ABOUT JACY

My start in public health began with Dr. Arthur Agatston, cardiologist, and creator of South Beach Diet on a school-based nutrition and physical activity study. This study operated in both urban and rural areas in Florida, Mississippi, and New York. The research was published widely and led to school health policy reforms with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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Later I worked with Alliance for a Healthier Generation, supporting more than 140 schools within 18 school districts in my home state of Kentucky. Together we tripled the number of nationally awarded schools for their improvements in nutrition and physical activity policies and practices.

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Currently, I am CEO of Rural Health Association of Tennessee a 501(c)3 non-profit established to lead the way for a healthy tomorrow throughout rural Tennessee via partnerships, education, advocacy and resources. In this role, I am committed to advocating for members who include rural hospitals and clinics, school health directors, and others who live and work in rural Tennessee. My 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.

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I founded Alta Rivers Consulting, named after my maternal great-grandmother, to help leaders build systems that honor their values, make meaningful change, and stand the test of time.

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In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, and hiking with my husband Chris and our three dogs, Alonzo, Jimmy, and Ada Mae.