Panelists

Jason Adkins, MMFT, is the Director of the Trevecca Urban Farm and an environmental justice educator at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. Since 2011, he has transformed the farm into a sustainable agriculture model, addressing food insecurity and providing hands-on learning experiences. ​

In addition to his agricultural work, Jason is an Internal Family Systems-informed counselor based in Nashville. He founded Trailhead Counseling in 2024. His counseling approach focuses on helping clients understand and heal the various parts of themselves that influence behaviors reflecting his dedication to holistic community well-being.

As a founding member and past president of the Tennessee Organic Growers Association, Jason continues to advocate for organic farming practices, emphasizing his commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment.

Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, joined Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s cabinet in January 2023 as the 15th commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health. 

Dr. Alvarado has spent a decade in public service and in 2014 was the first Hispanic member elected to the Kentucky General Assembly where he represented Kentucky’s 28th Senate district. 

During his service in the Kentucky Senate, Dr. Alvarado was Chairman of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee, led the Substance Abuse Recovery Task Force, and was a member of several committees, including the Medicaid Oversight Subcommittee, Banking & Insurance committee, and State & Local Government committee. 

Dr. Alvarado has been a practicing physician for the past 29 years, working in a variety of clinical settings, as a small town primary care physician, a hospitalist and continues to see patients at skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Alvarado has served as medical director for Medicare health plan operators Stableview Health and Signature Advantage, in Lexington, Ky.; as medical director and finance chairman for Kentucky One Health Medical Group, in Louisville, Ky.; and, as vice-chairman of the board of an accountable care organization, Quality Independent Physicians, also in Louisville. 

From 2009 to 2011, Dr. Alvarado was chief and medical staff president at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and was elected as the physician representative to the hospital’s board in 2010, serving until 2012. 

Dr. Alvarado earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., in 1990, where he went on to receive his Doctorate in Medicine in 1994. Dr. Alvarado completed his medical residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky in 1998. Dr. Alvarado and his wife of 30 years, Dawn, have two adult children. 

Dr. Jara Best Jones graduated from Tennessee State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. She obtained her medical degree from The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee and completed her Pediatric residency at Lebonheur Children’s Hospital. After completing her residency, she joined Pediatric Consultants/Lebonheur Pediatrics and practiced as a general pediatrician for 20 years, retiring from clinical medicine in May 2024. Dr. Best Jones also served as the Tennessee Market Medical Director at Equality Health until October 2024.

She recently joined the Cumberland Pediatric Foundation as the Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer.

Dr. Best Jones has served on several boards throughout Memphis and Shelby County. She was a member of the board of directors for The Children’s Museum of Memphis from 2012-2018 and The Exchange Club Family Center (now The Kindred Place) from 2011-2017. In 2013, she won the Volunteer Mid-South Adult Volunteer of the Year award for her work with the parenting program for teen mothers and the domestic violence programs for women and children at The Exchange Club Family Center. Dr. Best Jones currently serves on the board of directors of The Woman’s Advocacy Center which provides services and support for women and children in Shelby County, Tennessee who have been victims of domestic abuse. She is also the chair of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable, and serves on the St. Jude Spirit of the Dream Committee.

Dr. Best Jones is an active member of the Bluff City Medical Society, the Memphis chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She has held leadership positions in each of these organizations, and she currently serves as the President-Elect of the Bluff City Medical Society.

Dr. Best Jones and her husband Kent love all things Memphis Grizzlies and have been season ticket holders since 2001. She enjoys traveling, baking, reading and serving those in need. Of all the leadership positions she has held throughout her career, her most important and gratifying job has been raising her three amazing sons, Aaron, Cameron, and Logan for the past 25 years. 

With nearly 25 years of nursing experience and 18 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Jason Butler, FNP-BC, MHA, has dedicated his career to expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered care. He has worked in primary care at Federally Qualified Health Centers in both rural and urban Missouri, serving diverse patient populations and addressing critical healthcare disparities.

