About Us

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• Create alliances
• Advocate for educational equity and health equity 
• Provide global educational and healthcare resources for diverse populations 
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs to improve educational and health outcomes 
• Integrate foundational technological advancement and classroom innovation
• Provide evidence-based, competency-based, and systems-based services 
• Prepare populations and communities for team-based education and care 
• Improve global education and health 

 Dr. Geraldine Q. Young is the founder of the J R Health Equity Institute (HEI), a nonprofit, charitable education organization created to universally ameliorate education and health disparities in the Mississippi Delta and beyond to reach education and health equity. Key interprofessional partnerships in education, healthcare, the community, government, and research are attributes of the institute. She is also the founder and CEO of the Diverse Coat Society. 

Before founding the institute, she served as Associate Professor and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Frontier Nursing University, Associate Professor and Director for Graduate Nursing Programs at Kentucky State University, and Assistant Professor at Alcorn State University. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010), an MSN from Alcorn State University (2005), and a BSN from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2001). Dr. Young is a board-certified family nurse practitioner (FNP) (2005). She is also a certified diabetes care and education specialist.

Her service in the nursing profession spans 25 years (20 years as an FNP, 13-preceptor, 19-mentor for NPs, 14-NP faculty, and 8 years as a family medical practice owner). Advocating for faculty and student competencies is one of her greatest academic contributions. Dr. Young is a newly appointed member of the Journal of Nursing Education (JNE) Editorial Board and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Exam Development Volunteer.  Dr. Young is a National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Leadership Fellow and Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has been deemed a content expert for the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Dr. Young has served on the NONPF Curricular Leadership Committee (co-chair), Annual and Fall Conference Committees, and Program Director and Research Special Interest Groups. Dr. Young has also served on the NONPF Board of Directors. 

Dr. Young’s scholarship and research focus on diabetes, education and health disparities, quality improvement, interprofessional education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. In 2021, in honor of Women’s History Month, Diverse magazine recognized Dr. Young as a Leading Woman in Higher Education. She is a University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Visionary Leader Award recipient.  She is also recognized as a Notable Female Alumni by Alcorn State University.

Dr. Young brought forth innovative and strategic approaches to support the nursing profession in weathering the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, social change, and education advancement. She was also a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials Task Force, contributing to the present change needed in nursing education. 

As the founder and leader of the J R Young HEI, Dr. Young embodies the ground-breaking knowledge, skills, and attitude to lead in the paradigm shift of nursing and healthcare. She has dedicated over 24 years of her career to educating the next generation of nursing leaders. She has innovatively supported the nursing profession and healthcare. 

Dr. Young has helped improve the outcomes of underserved and marginalized populations with diabetes by delivering effective clinical practice models nationally, in conjunction with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). She has also owned a nationally recognized private practice (Quality Health Care Services, PA) that delivered quality and equitable healthcare services and served on numerous community committees in Mississippi. She currently practices and manages Clinical Services at the J R Young HEI, which she has built from the ground up.  

Dr. Young has created diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism policies, practices, and services. She has delivered the principles of these concepts and services nationally and internationally through research, education, practice and policy. Dr. Young has also created models (e.g., Health Equity Model©® and DIVE INTO HEALTH EQUITY Model©®) that universally ameliorate educational and health disparities to improve outcomes. She has also successfully procured funding for and served as the Project Director for the HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Program.

Dr. Young is exceedingly capable of addressing educational and health disparities, tackling the complex healthcare delivery systems, and transforming care to improve health equity.

Willette Mathis is the Director of Finance for the J R Young Health Equity Institute. She completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Georgia State University in 2000. Willette has over 20 years of accounting experience. She is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals. 

Willette is performance-driven and insightful in accounting and administrative roles with a proven ability to achieve and exceed all revenue and business development goals in high-pressure environments. She is an energetic and goal-oriented individual with a passion for accounting work in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Willette supports progressive organizations in optimizing performance and developmental growth. She has excellent time management skills that successfully direct groups and individuals to achieve goals and objectives for a common outcome while prioritizing requirements to meet deadlines. Willette can prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.

Willette has been a supporter and financial guide for the J R Young Health Equity Institute since the inception of the institute. She provides the necessary legal and financial support that makes the institute stronger and more progressive. Willette is a top-tier accountant and financial advisor nationally.