Her Story
About Kristina
Kristina Quarles is a seasoned healthcare operations leader with more than 25 years of experience across clinical care, research, and healthcare administration. She began her career in research and direct patient care before transitioning into operations, where she has spent the past 20 years leading teams, improving processes, and strengthening coordination across complex healthcare systems. She currently serves as Operations Manager for RNP Deployment at SpecialtyCare Inc., a role she has held for over six years. In this position, she oversees scheduling, credentialing, and logistics for neurophysiologists and physicians who remotely monitor surgeries using advanced neurophysiological technology to help improve surgical outcomes and reduce risks such as paralysis. Prior to her current role, Kristina held leadership positions including Senior Customer Relations Director at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as well as Director of Marketing and Admissions and Director of Centralized Admissions in long-term care and healthcare organizations. Across these roles, she has been recognized for her ability to build trusted relationships, lead cross-functional teams, and drive operational improvements that enhance both patient and provider experiences. Her work has consistently centered on communication, efficiency, and ensuring seamless collaboration between clinical teams, patients, families, and external partners. Outside of her professional career, Kristina is an author, mentor, speaker, and advocate. She published her book The Battle Within in 2022, sharing her personal journey through childhood trauma, sexual assault, depression, and alcohol recovery, with the intention of helping others feel seen and supported. She is deeply committed to mentoring and coaching others, engaging in public speaking, and contributing to nonprofit work in the Nashville area which lead her to founding Breaking Chainz LLC. Alongside her professional and advocacy work, she holds an MBA from Strayer University in Business Operations, holds a Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) credential from the National Academy of Sports Medicine where she is currently working on a certification in personal training, and is a dedicated mother to her three children and husband of 25 years, while continuing to inspire and support others through her lived experience and leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination and the love I have for my husband and children. For a long time, I believed my drive was about proving others wrong and not being viewed as a victim. However, over time I’ve come to understand that it is rooted in something deeper. Staying committed to my goals no matter the circumstances allows me to use my story to help other, be a positive example for my children, and ultimately be part of something bigger then myself or my past. That determination has carried me through challenges, growth, and change, and it continues to push me forward. Today, I am driven not only for myself, but also by the responsibility and motivation I feel for my children, who inspire me to keep building, improving, and showing up with purpose every day.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never sacrifice who you are for the comfort or expectations of others. Early in my career, I often held back my voice out of fear of being wrong or not being taken seriously, and that hesitation ultimately slowed my growth. Over time, I learned that your perspective has value and that not speaking up can cost you opportunities you are fully capable of stepping into. Confidence comes from using your voice, even when it feels uncomfortable, and those moments are often where the most meaningful growth happens. My advice to young women entering the industry is to fully embrace who you are, speak up, take up space, and never dilute your identity to fit into a room, be unapologetically yourself, because that is what will truly set you apart.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are communication, transparency, trust, and integrity. I believe that most challenges can be resolved when people are open, honest, and willing to communicate directly. Without clear communication, it becomes difficult to build meaningful trust, and trust is the foundation of every strong relationship both professionally and personally. Integrity is equally essential to me, as it guides how I show up, make decisions, and treat others, ensuring that my actions consistently align with my values even when no one is watching.
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