Daily Inspiration: Meet Jason Hayes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Hayes.

Hi Jason, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Willingboro, New Jersey. My father, an honorable Navy veteran, and mother, a dedicated nurse, hailed from Opelousas, Louisiana. I was the baby of the family. I have an older sister and brother. After a decade in Jersey, my family returned to the South in the 80’s.

After we returned to Opelousas, my parents divorced. During this time, we had strong support from my mother. As a nurse, she improved the quality of life of others including my brother who has epilepsy and my uncle who had Down Syndrome. Just like my mother, I aspired to improve the quality of life of people. At the age of 13, I set my sights on becoming a healer – a physician.

I excelled academically in school. This afforded me the opportunity to participate in the American Legion Boys State Program. At this program, I ran for office and inspired my peers with an unscripted speech about unity. This propelled me to become a peer elected state representative. These experiences at the American Legion Boys State Program gave me a greater sense of purpose. Subsequently, I graduated in 1995 from Opelousas Senior High School with high honors along with numerous scholarships.

In the fall of 1995, I began my studies at the historic Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. While gaining a valuable education, I participated in school community service programs. These experiences taught me the value of community service. After completing my studies in the fall of 1998, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with honors.

Then, I began my journey in medicine in August 1999 at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. During medical school, I participated in several internships including a biochemistry bench research experience at Meharry and an epidemiology internship at the Centers for Disease Control. Yet, the internship that peaked my interest was under the Honorable Jim Cooper of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. This Congressional internship taught me that you can impact people beyond the hospital walls with public service. I graduated in May 2004 with my Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Public Health degrees with honors.

In June 2004, I embarked my new career as an internal medicine resident at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. At this institution, I honed my skills as a physician. For my strong efforts, I was bestowed with the Texas Primary Care Resident Award in 2006. After completing. My training in June 2007, I completed my Board Certification in Internal Medicine.

Accepting the call to service, I graciously began my career as a public health doctor with the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) in the fall of 2007. Over the next four years, I provided quality healthcare to underserved communities in Tennessee. During my service commitment, I was active with the American College of Physicians (ACP). I served as a young physician representative, leadership day patient advocate, chairman for his chapter’s scientific meeting and member of the executive board. I even served as a health policy advisor and participated as a subcommittee chairman for Tennessee’s Adult Oral Health Emergency Care Consortium. For my efforts as a young emerging leader, I was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). This designation, FACP, is one of distinction and leadership in the field of Internal Medicine. At the end of my public health service commitment in 2011, I left the program with a greater appreciation for service to mankind.

After working in various positions, I relocated to Georgia in 2015 to practice Internal Medicine. During this time, I learned the importance of business in healthcare. As a result, I decided to enroll in the spring of 2016 at the Physician Executive Master in Business Administration (MBA) Program at Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business in Knoxville.

At this institution, I developed a multitude of business skills from the fields of economics, finance, accounting, marketing, crisis management and organizational leadership. He graduated with the Physician Executive MBA in the fall of 2016. With this vital education, I opened his own small business/medical practice in the city of Alpharetta.

After a few years in private medical practice, I decided to run for public office. In 2020, I won my primary race for Democratic Nominee for State Representative in House District 49 (Alpharetta, parts of Johns Creek and Roswell). In the general election, I ran a strong race against a long-time Republican incumbent. As a first time candidate, I nearly flipped the district. I attained an impressive 47.2% of the vote in a largely Republican Conservative District. Given this showing, I showed that I was a strong bipartisan candidate. Given the tremendous support from Georgia voters, I have developed a stronger commitment to public service. As a battle tested bipartisan candidate, I welcome the opportunity to push Georgia forward as your next Lieutenant Governor.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many Georgians, 2020 was a difficult time. Covid infected our great nation. Many people suffered economic hardship and lost their lost lives. Like many, I worked hard to keep my small business open. However, I had to endure the pain of my own brother almost dying from Covid. Running for public office became an afterthought. However, I prayed. My small business survived but more importantly, my brother’s life was spared. I saw this as grace and developed a renewed interest in public service.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, our campaign has several priorities that would be beneficial to all Georgians:

1) Education
Education has been an integral part of my life. From grammar school through graduate school, I have developed a deep affinity for the educators who have molded my career. Yet, this appreciation began within my family unit. I was directly influenced by my paternal grandparents who were both school teachers. Both of them took pride in the profession of teaching as it allowed them to shape the minds of young people. However, being an educator in the 21st century has a different landscape than previous years. Budget cuts to education coupled with poor teacher pay has made it difficult to pursue a career in education. As a result, our children, the future of this nation, will be denied a quality education.

