TDOH Names New East Regional Health Director

NASHVILLE  — Janet Ridley, MSN, RN, has been appointed the new director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s East Region. She assumes the role after serving as director of nursing for the Department of Health’s Southeast Region since 1995.

"I know Janet to be a woman of strong character and vision,” said Cathy R. Taylor, DrPH, MSN, RN, assistant commissioner for TDOH’s Bureau of Health Services Administration. “She is a respected professional, dedicated to overcoming challenges to improving the health of those in her care. I look forward to working with her in this new leadership role in our East Region.”

Ridley will provide leadership for all administrative, clinical, non-clinical and medical services within the Department of Health’s East Region. In her new role, she will oversee management of county health departments in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties. Located in Knoxville, the East Regional Office is also responsible for providing guidance within the region in areas of community emergency preparedness, communicable and environmental disease control, health education and outreach.

“I feel a real connection to this area of Tennessee and I am excited about the opportunity to serve the people of the East Region in this new capacity,” said Ridley. “Our work in public health impacts the lives of everyone in our state, and I look forward to continuing to help protect, promote and improve the health of Tennesseans.”

Ridley, a native of Marion County, holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from U.T. Knoxville. She has also done coursework toward a Masters of Business Administration degree at U.T. Chattanooga, completing courses in marketing, accounting, finance, management and economics. Ridley succeeds Fred Adams, who will be coordinating special projects in the TDOH East and Northeast Regions before returning to full time duties as Northeast Regional Director.

Ridley brings extensive expertise and public health experience to her new position as regional director. Before serving as nursing director for the TDOH Southeast Region, she served as that region’s coordinator of Children’s Special Services. Ridley also served as nursing supervisor for the Bradley County Health Department, and as a public health nurse in both the Bradley and Bledsoe County Health Departments.

Ridley is an active member in both the Tennessee Public Health Association and the Tennessee Nurses Association, and has held leadership positions in both organizations. Her dedication and leadership were acknowledged by TPHA awarding her its highest honor in 2009, the prestigious R.H. Hutcheson Award, which recognizes a career commitment to and significant achievements in public health.

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Editor’s Note: To obtain an electronic photo of Janet Ridley, call the Department of Health Communications Office at 615.741.3111.