Strategist.Changemaker. Mentor
Denese Ashford is a seasoned administrative and healthcare operations leader with over 12 years of progressive experience serving in South Carolina’s state and federal government sectors. She brings more than seven years of specialized expertise in administrative and clerical functions, coupled with 5 years of impactful supervisory experience.
As the founder and owner of Midlands Choice Home Care, LLC, Denese exemplifies entrepreneurial leadership, overseeing in-home support services tailored to seniors and individuals with disabilities across the Midlands region.
Denese is recognized for her strong analytical mindset, collaborative problem-solving abilities, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence. Her professional journey includes high-impact roles with the Department of Veterans Affairs and South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, where she improved workflows, created training tools, elevated staff morale, and exceeded productivity benchmarks.
Her skill set spans project management, staff supervision, Medicaid eligibility systems, claims adjudication, community outreach, and regulatory compliance. She is proficient in numerous platforms including MEDS, MMIS, VISTA, and Microsoft Office Suite, and has led initiatives that improved departmental efficiency and accuracy across eligibility services and health administration operations.
A natural mentor and team builder, Denese consistently demonstrates servant leadership, empowering teams to meet agency goals while prioritizing quality service delivery to clients and veterans. Her dedication to continuous learning and community involvement further enhances her leadership and impact in both public service and private entrepreneurship.
Education
- Master of Health Administration, Webster University, 2012
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, South Carolina State University, 2009