Champions of Health Care: Celebrating unsung heroes and heroines of Chattanooga medicine

Dr. Robert Bowers meets with a patient at the Volunteers in Medicine clinic on Monday, July 24, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Staff Reports September 1, 2017 15 min read

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Champions of Health Care in Chattanooga

Patient Sandra Harris greets Dr. Robert Bowers at the Volunteers in Medicine clinic on Monday, July 24, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dr. Robert Bowers hands a patient's notebook to shadowing Dr. William Nichols to look over at the Volunteers in Medicine clinic on Monday, July 24, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dr. Jim Davis poses for a portrait at the CHI Memorial Community Health center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Physical Therapy Head Debbie Ingram poses for a portrait in a physical therapy room at the James Mapp building on Tuesday, June 27, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Sondra McGinnis, a chief nursing officer, poses for a photo Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. McGinnis was selected as one of the winners in the Champions of Healthcare contest.

Rich and Barbara Kramer pose for a photo June 24, 2017 at their home in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Kramers are winners of the Champions of Healthcare for 2017 for being top volunteers at CHI Memorial Hospital.

Rachel Schulson is photographed on the terrace of Whole Foods on Thursday, July 6, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Schulson runs A Step Ahead, which provides long-term birth control for impoverished women.

Becky Barnes poses with one of the many artworks done by children that grace the health department's walls. Becky Barnes, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department administrator has been named a champion of health care. Ms. Barnes was photographed at the health department on July 14, 2017.

Champions of Health Care award winners

Lifetime achievement: Dr. Robert BowersCommunity physician: Dr. Jim DavisAcademic physician: Dr. Lisa SmithNon-physican practitioner: Dr. Debbie IngramAdministrative excellence: Sondra McGinnisVolunteers: Rich and Barbara KramerCommunity outreach: A Step AheadInnovation: Becky Barnes

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.

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.

This year’s Champions of Health Care will be honored at a luncheon at The Chattanoogan on Sept. 26.