Hi, I’m
TARA LAIRD HENSLEY
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Systems thinker. Passionate about access, equity, health and education. Working at the intersection of care and innovation integrating entrepreneurial mindset and design thinking. Passionate about empowering others to think in big and in new ways. Skilled in communicating to and with different perspectives and backgrounds. Expert in communicating with patients and medical professionals. Expertise in communicating with officials on behalf of groups and networking with advocacy organizations. Experienced patient advocate with a background working as a positive intermediary between medical teams, clinical trials, and patients undergoing treatment. Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. Bringing 20 years of experience in field.
Overview
17
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Brea Health
Founder and Director
01.2009 - Current
Job overview
- Located in Kansas City for more than 14 years, Brea Health is an entrepreneurial advocacy organization working with women and children
- Brea Health has evolved from small vision to what has now consulted and developed curriculum for largest centers of care that serve women and their children
- Responsible for leadership of overall vision, strategy, and objectives of theorganization
- Strategically implemented and cultivated vision and growth through every aspect of organization
- Responsible for training, curriculum development, and long-term organizational development
- Mobilizing in Uganda to expand global advocacy
- Applied skills to develop women to advocate for self
- Resulting in communities of women who embody and implement innovative change
- Consultant for a wide spectrum of health advocacy issues. Change in treatment, emergency options, clinical trials.
- Instructor and developer of childbirth classes and curriculum (“Natural Comfort Measures and Low-Intervention”)Attending or assisting hundreds of births
- Developed and piloted first Nationally Designated Baby Friendly evidence-based childbirth education curriculum for Truman Medical Center (Mar 2014) and St.Luke’s Health System ( 2017)
- Communicate healthcare options for low-income and/or uninsured pregnant women
- Guided women through change in outcomes, loss, emergency care, medical options
- Communicate with medical teams, regarding options in labor and birth and surgery
- Empower clients and students with self-advocacy by communicating relevant policies and patient rights
- Developing strategies for systems to change
- Conduct prenatal visits to clients, providing intake, assessments, and documentation
- Provide postpartum visits to clients, evaluating physical and mental health state of mother
- Manage all administration, contracts, communication, and client relations
- Administer all finances and negotiate rates
- Present pitches for consultation
- Develop international women’s group support groups and networking
- Connecting first-world women to communities of care in developing countries for mutual relationship and opportunity (Radial)
- Advocate for options in care and marginalized groups
- Challenge unjust systems that impact health and well-being
- Community organizer and facilitator
- Connect immigrants and refugees to health advocacy
- Participate in and initiate race equity conversations and training
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Patient Advocate
01.2008 - 01.2009
Job overview
- Facilitated communication and mediated conflict between physicians, hospital staff, and patients’ families
- Utilized and taught alternative dispute resolution methods
- Presented formal grievances to hospital executives and general counsel
- Advocated for those in crisis
- Petitioned for resources and plan to address formal concerns.
- Increased patient satisfaction through advocacy and user-centered advocacy
- Advocated for patient rights and provided representation
- Maintained patient records and updated electronic health systems to safeguard data
- Collected and analyzed patient feedback to evaluate quality of care
- Monitored patient progress and provided emotional support
- Advocated for patient rights and access to support resources in healthcare settings
- Assisted patients in navigating complex healthcare systems and procedures to reduce emotional strain
- Developed patient-centered care plans to meet individual needs
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to facilitate high-quality comprehensive care
- Applied administrative knowledge and courtesy to explain procedures and services to patients
- Worked with patients to ascertain issues and make referrals to appropriate specialists
- Offered simple, clear explanations to help clients and families understand hospital policies and procedures
- Facilitated communication between patients and various departments and staff
- Resolved customer complaints using established follow-up procedures
- Followed document protocols to safeguard confidentiality of patient records
St. Paul’s Hospital
Chaplain
01.2006 - 09.2006
Job overview
- Provided counseling and spiritual support for diverse patients and families during crisis and death
- Guided patients through decision-making in clinical trials
- Worked with trauma, seniors in extended care and HIV/AIDS units
- Worked cross-culturally with First Nations community, Chinese and Indo-Canadian immigrant population
- Worked as part of complete cross-disciplinary team.
- Provided guidance, emotional support, and direct care to residents, family members, and staff.
- Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
- Provided care and 24 hour on-call support regarding crisis interventions to assist in emergency situations.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
Education
Regent CollegeVancouver, BC Canada
International Graduate Degree from Studies, Applied Ethics And Theology
2007
University of Kansas
BA from Communications
2001
Lancaster University And St. Martin’s CollegeLancaster, England
Study Abroad from Communications
2000
Skills
- STRENGTHS & EXPERIENCE Advocacy
- Liaison between systems, teams, people
- Bridging cultures and different fields
- Connecting with disinterested and overwhelmed individuals
- Communicating medical language in lay terms
- Challenging dominant perspectives with delicacy
- Working with competing ideologies
- Listening, discernment, collaboration
- Interpersonal communications
- Growth-Mindset
- Organization & Team Consulting
- Writing, Speaking & Teaching
- Care & Counseling
- Community building, strategic partnership, organizing
- People and Culture
- Effective Communicator and Public Speaker
- Improving Policies-Strategic planning
Certification
DONA-Certified Labor/Birth Assistant
ICEA-International Childbirth Education
CPE-Clinical Pastoral Education
Volunteer
Girls on the Run-Board Member- (August 2023)
Girls on the Run- Head Coach (2021-present)
Startland, MECA Challenge Mentor, (KC, MO-2018-present)
● Mentoring others to use design thinking in everyday situations and work. Teaching students from diverse backgrounds to collaboratively work together to solve real-world and community based (relevant) problems. Highlighting limitations for fixed and limited mindset. Empowering others in context to use design thinking strategies and models in their own context to excel and boost confidence to address large complex problems.
- SMSD R&D Forum Finalist 2023
Jacob's Well Justice Youth Initiatives (2020-present)
Youthfront, Camp Staff Volunteer and leader (Kansas City, KS-2017-present)
St. Luke’s Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Cuddler Program, (KC, MO March 2017-present)
● Hold and comfort at-risk, preterm infants weekly in high-volume, high-level care setting
Journey to New Life (KC, MO 2014-2019)
● Organize community meals and coordinate donations for transitional home for women recently released from prison
Refugee Community (KC,KS 2013- present)
● Host community-building events and activities at public housing complex
● Host Iraqi and Burmese and African refugees
● Community organizing for church to be connected to undocumented resident community
● Entrepreneur startup of creating health opportunities in immigrant community
St. Luke’s Hospital, Cancer Care Hand Massage Therapy Program and Chaplaincy Volunteer(KC, MO 2004)
● Provided hand massage relief to patients receiving in-patient chemotherapy;
● Provided spiritual care visitations to patients
Timeline
Founder and Director
Brea Health
01.2009 - Current
Patient Advocate
Children’s Mercy Hospital
01.2008 - 01.2009
Chaplain
St. Paul’s Hospital
01.2006 - 09.2006
Regent College
International Graduate Degree from Studies, Applied Ethics And Theology
University of Kansas
BA from Communications
Lancaster University And St. Martin’s College
Study Abroad from Communications
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