Damien M. Hodge, Sr.

Damien M. Hodge, Sr., Ed.D.

Senior Consultant

Health Management Associates

Nashville, TN

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Damien M. Hodge, Sr., applies his 20 years of experience leading strategy in traditional and non-traditional educational environments, including carceral settings, to help correctional systems and providers deliver quality healthcare. Applying data analysis to drive results, Damien helps correctional health systems improve operations, meet accreditation and quality standards, deliver effective and efficient care across service lines and mitigate risk and control costs while preparing for the future. He is uniquely positioned to support university-based, public, privatized and blended models of care.

Before joining Health Management Associates, Damien was the post-secondary education liaison to the Tennessee Department of Correction responsible for implementing the governor’s Education Reinvestment Initiative. Damien created the initiative’s strategic plan for the first three years of the program in order to increase enrollment, improve graduation rates and strengthen the program’s infrastructure. He ensured the academic courses offered were available and accessible, credit bearing, and transferable to other colleges in the community, providing students a competitive advantage.

Delivering quantifiable results, Damien has proven success developing and implementing strategic solutions to educational institutions’ challenges. For Kentucky State University (KSU), Damien’s new recruitment strategies achieved a 600 percent enrollment increase within his first semester as the chief enrollment officer. In addition to operational efficiency improvements and establishing a student pipeline to KSU, Damien expanded outreach to low-income students and students in foster care by establishing a scholarship pathway and recruiting first-generation college students.

Damien is a skilled administrator and leader. His strategic plan and annual budgets for From the Heart International Education Services increased profits by over $2 million in three years. He has directed ITT Technical Institute’s $2 million operating budget and $10 million in state and federal grants for Tennessee State University, delivering curriculum supporting the development of kindergarten through eighth grade math teachers.

Damien’s expertise bridges direct service, contract management, service oversight, and vendor management. He is familiar with establishing best practices, performance metrics, policies and procedures, and ensuring compliance with ethical, governmental and accrediting standards.

Damien has a Doctor of Education Administration and Supervision in higher education from Tennessee State University. He earned his Master of Education in sports administration from Xavier University and his bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation from Tennessee State University.