Champions of Health Care
America’s complex and technologically driven medical system is as sophisticated, complex and expensive as any in the world. But within that vast system are those who still put the “care” in health care and who we recognize as the winners of this year’s Champions of Health Care awards.Edge magazine, in partnership with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, received more than 150 nominations from the public about health care providers, administrators and volunteers who have made health care better in Chattanooga. From among those nominations, a panel of judges comprised of top leaders from the medical society and each of Chattanooga’s three major hospital systems – Erlanger Health System, CHI Memorial Hospital, Parkridge Health System -picked the winners that we salute in the following pages.The Champions of Health Care award winners recognize those who have tackled major community health problems, starting programs to tackle obesity and smoking, adding physical therapy training in Chattanooga, and bringing needed medical services to those without health insurance. Others are recognized for new approaches, strong leadership and simple acts of kindness during their lifetimes of achievement and service.In our second year of the awards, we have quickly discovered the rich talent and commitment from those who work every day to keep us healthy.
Workday tasks for pediatric surgeon Lisa Smith can range from removing appendices, to performing reconstructive surgery or caring for injured children, but that variety is one of her favorite aspects of the job.
“There’s always something new, interesting and rewarding going on,” says Smith, a partner at University Surgical Associates and one of four pediatric surgeons in town.
Originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Smith came to Chattanooga in 1993 for residency. Although she knew she wanted to be a surgeon since she was 11 years old, it was during residency that she gravitated toward pediatrics.
“The pediatric surgeon tends to have a broad base of things that they do, so they’re really truly general surgeons,” she says. “I never have a boring day.”