Shannon Burger is the Chief Executive Officer at Cempa Community Care, a federally qualified health center and infectious disease specialty practice based in East Tennessee. Recently, Shannon earned a Doctor of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Business Administration, is a Certified Public Accountant, and is a graduate of the Leadership Tennessee Signature Program.
Over the past eight years, Shannon has led Cempa Community Care through significant transformations, enhancing financial stability and fostering a culture of innovation and growth. Under her leadership, the organization has achieved remarkable milestones, redefining the standards of community healthcare provision. One of her most cherished accomplishments is the expansion of various service lines to address the diverse needs of the community. Initiatives under her tenure include launching the organization’s first community pharmacy, establishing a walk-in clinic in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, opening a new dental clinic, and introducing Cempa’s Mobile Clinic. These efforts have significantly broadened access to comprehensive healthcare services and have earned the organization numerous awards and accolades.
Shannon’s dedication to advocating for health centers and their patients earned her the 2023 Kathy Wood-Dobbins Executive Leadership Award from the Tennessee Primary Care Association. Cempa Community Care has garnered notable recognitions, including the 2023 Latino Community Champion Award from La Paz Chattanooga, the 2023 Champions of Health Care Group Diversity & Inclusion Award from Edge Magazine, and the 2022 Non-profit of the Year Award from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the organization was honored with the Organizational Excellence Award from the Tennessee Primary Care Association in 2021 and the Governor’s Award of Excellence from Governor Bill Lee in 2020, among other accolades.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to those served by Cempa Community Care, Shannon serves on local, regional, and national boards. She leverages these platforms to educate on compliance and public policy, while also providing mentorship and training opportunities nationwide. Notably, Shannon presides over the board of directors for the Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access, chairs the governmental and non-profit committee for the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and holds a board position with the Tennessee Primary Care Association.
