Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga health ministry announces Joel Henderson as the new executive director.

Mr. Henderson will lead the primary care clinic’s efforts in serving the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved by providing "quality, compassionate, personal care in a faith-based environment."

With over 25 years of experience in business development, communications and healthcare management, Mr. Henderson has worked within the for-profit workforce and non-profit community to develop and implement nationally recognized best practice collaborative partnerships.

“Joel’s background and abilities are a great fit with VIM’s needs,” said Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga Board Chair Stephan Wright. “He brings a wealth of experience along with a sincere desire to cultivate relationships and a passion to help the medically underserved in our community who have nowhere else to turn.”

“Seeing the life-changing impacts in people’s lives, which Volunteers in Medicine provides to our community, attracted me to this position,” said Mr. Henderson. “I am honored for the opportunity to work with an amazing staff, dedicated volunteers and an engaged board of directors.”

Mr. Henderson began his career working for AdventHealth, a protestant health care system in Winter Park, Fl., followed by managing a community health access initiative serving the medically underserved, in Central Florida. In his role as vice president for Corporate Communication and Government Affairs at NACS/Medical Services of Chattanooga, he was recognized for volunteer leadership by the American Cancer Society as a recipient of the 2017 Life Inspiration Award. He’s a past board chair for the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division and Real Men Wear Pink ambassador. Additional board leadership service has included the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Circle, membership committee chair and Ambassador board president. Mr. Henderson’s Chamber leadership experience led him to his most recent position, of Marketing and Communications director with the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Henderson is a local graduate of Southern Adventist University and an alum of Leadership Chattanooga and Leadership Cleveland professional development associations.

Mr. Henderson resides in the Chattanooga area with his wife of 26 years, Teri (Mote) Henderson, and their daughter, Emma Grace. He and his family love to spend time exploring the great outdoors and enjoy the arts.