Tammy Coleman-Epps

My family lived in both Newbery Housing Authority complexes, including Grants and Bethlehem, from elementary school through high school. Nelson Mandela said, "There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." This quote means a lot to me because, growing up, I was always taught to keep striving. There was never a conversation about limits on my ability to do anything or go anywhere. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before me, like my parents, Frances L. Suber and Eugene Coleman Jr., my oldest brother, Steve Coleman, and my husband of more than 23 years, Reginald Edward Epps, and all those in my family and community that held a hand out, a hand up and never said, "You can't."

My husband, Reggie, and I were granted the gift of having one son, Reginald "Rex" Epps II. We are honored at all he is accomplishing and proud to pass along our legacy of life lessons to him.

Through God's Grace, I have been able to achieve a lot, but most of all, I'm proud that I did that while staying grounded in love and respect for all people. In my career, I've spent the last 24 years working for Palmetto Health, one of the region's largest healthcare systems. As the Media Relations Manager, I enjoy spending each day providing the invaluable service of being my company's liaison, strategist, and counsel to the news media to help tell the stories of our patients as well as the more than 11,500 physicians, team members, and volunteers. I also am the lead communicator for any crisis. With our wonderful team of communications experts, I recently led our team to ensure that everyone in our organization and the community was aware of what was happening at our hospitals during the recent flood.

In addition to working for Palmetto Health, I am also a certified Zumba® instructor and licensed group fitness instructor. I became a Zumba® enthusiast because I needed to do something to get moving again. I became a Zumba® instructor because I wanted to help others do the same. In 2016, I celebrated five years of teaching. Part of my ministry is to remind others to work to improve their own health as the "center of their circle."

I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, S.C., and also had the opportunity to continue my education with a Master's degree in Communications Management from Webster University, St. Louis, MO.

My professional memberships include the International Association of Business Communicators, 1998-2016, including numerous leadership positions: Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, S. C. Hospital Association Transparency Taskforce, S.C. Mission Public Relations Committee, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Columbia Class of 2009 and current Advisory Board Member. I have been a presenter at local, statewide, and national meetings and events. I also have won numerous writing and public relations professional awards, including a Telly Award, Writers Award from Imara Women Magazine, and Gold Wallie for the Parkridge Hospital Circle of Health.

My community involvement and volunteer service include memberships in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Brookland Baptist Church, Member, Sonrise Chorale and Homeless Ministry; Reach Out and Read Administrative Volunteer (2003-2013), South Carolina United Tournament Director (2006-2013), S.C. Depa1tment of Corrections Volunteer, Zumba® Ministry (2013-2014), Meals on Wheels Zumbathon® and YMCA Columbia Zumbathon® Organizer, 2014-Present and I am the co-creator of We are One Zumba® class, a free class at the Transitions Homeless Shelter.