Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. P. Michelle Wyatt.
Hi Dr. P. Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Dr. Paula “Michelle” Gordon-Wyatt was born in Nashville, TN to Robert E. and Joyce H. Gordon. Michelle received her elementary and middle school education in Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Schools. In June 1986, she graduated from Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove, Illinois.
In September 1997, Michelle completed her Practical Nurse Diploma and worked as a pediatric charge nurse for many years. She attended Tennessee State University earning an Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She graduated summa cum laude from Union University with a Master of Science in Nursing and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University. Michelle has a passion for healthcare and is an advocate for the patients and hospitals she serves.
She accepted Christ at an early age and united with Kayne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church and was active for over 20 years serving as the Choral Director for 15 years. Michelle and her family joined Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in March 2007. She served in several capacities as the Assistant Minister of Music as well as the Director of the Health Ministry.
In January of 2012, Michelle answered her call into the ministry. She preached her first sermon August 26, 2012, under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Michael D. Broadnax, Sr. After much prayer and consideration, Michelle was led to rejoin her home Kayne Avenue in August 2022 under Senior Pastor, Rev. Harmon E. Stockdale, Jr.. She was ordained June 4, 2023, and serves as the Executive Pastor. Her motto: “Be Thankful for who and what you are now and keep FIGHTING for what you want to become.”
Michelle married Michael B. Wyatt, Sr. on June 30, 1990, in Nashville, TN and together they have three children: Michael Jr., daughter-in-love Jade, and Alyssa Janae’ and two grandchildren Kaymen Jr., Mia Jo.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, smooth is hardly the word I would use to describe my walk. You think your life will go one way and you have all these hopes and dreams. I had to make many twists and turns. I remember being a freshman in high school and my parents divorced. My mother and I moved to Chicago and my father remained in Nashville. I went from an all black school, church, neighborhood environment to an all white environment. Culture shock. I graduated a year early in June 1986, returned to Nashville. I entered college and immediately learned I was not ready to be on a campus full-time at 16. I took a few gap years to mature. Received my diploma in computer programming from IBM School, worked for a few years and then my father became ill and I became his full-time caregiver at 24. He passed February 1994 and my life changed. Grief took over for several years. Finally finding m y footing in 1996, I graduated Sept 1997 with my practical nursing diploma (2 weeks after I gave birth to our 2nd child Alyssa). I worked as an LPN for 11 years, went back to school. 2008 graduated with my AAS in Nursing, 2009 graduated with my BSN. In 2010, my grandmother had a massive stroke and as a family we decided to take care of her at home. I went back to school after she passed the following year in 2011 and completed my MSN in 2013. In 2017, I completed my DNP from Vanderbilt. That my professional track. While in school completing my master’s degree, Feb 2012 I accepted my call as a preacher and started my journey in ministry. Professionally and ministerially has had some challenges but they have all been for my good.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have worked in the field of Case Management for 25 years. My specialty is Utilization Review/Management. That is what I’m known professionally for. I have worked for Xsolis, Inc. Our mission is “We break down healthcare silos through purpose-built solutions and industry-leading AI, accelerating data-driven decision making. The ultimate goal: increasing payer-provider collaboration across a connected network. Our network grows stronger every day as more customers join, working together to create a frictionless healthcare system.” I am most proud of the work I have done with being one of the first clinical consultants and built the first clinical implementation team. I believe my leadership style sets me apart. My rule is I treat others the way I want to be treated. I pride myself that I am not the team and it takes all of us to make this ship run effectively.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People may not know how much of a giving person I am. I love helping people. I simply love people. It does not matter how bad I’m treated or what is done to me. I forgive and move on. Life is too short.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kayneavenuebaptist.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayneavenuebaptistchurch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071057307307
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KAMBCNASHVILLE
