Bailey named associate of HK architects and more Chattanooga-area career moves

Bailey named associate of HK architects

Jordan Bailey, a designer for Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects, has been promoted to an associate for the Chattanooga architectural firm, according to a news release.

Bailey joined HK in 2015, and the promotion to associate is a recognition of his ongoing contributions to the internal structure and overall success of the firm.

“This promotion is a reflection of Jordan’s unwavering dedication, exceptional talent and valuable contributions to HK Architects over the past decade,” Alex Reyland, partner at HK Architects, said in the release.

Founded in 1999 by architects Heidi Hefferlin and Craig Kronenberg, HK Architects is a full-service architecture and interior design firm based in Chattanooga.

Community Foundation adds 3 new staff members

The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has added three new staff members to its team.

Anthony Prince joins as a community impact assistant; Candice Brock joins as the foundation’s newest finance associate; and Lindsey Cross, who was previously a paralegal, has taken the role of philanthropy associate, the foundation announced in a news release.

“Anthony, Candice and Lindsey are joining us at a pivotal time, not only for the Community Foundation, but for the entire region we serve,” Maeghan Jones, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said in the release. “Their distinct skill sets and shared commitment to our mission will make our team stronger and benefit everyone in Greater Chattanooga.”

Allen named partners for Acumen Wealth Advisors

Grant Allen, a chartered financial analyst, has been named a partner at Acumen Wealth Advisors, according to a news release.

Allen oversees all activities related to Acumen’s investment decisions and serves as a senior investment strategist and portfolio manager.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Allen was previously a performance analyst for the ACA Group and a large group risk manager at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

Erlanger to honor Gefter, Sizemore, Witherspoon and Gregg

Dr. Jeffrey W. Gefter, Dr. James Sizemore, Dr. Laura E. Witherspoon and Erlanger board member Vicky B. Gregg will be honored at the Erlanger Foundation’s 20th annual Dinner of Distinction next spring.

Physicians Gefter, Sizemore and Witherspoon were selected by previous honorees to be recognized for their commitment to improving the community’s health and demonstrating unquestionable character and human compassion, according to an announcement of the awards.

Gefter was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida, where he also completed his surgical internship and radiation oncology residency. Gefter moved to Chattanooga in 1982 to work in private practice before becoming medical director of radiation oncology for Erlanger from 1988 through 2008. He was also a clinical assistant professor for radiation oncology at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga and has served as a member of the Tennessee Governor’s Committee on Cancer and as a full member of the National Children’s Oncology Group. He received the Life Inspiration Award from the American Cancer Society of Chattanooga in 2017. Gefter was part of the group to establish Chattanooga’s first cancer program at Erlanger. He also helped install and develop the region’s CyberKnife program. Currently, Gefter works with Tennessee Oncology in Chattanooga.

Sizemore, a Chattanooga native and Baylor School graduate, received his Bachelor of Science in psychology from Duke University. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee. He completed an internal medicine internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Subsequently, he finished an infectious diseases fellowship and obtained a Master of Science in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He returned to Chattanooga in 2005. Currently, he is the infectious diseases division chief at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga. He serves as the medical director of the antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention programs at Erlanger. He also serves as the chief medical officer at Cempa Community Care.

Witherspoon is a native of Chattanooga who graduated from Red Bank High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in molecular biology and a medical degree from Vanderbilt University. She trained in general surgery at the University of California San Francisco, Fresno program. She served four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a surgeon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and trained both military and civilian surgery residents through Wright State University. Witherspoon returned to her hometown and practiced for 28 years prior to her retirement in 2022. She remained involved with resident and medical student teaching as a faculty member and associate professor of surgery at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga. As one of the first female surgeons in the Chattanooga area, she has mentored and supported many young women pursuing surgical careers. Her surgical practice focused on breast disease and breast surgery, and she led the team that gained accreditation for the Erlanger Center for Breast Health. She received the Augustus McCravey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. She has served as governor for the American College of Surgeons, president of the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and second vice president of the Southeastern Surgical Congress.

Erlanger Foundation will also honor Vicky B. Gregg with the “Gordon Street Distinguished Community Leadership Award.” The annual award is presented to leaders who have championed the advancement of health care in the Chattanooga region, are committed to improving health and are dedicated to Erlanger’s mission and values.

Gregg, a nurse by education, has a vast range of health care experience from patient care to chief executive of hospital administrations, long-term care, health care benefits and financing. She began her career at Erlanger as a nurse before moving into administration. Gregg served as CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee from 2003 through 2012. Prior to joining BlueCross, she served as market vice president for Humana in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Gregg was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Institutes of Health Commission on Systemic Interoperability. She has served on the boards of the BlueCross BlueShield Association and America’s Health Insurance Plans, the National Institute of Healthcare Management and the University of Tennessee. She has received numerous awards and recognition, including Top 25 Women in Healthcare. Gregg is a co-founder and currently serves as a partner at Guidon Partners, a partnership private investment firm specializing in health care. She serves on the boards of Quest Diagnostics, Acadia Healthcare and MyEyeDr. She also serves on the board of directors for Erlanger and as chair of the EPB board.

The Dinner of Distinction was established two decades ago with the vision of celebrating commitment to advancing health care in the community. It will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 1 at in the Westin hotel ballroom.

Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.