TAN Healthcare is pleased to announce the addition of three exceptional new members to its Board of Directors. Board members provide guidance to TAN Healthcare’s administrative team by contributing to the organization’s 
culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates.
Larneka A. Lavalais, MS., M.Ed, CSC, LPC, NCC, is a Behavior and Mental Health Counselor at Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary School with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District. She also has a private practice in Port Arthur, where she lives. She says, “I am interested in serving with TAN Healthcare in efforts to give back to the community. I believe in the mission and vision of TAN and I am honored to be a part of it. TAN Healthcare makes an impact in the community by reaching out to the underserved communities. It is addressing the holistic needs of the community, from physical health to behavioral health, and everything in between.”
Deven Michael, M.Ed., is a cattle rancher in Orangefield and a teacher at Nederland Independent School District. She serves on several state and regional agriculture committees. “It’s a big topic every year, what are we going to do about health insurance. Agriculture is a major industry in Texas. Ranchers and farmers are self-employed and can’t afford health insurance. There’s a gap between those who get everything for free and those who make just enough to not qualify for coverage, but not enough to afford the high premiums and deductibles. I wanted to join the board to help spread the word about this problem and raise awareness of TAN Healthcare’s reduced fees and expansive services. TAN Healthcare is good at reaching out to those in need. They are branching out and adding more mental health services to their scope of things they do.”
Sherry Ulmer, RN, Director of the City of Beaumont Department of Public Health, has been a nurse for over 30 years and in public health 19 of those years. She says, “It is worthwhile for me to work with TAN on their mission. We at the public health department are continually thought of as providing primary care, and we do not. We receive so many calls from citizens who need primary care and can’t afford to pay for the care. We are fortunate we now have two FQHCs in Beaumont that are able to provide primary care, especially for those who can’t afford it. Also, a primary obstacle to care is transportation and TAN is offering that service. They have recognized that obstacle and are addressing it. They have also taken their health care services on the road. In some of our rural areas, health care is nonexistent. We are thrilled with TAN’s innovation to reach people in those underserved areas.”
