years. In 2012, she completed the MSN program at the University of Memphis with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. After graduation, she became board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). As a new family nurse practitioner, Erica continued to work in critical care in the burn unit at the level 1 trauma center in Memphis, TN. Following that, she worked in a retail healthcare clinic, a weight loss clinic, and a chiropractic office, providing alternative/ functional healthcare services.
Subsequently, she assumed the role of lead clinical trainer at Access 2 Integration (based in Carmel, IN), traveling across the country to train other nurse practitioners in partner clinics in the practice of regenerative medicine. Additionally, she worked part-time in Memphis at a minor medical/primary care clinic and at a travel medicine clinic. Currently, Erica serves as the nursing coordinator/ administrator for family planning at the Shelby Health Department and is a full-time doctoral student at the University of Memphis.

A devoted and enthusiastic public health professional with over twenty-five (25) years of experience. Lorrie Brooks is a graduate of Meharry Medical College, a Master of Science degree in Public Health (MSPH) and is currently a doctoral candidate in the School of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences program. Ms. Brooks is also a Leadership Academy Fellow (2008-2009), Nexus Leadership Fellow (2006-2007), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Public Health Leadership Institute Fellow (2005-2006). Ms. Brooks was appointed to the position of Administrator of Clinical Health Bureau for the Shelby County Health Department Ms. Brooks is responsible for directing the activities, budget, and performance of the bureau. The Clinical Health Bureau is comprised of five public health clinics and five satellite locations, Tuberculosis, Reproductive Health (i.e., Family Planning, Sexual Health), Immunizations, Dental services, Women Infant and Children (WIC) program, and the Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The Clinical Health Bureau employs approximately 170 FTEs and operates an annual budget of approximately $50+ million. Prior to her appointment with Shelby County Health Department, Ms. Brooks was the Deputy Administrator for Clinical Services, and the Senior Compensation Specialist for Shelby County Government from 2001 through 2005 where she had oversight and responsibility for the organizational restructure, job reclassification, and salary analysis for approximately 5,000 employees within the Mayor's Administration and Elected Officials. Before joining Shelby County Government, Ms. Brooks was employed by Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood, The United Way of Mid-South, Latino Memphis, and Meharry Medical Services Foundation.

Anna earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from the University of Memphis School of Health Studies in 2018, followed by her MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Memphis School of Public Health in 2020. Throughout her professional journey, Anna has been actively engaged with various Health Department programs since 2018, including Health Promotion, Tobacco Prevention, the COVID-19 Response Unit, Environmental Health and Food Safety, and Ambient Air Monitoring. Anna's overarching objective is to enhance the practical application of epidemiologic research by amalgamating her field experience with the analytical skills she is acquiring through her doctoral program. Upon the successful completion of her doctorate, Anna exhibits a keen interest in continuing her research endeavors, potentially within the government sector or academia.

Matthew earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Morehouse College in 2021. Throughout his undergraduate tenure, he served as the Public Relations Manager for the Morehouse College Glee Club, was a member of the Honors Program, and participated in the Judson Lyons Mentorship Initiative. Currently, Matthew is pursuing a master's degree in Urban Health and has become a part of the PH-IDEAS team to assist in educating and mentoring students within the experiential learning program.

Nastassia possesses a diverse background encompassing Project Management, Training, Learning and Development, Team Leadership, Strategic Planning, Public Health, and advocacy for Covid-19. She successfully forged community partnerships to broaden client access and enhance health equity. Nastassia has fostered collaborative relationships with key entities such as the TN Dept. of Health, CDC, Shelby County Jails, CDC Grant Manager, County Commission, City Council, and Memphis Shelby County School District. Her ultimate objective is to contribute to the CDC's mission by advocating for vulnerable populations nationwide.

Kanesha brings a wealth of experience from backgrounds in social work and public health, providing her with a versatile skill set. Her professional journey predominantly centers on assisting children and families, aiming to foster a positive influence on their lives. As Kanesha continues to develop and expand her expertise, her ambition is to leverage her knowledge for the purpose of effecting meaningful change throughout the Mid-South region. Her goal is to synergize her proficiency in social work and public health to contribute to the enhancement of communities and leave a lasting impact on individuals and families facing challenges.

