CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (December 12, 2025)—Stacy Sharpe is the Lead Nurse
Navigator at the Office of Community Health and Chattanooga’s sharpest
defense against the gap in health education. Through community programming,
partnerships with local health organizations, and genuine connections with
residents, Sharpe is facilitating change in the lives of countless
Chattanoogans.
“As the lead nurse navigator, everything I do is focused on promoting
health and preventing disease for the Chattanooga community—especially for
those who are most impacted by health disparities and inequalities,” Sharpe
explained. “I do that by getting to know the community members, performing
health assessments, and providing screenings and education right where
people live and work.”
Recently, Sharpe and Dr. Cheng from the Chattanooga Heart Institute
conducted a screening for a rare, often-overlooked cardiac condition known
as amyloidosis. This screening was likely the first of its kind, and
addressed one of Sharpe’s biggest concerns for Chattanooga’s current health
profile: the risk of heart disease.
“Our region is overwhelmingly impacted by heart disease,” Sharpe said.
“Many of my programs focus on how to improve quality of life related to
heart disease and reduce the risk of things like heart attack, stroke,
heart failure, and diabetes, as well as how to live healthier when you have
a chronic health condition.”
Sharpe went on to emphasize the importance of combating barriers to care,
raising awareness through education, and providing health screenings that
connect patients to the right providers for follow-up.
In order to fill the gap, an educator has to meet people where they are.
Before becoming a nurse, Sharpe earned her degree in marriage and family
therapy and even worked for several years as a therapist for survivors of
domestic violence. She attributes her background in counseling to her
success as a nurse.
“I tell people that nursing and counseling are about the same thing—you
just get to stick people with needles in nursing! I have been a nurse for
the past 15 years and have worked in orthopedics, the emergency room,
oncology, hiring and training new graduate nurses, and community health.
Last week I passed my national board certification exam to become a nurse
coach, which feels like the perfect marriage of my counseling and nursing
degrees.”
Sharpe makes it a priority to attend conferences, noting the importance of
staying up-to-date on the latest developments in the medical field for the
benefit of her patients. She considers herself a lifelong learner, and has
a yearly reading goal of 100 books, stating that she is currently on number
106 this year. For Sharpe, this dedication to learning and improving
extends beyond a commitment to bettering herself; it reflects her hopes for
each patient she sees. When asked about what drew her to a career within
the Office of Community Health, she expressed that her goal is not just to
provide care in the moment, but to teach people how to care for themselves.
“I knew I wanted to help people with my career. As I began my career
journey, I found that I was drawn to people for their stories, their
resilience, and the light inside each person. Once I was a nurse, I found
myself drawn to patient education—I believe that is the special power of
nursing. I hope that when patients leave me, they never need me again
because they are inspired to live healthier, more fulfilling lives and
improve outcomes for themselves and everyone they love.”
Sharpe and her colleagues at The Office of Community Health work diligently
to promote healthy habits and improve the community, hosting events ranging
from TSSAA health screenings to cooking classes that showcase nutritious
meals. For more information about the Office of Community Health and its
services, visit <http://chattanooga.gov/government/community-health>
chattanooga.gov or follow on Facebook.
<https://www.facebook.com/ChattanoogaCommunityDevelopment>