Dr. Sharon Dixon Gentry

Office:    ET 138-A

Phone: (615) 963-5391

Fax:      (615) 963-5496

Email: sdixonge@tnstate.edu

Dr. Sharon Dixon Gentry began her career in the oil industry as a programmer, but she’s still aspiring toward her dream job of being a full-time university professor.  She is a 24-year employee of HCA Healthcare, Inc., having served in several positions, and has been an integral part of teams in IT&S, the Financial Services Division (now Parallon), and the Clinical Services Group where she was the Director of Clinical Informatics Facility Integration and Leadership Development. Dr. Gentry currently serves as AVP for Education Development and Partnerships where she is responsible for leading and providing direction to educational programming for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy.  Additionally, she has responsibility for developing and managing strategic relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other industry- and school-based associations to develop a diverse pipeline of healthcare professionals and leaders for HCA.

Dr. Gentry has served on the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education since August of 2008, representing School Board District #1 – which covers the Northern part of Nashville Davidson County.  She has been elected to serve as Chair of the Board three times. Gentry’s objective as a board member has always been to help keep the board aligned on its 3-pronged role –develop policy; approve the budget; and hire and monitor the Director of Schools.  Her drive for accountability and outcomes within the district set the tone for engagement as a board member and the various committees she has chaired. 

A native of New Orleans, LA, Sharon holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Chemistry, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.  She is an adjunct professor in Engineering, a Sr. Consultant with The Arbinger Institute, and an Associate with the Main Event Management Institute.  Sharon is an alumnae of Leadership Nashville, Class of 2014.  She is a member of the Executive Board of Actors Bridge Ensemble; The Executive Council of Boy Scouts of America – Middle Tennessee Council; The Executive Council of The Links, Incorporated and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) Board of Advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  Sharon has 2 amazing daughters Taylor Denise (Senior at Dillard University) and  Ryan McKenzie (8^th grader at MLK Magnet).