- Food Tourism
- Historical Exploration
- Road Trips
- Volunteer Travel
- Adventure Travel
- Dancing (Fitness Instructor)
- Gym Workouts
- Offering time and support to shelters for the homeless, women, and animals
- Community Cleanup
- Youth Development Programs
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Homelessness Outreach
- Volunteer Work
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- Baking
Portia Yarbrough
Peachtree City,US
Summary
Senior Director of Health Services with over a decade of experience in healthcare management, specializing in initiatives that enhance patient wellness and elevate learning outcomes. Proven ability to coordinate comprehensive health programs and cultivate community partnerships to effectively address health barriers while promoting early detection. Expertise in utilizing technology platforms such to drive organizational health improvements and foster collaborative healthcare delivery. Recognized for impactful leadership, strong communication skills, and a results-oriented approach, with a commitment to regulatory compliance and strategic planning in navigating complex challenges.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2
2
Nursing Degrees
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Sr. Director of Health Services
The Kindezi Schools Inc.
Atlanta, GA
01.2022 - Current
- Led health services for a network of approximately 1000 students, increasing required health documentation compliance from 15% to 97% through strategic system implementation and staff coordination.
- Expanded access to preventative healthcare by coordinating mobile clinic partnerships that delivered dental and medical services to over 500 students annually.
- Implemented health strategies focused on prevention, early detection, and barrier reduction, improving student wellness and minimizing health-related classroom disruptions.
- Developed and led employee wellness initiatives supporting 150+ staff members, fostering a healthier workplace and strengthening engagement in preventative health practices.
- Partnered with educators, healthcare providers, and public health agencies to implement comprehensive health initiatives that strengthened community partnerships and expanded student access to care.
- Implemented health screenings and educational workshops, leading to measurable improvements in student health outcomes and academic performance.
- Coordinated with educators and healthcare providers to create comprehensive health initiatives, strengthening community partnerships and resource sharing.
- Led a team in delivering comprehensive health services across multiple campuses.
- Developed and implemented health policies to enhance student wellness and safety.
Perioperative/COVID-19/Preadmission Nurse
Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center
Atlanta, GA
11.2020 - 01.2022
- Managed pre-operative preparation for approximately 20 surgical patients daily, ensuring completion of documentation, assessments, and medical clearances to support safe and efficient surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and multidisciplinary care teams to coordinate patient readiness and maintain continuity of care throughout the perioperative process.
- Conducted comprehensive pre-operative assessments to identify potential clinical risks, preventing surgical delays and improving procedural readiness.
- Verified patient records, laboratory results, and procedural documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to surgical safety standards.
- Educated patients and families on surgical preparation, post-procedure expectations, and recovery protocols to improve patient understanding and care outcomes.
- Supported high-volume surgical operations by streamlining pre-operative workflows and ensuring timely patient throughput.
- Administered patient care plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes.
- Monitored vital signs and medical equipment, ensuring timely interventions for critical conditions.
Emergency Room Nurse Level I
Grady Memorial Hospital
Atlanta, GA
07.2020 - 10.2020
- Provided emergency care in a high-acuity Level I Trauma Center serving one of the nation’s largest safety-net populations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Delivered rapid clinical assessment and stabilization for critically ill and injured patients while managing complex cases involving trauma, mental health crises, abuse, and unhoused populations.
- Thrived in a high-pressure environment, prioritizing patient care, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and adapting to rapidly evolving COVID-19 protocols.
- Collaborated with physicians, trauma teams, and social services to ensure comprehensive care for vulnerable and medically complex patients.
- Maintained patient safety and clinical efficiency while managing fluctuating emergency department volumes in a fast-paced urban trauma center.
Nursing House Supervisor
Crestwood Medical Center
Huntsville, AL
01.2018 - 06.2020
- Oversaw hospital-wide patient flow and bed management for a 180+ bed acute care facility, optimizing throughput and ensuring timely placement of critically ill patients.
- Served as the administrative nursing leader during assigned shifts, coordinating clinical operations across multiple departments to maintain patient safety, staffing coverage, and operational efficiency.
- Directed care coordination for critically ill patients by collaborating with physicians, nursing teams, and specialty departments to ensure timely interventions and appropriate level-of-care placement.
- Partnered with executive leadership, including the CEO and CNO, to support organizational goals, operational protocols, and hospital-wide performance initiatives.
- Implemented and enforced clinical protocols and operational procedures, strengthening staff adherence to regulatory standards and hospital policies.
- Utilized critical thinking and rapid decision-making to resolve operational challenges, improve patient throughput, and maintain continuity of care across hospital units.
