Meet our team
Alexis Gorden
Dr. Amanda J. Young
Chardé Hannah
Jazmine Brazier
State Director
Alexis Gorden
Alexis Gorden serves as State Director. Alexis is responsible for the delivery of all programs, services, and communications to individuals, families and the general public regarding sickle cell disease in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area. As a sickle cell disease patient, Alexis believes in empowering the sickle cell patients and caregivers with the knowledge and information to live productive lives and works regularly with other organizations interested in learning more about living well with sickle cell disease. In 2018, Alexis served as the Infrastructure and Divestiture Project Manager for Community Health Systems, IDR after serving two years as the CRM Program Manager for Metro Nashville Davidson County, IDR. Alexis experience and leadership has contributed to science as a Mid-South CDRN Advisory Council Stakeholder, PCORI Merit Review Panel Member and PCORI Studio Transcript Reviewer.Alexis holds an MBA in Finance and Economics from the University of West Georgia and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Research Director
Dr. Amanda J. Young
Dr. Amanda J. Young serves as the Research Director. Dr. Young provides leadership direction to launch and expand new research capabilities. Manage stand-alone research studies, drive research conducted by the foundation and produce insights and thought leadership we share in the sickle cell disease and rare disease community. Amanda Young, PhD, joined the faculty at the University of Memphis in 2004, after serving five years at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, where she conducted research in geriatric communication. In Memphis, she has conducted health communication research in a variety of settings, including Regional One Medical Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System. Most recently focusing on sickle cell disease, Dr. Young works on developing communication strategies that enhance patient agency and build productive patient/provider relationships. She earned her PhD in Rhetoric, with a focus in healthcare, at Carnegie Mellon University, MA in Technical and Professional Writing from Eastern Washington University, and B.S. in English Composition from Davis and Elkins College.
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Chardé Hannah
Chardé Hannah serves as the Marketing and Communications Specialist.
Community Outreach Specialist
Jazmine Brazier
Jazmine Brazier serves as the Community Outreach Specialist.
