I am currently the Assistant Dean for Healthcare Professions and Chair of the Health Care Management Program at Clayton State University. I have been at Clayton State University since 2012 and I am also an Associate Professor. Prior to coming to Clayton State University, I was a clinical dental hygienist at the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry, General Residency Program, Adult Dentistry Clinic for over 20 years.
I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a DrPH, MPH and a BHS. I received my AS in dental hygiene from Western Kentucky University. While I no longer practices as a dental hygienist, I did maintain a dental hygiene license until I retired my last license in 2020. I am a member of the Association of University Program in Health Administration, American Public Health Association, American Dental Hygienists Association, Georgia Public Health Association, Georgia Dental Hygienists Association, American College of Health Executives, and the Business and Health Administration Association. I am also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and Academic Honor Society.
I have held several leadership roles including being the clinical supervisor for other dental hygienists in the clinics, chairperson of Special Olympics Special Smiles, and President of the Kentucky Dental Hygienists Association. I have also served as President of the Business and Health Administration Association. I have several publications and have presented at the Business and Health Administration Association as well as the American Public Health Association.
I am currently working on research concerning Transgender population and Adherence to Care concerning HIV/AIDs with my colleagues in the Department of Health Care Management. Other research interests include health literacy and HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.
I currently live in Peachtree City, Georgia. When I am not working, I enjoy working out at my CrossFit facility, swimming and working in my garden. I love to travel and hanging out with my friends.