Brenda Barker, MBA
Disclosures: Nothing to disclose - 07/27/2020
Brenda Barker, M. Ed.

Brenda Barker, M. Ed., MBA

CV

 

2416 Belcourt Ave

Nashville, TN  37212

Phone: 615-343-8536 Fax: 615-936-8766

  Brenda.Barker@TIPQC.org

1847 Barnstaple, Brentwood, TN  37027

EDUCATION

 

  • MBA in HealthCare, Lipscomb University - Nashville, TN, May 2016
  • Certificate- Improvement Advisor, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Cambridge, MA, 2009-2010
  • Began Ph.D., Psychology, Tennessee State University, 6 hours - Nashville, TN, 1994
  • M. Ed., Counseling, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 1994

Internship: Vanderbilt University (George Peabody College)/Franklin Road Academy - Nashville, TN, 1994

  • B.S., Home Economics Education, Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX,1982
  • High School Degree, Happy High School – Class Valedictorian – Happy, TX, 1978

 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

  • Executive Director

Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care - Nashville, TN

2017-Present

Project Director & Improvement Advisor

2008-2017

  • Manager & Owner

Rental Real Estate—Nashville, TN

2010-Present

  • Manager and Owner

Parker Ranch - Happy, TX

2006-Present

  • Regional Director; Branch Director; International Director of Development

Children’s Hope International - Brentwood, TN

1995-2008

  • International Adoption Coordinator; Adoption Counselor

Catholic Charities - Nashville, TN

1994-1999

  • Counselor (Internship)

Franklin Road Academy - Nashville, TN

1993-94

  • Personnel Performance Evaluator

The May Company - Dallas, TX

1989-93

  • Personnel Performance Evaluator

Twigland - San Antonio, TX;

1991-1993

  • Associate Director

Crisis Pregnancy Center - Waco, TX

1988

  • Teacher

Waco Independent School District - Waco, TX

1982-87

  • Songwriter (freelance)

American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers

1986-Present

HONORS

  • Angels in Adoption US Congressional Award (2001)
  • Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women (2004-12)
  • Outstanding Family in Tennessee awarded by the State of Tennessee (1997)
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Family Volunteer of the Year (2000 & 2002); Spokesperson of the Year (2002)
  • ASCAP Member (2000-Present)
  • Reviewer for Family Life, Division of Campus Crusade
  • Mortar Board
  • Cum laude graduate
  • Rho Lambda
  • Phi Delta Kappa, Honor Educational Foundation
  • Phi Kappa Phi, University Honorary for top 1% of students
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron- Home Economics Honorary
  • Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges (1982)
  • Texas Tech University Who’s Who (1982)
  • Outstanding Young Women of America (1982)
  • Outstanding Senior, College of Home Economics (1982)
  • Outstanding Senior, Zeta Tau Alpha Social Sorority (1982)
  • Junior Panhellenic (1981-82)
  • Chosen to speak at National Women’s Conference (1997)
  • Who’s Who in Happy High School and American High Schools (1978)
  • Co-Ed Magazine Regional Student of the Year (1977-79)
  • High School Valedictorian (1978)