Emergency Room Nurse Level III
Crestwood Medical Center
Huntsville, AL
12.2015 - 06.2020
- Served as Charge Nurse in a 30 bed ER, coordinating staffing assignments and patient flow to support safe care delivery and operational efficiency within the emergency department.
- Delivered emergency care to critically ill and injured patients in a high-acuity emergency department while maintaining effective communication with multidisciplinary teams and patient families.
- Utilized scheduling and clinical information systems to manage nurse staffing coverage and ensure appropriate resource allocation during high-volume shifts.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to prioritize patient care needs and maintain the highest standard of clinical care.
- Provided clear verbal and written communication to coordinate care, support clinical decision-making, and ensure continuity across departments.
- Responded effectively during mass casualty incidents or disaster situations by triaging incoming patients quickly according to severity of injuries and illnesses.
Emergency Room Critical Care Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville, AL
01.2015 - 09.2019
- Provided rapid triage and clinical assessment in a Level I Trauma Center emergency department with nearly 100 treatment beds, prioritizing patient acuity and directing patients to the appropriate level of care.
- Served on the triage team responsible for the initial evaluation of incoming patients, utilizing critical thinking and clinical judgment to identify life-threatening conditions and expedite care.
- Collaborated with trauma teams, physicians, and interdisciplinary staff to ensure efficient patient flow and timely intervention in a high-volume emergency department.
- Delivered compassionate, patient-centered care while adhering to critical care protocols, regulatory guidelines, and trauma center standards.
Emergency Room Nurse
John Dempsey Hospital
Hartford, CT
12.2017 - 03.2018
- Rapidly integrated into a high-acuity 170-bed academic emergency department as a travel nurse, providing critical patient care while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced teaching environment.
- Delivered emergency and critical care in a major academic teaching hospital, quickly integrating into a new clinical environment while maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.
- Collaborated with physicians, residents, and interdisciplinary teams to assess and manage emergency situations using evidence-based practices and the nursing process.
- Participated in unit-based education and academic discussions, strengthening the integration of research and evidence-based practice into patient care.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary care planning to address immediate and long-term patient needs, improving coordination across multiple clinical specialties.
- Advocated for patient-centered care by ensuring access to appropriate resources, continuity of care, and informed decision-making for patients and families.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL05.2017
Associate of Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College
Decatur, AL12.2014
Skills
- Healthcare Operations & Clinical Leadership
- Population Health & Community Health Program Development
- Regulatory Compliance & Clinical Risk Management
- Strategic Program Development & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Response Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Team Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Clinical Workflow Optimization & Patient Care Systems Implementation
Accomplishments
- Supervised a team of nurses.
- Improved required health documentation compliance from 15% to 97% for a network serving approximately 1000 students through strategic system implementation and staff coordination.
- Improved clinic efficiency and timely access to care by implementing a digital nurse pass system to track, prioritize, and manage student health visits.
- Coordinated mobile healthcare partnerships that provided preventative dental and medical services to more than 500 students annually.
- Led health services operations across multiple campuses, ensuring regulatory compliance, clinical oversight, and effective management of nursing staff.
- Directed the network-wide COVID-19 response by establishing testing protocols, developing health policies, coordinating with public health agencies, and leading family communications to ensure safe learning environments for students and staff.
Certification
- TNCC
- PALS
- BLS
- ACLS
- Healthcare Certifications
Interests
Timeline
Sr. Director of Health Services
The Kindezi Schools Inc.
01.2022 - Current
Perioperative/COVID-19/Preadmission Nurse
Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center
11.2020 - 01.2022
Emergency Room Nurse Level I
Grady Memorial Hospital
07.2020 - 10.2020
Nursing House Supervisor
Crestwood Medical Center
01.2018 - 06.2020
Emergency Room Nurse
John Dempsey Hospital
12.2017 - 03.2018
Emergency Room Nurse Level III
Crestwood Medical Center
12.2015 - 06.2020
Emergency Room Critical Care Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
01.2015 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Jacksonville State University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Calhoun Community College, Decatur, AL, 2012, 2014, Let's Pretend Hospital Calhoun Community College (2012-2014), Community Clinic, Decatur, AL (2013), Kids Check Calhoun Community College (2013), Covid-19 Testing Community Organized Relief Effort (2020), Healthcare Liaison: Simpson St. church of Christ (2020-Present)
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
- Registered GA Nurse (License Number: RN293995) Expires 1/26
- CPR/First Aide/AED Instructor, Fitness Instructor