Chris Clarke, R.N., BSN
Senior Vice President
Clinical and Professional Practices
Tennessee Hospital Association
Chris is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for THA on clinical issues and the association's initiatives on quality, patient safety and workforce activities. As senior vice president, she represents the association and its public policies as liaison to national and state regulatory agencies such as CMS, The Joint Commission, Tennessee Department of Health, licensure boards and numerous other external stakeholder organizations. She oversees the association’s public policies and initiatives on hospital quality and patient safety.
In 2007, the association received grant funding to establish the TennesseeCenter for Patient Safety, which operates under her leadership.
Clarke works closely with the Tennessee Board of Nursing, government agencies and other organizations on nursing and healthcare issues serving on numerous boards and committees. Chris joined THA in 2002 and has over 25 years experience in nursing in staff and management positions. Clarke is a registered nurse with a BSN from Vanderbilt University, Nashville.
cclarke@tha.com
Darlene Swart, RN, MS
Vice President & Project Director
Tennessee Center for Patient Safety
Darlene is vice president and project director of the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety. The center, funded by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, is under the direction of the THA clinical and professional practices department.
THA launched the center to support and accelerate hospital patient safety and quality improvement efforts. The primary purpose of the center is to channel education, resources and support services to help hospitals in the state focus on implementing evidence-based practices to improve patient safety and performance on national quality measures. Darlene leads the educational and collaborative programs of the Center for Patient Safety with the Center’s partners and member hospitals.
Darlene joined the center staff in 2007 following an extensive nursing career, most recently as clinical services administrator at Hickman Community Health Services, Centerville, from 1990 to July 2007. She received a registered nurse’s diploma at Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, bachelor’s degree in nursing at Medical College of Georgia and master’s degree in human resources at Golden Gate University. dswart@tha.com
Larissa Lee
Project/Data Manager
Tennessee Center for Patient Safety
Larissa is responsible for overall project management of the Center’s programs and initiatives. She assists the director in coordinating education and program implementation for the collaborative on reducing infections. Larissa is responsible for the data collection and reporting tools, the Center’s website and other resources provided to hospitals.
llee@tha.com