COMMUNITY SERVICE 

  • National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NNPQC) Board member (2021-25)
  • Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Steering Committee (2018-Present)
  • TN Health Disparities Task Force (2020- Present)
  • TN Maternal Mortality Review and Prevention Community Action (2018-Present)
  • TN Department of Health, Opioid Collaborative Steering Committee (2017-2018)
  • TN ONE Tennessee, dba COACH Board of Directors (2018-present), Chair (2018-2020)
  • Church of the City Community Leader & Women’s Leader (2021-Present)
  • Judson Church, Global Impact Champion (2017-2020)
  • Judson Church, Assistant Sunday School Teacher (2018-2020)
  • Ravenwood High School Softball Board of Directors (2018-2019)
  • Tennessee Hospital Association Patient Safety Board of Directors (2017-Present)
  • Pediatric Healthcare Improvement Initiative for Tennessee (PHiiT) Steering Committee (2015-2019)
  • TN Foster Care (2014-2016)
  • Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Committee (2010-2017)
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Volunteer, speaker (1994-Present)
  • Paddock Real Estate Owners Association, Treasurer (2006-8)
  • National League of Junior Cotillions Advisory Board (2009-)
  • Davidson County Fetal Infant Review Board, Community Action Team (2009-Present)
  • Belmont Church Orphan Ministry, Founding Committee (2007-2008)
  • Belmont Church Small Group Leader & Children’s Sunday School Teacher (1994-2018)
  • The Sister Study, NIH, USDHHS (2006-Present)
  • Families with Children from China, Tennessee Chapter, Founder & Board Member (1995-2008)
  • Families with Children from Vietnam, Tennessee Chapter, Founder (1999-)
  • Eastern European Adoption Support Group, Founder (1998)
  • Nashville Interagency Adoption Coalition (2000-2007)
  • Older Child Adoption Support Group, Founder (1999)
  • American Counseling Association Member (1991-2001)
  • President Carter’s National Advisory Committee for Women (1978-82)
  • National President of the Future Homemakers of America (1978)
  • National Board of Directors, Future Homemakers of America (1978-82)
  • President, Treasurer, Parent Education Officer, Lewisville Preschool PTA (1991-94)
  • Bible Study Fellowship
  • Precept Ministries Teacher/Leader (1991-93)
  • Zeta Tau Alpha Officer & multiple awards, Social Sorority (1978-82)
  • Texas Tech Student Senate Vice Chairman of Academic, (1979)
  • Rho Lambda Officer, Honor Society (1981-82)
  • Mortar Board Officer, Honor Society (1981-82)
  • Angel Flight, Officer & Pledge Class President, Service Organization (1979-82)
  • Phi Delta Kappa, Honor Educational Foundation
  • Phi Kappa Phi, University Honorary for top 1% of students, Officer
  • Junior Panhellenic Officer (1981)
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron-Home Economics Honorary Officer (1979-82)
  • Head Cheerleader (1978)
  • National Women’s Conference (1977) Voting Delegate and Plenary Speaker
  • 4-H Club and County Council Presidents (1975-77)
  • International Rainbow for Girls State Officer (1979)

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Articles and Publications:

  1. Barker, B.  The Special Needs of Internationally Adopted Children.  Catholic Charities, 1997.
  2. Barker, B. & Moss, C. Young Women Explore Their Past and Present. Adoption Today. January 2001.
  3. Barker, B. & Wibking, T.  Raising Large Families.  Adoption Today. November 2000.
  4. Barker, B. & Wibking, T.  Adoption Stories.  China Kids Connection. Summer 2000.
  5. Barker, B.  Crossing Into Adolescence.  Children’s Hope International Magazine. Winter 2006.
  6. Barker, B.  Traditions-The Glue of the Family. Children’s Hope International Magazine. Spring 2005.
  7. Barker, B. & Ozment, C.  Adoption and Grief. Children’s Hope International Magazine. Winter 2005.
  8. Barker, B. School Days. Children’s Hope International Magazine. Fall 2005.
  9. Barker, B. Homeland Connection.  Children’s Hope International Magazine.  Spring 2006.
  10. Barker, B. & Olivas, S. Feeling Bad When You Think You Shouldn’t: Post Adoption Depression. Children’s Hope International Magazine. Fall 2006.
  11. Barker, B. & Motley, A. Preparing Your Child for Surgery. Children’s Hope International Magazine. Summer 2005.
  12. Barker, B.  Nashville’s New Home, Children’s Hope International Magazine.  Summer 2006.
  13. Barker, B.  Daniel and Melody. Vietnam Program Newsletter, Vol. 2, Number 5, June 2008.
  14. Barker, B.  My Ethiopian Adoption. Children’s Hope International E News. July 2008.
  15. Barker, B.  Could These Children Be Yours? Children’s Hope International E News. September 2007.
  16. Barker, B.   How To Know When You Are Ready to Adopt Again, Children’s Hope International. 2007.
  17. Barker, B. Trends in International Adoption: Or Is International Adoption Right for You?  Interagency Adoption Coalition. Nashville, TN.  2007.
  18. Barker, B.  Southeast News: A monthly electronic magazine. Published monthly from October 2001-October 2008. Archived at http://www.childrenshopeint.org/SE/News.
  19. Barker, B & Key, M. K., Communication Foibles: Barnyard Basics, January 2010.
  20. Ware, J, Schetzina, K, Morad, A, Barker, B, Scott, T, Grubb, P.  A statewide quality improvement collaborative to improve breastfeeding rates in Tennessee. Breastfeeding Medicine, Volume 13, Number 4, 2018. 292-300.
  21. Talati, A, Scott, T, Barker, B, Grubb, P. Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care Golden Hour Project Team. Improving neonatal resuscitation in Tennessee: a large-scale, quality improvement project. Journal of Perinatology, Springer Nature, August 15, 2019.
  22. Lacy MM, McMurtry Baird S, Scott TA, Barker B, Zite NB. Statewide quality improvement initiative to implement immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Apr;222(4S).
  23. Dhanireddy R, Scott PA, Barker B, Scott TA. Quality Initiative to Reduce Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Very Low Birth Weight Infants. Hosp Pediatr. 2022 Feb 1;12(2):173-181.
  24. Stephenson, E, Barker B, Newnam, K, Brewer, T.  “Implementing a Statewide Maternal Speakers Bureau Addressing Maternal Morbidity & Mortality” has been accepted for publication in the Nursing for Women’s Health, Pending June 2022.
  25. Guthrie SO, Herrell HE, Scott PA, Barker, B, et al. Improving Delayed Cord Clamping Across Tennessee Through a Statewide Quality Collaborative. Pediatrics. 2025;155(5):e2024066158.
  26. Gutman CE, Scott PA, Morad A, Barker B, Scott TA. Safe to Sleep in Tennessee: A Statewide Quality Improvement Initiative. Am J Perinatol. 2024 May;41(S 01):e1747-e1755. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1768705. Epub 2023 May 11. PMID: 37168012.

