We recently named our new Chief Operating Officer: TJ Kline. TJ has a long history with the company and we are thrilled to see him step into a role where he can manage both day-to-day operations and execute transformative strategies. He talked to us about his plans for employee empowerment, new technology-driven efficiencies, and expanding Tribal Health’s impact in bringing quality care to Native communities.
TJ, congratulations on your new role. I know you’ve been with Tribal Health for a long time – since the beginning, basically. How did you get started with the company?
Thank you! I got started during the summer of 2015, just after finishing up undergrad with a degree in accounting. I was eager to break into the tech startup world, and I came across a job posting from MeMD, John’s telemedicine company. It felt like an incredible opportunity, so after one night of thinking about it, I took the leap and moved 2,000 miles to join the team. That was the start of my journey and my first professional job.
I think that was right around when Tribal EM started.
That’s right. At the time, I was working for both MeMD and what was then called Tribal EM. I was an accountant for John and had the unique experience of being there from the very beginning—I even cut the first check for Tribal EM when we began staffing San Carlos.
What drew you to the company? You’ve described yourself as a healthcare advocate. Is that what kept you interested in the company?
I was drawn to the entrepreneurial environment—it was exciting to see new ideas and businesses constantly taking shape. Tribal Health quickly stood out as something special, especially after securing the Great Plains contract. Being around John, I witnessed his incredible passion for healthcare, which inspired me to dive into the innovative healthcare system he was building.
And then you left for a while…
I stepped away from the company for about two years, from June 2018 to June 2020. At the time, there wasn’t a role at Tribal Health that aligned with my professional goals, so I shifted gears and focused on helping launch a national behavioral health brand. We established about seven facilities in two years, and that experience gave me a fresh perspective. I had the opportunity to work in a hypergrowth environment, which really propelled me into leadership.
Then, in 2020, a finance manager position opened up at Tribal Health, and I was thrilled to return.
You’ve seen Tribal Health grow and evolve. What have been some of the challenges in growing the company?
As any company experiencing high growth, one of the biggest challenges has been maintaining effective communication and alignment. We’re not a small group in a room at John’s hangar anymore, we’ve become a national company. That shift has made it more challenging to keep everyone aligned and on the same page, but we are keenly focused on addressing this.
And now you’re COO. What are your immediate operational targets? What opportunities do you see for improvement?
One of my top priorities is helping the AM/BD and Recruiting teams drive growth. While we’ve been deeply focused on maintaining existing accounts and extending contracts, we’re now looking to quickly expand our reach and positively impact more lives.
Another top priority is improving our flow of information and interdepartmental communication. As we continue to grow, it’s crucial that we strengthen these connections. In a high-growth company like ours, roles and tasks can evolve quickly, and it’s important that everyone has clarity on their responsibilities.
How about our healthcare team? Do you see any changes that will impact them?
Absolutely. Over the next few months the healthcare team will see additional features added to our new scheduling app. Things like time adjustment requests, shift swap requests, schedule views, and many more. Additionally, we’re working to provide more opportunities for our healthcare team to work at new locations. By expanding these opportunities, we aim to give our team more flexibility, professional growth, and exposure to different clinics and hospitals.
Imagine it’s a year from now and we’re headed into 2026. What changes do you want to see? What does Tribal Health look like?
By 2026, I envision Tribal Health operating at peak efficiency, with better systems and processes that will allow us to scale more effectively. I believe we’ll be serving additional hospitals and clinics, expanding our presence and impacting more lives. We’ll continue delivering exceptional ‘white glove’ service to all our clinicians and customers, ensuring the highest standards across the board.
Thank you, TJ!