Deborah Cotney: Meritan president making a difference
Chris Pepple |
When Deborah Cotney (’72) became president of the private corporation in Memphis, Tenn., now known as Meritan, she began a quarter of a century journey of service to the nonprofit organization that would see substantial growth to the organization and touch thousands of lives along the way. Since being named president in 1982, Cotney has seen the agency’s operating revenue increase from $1.2 million to more than $28 million with the number of employees leaping from 150 to more than 800. Cotney also helped develop programs which assist more than 10,000 people annually throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia.
“Our agency began with the name Senior Services and offered much-needed assistance to seniors in our area,” Cotney states. “Over the years, we expanded our programs to include senior centers, career assistance and in-home services. As we grew, we developed a reputation for finding ways to meet difficult challenges. More and more, we were called upon to address service needs within the larger community. We expanded our programs for seniors and added services for people with visual impairments, people with developmental disabilities and children needing specialized foster care.”
Meritan services include home care for people who need support to remain independent, foster care for medically and emotionally fragile children and an employment program for low-income people 55 and older wherein other nonprofit agencies partner in training them to improve their job skills and develop new ones. Meritan also offers a hotline to assist those who have been victims of financial fraud or scams and to offer information on a variety of healthcare topics including Medicare, Medicaid and medication use.
Through Meritan, Cotney reaches out to those who often have no way to voice their own concerns or needs and who are often overlooked. “The name Meritan is a combination of two words,” Cotney states. “Merit reflects our passion for upholding the highest standards of professional practice and Samaritan symbolizes our willingness to help when no one else will.”
Cotney’s professional experience leads her into the political arena at times. Cotney keeps abreast of new laws and pending legislation at the state and national level which could impact her agency and those it serves. Her political awareness along with her professional experience and service led to appointments giving her a stronger voice in the political arena. She was appointed by Memphis mayor Willie Herenton to the Health, Education and Housing Facility Board and also served on Tennessee’s State Health Planning and Advisory Board.
When Senator Lamar Alexander sought a delegate to appoint for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA), he chose Cotney for the role. Delegates voted on resolutions and developed implementation strategies that have guided the President and Congress as they shape the nation’s aging policies. The theme for the 2005 WHCoA was The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action and was designed to reflect the changing face of aging in America. When speaking of the delegates, WHCoA Policy Committee Chairman Dorcas R. Hardy said, “Each of us has an incredible opportunity to take action that will benefit current and future generations of American seniors.”
As president at Meritan, Cotney serves as an advocate for improved care options for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. “In my position, I come in contact with many government leaders as I advocate for the people we serve,” she states. “Our services offer less expensive alternatives and promote independence. As a result of our agency’s success in home care, foster care, aging services, etc., I am often asked to participate on various committees and planning bodies.
“Over the years, I have developed cooperative working relationships with many elected officials and their staff. This has resulted in appointments in areas where they feel I can make a contribution such as the White House Conference on Aging. This conference is held every 10 years and makes recommendations to the President and Congress to help guide aging policy for the next ten years and beyond. The State Health Planning Board similarly worked to assist in developing recommendations to the Governor for improving health care in Tennessee.”
Cotney also serves her local community through the Memphis Rotary Club, which is the 47th largest club in the world. She has been a member since 1991 and currently serves as president. She is also active in United Way and their Executives Association and at Highland St. Church of Christ where she is a member.
To honor her service and her accomplishments, Cotney has been recognized as one of 50 Women Who Make a Difference by Memphis Woman magazine. She received the John W. Hires Award for administrative excellence from the Tennessee Association for Home Care and the Kate Gooch Award for service to the Alumni Association of Leadership Memphis. Cotney brings to life her passion for excellence, her care and respect for others, her willingness to serve. She is a woman who makes a difference.