NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - A former Middle Tennessee State University nursing alumni and faculty member is taking on a new leadership role in healthcare across the state. Dr. Martha Suttle Harris has been appointed chief executive officer of the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA), bringing more than 30 years of nursing experience and a long history of service to the profession. She served as president of TNA District 4 from 2016 to 2020. In fact, she has been an active member of the TNA since 2012.

In a statement, Harris said she is honored to lead the organization during a pivotal time for nursing. She emphasized the importance of ensuring nurses have a strong voice in shaping healthcare policy and strengthening the workforce that serves communities across Tennessee.

TNA Board President Dr. Jennifer Hitt praised Harris’ combination of nursing expertise, leadership experience, and commitment to advancing the profession. Hitt said Harris’ background in healthcare education, strategic partnerships, and statewide nursing leadership positions her well to guide the association into its next chapter.

Harris joins TNA from Chattanooga State Community College, where she has served as dean of nursing and allied health since 2023. During her career, she has focused on expanding educational opportunities and addressing workforce shortages. She has secured more than $5.3 million in grant funding to support nursing education, strengthen career pathways, and help students from underserved and economically disadvantaged backgrounds enter healthcare professions.

Her accomplishments were recognized nationally in 2024 when she was inducted as a Fellow of the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education.

A registered nurse since 1992, Harris began her career in neonatal intensive care and labor and delivery before moving into education and administration. As she steps into her new role, she will help lead an organization that has represented Tennessee nurses for more than a century through advocacy, education, leadership development, and public policy engagement. In addition to her ties to Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. Harris also earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, and a Doctor of Education from Tennessee State University.

For many in Middle Tennessee, Harris’ appointment represents another MTSU alumni and faculty success story with statewide impact.