Currently, Jason holds dual leadership roles as Vice President of Clinical Operations at Rod Bragg Diversity Health and Director of Clinical Operations at Music City PrEP Clinic. In these positions, he oversees clinical programs, enhances operational efficiency, and drives initiatives to improve patient outcomes. His expertise in healthcare management, combined with his passion for inclusive and accessible care, continues to shape the future of community health services.

Dr. Kenton A. Dodd is a Board-Certified Occupational Medicine Physician with over 20 years of experience in occupational medicine, healthcare management, and complex disability review. Currently serving as the Civil Service Medical Examiner for the Metro Health Department, Dr. Dodd has built a distinguished career characterized by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to patient advocacy and public health.

His expertise spans workplace health and safety, clinical administration, strategic healthcare management, and the development and implementation of health service programs. Dr. Dodd has consistently excelled in roles that require a combination of strategic planning, medical oversight, and team leadership. He is known for his ability to conceptualize and implement initiatives that not only ensure adherence to medical standards but also meet organizational goals and drive improvements in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Dodd brings a rare combination of empathy and analytical acumen to his work, skillfully advocating for patients while collaborating across teams and organizations to enhance care quality. His work in disability assessments and veteran healthcare has been instrumental in improving outcomes for veterans, employees, and the broader community.

Dr. Dodd earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Meharry Medical College, a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tennessee State University. He is board-certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in Occupational Medicine and holds a medical license in Tennessee.

Dr. Kenton A. Dodd’s career reflects a profound dedication to advancing occupational medicine, public health, and veteran services. His ongoing contributions continue to improve healthcare delivery and disability assessment, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the individuals and communities he serves.

Dr. Maria Flowers has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, holding various roles across the care continuum. With a passion for promoting safe and equitable healthcare, Dr. Flowers speaks, trains, and writes extensively on social determinants of health, health disparities, and patient safety. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education, where her research focused on creating frameworks to help healthcare organizations improve processes that promote equitable care. 

Dr. Flowers is the Principal Consultant of Maria D. Flowers & Associates, a healthcare consulting firm, and the Executive Director of Safer Healthcare for All, a non-profit patient advocacy organization dedicated to addressing inequities in care delivery for underserved populations. She has presented to national and international audiences, including the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, New York Health + Hospitals, and the University of South Florida's Qualitative Research Symposium. 

Her written contributions include co-authoring the "Social Determinants of Health, Actionable Patient Safety Solution," published by the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, as well as an upcoming book chapter on toxic workplaces and the impact of epigenetic stress on health outcomes. She is also curating a Safe & Equitable Space Writers Circle to support research on health equity, DEI, and patient advocacy. 

Dr. Flowers has served on multiple non-profit boards, including Williamson County CASA, and continues to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in healthcare organizations through her consulting, advocacy, and thought leadership. 

Dr. Julie Honey serves as the Dean of Belmont University's Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing and as the Executive Director of Partners in Nursing. With a distinguished career as a certified pediatric and family nurse practitioner, professor, and academic leader, she is dedicated to improving health outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and authentic leadership.

Dr. Honey attended Georgetown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and completed her graduate nursing degree at the University of Pennsylvania.  At Belmont, Dr. Honey has been instrumental in launching the Center for Nursing Innovation, a dynamic hub that accelerates the translation of academic insights into clinical practice. She also spearheaded the development of Belmont's Doctorate in Nursing Innovation and Leadership Degree, designed to cultivate educators, innovators,and system-focused leaders who bridge industry, practice, and academia. In response to workforce shortages and the need for accessible nursing education, Dr. Honey is leading the creation of an accelerated entry to practice nursing program that integratesspecialized coursework in innovation, entrepreneurship, behavioral health, home health, hospice, and geriatric care.

A passionate advocate for academic-industry-practice partnerships, Dr. Honey fosters collaborations that support scholarship, workforce development, and leadership training. Her commitment to elevating academic nursing ensures faculty support, student success, and forward-thinking education amidst the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Guided by Dr. Honey's leadership, Belmont University envisions nurses as leaders, innovators, and changemakers, creating programs and partnerships that empower nurses to shape the future of healthcare.

