MEET OUR STAFF

Chairman of the Board

Dr. James M. Osborn, MSPH

Dr. Osborn is the Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation and serves as the Chairman of the Board and Medical Director as a volunteer since its inception in 2006. Osborn received his Medical Doctorate degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Osborn also served as a Major in the US Air Force and was the Director of Orthopedic Surgery for the 92nd Medical unit. Osborn was awarded a Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in 1999. Osborn enjoys racing, motorcycles, his family, and the ranch his family has started.  He's also been a medical educator with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Department of Orthopedics Surgery for nearly 20 years.

President + CEO

Amy Jo Osborn

Amy Jo is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. She is a graduate of Samford University where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts + Science.  She was awarded the Humanitarian Award for Samford University in 2017 and was the recipient of the Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Star Award in 2018. Amy Jo is the 2021 SheIsSEMA candidate. Amy Jo enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family, gardening and being outdoors.

Director of Clinical Services & Operations

Tammy Gipson, MS,OTR/L

Tammy is the foundation's Director of Clinical Services and Operations. As Director, she oversees and helps connect everything that happens on the clinical side and operational side of the foundation.  Tammy has a background in Occupational Therapy, and uses her 30+ years of experience to help our patients and families live life to the fullest through adaptations, muscle strengthening, sensory, and compensatory strategies interventions. Tammy G loves laughter and spending time with her family and friends while cheering on the Crimson Tide!

Executive Assistant

Emily Osborne

As Executive Assistant, Emily works closely with the foundation’s President + CEO to manage schedules and appointments, create proposals and reports, and support partnership efforts. Emily graduated from Lee University with a B.S. in Healthcare Administration. Outside of work, Emily likes to spend her time hiking, paddle boarding, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Clinical Liaison

Ashley Guthrie, FNP

Ashley serves as our Clinical Liaison and is responsible for working alongside the clinical team at AHF and pediatric health care providers to ensure that all pediatric cancer patients and their families utilize the support the foundation has to offer. She is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner. Ashley has been a longtime volunteer and served on the board of the AHF from 2017-2020. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, one of whom is a pediatric cancer survivor. 

Licensed Psychologist

Julie Gersch, Ph.D., HSP

Julie serves as the foundation's Licensed Psychologist and works as part of the clinical staff to provide psychotherapy, neuropsychological evaluation services, and career counseling for patients, siblings, parents, and grandparents. Julie graduated with her PH.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron, Ohio. Her post-doctorial fellowship in health psychology was completed in north Texas. Outside of work, Julie spends her time volunteering, gardening, hiking and sailing with her family on the Tennessee River.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Susan Latta, LMFT, FT

Susan Latta LMFT, FT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Fellow in Thanatology, the study of death and dying.  Susan received her BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University and her MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. Susan brings 35 years of counseling individuals, children and families through the many challenges that occur when a child is diagnosed with cancer.  Susan loves to be in nature, travel, cuddle with her 2 miniature dachshunds, Gertie and Maggie and find time to return to California to see her family and to walk on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. 

Child and Family Services Manager

Michaela Gaither

Michaela Gaither is the foundation's Family Service Manager and works with developing and overseeing all patient and family treatment plans, coordinating intake and care for new and existing patients, and manages activities, budget and staff for all family programs. Michaela received a Bachelor's in Sociology from Lee University and obtained her Master's in Social Work at Louisiana State University. Michaela enjoys spending time outdoors, going hiking, and spending time with family and friends! 

STEAM Curriculum Coordinator

Beth Baker

Beth is a teacher at heart. She has worked as a formal educator in Middle Schools as well as an informal teacher as an Outreach Educator for Creative Discovery Museum. As STEAM Curriculum Coordinator, she brings standards-based, hands on STEAM activities to the families of Austin Hatcher Foundation. In her spare time, Beth is kept busy with her husband, Craig, three daughters, and two dogs and also serves on the Board of Signal Mountain Social Services. 

Industrial Arts Educator

Jonathan Myren

Jonathan is the foundation's Director of Industrial Arts and is tasked with introducing our families to basic "shop" skills including woodworking, auto repair, and maintenance. He is a licensed Practitioner of Occupational Education and has over 30 years of experience with automotive maintenance and construction. Jonathan's hobbies include restoring classic cars, woodworking, traveling, and music.

Marketing Coordinator

Shayna Webb

Shayna is the foundation's Marketing Coordinator and supports the foundation's efforts through fundraising, special event coordination and marketing. She received a B.S. in Digital Media Journalism and a B.S. in Public Relations from Lee University. Outside of work, Shayna loves making Tiktoks, jamming to local bands and spending time with her friends, family and husband! 

Facilities and Industrial Arts Manager

Daniel  Fosbinder

Daniel attended Harding University in Searcy, AR where he majored in business administration. He has a background in construction and low voltage. In his free time he and his family love doing anything outdoors. They are currently section hiking the AT with their young girls, and they love spending time on the lake or scuba diving

Music Therapist (Children's of Alabama)

Walker Wright

Walker is the foundation's Music Therapist and specializes in Therapeutic Drumming. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama where he works directly with oncology patients at Children's of Alabama, as well as, patients and their families throughout the Foundation's system. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Mississippi where he received a Bachelor's of Science in Health Sciences, Physical Education. Walker loves jogging, collecting vintage percussion instruments, and spending time with his family at the lake.

Graphic Designer + Social Media Coordinator

Morgan Croft

Morgan is the foundation's Graphic Designer + Social Media Coordinator and supports the foundation's mission by creating informative and engaging designs to share the foundation's events and messages on all social media platforms. She received her B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Georgia Southern University. On the weekends you can usually catch Morgan watching the newest crime documentary on Netflix or traveling to spend time with family and friends!

Occupational Therapist

Anna Fung, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Anna is the foundation's Occupational Therapist, helping our patients and families live life to the fullest through adaptations, muscle strengthening, and sensory and compensatory strategies intervention. Fung graduated from the University of Kansas with her bachelor's degree in occupational science, and then pursued her doctorate and master's degrees in occupational therapy at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

Patient Navigator

Rachel Youngblood

Rachel is the foundation's Patient Navigator and supports the foundation's mission through greeting families as they enter the foundation's Education Advancement Center as well as conducting purposeful play with patients. She received her B.S. in Psychology and Masters Degree in Social Work from UTC. On the weekends, Rachel loves cooking, gardening, and hiking with her dogs! 

Director of Development

Melanie Hammontree

As the Director of Development, Melanie Hammontree is responsible for developing and executing the foundation's short and long fundraising plans, managing sponsorships, building the foundation's reputation in the community, and identifying partners for event campaigns, grants and partnerships. Melanie joins AHF after working for five years as the Director of Development of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. In her free time, Melanie enjoys hiking and adventuring with her husband and two sons.

Family Service Coordinator

Anna Carrington

Anna Carrington joins the foundation as the Family Service Coordinator, after interning with AHF in 2019. Anna is tasked with managing and executing enrichment events for families, challenging children in fun educational activities and supervising volunteers for family program needs. Anna received a Bachelor's in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University and works as the Summer Camp Director of Athens Y Camps: Camp Chattooga for girls over the summer. Anna enjoys spending time on the lake wake surfing and riding dirt bikes!