Welcome

The Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services was established by the late Dr. Carl Adams and Mrs. Jennie Mae Adams. Dr. and Mrs. Adams understood that the delivery of health care and human services poses complex challenges. Throughout their extensive careers providing health care to Middle Tennessee residents, they knew that these challenges might begin with the individual but could impact public policy as well as the social structure of the entire community. Dr. Adams' concern for the quality and quantity of health care professionals to address these issues led him to establish the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services at Middle Tennessee State University.

Holder of the Adams Chair of Excellence, Martha Jo Edwards, Ed.D. was selected as the first Adams Chair of Excellence in 1992, and she continues to serve in this capacity.

The Center for Health and Human Services supports the work of the Adams Chair of Excellence. The Tennessee Board of Regents formally approved the Center in 1993. Dr. Edwards, the Center's founding Director, and the Center staff focus on developing partnerships, both internal and external to the University. The Center collaborates with MTSU faculty, public agencies, and private not-for-profit organizations to develop and implement programs designed to improve the health of the middle and greater Tennessee community.

Departments and programs affiliated with the Center consist of those that prepare graduates in health and/or human services. This coalition of academic units varies in focus but shares the common goal of preparing the health and human services workforce in Tennessee.

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In 2010, the offices of the Adams Chair and the Center became a part of the newly established College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.