Leadership and Team
Dedicated to strengthening and supporting the nursing workforce across the state.
Dr. Jennifer Hitt
Executive Director
Dr. Jennifer Hitt serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement. Prior to this role, Dr. Hitt worked in nursing education, serving in several roles, including Director and Chief Academic Officer for a nursing school.
More About Dr. Hitt
Dr. Hitt holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Mississippi, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Memphis, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Hitt previously served as the President of the Mississippi Nurses Association and most recently elected as President of the Tennessee Nurses Association. She also has contributed nationally through her service on several American Nurses Association and American Association of Colleges of Nursing committees. She is a federal site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and serves on advisory boards for several nursing schools.
Dr. Monaco Briggs
Project Manager
Dr. Monaco Briggs brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and higher education to her role as Project Director of the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement. With a strong foundation in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence, she leads statewide initiatives that strengthen Tennessee’s nursing workforce through data-driven strategies, pipeline development, innovation, and advocacy.
More About Dr. Briggs
Dr. Briggs holds a Doctor of Education from East Tennessee State University, a Master of Business Administration from Milligan College, a Bachelor of Business Administration from King University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting from Northeast State Community College. She supports and amplifies the nursing profession through programs such as the Voices from the Nursing Frontline podcast, the Thoughts from the Frontline newsletter, the Vitals & Voices: Stories from TN Nurses initiative, and the Nurse of the Month recognition program.
In addition to her leadership at the Center, Dr. Briggs serves as a copy editor for the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers journal and teaches as adjunct faculty in East Tennessee State University’s College of Business. She is also a recipient of the prestigious HIMSS Davies Award for excellence in health information and quality improvement.
Dr. Yan Cao
Statistician
Dr. Yan Cao has served as the Statistician at the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement since 2023. In addition to this role, she also serves as the Research Services and Evaluation Manager at the Center for Nursing Research.
More About Dr. Cao
Dr. Cao holds a Ph.D. in Image Processing from China, as well as a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and a Master of Computer Science from East Tennessee State University.
With a strong foundation in statistical analysis and computing, she oversees all program-related evaluation services, supports faculty and students with manuscript preparation and project data analysis, and produces comprehensive reports on nursing-related topics. Her work is centered on leveraging data-driven strategies to advance nursing workforce planning and promote academic excellence.
Carl William Deertz
Office Coordinator
Carl Deertz serves as the Office Coordinator for the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement. Prior to this role, he held several positions within a Health and Human Services workforce development agency, including Evaluation Analyst and Training Coordinator.
More About Mr. Deertz
Carl earned a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Administration and Community Development from San Diego State University. His career has been dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations, including individuals with mental health challenges, foster youth, and older adults.
He brings extensive experience in program coordination, encompassing strategic planning, fundraising, event management, report writing, and consensus organizing. Additionally, Carl has a strong background in evaluation design, including the development of evaluation tools, logic models, data analysis, dashboard creation, and data quality assurance. He is also certified in Qualtrics Platform Essentials.
Carl is deeply committed to community service and has volunteered with hospice organizations, foster youth mentoring programs, and Meals on Wheels.
Dr. Kathleen J. Kinser
Nurse Scientist
Kathleen J. Kinser, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC is a nurse scientist at the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, where she contributes to statewide nursing research, workforce planning, and evidence-based health policy initiatives. With more than 27 years of nursing experience, Dr. Kinser brings a diverse clinical and academic background spanning acute care, critical care, cardiology, outpatient surgery, and chronic disease management.
More About Dr. Kinser
Dr. Kinser earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and completed both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Over the course of her career, she has served in various capacities, including managing a renal and diabetic care unit, working in critical care cardiology, and serving over nine years in research focused on Interstitial Lung Disease. She also worked as a nurse practitioner in Vanderbilt’s Department of Surgery and most recently held the role of Assistant Professor of Nursing at Northeast State Community College.
Her doctoral research on vitamin D malabsorption in post-surgical bariatric patients was selected for presentation at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) national conference. Dr. Kinser has served as a guest speaker for national and local organizations and currently serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations. She is also an active volunteer with various national and community-based initiatives.
Dr. Kinser has co-authored articles and remains committed to advancing nursing science and mentoring the next generation of nursing professionals.
Logan Mink
Marketing and Communications Manager
Logan Mink joins the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement with a strong background in marketing and a deep appreciation for the work of nurses. He holds a Master’s in Brand and Media Strategy from East Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree from Milligan University, where he triple-majored in Marketing, Management, and Graphic Design.
More About Mr. Mink
Before joining TCNA, Logan spent over two years as a Digital Marketing Specialist in a traditional healthcare setting, working closely with doctors and nurses to connect with patients and share their stories. It was there that he developed a real admiration for nursing professionals, inspired by the daily dedication and life-changing impact they make. He’s excited to now be in a role where he can support nurses across the state and help elevate their voices.
This year has been full of exciting changes for Logan—he married his wonderful wife, Katie, bought and renovated a house, and started this new adventure with TCNA. Outside of work, you can find him spending time with Katie and their energetic Labradoodle, Sandy.
Dr. Belinda Fleming
Nurse Scientist
Belinda Fleming, PhD, APRN-BC, is a highly accomplished nurse practitioner, educator, and researcher with more than 40 years of experience in clinical practice and nursing education. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where her dissertation focused on metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk in obese African American youth.
More About Dr. Fleming
Dr. Fleming has served in diverse roles, including Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Memphis, Associate Professor at Union University and Christian Brothers University, and visiting scholar in China. A retired veteran of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, she provided care during Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Her research and publications address vulnerable populations, cardiovascular risk, and critical thinking in nursing. Actively engaged in community service, she has volunteered for Remote Area Medical, disaster relief, and youth health initiatives. Dr. Fleming’s career reflects her dedication to advancing nursing practice, education, and public health.
TCNA Leadership
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) is led by a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to strengthening the nursing workforce, fostering innovation, and ensuring high-quality healthcare across Tennessee and the Appalachian Highlands region. TCNA’s collective expertise in nursing education, healthcare leadership, workforce development, and policy advocacy drives the center’s mission forward.