If elected Georgia Lieutenant Governor, I would push for the following:

Increase teacher salaries to average of the top 5 states in the country with respect to level of education and years in service.

Develop teacher advisory committee to advocate and advise GA political leadership on a progressive curriculum including teaching practical subjects (practical finance, entrepreneurship) for students, offer trade programs, support for special education, infrastructure improvements and technology including state satellite internet for students across Georgia.

Improve educational access for students statewide by increasing funding to the Hope scholarship.

Subsidize tuition for two years of community college for graduating high school students with at least two years of state residency. In exchange, scholars are expected to work in Georgia’s underserved communities two years post-schooling.

With your support, we can, again, make education a priority for all Georgians.

2) Healthcare
Providing for the best interest of patients is the core philosophy of my medical practice. As a former public health doctor with National Health Service Corp, I understand how access to quality and affordable healthcare is critical to our most vulnerable patient populations.

In 2018, Georgia ranked as the 3rd worst state in the Union with 1.4 million uninsured residents.1 Over the next decade, the state of Georgia will lose 45.5 billion dollars of federal funding by not accepting ACA Medicaid Expansion.2 This decision, by our current administration, to NOT accept Medicaid Expansion will negatively affect Georgia residents who need access to healthcare. Also, this decision will financially harm hospitals that provide care to our most vulnerable patients.

By expanding Medicaid, Georgia would be able to offer an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 residents health insurance.2 This would make a positive impact on the health of eligible Georgia residents, especially children, the mentally ill, the physically disabled and older patients who are not eligible for Medicare.

If I am elected Georgia Lieutenant Governor, I would not only be in favor of Georgia Medicaid expansion but focus on the following:

– Increase the recruitment and retention of quality physicians and mid-levels to provide care for the new influx of patients.

– Push for the construction of community health centers in designated medically underserved areas in Georgia including the construction of mental health and substance abuse recovery centers.

– Incentivize and aid smaller physician practices who want to provide care to Medicaid patients.

– Earmark federal funds for hospitals that provide care to vulnerable patients.

As a result of these initiatives, quality and affordable healthcare will remain a viable option for people in medical need.

3) Economic Growth
Improving the health of the state means improving our economic standing through job creation, job utilization and supporting small businesses. When we create jobs and utilize them, communities improve. We will see less crime, better healthcare and a renewed sense of community well-being. As a small business owner, I understand how entrepreneurship can have a positive impact on communities. As your next Georgia Lieutenant Governor, I plan to push for the following economic initiatives:

– Advocate for small business tax breaks.

– Advocate for Georgia Medicaid Expansion to include small businesses.

– Develop a Small Business Association (SBA) equivalent for Georgia small businesses.

– Bring new industry to the state through tax breaks.

– Incentivize corporations to invest in disenfranchised and rural communities through job creation that focuses on community hiring.

4) Voter Protection
Over 100 years ago, Black Americans were denied the right to vote in the post-reconstruction era of the late 1800’s. This voter disenfranchisement included the creation of Black Codes and Grandfather Clauses that prohibited Black Americans from voting well into the early 1960’s. It took an Act of Congress during the Civil Rights Era for Blacks to regain the right to vote. Now, we have been subjected to SB 202. This law is attempting to return our great state to the Jim Crow Era.

I plan to be aggressively advocate for the following:

– Enhance voter education regarding the voting process and rights.

– Increase voter access by increasing the days to vote and expanding hours accommodate working Georgians.

– Improve access to vote by mail and dropbox by allowing more sites while under 24/7 supervision.

– Improve recruitment and retention of poll workers.

– Invest in new technology for voting including vote by computer.

As your next Lieutenant Governor, I am committed to healing Georgia. With your help, we can heal Georgia together!

1“Georgia Adds 36,000 to Uninsured Rolls, Ranks 3rd Worst in US”, Hart, Ariel, 2019, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 09.10.2019

2“Georgia and the ACA’s Medicaid Expansion”, Norris, Louise, 2019, Healthinsurance.org, 11.04.2019

How do you think about luck?
I would not call it luck but more being prepared for opportunities. Also, I must include the support of family members, friends, the campaign team, campaign supporters and the voters as being very instrumental with my success.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jasonhayesforga.com
• Instagram: @jasonforgeorgia
• Facebook: @jasonforgeorgia
• Twitter: @JasonForGA

Image Credits
-Ross Oscar Knight -Ross Oscar Knight Photography