Our Founders
Dr. Michele Pickett
Co-Founder, Pediatrician, and Executive DirectorDr. Michele Pickett was born in Nassau, Bahamas, and raised in New York City from the age of fifteen. She attended Barnard College for her undergraduate studies and earned her medical degree from Tufts Medical School in Boston. She completed her residency and fellowship at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.
Dr. Pickett first heard the call to be a “missionary doctor” at age 13. Though her journey was not always a straight line, she co-founded LifeSpring Community Health to demonstrate the love of Christ to families in the community. She currently serves as the Executive Director, relying on faith and grace to lead the organization’s mission.
In addition to her leadership at LifeSpring, Dr. Pickett is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics on the faculty of the UT College of Medicine in Chattanooga.
Michele is married to James Pickett, the retired founding Pastor of New City Fellowship East Lake. She is the proud mother of two young women, Noah and Elena. In her spare time, Michele relaxes by digging into a good crossword puzzle. She and Jim love to spend time in the mountains of New Mexico.
Co-Founder, RN, and Director of Advocacy & OutreachJill Fikkert, MSN, RN
Jill Fikkert was born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Widener University and later completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Nurse Executive from Walden University.
Jill has spent over 40 years in nursing, fueled by a lifelong calling to serve those living in poverty. As a co-founder of LifeSpring Community Health, she has dedicated the past twenty years to the organization, serving as the Director of Nursing before transitioning into her current role as Director of Advocacy and Outreach.
Jill’s extensive career includes work in inner-city medical-surgical units, intensive care, and cardiothoracic units. She has also served in hospice care, home health, and college health, and is a designated faith community nurse.
Jill is married to Brian Fikkert, a professor of Economics, Poverty, and Development at Covenant College. She is a mother to three adult children and a grandmother to twin girls (with another grandchild on the way). She enjoys family time, watching sports, reading, and being at the ocean.
Founder Families
Pickett Family
Jim, Michele, Noah, and Elena
Brian, Jill, Jessica, Joshua, Morgan, Edith, Johanna, and Anna