 

Manuals:

 

  1. Barker, B. & Reynolds, E. International Older Children Adoption:  Information and Resources for Prospective Parents. 2003.
  2. Barker, B.  Russian Travel Guide. 1996.
  3. Barker, B.  Russian Adoption Guide. 1996.
  4. Barker, B.  Latvian Adoption Guide. 1996.
  5. Barker, B.  Latvian Travel Guide.  1996.
  6. Barker, B.  Bonding and Attachment. 2004.
  7. Barker, B.  Branch Manual & Resource Book. 2002
  8. Barker, B.  Adoption Disruption Manual. 2004
  9. Joint Council on International Children’s Services Committee, Post Adoption Guidelines and Tools for Adoption Professionals.  Spring 1999.

 

Letters to editor and editorials:

Barker, B. “Should Federal Laws Be Changed Regarding Adoption of Children by Parents of Another Race?"  The Tennessean.  Nashville, TN. June 2008.

 

Presentations:

 

  1. “The History of Adoption and Foster Care,” International Conference on Foster Care, Tver, Russia, September 2002.
  2. “Welcome Back:  Facilitating the Return to School for Children with Cancer,” Nashville, TN, June 26, 2007.
  3. “Exploring Cultural Diversity,” Children’s Hope Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, August 1997.
  4. “Family Traditions,” Children’s Hope Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO, August 1996.
  5. “Orphan Sponsorship,” Various Venues around the SE United States, 2006-2008.
  6. “International Adoption, Is it Right For You?” Various Venues around the SE United States, (approximately 400 presentations), 2000-2008.
  7. “School Issues,” Nashville, TN, March 2002.
  8. “The Family Dynamics of Childhood Cancer,” Tennessee Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser, Nashville, TN, March 2003.
  9. “Running the Race: Childhood Cancer,” Tennessee Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Team in Training, Music City Marathon, April 2003.
  10. “Living with Childhood Cancer:  Training the Next Generation of Doctors,” Vanderbilt Medical School, September 1998 and September 2004.
  11. “Embracing Cultural Experiences.”  Various Schools, 1994-2008.
  12. “The Plight of the Orphan,” Various Churches in the Nashville Area, 2000-2007.
  13. “Adoption Questions,” Texas Resolve Conference, Infertility Support Group, Houston, TX, 2000 & 2001.
  14. “International Adoption,” Family Life’s Hope for Orphans Conferences in Dallas, TX 2002, Nashville, TN 2003, Louisville, KY 2004.
  15. Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care Statewide Quality Improvement Methods Workshop, conference planner & Lecturer 3/09
  16. State Wide Webinar #1 TIPQC Admission Temperature Project- “Getting Started: Collecting Data and Collaborating.”  4/09
  17. State Wide Webinar #2 TIPQC Admission Temperature Project- “Introduction to Run-Charts as a PDSA Tool.” 5/09
  18. Statewide Project Webinars- 12 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2009
  19. Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care, Statewide Meeting, Franklin TN, plan facilitate, coordinate all speakers, curriculum 2009-Present
  20. NICU Admission Thermal Management State Project and Team Sharing Facilitator
  21. “The Value of Families,” Tennessee’s Five Perinatal/TIPQC Regional Meetings, September 2009.
  22. “Accelerating the Work of Teams,” September 2009.  CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional Meetings: Johnson City, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville
  23. CLABSI Reduction Project Workshop & monthly webinars with QI Coaching, Facilitator
  24. Human Milk for VLBW Nutrition Project Monthly webinars & QI Coaching, Facilitator
  25. “Team Tuning:  How to bring the #1 Success Factor from TIPQC’s Highest Performing Teams to Your Project.” CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Knoxville, Kingsport, Tennessee, September 2010
  26. Reduction of Early Elective Deliveries Project Workshop Coordinator, monthly webinar planning, facilitating, QI Coaching, 2009-15, including presentations on the THA Monthly Webinars with QI coaching
  27. “QI Secrets to Success,” Human Milk and Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection Kick-Offs, January 2010 & September 2010.
  28. Statewide Project Webinars- 33 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings
  29. Breastfeeding Promotion, Prenatal Project including coordination, monthly webinar planning, facilitating, QI Coaching, 2010-11
  30. “High Reliability Organizations,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, June 2011.
  31. “Experienced Based Co-Design for Tennessee,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, October 2011.
  32. Statewide Project Webinars- 28 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2011
  33. Breastfeeding Promotion: Labor, Delivery and Postpartum, Kickoff for Statewide Improvement Project, Nashville 2012, speaker, facilitator & coordinator of statewide monthly webinars, Wave 1 & 2, 2010-16
  34. “What Guides Your Improvement Work?” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, June 2012
  35. Golden Hour Statewide QI Project Kickoff- Project and Curriculum Development and Presentation, Nashville Tennessee 2012
  36. “Your Iceberg Is Melting with Kotter,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, October 2012
