Nashville, Tenn. – Today, Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) named Dr. Andrea Poynter, an assistant nursing professor at Belmont University, to lead the new nursing public high school with plans to open in Nashville in the fall of 2025.

“NursesMC schools are transformative environments for diverse and underserved communities, and are a critical partner in bringing better representation to health care,” said NursesMC Board Chair Mamie Willams. “Dr. Poynter’s career as a nurse, her academic background, and her long history of mentoring high school students into health care careers reflect what we are working to bring to Metro Nashville Public Schools through NursesMC.”

Poynter has worked as a nurse for 17 years and has served as a nursing faculty member for 10 years, with her past three years at Belmont University. Her academic research spans the health behaviors of African American women, the role of spirituality in health care, and diversity in health care. Additionally, Poynter built a successful mentorship program to expose high school students to careers in health care. 

“I am excited and humbled to lead NursesMC Nashville and bring a nursing-focused public school to MNPS,” said Poynter. “After years of mentoring high school students and coaching them to careers in health care, I believe in the tremendous power of public education in building great nurses and diversifying our workforce.”

Poynter joins the NursesMC Nashville team alongside board members Mamie Williams, Tilita Shaw, Richard Zadd, Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Shawanda Clay, and Justin Testerman. NursesMC Nashville is currently in the Metro Nashville Public School charter school authorizing process to become a 9-12 public high school. To learn more about NursesMC Nashville and support the school’s plans for Nashville, sign up here. 

Nurses Middle College Background

The NursesMC model was created in Rhode Island and its flagship school, Rhode Island Nurses Institute (RINI) Middle College has an exemplary record of preparing students for college and careers in healthcare. Students earn free college credits, on-the-job experience in health care, and a Certified Nursing Assistant credential upon graduation. 

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The Tennessee Nurses Association and Tennessee Hospital Association have partnered with the Tennessee Action Coalition to acknowledge emerging nurse leaders under 40. This program is developed to engage and empower younger nurses to lead the profession and improve the health of Tennesseans. Once selected, participants can network with young and established nursing leaders from across the state.

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Together with the Tennessee Nurses Association and the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Action Coalition acknowledges these young nurse leaders:

• Kellie Ashburn, University of Tennessee at Martin 
• Erica Barnett, State of TN-TN Dept of Health 
• Laura Barry, UTK College of Nursing 
• Mindy Brown, East Tennessee State University 
• Jackson Butler, The University of Tennessee Medical Center 
• Joe Callis, Cumberland University 
• Helen “Maisen” Conley, Christian Brothers University 
• Kelcey Flagg, Cumberland University 
• Davena Hardison, Maury Regional Medical Center 
• Kacie Hauldren, East Tennessee State University 
• MiKayla Holloman, TriStar Skyline Medical Center 
• Justina Holmes, Landmark Health 
• Victoria Mitchell, East Tennessee State University 
• Kayla Norman, East Tennessee State University
• Courtney Nyange, Tennessee State University, School of Nursing 
• Shkendie Papraniku, Loewenberg College of Nursing, University of Memphis 
• Shaliea M. Ratliff, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare 
• Monika Schmidt, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing 
• Cory Smeltzer, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt 
• Jenna Staggs, United Telehealth Services 
• Ashley Walkner, Cumberland University 
• John “Jake” Whicker, Cumberland University 
• Brittany Williams, University of Tennessee Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists 
• Amanda Wrobleski, Tenet Hospital 
• Michelle Zuercher, Cumberland University

This is an elite group of young Tennessee nurse leaders representing the three grand divisions of Tennessee, a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, frontline clinicians, academicians, and managers. 

The aim of the Tennessee Rising Star Nurse Leader program is to engage and empower young nurses to lead the profession in improving the health of Tennesseans.

For more information, please contact us at tennesseeactioncoalition@gmail.com.

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The Tennessee Nurses Association and Tennessee Hospital Association have partnered with the Tennessee Action Coalition to acknowledge emerging nurse leaders under 40. This program is developed to engage and empower younger nurses to lead the profession and improve the health of Tennesseans. Once selected, participants can engage in program opportunities to network with peers as well as established nursing leaders from across the state.

Program participants will be selected based on demonstrated qualifications and criteria. The selection committee also aims to include diverse individuals representing various Tennessee regions, practice settings, roles, racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Access the link below to nominate a young leader from your organization. Nominations will be open through May 1, 2023, https://forms.gle/JHenwgdFsKjQRfwVA. If you have questions, please reach out to TennesseeActionCoalition@gmail.com.

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Program participants will be selected based on demonstrated qualifications and criteria. The selection committee also aims to include diverse individuals representing various Tennessee regions, practice settings, roles, racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Access the link below to nominate a young leader from your organization. Nominations will be open through April 3, 2023, https://forms.gle/JHenwgdFsKjQRfwVA. If you have questions, please reach out to TennesseeActionCoalition@gmail.com.

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Dr. Poynter received the award in conjunction with Michael Whittaker and Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Their work will focus on creating a healthcare mentorship Program to recruit and retain a diverse group of students interested in and pursuing a health science career and preparing high school students to take on health care careers.

Click here for more information about The 2022 Health Equity Innovation Fund Awards.

The TAC Rising Star Program will open nominations later this spring. Check back here for more information on how to nominate a young nurse leader for our collaborative learning program!

