Our board members are comprised of professionals who are advocates for equality in healthcare for diverse and minority communities.
Ada Taylor, Founder of AAHAMO – African American Health Care Association
Ada Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of Deer Valley Home Health Services, LLC and Deer Valley Hospice Care. Ms. Taylor holds a master’s degree in education, Saint Louis University and is licensed as an LPN (1972) & has a nursing home administrator’s license (2003). She has extensive background in Nursing and Hospice Care. She used her healthcare experince to start the Deer Valley Home Health Services, LLC brand in 2005. The business provides professional quality homecare services to individuals of all ages.
As Director, Ms. Taylor has created marketing and problem-solving techniques to make the organization a key health care business in Missouri. She is an advocate for the needs of the aging and populations of people with disabilities, supporting the option to have care while living at home. The Deer Valley team provides compassionate care and support to families and individual clients. Deer Valley currently has four locations in Missouri.
Julia Byas CCRN, CIVT
Pastor & Author
Ms. Byas is a Certified IV Therapist with years of experience in healthcare. She has also served as a Clinical Nurse. Her work experience includes Substance Abuse Counseling, Literary Tutoring, and Teaching. She holds a B.S. in Theology from Kingdom Regional and is founder of IVT VA Medical Center/ITGWU Worship Center and Women of Power Ministries. She is author of best selling book, “Act as Though I Am Already, There I Am: Power of the Spoken Word.”
Ms. Byas has numerous awards for coaching and teaching in the fields of Education and Music. Some of her accomplishments include announcer for the State of Missouri Gospel Guild, recognition for her service in the Martin Luther King Jr. Cambridge Who’s Who in Professional Business Owners and Women of the Year in 2011.
Robyn Foley
Community Liaison
Mrs. Robin Foley is currently serving as a Certified Hospice Care Lead and Consultant. Prior to Hospice Care she worked as a Marketing and Business Development Specialist. Mrs. Foley is passionate about equity and access in Healthcare and Education for underserved communities throughout the region. Mrs. Foley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Saint Louis University.
Kayaundra Foster
Business Owner
Kayundra Foster took a leap of faith and opened Family United in 2013. Passionate about serving senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities, she felt called to create an environment for them that felt warm, and nurturing. On top of having a heart for people, Kayundra is also a talented and experienced professional. She received her MA in Gerontology from Lindenwood University, and has been dedicated to the health care field for 10+ years. Kayundra truly believes in the value of family and is determined to break generational barriers. Family United was birthed with this in mind, to become an extended family to clients and their loved ones.
Kim Hamm
Healthcare Professional
Ms. Kim Hamm is currently a Risk Manager at Deer Valley Home Health. She has served in the health care industry for over 25 years and in various roles at Deer Valley for over 13 years. Ms. Hamm has held certifications as a Pharmacy Technician and Real Estate Broker. She is dedicated to the community through her work as a City Election Judge and other community organizations dealing with Housing and small business management. A portion of her educational background includes financial classes at Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park through the Small Business Administration and Real Estate sales and management at Real Estate Prep School – Maryland Heights.
Clarence “C J” Jackson
Marketing/Business Consultant
Mr. Jackson is CEO of DDC Advertising & Public Relations in Clayton, Missouri, for over 35 years. Clarence known to all in the Saint Louis Community as “CJ”, focuses on Advertising and Public Relations for African American businesses, schools, unions, and political candidacy. He has served the community in many areas which include focus groups with the Saint Louis Art Museum, Director of the Ecumenical Leadership Council of Missouri and Board Chairman for the Saint Louis Transitional Hope House. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Saint Louis and the University of Colorado at Boulder
Jacqueline James
Author & Consultant
Jacqueline James is founder and owner of Rhymes and Reasons. She is a renowned author of children’s books and poetry collections, offering workshops and storytelling that provides exciting tales for young readers. Ms. James serves the community by supporting storytelling for the elderly in adult day care centers which helps ease dementia. She also is an active supporter of the YMCA and serves to provide as a volunteer to help distribute food and supplies in areas where services are needed. Ms. James entrepreneurial spirit makes her an influential figure in the literary world.
Erica Scott
RN BSN American Heart Association
Erica Scott is a certified American Heart Association CPR Instructor. She uses critical life-saving skills to train Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Certified Medication Technicians (CMT) Insulin Administration and (LIMA). Ms. Scott’s expertise in Nursing fosters competence and confidence in the future delivery of services to clients. She has made a lasting impact on the lives of patients and healthcare providers in the community at large.