R. Bruce Shack, MD, has been named dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Medicine in Chattanooga and senior vice president of the Erlanger Health System.
Dr. Shack comes to UTHSC after serving almost 20 years as chair and a professor of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville.
In making the appointment, David Stern, MD, the executive dean of the College of Medicine, said UTHSC is “delighted and honored” that Dr. Shack will lead the college’s Chattanooga campus.
“He brings an exceptionally strong set of leadership skills from his years as chair of plastic surgery at Vanderbilt,” Dr. Stern said. “Our Chattanooga campus and its partner hospital system, Erlanger Health System, have improved dramatically over the last year, and the addition of Dr. Shack will accelerate and help guide new and exceptional health services for the region.”
As chief academic and administrative officer for the Chattanooga campus, Dr. Shack will be responsible for leading the college’s missions of excellence in education, patient care and research. As senior vice president in the Erlanger Health System, he will represent faculty physicians, oversee clinical care and develop collaboration among university faculty and community physicians in the Erlanger system.
“This is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” said Dr. Shack, who will begin his work Nov. 15.
Dr. Shack graduated from Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He did an internship in surgery and his residency in plastic surgery at Vanderbilt.
He served as an assistant professor of plastic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, both in Baltimore, before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 1982. He was named chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Vanderbilt in 1997.
Dr. Shack also maintains teaching duties at VUMC. He is responsible for the lecture series for third-year medical students, has been involved in resident training in the operating room and ward, and has served as a faculty adviser for third- and fourth-year medical students.
Established in 1973 as a branch campus of the UTHSC College of Medicine in Memphis, the Chattanooga campus provides training for junior and senior medical students, as well as residency and fellowship programs. The college also has campuses in Nashville and Knoxville.
Bright School’s Brown earns CFRE title
Kimberly A. Brown, director of advancement at The Bright School, recently earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation from CFRE International.
Only 5,600 fundraisers around the world hold the CFRE designation, which signifies the meeting of standards set by CFRE International, including tenure in the profession, education and fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. Brown was the only fundraiser in Tennessee to earn the designation in June.
Brown joined The Bright School staff in 2001 and oversees the school’s advancement efforts, Wellness Council and Parents’ Association. This past year, the school achieved a fundraising milestone in which 100 percent of all parents, faculty and staff and the board of trustees gave to the school’s annual Bright Fund.
Dr. Ireland joins Children’s Hospital
Erlanger Health System welcomes Thomas Ireland, MD, pediatric neurologist, to the growing network of pediatric subspecialists at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
“Dr. Ireland’s expertise in pediatric neurology will be invaluable for treating our children now and in the future at our new Children’s Hospital,” said Don Mueller, CEO of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Dr. Ireland received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. After completing the pediatric residency program and a pediatric neurology fellowship program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Ireland completed additional fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology with special emphasis in pediatric epilepsy at Emory University in Atlanta.
U.S. Xpress Inc. promotes three managers
The Chattanooga trucking giant U.S. Xpress has promoted three managers to new positions.
Paula Logan is U.S. Xpress Inc.’s new vice president of continuous improvement. She began her employment at U.S. Xpress Inc. in 2013, where she began serving as the director of corporate quality.
Logan graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. She continued her education at Appalachian State University, earning a master of science in renewable energy. She has more than 16 years of experience in continuous improvement in automotive, textile and large retail industries.
In her new position, she will continue the development of a robust program focused on safely and efficiently delivering for U.S. Xpress Inc.’s customers, and becoming the employer of choice for professional truck drivers. Logan will oversee the Lean Six Sigma Program, the Strategic Data Management & Driver Experience Initiatives, and she will develop and implement a Business Project Management Office.
Lee Thigpen is the new vice president of pricing. He has been employed with U.S. Xpress Inc. for more than 10 years and previously served as a network coordinator, rail coordinator, customer service manager, pricing analyst, pricing manager and, most recently, the director of pricing.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In his new job, he oversees all contract-related pricing activities within U.S. Xpress Inc.’s over-the-road operations and dedicated business units.
Catherine Stephas is U.S. Xpress Inc.’s new director of pricing and network. Stephas has been employed with U.S. Xpress Inc. for more than 10 years and has served in the capacities of fleet manager, customer service representative, network coordinator and pricing analyst.
Stephas graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in business and a concentration in logistics.
Hunter joins law firm of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. announces that David W. Hunter has joined the firm.
Hunter brings more than 10 years of legal experience to the firm as a tax, corporate and business law attorney representing individuals and businesses in a variety of estate planning, federal and state tax law, tax controversy, corporate law and general business law matters.
In addition to his legal experience, Hunter has substantial financial and accounting experience. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was an auditor and senior tax consultant with Ernst & Young and is an inactive Tennessee certified public accountant.
Hunter earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Tennessee Technological University, graduating magna cum laude, his law degree from the University of Memphis, graduating in the top five percent of his class, and a Master of Laws in taxation from New York University, where he served as graduate editor of the Tax Law Review.
HHM CPA firm promotes Martin
HHM Certified Public Accountants, Chattanooga’s largest locally owned CPA firm, has promoted Jason Martin, CPA, CFE, MBA, to member.
Martin has more than 10 years of experience serving a broad range of clients, including governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, dealerships, private equity funds and service companies. He helps oversee the Accounting and Assurance Department and Fraud Investigative and Forensic Services for HHM.
Martin earned his master of business administration from Georgia Southwestern State University and a bachelor of science in accounting from Albany State University.
McDevitt named top operating officer at the Partnership
Regina McDevitt has been named chief operating officer of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Inc.
McDevitt joined the Partnership in 1996 and since has held positions with increasing responsibilities and program experience. In her role as COO, she will report to the chief executive officer and will provide leadership, direction, management and operational oversight for all agency programs.
The Partnership addresses issues related to domestic violence; supervised visitation; sexual assault; human trafficking; homelessness; housing, elder needs and abuse; foster care; counseling; community-based programming; deaf and hard-of-hearing needs and other critical community-driven issues.
“We are excited to recognize Ms. McDevitt’s efforts and leadership as we continue to focus our programs to serve our vulnerable neighbors more effectively,” said CEO Pam Ladd.
“Ms. McDevitt’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable in helping to guide the Partnership’s impact as one of Chattanooga’s premiere human services organizations.”
McDevitt holds a BA in psychology and a M.Ed. in guidance and counseling. She has 26 years’ experience in training and educating elementary, middle and high school students, social service professionals, health care providers, faith community groups, universities, military service men/women, attorneys, first responders, mental health professionals and other community groups.
Business News is published each Sunday. Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.