Darlene M. Jenkins DrPH, MPH, CHES

Dr. Jenkins has been employed at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Inc., since 2009, and currently serves as Senior Director of Programs. She oversees all the Council’s deliverables funded through a National Cooperative Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration. Her responsibilities include conducting research and facilitating activities to increase access, improve health outcomes and promote health equity for populations experiencing homelessness. Her responsibilities also include serving as faculty for the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Academy which assists primary care health centers to address SDOH affecting vulnerable populations. Prior to working at the Council, Darlene served as the Director of Disparity Elimination for the Tennessee Department of Health focusing on SDOH and reducing racial and ethnic health disparities in the State of Tennessee.

Jenkins received a BS degree in Clinical Dietetics from Loma Linda University, her MPH from the University of Michigan, and her DrPH specializing in Community Health Sciences, Maternal and Child Health, and Women’s Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Health Education Specialist. Darlene has co-authored and published work in the areas of mental health, alcohol and substance use, health care utilization, and the civil legal needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. She currently serves on several local health and research-related committees including the Scientific Research Committee of Vanderbilt University Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.