Carol Pitts

          Mrs. Pitts was born in rural Louisiana, and received undergraduate studies in biology at Southeastern Louisiana University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dillard University, New Orleans, LA.

          Her career began as a staff nurse, at Earl K. Long hospital then shortly afterward, moving to the Medical Center of Baton Rouge, collaborating and rounding with physicians to obtain total patient assessment.  The position involved providing quality patient care, as well as serving as charge nurse, administering chemotherapy drugs, intravenous medications, collaborating with patient and families, and providing patient education.

          She served as a School Nurse for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, which was one of the pioneers initiating the EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic Test) program.  This program was implemented to increase early screening for uninsured and low income children.  

          As Nurse Supervisor of a long-term care facility, at Ball Health Care in Mobile, Alabama, she was responsible for scheduling staff and maintaining a positive work environment for the staff.  Under her leadership, they provided and managed quality care to residents in the facility.  She was later appointed, Supervisor of the Wound Care Team, and was instrumental in developing a program which aided in the decrease of skin breakdown and improved wound healing.

           In 1994, Mrs. Pitts went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer of her own company, C. P. Quality Healthcare, Inc. She was instrumental in providing safe and quality service in patient homes and lead the company until January 2000.  Presently, she continues to work as a nurse in the community, serving as President for Community Health Resource Center (CHRC).     

          Mrs. Pitts’ vast career in the area of nursing and case management, and living in a rural community, has enabled her to adequately assess the disparities within the rural communities, low-income and high poverty areas.  Other areas of focus for her include:   efforts to reduce health disparities, decrease fragmented care and improve access to healthcare through her case management efforts, all of which in-turn helps to benefit the patient and health care system’s annual spending budget.