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.
Growing up on a farm in Cleveland, Tennessee, Debbie Ingram decided at an early age to become a physical therapist.
Watching her grandmother do daily tasks with rheumatoid arthritis, Ingram decided at age 13 she wanted to help people with similar health problems by pursuing a PT career. Her interest was sparked by her grandmother’s suggestion based upon a physical therapist character in one of her favorite soap operas.
“That’s something you should do,” Ingram’s grandmother suggested, and the idea took hold.
Nearly four decades later, Ingram is convinced she made the right choice, both in directly working with patients for more than a decade and then teaching students about physical therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for 27 years.