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Together with the Tennessee Nurses Association and the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Action Coalition acknowledges these young nurse leaders:

• Andrea Poynter, Belmont University
• Andrea Sebastian, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing
• Ashley Carter, Nashville State Community College
• Ashley Marston, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Astrid Banegas, CHI Memorial
• Brandi Pruitt, University of Memphis
• Brittan Kilpatrick, Tennessee Department of Health – Hickman County Health Department
• Candice Short, East Tennessee State University 
• Charlotte Isabel, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Chelcie Oseni, Methodist Le Bonheur Community Outreach
• Chelsia Harris, Lipscomb University
• Chelsie Caperton, Southern Tennessee Regional Health System-Lawrenceburg
• Christian Williams, Metro Nashville Public Health Department
• Ernest Maupin, East Tennessee State University
• Gabrielle Jackson, Alma Wellness Associates
• Jacquelyn Dean, Vanderbilt Bedford County Hospital
• Jazmine A. Rankin, Methodist University Hospital
• Jerlliyah (Jay) Dotson, Vanderbilt Medical Center
• Josh Hawkins, The University of Tennessee Medical Center
• Julia Steed, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
• Kaleb (Tanner) Henry, The University of Tennessee Medical Center
• Kathryn Dambrino, Belmont University
• Lauren Moss, Belmont University/Elite Healthcare Alliance
• Marisa Schultz, The University of Tennessee Medical Center
• Mary Leigh Joiner, Regional One Health
• Rachael Wyatt Hodges, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing
• Rebecca R. Kojak, Cookeville Regional Medical Center
• Richelle Graham, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Shelley Lawson, West Tennessee Healthcare – Pathways
• Whitney Owen, The University of Tennessee Medical Center
• Zacnite Vargas, Metro Public Health Department

These individuals are part of an elite group of young Tennessee nurse leaders representing the Three Grand Regions of Tennessee, a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, frontline clinicians, academicians, and managers.

Selection was based on criteria determined by leaders from the Tennessee Action Coalition, Tennessee Nurses Association, and Tennessee Hospital Association; and includes leadership among peers and others, professional growth and development, contribution to building a culture of health in the community, and commitment as a role model for health. 

The aim of the Tennessee Rising Star Nurse Leader program is to engage and empower young nurses to lead the nursing profession in improving the health of Tennesseans.

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“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein

Tennessee Action Coalition (TAC) members are certainly intelligent and creative, as evidenced by the continued adaptation to serving our organizations and communities during the past two years of Covid.

But can anyone confirm fun was a part of the equation? While many of our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, leaders, and community members were social distancing, we were on the front lines deciding how many morgue trucks were needed, determining the definition of crisis standard of care, building field hospitals with little or no experience, trying to staff hospitals during a global shortage of providers, and fighting to maintain continuity of services in a world that lacked resources and normalcy.

It is time to move forward and put the fun back into the equation! TAC members have the opportunity to expound on Einstein’s statement by serving on one of our identified priority subcommittees. We are not asking you to think outside the box, because as we’ve learned, there is no longer a box to contain us.

Please complete the TAC subcommittee survey and identify where you can best serve using your strengths.

Do you know someone who is not a member of TAC but their strengths complement yours and together you make an awesome team? Bring them on board. Let’s work together, let’s have fun, and let’s further our vision ensuring Tennesseans live healthier lives supported by communities and systems where nurses are leaders and essential partners.

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Throughout the month of March, WREG News Channel 3 in Memphis featured Remarkable Women as part of a nationwide Nexstar media initiative to honor the influence women have on public policy, social progress, and quality of life.

Click HERE to view the video.

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Deadline Extended to March 1, 2022

As members of the United States’ most trusted profession, nurses are in unique positions to influence health outcomes. Because nurses work in diverse community settings – like schools, workplaces, homes, prisons, hospitals, and assisted living facilities – we, as a group, have unparalleled power to influence and improve health in our state. We are a vital part of the fabric of our communities; we have the potential to inspire and enact meaningful change.

The Tennessee Action Coalition (TAC) aims to equip and empower nurses to drive meaningful health-related change in their communities and beyond.  Founded as part of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, Action Coalitions exist in every state and DC, thanks to a collaboration among The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the AARP Foundation, and AARP. TAC enabled institutions and nursing leaders from our 3 Grand Regions to participate in listening sessions and interviews that informed the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report. TAC’s current priorities reflect the 2020-2030 recommendations.

In 2021, TAC launched its newest leadership initiative. Together with the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) and the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA), TAC acknowledged nurses under the age of 40 as Rising Star Nurse Leaders. Honorees participated in a collaborative learning program designed to engage and empower young nurses to lead the nursing profession and improve Tennesseans’ health. The program was based on what our young nurse leaders said they needed to advance their careers and promote health in TN.  Our young nurse leaders met with state and national leaders including ANA President, Dr. Ernest Grant; TNA Executive Director, Tina Girardi; Tennessee’s first nurse Health Commissioner, Susan Cooper; and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Senior Nurse Advisor, Dr. Susan Hassmiller. They participated in leadership assessment and discussion using Clifton Strengths with one of our own TN leaders, Tina McElravey, and participated in a training session on quality improvement and disruptive innovation with Drs. Susie Leming-Lee and Phil Gibbs.

TAC, THA, and TNA will again recognize Rising Star Nurse Leaders in 2022. Nurses may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. The nomination process includes completing an online form and submitting the candidate’s CV, resume, or LinkedIn URL. Up to two letters of support may be submitted. Successful nominees will demonstrate a commitment to excellence and positive role modeling in leadership, professional development and growth, personal health and wellness, and the promotion of a culture of health.

Please submit nominations at:   https://forms.gle/jDabMnMrMvFvoYBv9

Deadline Extended to March 1, 2022

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