Dr. Jim Lancaster has served as Main Street Health’s Chief Medical Officer for the Southeast Region (MainStreetRuralHealth.com) since January of 2022. In his role with Main Street, Dr. Lancaster is focused on revolutionizing rural healthcare by building relationships with primary care practices and implementing an innovative model that provides in-office resources and reliable revenue. The current emphasis of his role is on Medicare and Medicare Advantage populations. 

Earlier in his career, he led an independent multispecialty practice as medical director and served in several hospital leadership positions. After departing practice, he worked as an executive with Cigna in various roles, including Regional Medical Executive with Cigna Medicare, value-based agreements lead, and provider relationships lead. 

Outside of work he enjoys efforts to support and improve the health of communities across the region. Dr. Lancaster is a graduate of Class VIII of Leadership Tennessee and has served several nonprofit organizations, including the TN chapter of the American Cancer Society (past president, current BOD member), Fifty Forward Nashville (past chair Development Committee), and STRONG Accountable Care Community (StrongACC.org) effort of NE Tennessee/ SW Virginia (original member of Leadership Committee). 

Rachel Ledbetter is the CEO and Co-Founder of Motivo Health, a pioneering platform dedicated to transforming the landscape of mental health care by facilitating virtual clinical supervision for behavioral health professionals. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Rachel's personal experiences navigating the licensure process have profoundly influenced her mission to remove barriers for aspiring therapists.

Early in her career, Rachel worked on Skid Row in Los Angeles, providing therapy to chronically homeless adults. Her role extended beyond traditional counseling; she implemented innovative programs, such as a knitting group that combined crafting with discussions on self-care and mental health. These experiences highlighted the challenges faced by both clients and therapists, particularly in underserved communities.

Following her work in Los Angeles, Rachel joined Georgia HOPE, a community-based mental health organization dedicated to providing accessible behavioral health services. At Georgia HOPE, she gained firsthand experience working with individuals and families facing significant mental health challenges. This role deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers within the mental health field and further fueled her desire to create solutions that would support both clients and providers.

To achieve licensure as an LMFT, Rachel was required to complete extensive clinical supervision hours. Residing in a rural area, she faced a weekly two-hour commute to meet with her clinical supervisor, a commitment she maintained for two years. This arduous process illuminated the significant geographic and logistical barriers many pre-licensed therapists encounter, especially those in rural or underserved regions.

Motivated by these challenges, Rachel envisioned a solution that leveraged technology to remotely connect pre-licensed therapists with qualified clinical supervisors. In 2018, she founded Motivo Health, the nation's first HIPAA-compliant video platform designed to bridge the gap between therapists and supervisors. Motivo enables therapists to complete their supervision hours through secure video conferencing, eliminating the need for extensive travel and providing access to a diverse network of supervisors across various specialties.

Under Rachel's leadership, Motivo has experienced significant growth and impact. The platform has supported thousands of aspiring therapists, counselors, social workers, and addiction counselors on their journey to licensure. In 2022, Motivo secured $14 million in Series A funding, led by Cox Enterprises, to further expand its services and address the increasing demand for mental health professionals. Rachel's innovative approach has garnered recognition within the entrepreneurial community. In 2021, she was featured in Forbes' "The Next 1000" list, which highlights entrepreneurs redefining the American dream.

Beyond her role at Motivo, Rachel is committed to advancing the mental health profession. She actively participates in discussions and panels focused on clinical supervision and the integration of technology in mental health care. Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by mental health professionals and a dedication to creating solutions that enhance access to quality care.

Rachel's journey from a therapist facing licensure hurdles to a visionary entrepreneur exemplifies her dedication to improving mental health care. Through Motivo, she continues to make a lasting impact by supporting the next generation of therapists and ensuring that quality mental health services are accessible to all.

Dr. Wendy Likes is Professor and Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She also serves as the Ruth Neil Murry Endowed Chair in Nursing. 