  37. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Roundtable Meeting- Multi-agency and multi-discipline conference to guide development of a Statewide NAS Management Quality Improvement Project.  Presenters included Commissioners from Tennessee Department of Health, Department of Children’s Services, Chairman of TDH Special Projects Committee on Prescription Drugs, TennCare, and Medical Directors of TennCare MCOs with representatives from the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Medical Association and the Perinatal Regional Centers.  Knoxville, Tennessee, 11/12
  38. NICU Hospital Acquired Infection Summit- Tennessee NICUs Sustainment, the HRET/AHA CLABSI Project, and Preliminary Planning for a Statewide NICU HAI Project.  Franklin Tennessee 12/12
  39. Statewide Project Webinars- 41 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2012
  40. VUMC Focus Speaker & New Orientation Family Representative, Multiple times 2012-Present
  41. “TIPQC Learning for Babies: Improving Perinatal Care,” Keynote speaker, March of Dimes Learning for Babies, November 2012
  42. VUMC TIPQC NICU FUN Follow Up Retreat, Keynote speaker & Facilitator of Workshop, January 2013
  43. March of Dimes Advocacy Days Keynote speaker, March 2013
  44. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Management Statewide QI Project Kickoff, Project and Curriculum Design, Development and Presentation and then facilitator & planner of all statewide webinars, Nashville Tennessee 2013
  45. “Mr. Potato Head teaches QI,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, June 2013.
  46. National Perinatal Association Board Meeting Keynote Speaker, July 2013
  47. Tennessee Hospital Association, Patient Safety Board invited speaker, November 2013
  48. Kansas City March of Dimes, Invited Speaker Pre-Meeting, November 2013
  49. Kansas City State QI Collaborative, Speaker, November 2013
  50. “QI:  From Intentions to Implementation,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, October 2013.
  51. Antenatal Steroids Statewide Kick off, planning, speaker, and then statewide monthly webinar planning, QI Coaching, facilitator, 2013-14
  52. Critical Congenital Undetected Heart Disease Statewide QI Project, QI coach & facilitator, 2011-12
  53. NCABSI Multi State Collaborative, TN Representative, coordination with AHA & THA, Statewide QI Coach & webinar facilitator 2012-13
  54. Statewide Project Webinars- 79 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2013
  55. Breastfeeding Summit with state stakeholders THA, TDH & state leaders, coordination, speaker, facilitator, March 2014
  56. “Reflective Work in Quality Improvement,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, June 2014
  57. “Kentucky March of Dimes: Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait,” Keynote speaker, June 2014
  58. “For the Sake of Perinatal Quality,” Keynote Speaker, Mississippi Quality Collaborative, November 2014.
  59. Family Involvement Teams Project Leader, Facilitator 2012-15
  60. NICU Follow UP Network statewide monthly webinar planning QI coaching, facilitator 2012-13
  61. NICU Golden Hour Improvement Project—Kick off speaker, planner, QI coach, facilitator of monthly webinars 2012-15
  62. NICU Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Improvement Project, Wave 1 & 2—Kick off speaker, planner, QI coach, facilitator of monthly webinars 2012-15
  63. “What Next—When the Low Hanging Fruit Has Been Picked,” CME Lectures for Tennessee’s Three Grand Regions/TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Fall 2014.
  64. Statewide Project Webinars- 55 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2014
  65. NICU Hospital Acquired Infection Improvement Project—Kick off speaker, planner, QI coach, facilitator of monthly webinars 2014-16
  66. QI Keynote speaker, Kentucky Perinatal Association, June 2015
  67. “The Airplane Factory,” CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga, June 2015.
  68. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Workshop Leader, October 2015.
  69. “Harvard Business Review Change Management simulation applied to TIPQC Teams,” CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga, October 2015
  70. Statewide Project Webinars-45  Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2015
  71. iNICQ Antibiotic Stewardship Project with Vermont Oxford Recruiter, Coordinator, Facilitator, TN Representative to Multistate Collaborative 2016-17
  72. NICU Nutrition Improvement Project—Kick off speaker, planner, QI coach, facilitator of monthly webinars 2016-Present
  73. OB Hemorrhage Improvement Project—Kick off speaker, planner, QI coach, facilitator of monthly webinars 2016-Present
  74. TDH Block Grant Speaker, August 2016
  75. “The Wing Nut PDSA Cycle for Improvement,” CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional     Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga, June 2016
  76. “How Data Guides Your Improvement Work,” CME Lectures for TIPQC Regional Meetings, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga, October 2016
  77. National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC) Keynote Speaker, November 2016
  78. Statewide Project Webinars- 48 Data Review and Team QI Coaching Meetings, 2016
  79. State Maternal Mortality Review Meeting, April 2021
  80. The Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN) Conference Speaker, April 2021
  81. National ACOG AIM State Leaders Webinar, TN State Updates, September 2021
  82. National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives Leaders (NNPQC) Webinar, TN Updates, September 2021
  83. TN Department of Health, Perinatal Advisory Committee (PAC) Updates, April 2022

