Care Ring is pleased to announce that following a large-scale search, led by the Children and Family Services Center, the board has unanimously selected Tchernavia Montgomery as its next Executive Director.
With 17 years of health and human services experience and as a licensed clinical social worker, Tchernavia is a servant leader at heart with a true passion for helping the community’s most vulnerable residents. She comes to Care Ring from Crisis Assistance Ministry where she has served as the Chief Program Officer. Tchernavia holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she also serves as an adjunct faculty member and chairs the School of Social Work’s Community Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as a director on the board at The Greater Charlotte Region’s American Red Cross and was recently recognized with the City of Charlotte and Atrium Health’s MLK Growing the Dream Award.
“Tchernavia brings a great deal of experience, authenticity and leadership that will be instrumental to Care Ring as they continue to support the community with access to care for people with limited resources. Her background in clinical social work and addressing the challenges people in poverty face will position Care Ring as a leading advocate for a better system of care. The board and I are beyond thrilled to have Tchernavia as the next leader of this great organization,” said Mark Markiewicz, chair of the Care Ring board of directors.
Tchernavia will begin on March 22, 2021, and says:
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community, especially during such a critical time in our history. Care Ring has a deep commitment to socio-economically stressed families that so closely mirrors my own. Continuing in its legacy of promoting, protecting and improving the lives of those it serves, I am excited to work alongside Care Ring’s dedicated professionals and valuable community partners to passionately lead us into what will be its next and greatest phase: ensuring high-quality and equitable care is accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County."
During this time of transition, Care Ring has been under the direction of the Interim Executive Director, Stephen Smith. “We are exceedingly grateful for Stephen’s support and leadership while we conducted a search for a permanent replacement,” Markiewicz shared. Smith will remain with the organization until Montgomery’s arrival in late March.
Each year, Care Ring serves more than 7,000 Mecklenburg County residents through its program offerings: direct primary care in the Low-Cost Clinic, coordination of donated primary and specialty care and hospital-based services through Physicians Reach Out, and Nurse-Family Partnership, an evidence-based two-year nurse home visitation program for new moms. Wrapping around all of these programs is a team of case managers to address the non-clinical, socio-economic factors that affect health. Care Ring is also an active champion for a more equitable system of care.
Please join us in welcoming Tchernavia!