Dr. Ryzell McKinney is the Director of Access at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a premier academic medical center, in Nashville, Tennessee. Previously, he worked in the Northwestern Medicine Health System as a Practice Leader, Managed Care Operations Leader, and Director of Patient Access Services. Prior to joining Northwestern, McKinney served in the United States Air Force as a Health Administration Specialist, where he held many roles in the military health system.

In his current role, he is responsible for technology that supports a contact center and the support teams in Patient Access Services. McKinney is committed to elevating the conversation to empower customers and employee in embracing and using technology. He commitment to health equity is proven by leading projects and implementing technology expanding patient communications in Spanish and Arabic.

Dr. McKinney is a member of the VUMC Racial Equity Planning Committee and served as the Co-Chair for the employee recruitment and retention committee. He continues to serve on the Diversity Liaison Committee while a member of the Veterans and African American Employee Resource Groups.

As the Dean of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Southern Region Training and Development Academy he leads planning, curriculum design, and instruction for regional training, including developing strategic plans for fraternity member training across seven southern region states; creating and delivering cutting-edge training curricula; utilizing innovative instructional techniques to engage and educate members effectively; and tailoring programs to meet the specific needs of each region.

Dr. McKinney holds an Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Management from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Park University, a Master of Arts in Community Development from North Park University, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. He holds certificates in Non-Profit Management, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is a Certified Call Center Manager. He leads training workshops in Unconscious Bias, Leadership Development, Non-Profit Management, and Disaster Readiness for organizations.

Dr. McKinney is an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tennessee teaching undergraduate and graduate courses for the Business and Health Administration programs. Dr. McKinney is an honorable Discharge Veteran of the United States Air Force as a Medical Administrative Non-Commissioned Officer. He is an active member on several non-profit community boards and the Patient Access Collaborative.