Parkridge names Grant as chief medical officer
Timothy M. Grant, MD, MBA, has been named chief medical officer of Parkridge Health System.
Dr. Grant, a board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist, previously served as chief medical officer at Coliseum Health System, a 413-bed multi-hospital system in Macon, Georgia. He also previously chaired the Department of Anesthesiology and taught healthcare economics at Mercer University School of Medicine, in Macon. Before that, he also served as medical director of the Operating Room and medical director of Sedation Oversight at The Medical Center, Navicent Health, in Macon.
Dr. Grant earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in anesthesiology at Duke University Medical Center, and served a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition to his medical training, Dr. Grant earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He holds a Lean Greenbelt for Healthcare Certification from the Institute of Industrial Engineers and is a certified physician executive.
“The expert clinical and non-clinical teams in place at Parkridge are the foundation upon which we can transform the landscape of healthcare in Chattanooga,” Dr. Grant said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to join the medical staff and create pathways toward even higher levels of excellence.”
BlueCross names Baume to develop contracts
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has chosen Whitney Baume as director of contract development and standards. She will lead efforts to ensure information flows efficiently between BlueCross and medical providers who are initiating or renewing contracts with the company.
Baume’s team will ensure that provider contracts and network participation standards remain current and compliant with all applicable legislative and administrative guidelines.
Before joining BlueCross, Baume served as general counsel for Trivium Healthcare, where she was responsible for negotiating contracts, establishing policies and procedures, and overseeing all legal and compliance concerns. She has in-depth experience with the rules and policies of health care regulatory agencies.
“Whitney’s considerable experience in contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and leading teams makes her an excellent fit for this position,” said Stacy Eiselstein, vice president of provider network operations for BlueCross. “We are excited to have her join the BlueCross family.”
Baume earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a law degree from the University of Oregon. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.
ACHE certifies Brackett as Fellow
Misty Brackett, senior director of patient access at Erlanger Health System, has become a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.
She joins 14 other Erlanger leaders who have achieved board certification as Healthcare Executives and are now Fellows in the American College of Healthcare Executives.”
To obtain Fellow status, candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits, demonstrating professional/community involvement and passing a comprehensive examination. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.
“Misty had made a personal commitment to lifelong learning and upholding the highest level of professional ethics,” Erlanger CEO Kevin M. Spiegel said.
Early Matters hires Ramos and Shepard
Early Matters Chattanooga, an action team of the community-wide coalition Chattanooga 2.0, has appointed Sylvia Ramos as program director and Caroline Shepard as the program’s marketing specialist for the early childhood learning program known as Chattanooga Basics.
Ramos joins the Chattanooga Basics from North Carolina, bringing extensive experience in community work related to inclusion, equity, and education. Shepard recently graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she majored in communications. Ramos will be based at the United Way of Greater Chattanooga, while Shepard will be working from First Things First.
The Chattanooga Basics are five evidence-based parenting and care giving principles that can benefit children from all backgrounds. Decades of research have shown that a high quality early education lays the foundation for the development of cognitive and social skills that impact later success in school, career, and life.
“The Early Matters Chattanooga coalition is extremely excited to welcome the two dedicated Chattanooga Basics staff. For the past year, we have been working collectively as early childhood organizations to spread the word, but we expect the impact of this focused effort to be even greater,” said Dr. Robin Cayce, Director of Programs for Chattanooga 2.0.
Juvenile court names Cook as director
The Hamilton County Juvenile Court has appointed long-time leader Denise Cook to the position of Court Director. Cook has more than two decades of experience helping children and families navigate through the intricacies of the court system.
She previously served as the court’s social services supervisor, where she managed staff as well as all of the court’s volunteer services. She also served as primary point of contact between the Court and various social and mental health service providers.
“Denise has proven herself time and time again in helping the Court serve out its mission of serving the citizens well and in keeping the best interests of children as our guiding star,” Judge Rob Philyaw said. “I am pleased to have her on the administrative team and look forward to seeing her take on her new role with the same professionalism and heart that she has always shown.”
Cook earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is a member of the Tennessee Juvenile Court Services Association and a 2012 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga.
Smith is advisor for Patton Albertson
With 11 years of banking and trust experience, Justin Smith is the newest client advisor at Patton Albertson & Miller, which is a fee-only, financial management firm providing comprehensive wealth management and trust services to individuals, families, institutions, physicians and business owners.
Smith, who is a native of Signal Mountain, participates in the Young Professionals of Chattanooga, The Muse of Fire Project, Friends of the Library and The Chattanooga Estate Planning Council. A graduate of Belhaven University, Justin currently provides feedback and guidance in his role on the UTC Planned Giving Advisory Council.
“Justin is an incredible asset to our firm with his experience assisting clients throughout the Southeast,” said Jimmy Patton, founding partner and CEO of Patton Albertson & Miller. “His proven record of helping clients achieve their outcomes combined with his dedication to his hometown make him an excellent addition to our team.”
Patton Albertson & Miller serves individuals and families throughout the United States, with offices in Atlanta, Macon, Ga., and Chattanooga.
Dr. Covarrubias joins Parkridge hospital
Parkridge Health System has added board-certified pulmonologist Minerva Covarrubias, MD, to its medical staff.
Dr. Covarrubias joins the pulmonology team comprised of Harsha Shantha, MD, and Susan Taylor, MD, at the Parkridge Medical Group – Diagnostic Center practice at 2205 McCallie Avenue.
Dr. Covarrubias has received extensive training in treating the full scope of pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer. During her previous appointment, Dr. Covarrubias introduced advanced bronchoscopy procedures, such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy – skills she brings to Parkridge Health.
Dr. Covarrubias, a California native, earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, in Camden, New Jersey. She performed an internal medicine residency at Rochester General Hospital, in Rochester, New York, and served a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville.
Prior to joining Parkridge Health, Dr. Covarrubias served as part of Maury Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates. She also taught as an assistant professor of medicine at Meharry Medical College, in Nashville.
Izell joins law firm of Duncan, Hatcher
Local attorney W. Adam Izell has joined the Chattanooga law firm of Duncan, Hatcher, Holland & Fleenor, P.C.
Izell has been practicing in Chattanooga for nine years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2005 and from the University of Tennessee College of Law 2009 where he was the winner of the Pro Bono Award. Izell also studied in Cambridge, England with the Downing College International Law Study Abroad Program. Izell is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court (Eastern District of Tennessee), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Izell practices in the areas of Criminal Defense, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury; Probate/Estate Litigation, Civil Rights Defense, and Construction Litigation
Hospitality group honors Vision employees, hotel
Three Vision Hospitality associates and one property were recognized as Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association Stars of the Industry award winners.
Andrea Anderson, general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga/Downtown, was recognized as the Lodging General Manager of the Year, and she also led her Hilton Garden Inn team to be the recipient of the Community Service Hotel award for the second year in a row. Anderson has been with Vision for over four years.
The 2018 Lodging Manager of the year was awarded to Sam Kapellusch, assistant general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga/Downtown. As a member of the HGI Chattanooga/Downtown team, Kapellusch has been instrumental in the success of the hotel since her joining in 2015.
Steve Jennings, night auditor for the Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga/Hamilton Place, was honored with the prestigious Lodging Employee of the Year award. Steve has been an invaluable leader within Vision for the past eleven and a half years.
“We are very proud of our award winners not only for their contributions to their hotels but also to our community,” said Jeff Mochel, Regional vice president of operations for Vision Hospitality.
Business News is published each Sunday. Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfree press.com.