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Rhea Groves lives in Hermitage with her husband, an active-duty member of the Air Force, and son, now 7 years old. She parent leader with Nashville PROPEL.
When it came time to enroll my son in elementary school, I wasn’t really sure where to start.
Like any parent, I wanted Jayshawn to go to a good school, one that would provide structure and challenge him. Most importantly, I wanted my son to find a place where he could be happy, grow, and truly enjoy learning.
But when I visited our zoned elementary school, I realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t going to be the right fit. It was a decent school, but I just didn’t see enough excitement or passion. I knew in my heart that it wasn’t a place where my son would thrive.
Shane Reeves is CEO at TwelveStone Health Partners, and state senator for Tennessee s 14th district.
Initially responsible for processing prescription drug claims and creating networks of pharmacies, pharmacy benefits managers, PBMs, have significantly grown in size and influence in recent decades.
Currently, only three PBMs control 80% of the marketplace covering 230 million Americans. Through spread pricing, rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers, and patient steering, PBMs have reaped enormous profits as near-monopolies, while patients are left with drug prices that grow continually more expensive.
As a pharmacist, chief executive of TwelveStone Health Partners, and state senator, I have witnessed firsthand the negative impact on patients caused by modern PBMs.
The stressors people faced because of COVID-19 created a growing need for mental health services.
At the same time, the pandemic made counseling more accessible than ever due to expanded telehealth services.
However, assisting people who need help is still a challenge because of feelings of shame. Ben Middleton, regional CEO of Centerstone, discussed these issues on this episode of the Tennessee Voices podcast.
Middleton oversees clinical services in several states including Tennessee and he specializes in substance use disorders and treatments. Over the past year, the addiction crisis and overdoses have grown.
We also talked about his work in the diversity, equity and inclusion realm in and outside of his organization, and why racism is a public health crisis.
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Darnell Ford is the property manager at Valor Ridge, an aftercare housing facility for Men of Valor, a local prison ministry.
By the time I got my “second chance,” I had acquired 11 felonies and had been in at least five different county jails.
I had been given other chances, of course, but up until then, I had passed them all up.
Today, I am a changed man.
Not only am I a free man, but I work for Men of Valor, the prison ministry I credit for being the agent of change in my life. As the prison ministry’s property manager, I am responsible for overseeing Valor Ridge, our aftercare housing facility for the formerly incarcerated.
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee.
One of the toughest parts of COVID-19 has been the economic crush on so many Americans, manifested through lost jobs, reduced wages and deferred dreams such as delaying going to college, having a child or buying a home.
Taking as much control as possible of one s financial future is especially important during lean times.
The sooner young people learn about financial wellness, the better prepared they will be as adults, said Trent Klingensmith, president of Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee, on this episode of the Tennessee Voices podcast.