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About

What We Do


Our vision is to improve health outcomes for residents in the historic Soulsville neighborhood in South Memphis by providing holistic, accessible, and integrated care. We aim to address community health needs through health coach support, lifestyle and stress management, and seamless access to essential primary and behavioral health care. The Neighborhood Health Hubs initiative was established by the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine under its Equitable Health in Neighborhoods initiative, to provide a convenient entry point to primary care for people in underserved areas of Memphis and Shelby County.

At our Soulsville location, we are expanding these services through primary care for both adults and children, a school nurse serving neighborhood schools, and a youth intervention specialist addressing student behavioral health needs. The hub will operate at 1122 College Street until the permanent location at 870 East McLemore Avenue, near the Stax Music Academy and Stax Museum of American Soul Music, is ready in 2025.

 

Who We Are


Austin Dalgo, MD, MA
Medical Director

Dr. Dalgo is an internal medicine-pediatrics physician at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he completed his residency and a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. With over 25 years in Memphis, Dr. Dalgo has a deep love for the city, where for the past eight years he has served at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital as a palliative care physician and as Director of the Center for Bioethics and Health Equity. He also serves as Co-Medical Director at the Stress and Wellness Clinic of Memphis in the Oakhaven neighborhood. For the last five years, Dr. Dalgo has envisioned a holistic approach to healthcare in the Soulsville community, collaborating with students, colleagues, friends, and residents. He is excited about the opportunities and positive impact this vision will bring in the future. He earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham and his master’s degree in bioethics and health policy from Loyola University, Chicago.

 

Darnecia Garner, MHA
Director of Operations

Ms. Garner is an experienced healthcare professional with over 25 years of healthcare management experience and expertise in quality healthcare, practice operations, communications, and financial management. As a native Memphian who grew up in the inner city, she, like many in Soulsville, was faced with many barriers. She was able to overcome them through education and her strong work ethic.  “I am passionate about working for community-based healthcare programs,” says Ms. Garner.” She holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational management.

 

Detris Whitten, LMSW
Lead Health Coach/Social Worker

Ms. Whitten is a dedicated and compassionate social worker with over 25 years of experience working in the field in the Memphis area.  She is also licensed as a master’s level social worker in both Mississippi and Tennessee.  “I was a part of a start-up program in the Soulsville community many years ago that had a major impact, and I am so excited to be back working in the area with an opportunity to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those in need,” she says.

 

Anthony White, BS
Certified Health Coach

Mr. White received his degree in Sports Exercise Science at the University of Memphis. “I am very passionate about healthy living, and I love interacting with my community,” he says. “Being a Memphis native, it means so much to me -- to work with people in my community and help bring a positive light for my fellow Memphians."  Mr. White also has experience working at the UTHSC Health Hub - Uptown.

 

Dee Gregory, BSN, RN, MUED
School Nurse

Mr. Gregory has over 10 years of education and nursing experience mostly in the Soulsville community. “I firmly believe that the school-aged student is at the heart of preventive health care. If you can reach the heart of the kid, you can win the family!” Dee is eager to finish his Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from University of Alabama, Birmingham in 2025 to further support the hub’s preventive health care and community efforts. He has a biology degree from Tennessee Tech University, a nursing degree from UT Health Science Center, and a master’s degree in urban education from Union University.

Dec 12, 2024