The Commissioner's Page

    COMMISSIONER VIRGINIA T. (GINA) LODGE

Gina Lodge was appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services in January 2003. The Department is responsible for administering more than 20 types of services throughout Tennessee, including Families First, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid/TennCare, Child Support, Child Care, Adult Protective Services, and Rehabilitation Services. DHS has more than 120 office locations, a budget of $1.9 billion and approximately 5,400 employees.

Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Commissioner Lodge has been a Tennessean since 1978. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Hawaii, a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of San Francisco, and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.

Commissioner Lodge is active in community and non-profit organizations. She currently serves on the board of the Metro Nashville Public Library and is a past board member of the National Conference for Community and Justice. She and her husband, Dick, have two children.

Mission Statement To improve the well-being of economically disadvantaged, disabled or vulnerable Tennesseans through a network of financial, employment, rehabilitative and protective services.