Jacy Warrell helps bring people and organizations together to improve health outcomes through programs, policy, and collaborations. She is a listener, strategic thinker, and achiever who maintains that the best way to bring about positive change is through community engagement, education, and pairing direct services with advocacy. Her start in public health began by working with Dr. Arthur Agatson, creator of South Beach Diet on a school-based nutrition and physical activity study. This program operated in both urban and rural areas in Florida, Mississippi, and New York led to school health policy reforms with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Jacy is the Executive Director of Rural Health Association of Tennessee a 501(c)3 non-profit established to improve the health of Tennesseans through advocacy, education, and legislation. In this role, Jacy has committed to serving as chief supporting officer and advocate for members who include rural hospitals and clinics, school health directors, and local government leaders and others who care about rural health. Her goal is to bring member 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.
Ms. Warrell has a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University and undergraduate degrees in Communication Studies and Public Administration from Western Kentucky University.
Jacy is married to Chris Warrell who is a military contract pilot that has served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, and is currently stationed in Iraq. Together they have three dogs, Alonzo, Jimmy, and Ada Mae who enjoy long walks, chasing squirrels, and interrupting zoom calls.