Michelle Tennant
Michelle Tennant is an accomplished healthcare leader with 16 years of experience shaping innovative care models and driving operational excellence. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she relocated to the United States in 2006 and began her career at HealthPartners as a temporary scheduler. What started as a role to pay the rent quickly evolved into a lifelong career in healthcare. Over her first five years, Michelle progressed from call center trainer to call center supervisor, demonstrating her ability to learn, adapt, and lead. She then served as an EPIC specialist to deepen her understanding of healthcare systems before moving into clinic supervision and eventually managing a high-performing clinic for seven years.
Three years ago, Michelle was appointed Regional Director of Primary Care, where she oversees 10 clinics, and she also serves as Director of Advanced Care Primary Care, leading the launch of an innovative, team-based care model for high-risk populations. Her expertise spans leadership development, strategic planning, change management, and problem-solving. Known for her high emotional intelligence, Michelle excels at reading a room, navigating complex challenges, and fostering meaningful connections across teams. Her leadership is marked by integrity, accountability, and the ability to pivot thoughtfully when needed, earning the respect and trust of colleagues and stakeholders alike.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Michelle is deeply committed to service and community engagement. She is a board member of the Foundation for Philippine Medical Missions and volunteers internationally, bringing a global perspective to her work. With a background in marketing, a passion for people-centered care, and experience traveling to over 30 countries, Michelle combines strategy, heart, and humor to inspire teams, drive meaningful change, and positively impact patients, communities, and healthcare systems.
• EPIC Specialist
• Insights Discovery Practitioner
• IMM Graduate School - BBA in Marketing Management
• Foundation for Philippines Medical Missions (FPMM) - Board Member
• Medical Missions in the Philippines - Board Member of Foundation for Philippines Medical Missions (FPMM)
• Organizing annual medical missions providing outpatient care
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building strong relationships and fostering connections along the way. The relationships I've made have really led me to where I am today. People know who I am as a leader, and I value integrity highly. I take ownership of what I do and what I say, and if I mess up, I'm good with that and we're good with pivoting. From a people perspective, I've really leaned into my relationships and my integrity as a leader. Right now, I'm leading the opening of an advanced care primary care clinic, which is a huge initiative for our organization. I've influenced change in many pieces of primary care, and I think my influence style is very quiet. I'm not someone who sits and is loud in a room, but based on the work I've done and my performance over the years, it's respectful. It feels good to be a respected leader where people take your vision and take your advice. What has made me successful in my current role is that I got to know the EPIC system really well through my credentialing as an EPIC specialist. I'm also an insights practitioner doing personality assessments, which helps me get to know people better and give back some of the insight I've learned. The organization has been phenomenal and really saw potential in me, giving me opportunities to make an impact for patients, for employees, and for new leaders through development sessions I lead.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a mentor when I was young, probably in my twenties or thirties. They told me that every day is an interview. Every day, someone is observing and watching what you do and what you don't do, and how you present is who you are. I've gotten other phenomenal advice along the way, but that is one thing that I carry with me: how I show up is how people see me, and that's how I want to be presented.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work life, I value integrity highly. I take ownership of what I do and what I say, and if I mess up, I'm good with that and we're good with pivoting. I value being able to make an impact on different levels - for patients, for employees, and for new leaders. I get to give back now because people have done that for me. What keeps me in healthcare is being able to authentically make a difference, rather than doing superficial work. In my personal life, I'm a big traveler and I love exploring other countries and cultures, even within the United States. I love cooking and eating, and we play pickleball every week. For me, it's really about the time I get to go and explore, feeding my curiosity and just seeing what else is out there.