“I am in my professional happy place working in Public Health.”
Marina has been actively engaged in community work for numerous years. Over the past decade, she made a significant professional shift to pursue her passion for community outreach and support. Marina is dedicated to reaching out to her community members, understanding their needs and aspirations, and actively promoting population health while devising strategies to overcome challenges. Her commitment to enhancing wellness for the entire Shelby County population is unwavering. Marina feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity presented at the University of Memphis, her Alma Mater. Notably, seven of her family members have earned degrees from this institution, and her husband's mother served as a teacher here in the sixties. Both Marina and her husband maintain a lifelong connection as alumni and proud members of the Highland Hundred Booster Club.
Degrees: Fine Arts, Computer Science/ Systems, Business Administration; Professional Memberships: TPHA, NACCHO, AHPA; Community Affiliations: Civic Club Board Member/ Outreach Chair; Country of Origin: Germany/ Proud to be a Naturalized American; Hobbies: Reading, Creating, fine arts, community gatherings, golf, TIGER football, GO TIGERS !

Meet Tina Jefferson, FNP-C. She is an experienced Family Nurse Practitioner and a distinguished Air Force veteran with over ten years of active military service. Currently, Tina plays a pivotal role in leading the newly integrated reproductive health pilot program located at the Shelby County Health Department, where she guides a dedicated team of health professionals in providing exceptional family planning care and sexual health services to the surrounding communities of Memphis. In addition to her role in the clinic, Tina is a Sexual Assault Nurse Practitioner and patient advocate for victims of sexual violence at the Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center. Her extensive clinical background is complemented by her academic achievements, including an Associate in Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baptist College of Health Sciences, and a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She is a true leader in her field, with a wealth of knowledge and accomplishments.

Ms. White, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology. During her gap year, she began working at the Shelby County Health Department, gaining valuable insights into the field of public health and the important work that professionals in this field undertake. She is passionate about community health and health equity and believes that pursuing a degree in public health is the most suitable path to prepare for her career goals. Currently enrolled in the Population Health certificate program, it is providing her with guidance on the program concentration that best aligns with her objectives as she plans to apply for a master's degree in public health. Although she also has aspirations of applying to a doctorate program in clinical health psychology in the future, she recognizes that a background in public health will establish a strong foundation for her future career as a psychologist.

Tammy Wiggins Winston, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, works currently in Memphis, TN as the Finance Director at the Shelby County Health Department, Shelby County Government. Tammy directs financial strategic planning, comprehensive budget preparation, and has strong in quantitative and qualitative analyses and reporting on financial performance. Tammy has worked with Shelby County Government budget and finance offices for over seven years, in which the responsibilities includes fiduciary roles, preparing the County’s adopted budget and meeting requirements of local, state, and federal guidelines and ordinances. She is self-motivated, driven, and seeks to execute the work and personal vision and mission in excellence.

Ms. Woods has 35 years of experience in Environmental Health and Food Safety. She has also served as Adjunct faculty at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Business and Legal Studies for 9 years. Her passion has always been for food safety; however, being a part of the cohort at the University of Memphis has thus far been an awe-inspiring experience, and she is learning so much in her courses. Upon completion of the Health Systems Leadership Certificate, she is looking forward to pursuing a PhD.

Joan Carr is the Public Information Officer of the Shelby County Health Department, a position she has held since 2019. As Public Information Officer, Ms. Carr guides all aspects of health department communications, serves as chief media contact, and writes presentations, speeches and a weekly employee newsletter.
A Birmingham, Alabama native who has lived in Memphis for more than 30 years, Ms. Carr graduated from Rhodes College with a double major in International Studies and Spanish and then attended the University of Memphis Graduate School of Journalism.
Early in her television news career, Ms. Carr was the healthcare news producer at WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, where she developed a lifelong interest in health communications and storytelling. After a 16-year career in television news, including ten years at the Memphis CBS affiliate WREG, Ms. Carr conveyed her skills and experience to government and nonprofit communications.
Ms. Carr is a social media enthusiast and has done volunteer social media work for Memphis Animal Services and other nonprofit organizations. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys Pilates, cycling, and walking her dogs.

