UMMS External Affairs Team
Kristin Jones Bryce | Donna L. Jacobs | Chuck Tildon | Kara Bowman | Kim Davidson | Rhya Martin
The UMMS external affairs team develops and manages relationships with government, business and community leaders. Learn about our team members by reading their bios below.
Kristin Jones Bryce
Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President, External Affairs
University of Maryland Medical System
Kristin Jones Bryce focuses on policy within a rapidly evolving health care environment, relationship building and government affairs on behalf of the system’s 13 hospitals, academic and community-based clinicians, ambulatory care network, health plans and University of Maryland School of Medicine partners. Prior to joining UMMS in October 2015, Kristin served for 10 years as Chief of Staff to Speaker Michael E. Busch in the Maryland House of Delegates. Before that, she was the Speaker’s Legislative Counsel.
Kristin began her career in Annapolis shortly after graduating from law school in 1997, when she was hired as a policy analyst by the Department of Legislative Services. In that capacity, she served as committee counsel to the House Economic Matters Committee, focusing on health and insurance issues.
Kristin graduated cum laude with a BA from the University of Massachusetts and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. She was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1998. Kristin was named one of the Baltimore Sun’s 50 Women to Watch in 2013. In December 2017, Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller appointed her to a four-year term on the Governor’s Salary Commission. She also served as a member of the UMBC Public Policy External Advisory Board and serves as a Trustee on the Governing Board of the Living Legacy Foundation.
Donna L. Jacobs
Senior Vice President, Government, Regulatory Affairs and Community Health
University of Maryland Medical System
Donna Jacobs's areas of emphasis at the University of Maryland Medical System include Medicaid and other reimbursement issues, and she's also working on developing corporate strategies related to women's and children's health programs and mental health services.
Prior to joining the Medical System, Donna was Deputy Chief of Staff to Maryland Governor Parris Glendening. She has advised the Governor on important health care policy issues, including the Cancer and Tobacco Control initiatives and the Maryland Children's Health Program.
A graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and the Georgetown University Law Center, Donna has practiced law for two firms: Semmes, Bowen & Semmes in Baltimore and Weinberg and Green, LLC. Her legal practice focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance-related matters.
She has held leadership roles with civic, community and professional organizations, including President of the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys, Commissioner on the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, Chair of the advisory board of the Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center and a member of the board of the House of Ruth.
Chuck Tildon
Vice President, External Affairs
University of Maryland Medical System
Chuck Tildon is responsible for communicating the vision and key objectives of the 13-hospital system to a host of external stakeholders in the business, philanthropic and governmental communities in Baltimore and throughout the state. As a member of the external affairs team, Chuck is also responsible for helping expand relationships in each community served by the system's affiliate hospitals.
Most recently, Chuck served as Vice President of External Affairs at United Way of Central Maryland providing leadership and overall direction for the organization’s government relations and strategic communications functions. He was the United Way’s main point of contact with all government officials, and was the United Way’s primary spokesperson for most media and external issues.
Chuck spent much of his early career with McDonald’s Corporation, where he was responsible for the marketing operations of more than 200 franchise and company-owned restaurants in greater Baltimore, Central, PA and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Chuck was also Vice President and Director of Business Development at MGH Advertising. During his time there, he helped the firm grow from $15 million to $50 million in capitalized billings.
A lifelong Baltimorean, Chuck believes that the health of our city plays an important role in the health and success of the region and the state. Chuck serves on the Board of The National Aquarium, one of Baltimore's oldest and most venerable attractions.
Kara Bowman
Senior Director, Public Affairs
University of Maryland Medical System
Kara Bowman helps to lead strategies to impact and respond effectively to health care policy in Maryland and position UMMS as a health policy resource and community leader. As a member of the external affairs team, Kara is responsible for participating in local, statewide and national policy strategy, stewarding the UMMS’ brand, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring successful communications.
Prior to joining UMMS, Kara served for over five years in Governor Hogan’s Administration as a key advisor to the Governor, most recently as Director of Public Affairs. During that time, Kara was responsible for communicating with internal and external stakeholders in order to advance the Governor’s priorities as well as advising on day-to-day operations of the Executive Office.
Kara graduated with a BA from George Mason University. Following her graduation, Kara spent time in England, where she earned her MA from the University of Exeter, UK, before returning to Maryland.
Kim Davidson
Community Health / Policy Specialist
University of Maryland Medical System
Kim Davidson supports regulatory requirements for UMMS and assists with legislative initiatives at the local, state and federal level while supporting community health program development, planning, management and evaluation. Prior to her current role, she worked at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center for 23 years in progressively responsible roles related to community health and wellness.
Kim received her BS from Towson University and earned her MS in Health Care Administration from University of Maryland University College and has an extensive background in program development and project management.
Kim currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board for the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, and as a volunteer at The Well in Curtis Bay, a non-profit organization committed to transforming lives of at-risk women.
Rhya Martin
Health Policy Specialist
University of Maryland Medical System
Rhya Martin monitors and tracks federal, state and local legislative proposals and regulatory requirements impacting the University of Maryland Medical System. She also assists in preparing draft testimony and responses to inquiries from the state and local government. Rhya provides legal research and analyses on current trends and developing issues affecting health care law and policy.
Rhya received her BA in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and her Juris Doctor from the University Of Maryland Francis King Carey School Of Law, with a focus in Healthcare Law and Policy.