Lorrie D. Clark, MSPH

Assistant to Director

Memphis and Shelby County Health Department

Memphis, TN 38105

Biography

Lorrie Clark was appointed Assistant to the Director, in June of 2005. She is responsible for representing the Division Director in divisional or community based meetings; implementing special projects and initiatives, coordinating the budget within the Director’s office as well as monitoring the health department’s 42 grant-funded programs.  

Prior to that appointment, she was the Senior Compensation Specialist for Shelby County Government from 2001 through 2005. Before joining Shelby County Government, Ms. Clark was previously employed by Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood as a Health Educator, The United Way of Mid-South as the Regional HIV Coordinator, Latino Memphis (Hablemos Espanol Coordinator), and Meharry Medical Foundation.  

A graduate of Meharry Medical College, Ms. Clark holds a Masters of Science degree in Public Health and is currently a Doctoral candidate in Business Management with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. Ms. Clark has also sought additional certifications during her tenure at Memphis Shelby County Health Department: Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT), Community Bioterrorism Emergency Response (CBER), and several National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications.  

She has also been active in many local and civic organizations (e.g., NEXUS Leadership Program, Americorps-VISTA, and the Tennessee Minority Health Summit – staff member). She currently serves on the Board of the Exchange Club of Memphis, and is an active member of various organizations: American Public Health Association, Tennessee Public Health Association, Mpact Memphis, Tennessee Coalition on Cancer – Surveillance Committee, American College of Health Care Executives, and the National Association of Health Services Executives.

Leadership Development Opportunities

The Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute (EPHLI) has provided me with a new insight into my leadership style through various self-assessment tools (e.g., Individual Development Plan, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Change Style Indicator, and Skillscope) utilized throughout the program. The aforementioned self-assessment tools helped me to closely examine my personality, strengths, weaknesses, how I perceive information, how my perception differs from others, and how I should interpret others’ perceptions and thought processes into my daily work plan.  

With new tools i.e., logic models, systems thinking, and communication strategies available for use, I am now better adapt to systematically assess, address, and communicate the foundational cause of a problem and develop long term solutions and strategies instead of quick fixes and temporary remedies. My broader perspective to problem solving has assisted me in my decision making process and collaborative efforts with both internal and external colleagues. The institute helped me to gain a fuller understanding of system dynamics, how things fit and can affect other things and how these relationships can be used to enhance a wide variety of circumstances. With the tools I now have, I am better equipped both personally and professionally.