Tasha Lofton

Tasha Lofton is the Administrative Assistant for the Center for African American Health. Skilled in smooth workflow processes, Tasha provides executive-level support to management staff while enhancing office operations, productivity, and efficiency.

With her dual background in accounting and workflow at Deloitte, Tasha specialized in individual and business tax preparation, planning & strategy while maintaining office operations and administrative tasks with precision and expertise.

Tasha's professional demeanor, strong interpersonal skills make her an invaluable asset.

Dora Scroggins

Dora Scroggins is the Project Manager for the Center for African American Health, leveraging her expertise in Community Engaged Research. With a background as a Research Associate at Children’s Mercy Hospital, she spent three years championing Community Participatory Research, prioritizing the voices of patients, families, and the community.  Dora earned her Liberal Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is excited to continue her mission to advocate for marginalized voices in healthcare.

Nicole Garner, MBA

Nicole Garner is the executive director of the Center for African American Health. She has a background in health care leadership within for-profit and non-profit organizations, driven by a passion for building up underserved communities.

Nicole previously spent 15 years in the long-term care industry where she showcased her adept budget management skills and consistent leadership resulting in significant growth in net revenues, net gains and patient occupancy across every senior living community under her leadership. 

After a successful journey in the long-term care industry, Nicole made a profound decision to embark on a new path led by purpose and passion — a journey into the realm of public health driven by her innate desire to make a meaningful impact on underserved communities. This transformation marked the beginning of a career devoted to fostering positive outcomes and amplifying the voices of those in need, creating a legacy of compassion and empowerment in the realm of public health. Prior to joining KU Medical Center, Nicole served as Planning and Operations Division Manager at Wyandotte County Health Department, where she channeled her expertise and leadership acumen into spearheading initiatives that address pressing public health challenges like declaring racism a public health crisis and promoting health equity. 

Nicole's person-centered approach to health and her dedication to fostering positive outcomes have made her an influential figure in public health. Her impact extends beyond the local level, as she presented at CDC’s Preventive Medicine Residency and Fellowship program. The grand rounds presentation titled, "A Community's Response to a Pandemic: Wyandotte County's Health Equity Taskforce" showcased Nicole's expertise and innovative approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by the community. With its diverse population and disproportionately high COVID-19 impact, Wyandotte County became the stage for a transformative initiative.

Nicole's dedication to the value of every individual within an organization is evident in her efforts to ensure adequate resources and support for employees, fostering a culture of growth and success.

With an MBA focused on Healthcare Administration and Leadership, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from Park University in Parkville, MO, Nicole's academic background further cements her position as a subject matter expert in her field.