Dr. Likes is a three-time alum of UTHSC receiving a MSN, DNSc, and PhD at UTHSC. She joined the CON in 2005 as an Assistant Professor and has served as Department Chair, Associate Dean, and Interim Dean before her appointment as Dean in 2014. Dr. Likes is a family nurse practitioner having worked primarily with women with cancer and pre-invasive gynecologic conditions. She is the founder of The Center for HPV and Dysplasia at Regional One Health where she previously had an active clinical practice. Dr. Likes is a Fellow in the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 

Dr. Likes has received multiple awards and honors, including being nominated as a Health Care Hero in the Memphis Business Journal in 2012 and 2021 for both her clinical and administrative work, As Dean, she has expanded academic programs, bolstered research, increased diversity of faculty and students, and strengthened academic-clinical partnerships. She established the Center for Community and Global Partnerships (CCGP) to advance the profession of nursing and improve health outcomes and the Margaret Newman Center for Nursing Theory at UTHSC. Among the CCGP’s initiatives are partnerships to address vaccine hesitancy among rural residents, train hospital staffs to manage aggressive patients, and develop a nursing research program with St. Jude in Peru.

Jodie is a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Knoxville, Tennessee who has been practicing for over 10 years in both birth center and hospital settings. From 2018-2024 Jodie served as Midwifery Director at the University of Tennessee Medical Center to establish the hospital’s first midwifery practice. Jodie recently began a new position with Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham & Women’s Hospital & the Harvard School of Public Health. She is passionate about creating positive changes in care delivery to amplify women’s voices and improving outcomes for mom’s and babies everywhere. In addition to her new role with Ariadne and her local community engagement, Jodie continues to work part time in the clinical setting, delivering babies at UTMC and providing gynecologic care for uninsured patients at the Kim Health Center in Knoxville. 

Dr. Kimberly Smith serves as the Director of Oral Health Services for the Metro Public Health Department in Davidson County. A Georgia Tech Biomedical Engineer by training, she is dedicated to leveraging her engineering background to innovate and enhance the technological advancements within her division as a practicing dentist.

Arnetta Stanton Macklin is the Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer for the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) in Memphis, TN. For more than two decades, Arnetta has occupied several leadership roles within the organization. 

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Memphis. Arnetta is a member of the Tennessee Federation on Aging and Shelby County Civil Service Merit boards. She enjoys writing poetry, nature walks, and traveling.

Dr. Ajay J. Talati completed his medical school in India followed by a Pediatric residency in India and at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. He completed a Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship in 1999 at University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Talati completed Physician Executive MBA from Haslam School of Business, University of Tennessee in 2024. He is currently Sheldon B Korones endowed Professor  and Chief of Neonatology and a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and OB/GYN at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis.  

He has received several honors including “Pediatric Educator Award” in 2017 and “Founder’s Award” in 2020 by SSPR. He has been honored by the housestaff with the Neonatology teaching award for several years and is selected as “Top Doctors” in midsouth area. He was also a finalist for “Health care heroes” by Memphis Business Journal in 2017. He is a member of several academic societies including SSPR, SPR, APPD and AAP. He held the position of President of SSPR in 2008-2009 and a council member prior to that. 

Dr. Talati has over 75 publications to his credit and is involved in both basic and clinical science research. He is involved in several quality improvement projects and has led the statewide “Golden Hour” project and “Antibiotic Stewardship” through Tennessee Perinatal Quality Collaborative (TIPQC) to standardize and improve care of newborn babies across TN. He is a member of Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) and Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for NICU licensure for the state of TN. 

Ferrol Thomas, DNP, RN is the Director of Workforce Strategies with Tennessee Hospital Association. A Tennessee native, residing in Nashville, she has a passion and dedication to improving healthcare outcome by supporting collaboration, advocacy, and innovative pathways in healthcare workforce.

Ferrol obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, TN. Her nursing career has included patient care in intensive care settings with a focus on neuroscience, trauma, surgical, and organ donor management. As her career progressed in nursing, she discovered a passion for education and program development. In 2012, Master of Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She spent the last 10 years of her career in clinical education leadership roles, implementing programs, developing transition to practice programs, academic relationships and leading a team in clinical competency initiatives in large hospital systems. 

In 2023, she completed her course work in Doctor of Nursing Practice from Belmont University in 2023. Ferrol’s work has led her to her current role, establishing a state-wide Nurse Residency Collaborative and Program and Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program. In 2024, Ferrol and THA team paved the way for apprenticeship in nursing by developing statewide standards and programming to gain approval by the TN Board of Nursing.