Pat Nichols has worked in the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services (previously the Division of Mental Retardation Services) for 28 years.  Since February 2004, she has been Director of Quality Assurance and Protection from Harm.  Her responsibilities include daily oversight and supervision of the Quality Assurance and Protection from Harm section within the division.  This includes the areas of quality assurance performance reviews of approximately 250 contracted provider agencies and independent contractors; investigations of allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation which are conducted by division investigators; the resolution of complaints received on behalf of service recipients; and the incident management system. 

Prior to 2004, Pat served in numerous positions for DMRS, including Director of Quality Enhancement, Director of Community Services, Director of Program Standards and Education, Community Resource Developer and Outreach Social Worker.

Pat is a member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; in 2006, she received the Presidential Award from that organization.  She is also a member or past member of several community and school-related organizations, as well as Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville.  She is married and is the mother of two sons.