NASHVILLE, Tenn. For James Trotter, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance’s (MVA) new Project Manager, joining the MVA team was all about opportunity.
“It was an opportunity for me to get back into project management,” he said. “I wanted to get back into project management, and this was a place where I could grow.”
Professional background
Trotter, a Nashville native who attended Whites Creek High School, previously worked with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) as a Project Administrator/Project Manager for almost nine years. During that time, he also served as an Administrative Assistant.
“From there, I went to being Assistant Director of Housekeeping for Hospital Housekeeping Systems at Centennial Women’s Hospital,” Trotter recalled. “I did that from August 2014 to July 2015.”
That year, Trotter became an Operations Manager for Environmental Services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). He remained in that position until this year, when he joined the MVA.
“I had the opportunity to get into this field out of grad school with HCA,” he said. “I enjoy working in this field, being connected to the hospital atmosphere.”
Education
Trotter earned his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Tuskegee University in Alabama. He then received his Masters at Strayer University in Nashville and a Bachelors of Theology from the American Baptist College.
“I just want to be able to produce,” he said regarding his goals with the MVA. “I want to see results in the work we do.”
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshop.
