Leadership Team

Wayne has been our CEO since 2019, but his journey at HealthFirst began when he was appointed COO in 2017. As COO, Wayne:

• Spearheaded our integrated primary care model
• Reorganized our IT department
• Digitized medical records
• Expanded our Health Care for the Homeless program

When he’s not making health care more accessible, you’ll find him reading a Stephen King novel or spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Bhavini has been with HealthFirst since she joined our team as an APRN in 2008. She was appointed COO in 2019. In her time here, she has also served as School Clinic Director and Manager. Bhavini’s accolades are many, and they include:

• Being named Outstanding Provider Leader by Kentucky Health Center Controlled Network
• Being recognized as an Advocacy Champion by NACHC, our national organization

Bhavini is passionate about serving the community through her work at Health First. When she’s not a health care superhero, she’s running, hiking, gardening or spending time with her family.

Tara joined our team in 2017 and immediately went to work designing and implementing our integrated care model. Here’s what she has accomplished:

• Embedded behavioral health consultants into the primary care teams
• Created community health worker positions
• Built access to psychiatric and traditional therapy services
• Introduced medication-assisted treatment for patients with substance use disorders
• Maximized telehealth capacities

Tara loves working for an organization that advances her passion for equity and inclusion. When away from the job, she supports the Wildcats, travels and spends time with her amazing family.

Michelle joined our team at Health First in August of 2020. Propelled by her belief in our mission, she loves helping people develop in their careers. She received her bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Kentucky. Michelle is certified by the Society of Human Resources Management as a senior-level HR professional, and she’s worked in HR for over 25 years. (And has been in health care for 12 of those years!)  Outside of the job, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking and any place that has a beach.