Hello everyone!
I am a native of South Florida, was born in Wurzburg, Germany and lived there for eight months until my parents decided to leave the military and return to the states.
I graduated from Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, FL. “Go Chargers”! and went on to complete my undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida “Go Knights” in Orlando. From there I received a bachelor’s in Health Sciences and a minor in Health Services Administration. During my undergrad sophomore year, while working on my Bachelors, I was granted an A.A. degree in General Education. From there I continued and completed my graduate studies with American Intercontinental University, receiving an MBA in Healthcare Management. In between time I was considering becoming a medical doctor and was a pre-med student for almost two years at FAU. However, due to certain life-changing circumstances I decided to take a break. After taking a break and with the encouragement of my younger sister, I pursued a PhD in Human Services at Capella University. My younger sister and I became the first in our family (on both sides) to graduate with doctorate degrees. The most amazing thing is we were able to walk across the stage on the same day!
I have worked in various areas from customer service to health information management in the hospital to the public-school system. I can’t forget about retail but that’s another story. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the electronic medical record by processing the paper medical record electronically. This experience inspired my dissertation topic: “Urban Alabama Physicians and the Electronic Medical Record: A Qualitative Study”. While working in the hospital, I had the delightful opportunity to process birth certificates for families with newborns. In addition, I’ve authored three supplemental eBooks for students (high school and up) in various areas such as anatomy, biology, and health care management and is slowly (very slowly 😉) writing my fourth book specifically geared towards health care management students. My first ebook is titled: “Everything you need to know about the heart and all its parts.” The second book is titled “Everything you need to know about the brain.” And the third book is titled “Everything you need to know about Culturally Competent Care.” I love to write and plan on conducting more research in the future when time allows. I’ve also conducted many health seminars in my church community to educate on various topics such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, herbal nutrition, diabetes, blood pressure, and heart health.
Outside of serving the community, I have served as National Committee member of an academic/professional sorority-Pi Eta Delta, which I had the privilege of starting with three other colleagues. This sorority is for women pursuing their PhDs or those who have completed the doctoral journey. We provide scholarships for women who are need of books, and other resources. I’m also a member of many organizations such as the American Institute of Healthcare Compliance, the National Scholars Honors Society and National Organization for Human Services Honors Society-Tau Upsilon Alpha Chapter, The National Organization for Human Services, the American College of Healthcare Executives (which every aspiring health management student should be a member of), the Women’s Healthcare Executive Network, The Black Doctoral Network, The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Omicron Gamma Chapter of Delta Mu Delta, and Upsilon Phi Delta (chapter faculty advisor) which is the Health Care Management Honors Society at PBSC.
I am a HIPAA Certified Professional and obtained my Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare Green Belt Certification. Additionally, I received my Project Management Essentials Certified certification. A couple of years ago I graduated from my online Medical Billing and Coding Program. My professional endeavors continue as I strive to prepare and pursue becoming board certified in healthcare management to receive my FACHE credentials (that's one of many).
I have had many roles at PBSC, not only as a full-time professor but also as the department chair of the BAS Health Management Concentration.. For a year I also had the privilege to serve as department chair for the two new B.S. programs in Human Services and Cardiopulmonary Sciences. I have contributed to the 2013-2018 PBSC Strategic Plan, the College’s Curriculum Committee, the adjunct faculty onboarding website, the Adjunct Faculty handbook for the BAS department, and the list goes on.
I’m a family–oriented woman, and I enjoy spending time with family and close friends who are also part of my family. Family is everything to me! They keep me together. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (I’m an avid book reader), cooking, baking, watching documentaries (I'm a low key history nerd), all the streaming services.
I truly believe in continually building my brand and adding to my bookshelf of knowledge and experience therefore, for me, learning never stops. I’m a huge advocate for education at all levels. I enjoy and absolutely love what I do! This is my purpose and I'm thankful to be in this position to motivate, mentor, and encourage students who are on the path to success in the health care industry.
Remember: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”-Nelson Mandela
Thanks for reading everyone,
Dr. T-S🙂