Dr. Angela Askew currently holds the position of Manager of Vector Control at the Shelby County Health Department. Her responsibilities include overseeing environmental health code violations related to hazardous waste, rodents, mosquitoes, and preventing West Nile Virus within the Shelby County community. Additionally, she manages the Shelby County Rabies Control Department and ensures the prevention of rabies infections throughout Shelby County.
A native of Memphis, Dr. Askew is deeply passionate about science and the social and physical well-being of the community. Her career is dedicated to public health, where she actively promotes health literacy throughout the Shelby County community. With over eight years of experience in the public health field, she has conducted research focused on enhancing health literacy and preventive service utilization in various communities. Dr. Askew has achieved success in presenting at national conferences, raising awareness about chronic disease prevention, health service utilization, and health-seeking behaviors. Over the past two years, she has spearheaded the initiative for National Public Health Week within the Shelby County community under the auspices of the Shelby County Health Department.
Beyond her community involvement, Dr. Askew has a background as a former social behavior counselor and student mentor. Her educational journey includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, a Bachelor’s of Art in Sociology, a Master’s of Public Health, a Master’s of Business Administration, and a PhD in Health Systems Management and Policy, all earned from the University of Memphis.
Dr. Askew places great value on family and spends the majority of her free time with her four siblings, two nieces, and one nephew. Outside of her family commitments, she enjoys travel, nature hikes, and participating in sports that involve heavy lifting.

Terrico is a Memphis, Tennessee native who has recently returned to the area after spending the past fourteen years living in Missouri. Currently employed at the Shelby County Health Department, Terrico is actively involved in conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to identify the primary concerns and requirements of the residents of Shelby County. Looking ahead, Terrico envisions a future role working with at-risk youth in Memphis, Tennessee, with a particular focus on males, following the completion of his Population Health Graduate Certificate.

Tunishia has accumulated 12 years of experience in the realm of Public Health, specializing in Environmental Science, Maternal and Child Health, Population Health, Disease Prevention, and Injury Prevention. She presently holds the position of Deputy Administrator within the Public Health Bureau of the Shelby County Health Department, with a future aim of enhancing her capacity to aid the public in enhancing their health outcomes.

Gabby, a proud Memphis alumna, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public health over the past three years. She has passionately collaborated with various agencies and organizations in the vibrant Memphis community, channeling her expertise, skills, and extensive network to make a significant impact. Currently, she harnesses her experience to enhance the well-being of the community as a valuable contributor to the Shelby County Health Department.
Gabby's resolute objective is to persist in her pursuit of public health initiatives, ceaselessly expanding her knowledge and expertise in addressing critical issues that influence the dynamic and thriving city of Memphis.

Amy is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is currently employed at the Shelby County Health Department in the WIC program, where she provides nutrition counseling to clients during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, advocates for breastfeeding, administers WIC benefits and conducts food demonstrations. Previously, she worked at Integrative Health Associates, where she assisted neurologists in implementing the Bredesen Protocol and coached clients on appropriate nutrition following acupuncture treatment. She also served as the Healthy Eating Specialist at Whole Foods Market, overseeing the "Health Starts Here" program, leading the "Engine 2 Diet Program," conducting healthy food demonstrations, and organizing store tours and off-site nutrition lectures.
Amy earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Memphis. She recently achieved recognition as a Clinical Culinary Medicine Specialist by the Culinary Medicine Specialist Board. During her studies, Amy had the opportunity to immerse herself in classic Italian cooking and culture while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. As a dedicated food and nutrition professional, Amy's focus centers on using diet as a means of disease prevention, embracing the emerging field of culinary medicine, and harnessing the healing potential of plant-based nutrition.