Friday, September 30th Plenary

​"The Power of Community to Advance Good Health"

Speaker: Jacy Warrell

8:30 am - 9:30 am, Ballroom A

Rural and other minority populations experience barriers to good health in many ways. A person’s zip code is the number one indicator of access to healthcare, broadband, transportation, income, and housing. Despite these challenges, many local communities and statewide partners are equipped to address these and other drivers of health – but they cannot do so alone. This session will provide an overview of the state of health in Tennessee and how strong community partnerships can change Tennessee’s health outcomes for the better.

About Jacy Warrell

Jacy Warrell, MPA brings people and organizations together to improve health outcomes through policy and programs. She is a listener, strategic thinker, and achiever who maintains that the best way to affect positive change is through community engagement, education, and pairing direct services with advocacy.

Currently, Jacy is the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Health Association of Tennessee a 501(c)3 non-profit established to “lead the way for a health tomorrow throughout rural Tennessee” through partnerships, advocacy, education, and resources. In this role, Jacy has committed to advocating for members who include rural hospitals and clinics, school health directors, and others who care about rural health. Her goal is to bring groups together to deliver services that improve health locally, promote peer-to-peer learning and resource sharing, and to elevate rural voices at the Tennessee legislature as well as nationally.

Jacy has a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University and undergraduate degrees in Communication Studies and Public Administration from Western Kentucky University. In her free time Jacy enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking with husband Chris and their three dogs, Alonzo, Jimmy, and Ada Mae.

About Rural Health Association of Tennessee
Founded in 1995, The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA of TN) is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization of individuals and organizations committed to improving the health of rural Tennesseans. Our members of rural health care providers, school health professionals, and others who care about rural health, have worked to affect positive change in the health and well-being of all rural people in Tennessee. By proactively involving our members, partner organizations, and policymakers, we identify rural health concerns and work to resolve those issues through service, education, and advocacy.