New Orleans, La. - Xavier alum Tamara Bourda has been selected to serve as  vice President of Community Health and Well-Being for St. Mary's Health Care System in Athens, Ga. Bourda has an extensive background in Catholic healthcare leadership. Before being promoted at St. Mary's, she served as National Director of Healthy Communities for Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver, Colorado as well as community benefit and public health positions with progressive levels of leadership in Philadelphia, Penn., and Houston, Texas. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in business administration and biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, her master’s degree in public health from Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia, and her doctor’s degree in management and policy sciences from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. 

In her role at St. Mary’s, she spearheads community health and well-being initiatives at all three St. Mary’s hospital facilities in Athens, Lavonia, and Greensboro. Her goals include strengthening community benefits programs, growing existing relationships with community partners, and discovering opportunities for new partnerships that bring enhanced health outcomes to the communities St. Mary’s serves.