 

Published Songs:

 

  1. Barker, B, Barker, K & Ladd, D.  “Psalm 136” The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, Word Music, 1986.
  2. Barker, B, Barker, K & Ladd, D. “Psalm 136” Lift Every Voice and Sing II, New York, 1991.
  3. Barker, B. “O the Blood of Jesus” (2nd & 3rd verse lyrics) The Celebration Hymnal, Word Music, 1997.
  4. Barker, B. “O the Blood of Jesus” (2nd & 3rd verse lyrics) The Baptist Hymnal, LifeWay, 2008.
  5. Barker, B. “O the Blood of Jesus” (2nd & 3rd verse lyrics) The Worship Hymnal, Lifeway, 2008.

 

Benefits:

 

  1. “Hope for Russian Children” Concert, Bering Strait, Nashville, TN July 2002.
  2. “Night of Hope Concert:  Benefitting the China Earthquake Orphans,” Various Artists, Nashville, TN July 22, 2008.
  3. “Walk for Hope,” Nashville, TN, October 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
  4. Trivia Night Fundraisers, Nashville, TN, April 2005 & 2006.
  5. Dinner & Silent Auction, September 1997 & 1998.

 

 

Courses Developed:

  1. Adopting the Older Child
  2. Pre-Adoption Training, including sections on:  Adoption issues, birth parents, medical concerns, baby child care, infant sign language, travel, talking to your child about adoption, racial issues, multi-cultural families, emotional issues, referral information, resources, adult adoptees, child sexual abuse, bonding & attachment, life books.
  3. Sibling Group Curriculum:  Supporting siblings when there is an adoption
  4. Middle School Support Group:  Exploring adoption issues as middle school students
  5. Branch Office/Directors Training
  6. All TIPQC Annual Meetings (2008-Present)
  7. All TIPQC Regional Learning Sessions, CME approved (2008-present)
  8. All TIPQC Project Kick Offs (2008-present)