For Tamara May, chief operating officer of Amida Care, being a Black New Yorker means choosing to be part of the solution.
“I get to choose if I want to be the problem, or the solution,” she said. “I choose to be a part of the solution.”
It’s a guiding principle that shows up in everything she does –– whether she’s overseeing the operations of a nonprofit health plan serving Medicaid members, mentoring early-career professionals, or leading confidence-building workshops through her “Love Myself” program. As COO, Tamara ensures Amida Care runs smoothly on every level –– but for her, the work is never just about infrastructure or spreadsheets.
“We show up for our members,” she said. “This is the first job where there’s this much engagement. I work closely with staff and members alike. My role is not only to make sure they receive care –– but to ensure the health of the organization itself.”
Tamara’s leadership is grounded in years of experience in healthcare operations, Medicaid, and managed care. Before joining Amida Care, she served as Vice President of Operations Delivery & Premium Revenue at EmblemHealth, where she also sat on the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council and served as an executive sponsor for employee resource groups. Her commitment to health equity, particularly for vulnerable populations, is personal and unwavering.
She has a warning about looming Medicaid cuts: “When you start cutting government programs, the money that people use for food goes to other areas –– like expensive medical bills. People seek healthcare less. Everything changes.” She’s especially concerned about mental health access. “How do you keep going to your therapist? How do you keep taking your medication?”
Tamara believes in wellness check-ins, every two weeks, at least. “It can be as simple as having dinner or sitting in the living room watching TV,” she said.
Tamara became a New Yorker eight years ago. Raised in Norfolk, Virginia, she explains, “New York is limitless –– complex and simple,” she reflects. “The most loving and supportive human beings are here.”
With an MBA from Old Dominion University and certifications as an executive, life, and wellness coach, Tamara blends strategy with heart. She is married and a mother of three daughters, each working in the fields of PR, mental health, and law enforcement.
Originally, Tamara thought she’d become a lawyer. But once she discovered the business side of healthcare and the ability to work directly with communities, she found her calling.
She now speaks openly about the importance of DEI, especially as it faces increasing scrutiny.“Ensuring the playing field is fair, that everyone has an opportunity and is respected –– that’s DEI,” she said. “But you have to do the work. How many organizations say they’re committed and don’t live up to it?”
One of her proudest efforts is the “Love My Self” program, which fosters self-esteem in underserved communities. At the first workshop, over 40 people attended, many struggling with suicidal thoughts or living in vulnerable conditions.
“Hearing one another creates a safe haven,” she explained. “This is something necessary for their well-being, something so many communities lack access to.”
To young Black professionals starting in New York, she offers this: “Don’t settle. What you do today impacts what happens tomorrow.”