Just How Big Is a Health Department IT Project?

Speaker Friday, January 23, 2026

Every time a health alert is issued, a vaccination campaign is launched, or a food inspection is logged, there is an entire system of technology and project oversight making it possible. Behind these essential services lies a network of large-scale IT systems—complex, interdependent, and critical to public health. This technology layer is not simply behind the scenes; it must gather data from a wide range of sources, remain user-friendly for multiple stakeholder groups, and comply with strict data-handling regulations that govern access, visibility, and security. Without disciplined project management and strong leadership, the available infrastructure and potentially conflicting needs and requirements can bring projects to a standstill. Dr. Christy Scruggs brings an insider’s perspective on how the Tennessee Department of Health navigates these challenges to deliver reliable, responsive services across the state.

Join the Green Hills Rotary Club on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 7:15 a.m. at the Boy Scout Service Center on Hillsboro Road for a presentation by Dr. Christy Scruggs, Senior Project Manager at the Tennessee Department of Health.

Dr. Scruggs has served the people of Tennessee for nearly nine years as a project manager overseeing critical information systems for public health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Meharry Medical College, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has made Nashville her home since 1998.

This session offers a unique opportunity to understand the complexity of statewide health technology systems—and the leadership required to make them work.

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