Champions of Health Care
In our third annual edition of Champions of Health Care, Edge magazine received nearly 200 recommendations from the public about health care providers, administrators and volunteers who are making health care better in Chattanooga.From among those nominations, a panel of judges comprised of top leaders from the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Medical Society and each of Chattanooga’s three major hospital systems – Erlanger Health System, CHI Memorial Hospital and Parkridge Health System – picked nine winners in eight different classifications of health care.The Champions of Health Care award winners this year have tackled major community health problems, started or promoted programs to better coordinate care and expanded initiatives for wellness and disease detection. Others are recognized for new approaches, strong leadership and simple acts of kindness during their lifetimes of achievement and service. In a variety of volunteer and professional roles across many of Chattanooga’s major health care institutions, the honorees have distinguished themselves and the community for improving the health of individuals and Chattanooga as a whole.This year’s Champions of Health Care will be honored at an awards luncheon at The Chattanoogan on Wednesday, September 5.
Someone once told Melanie Blake that the truest test of a doctor-in-the-making is: “If you can’t imagine doing anything else.”
The daughter of a cardiovascular nurse and a dentist, Dr. Blake, 39, has become the embodiment of that theory. She is this year’s Champions of Heath Care award recipient in the “Innovation in Health Care” category for her work advancing a patient-centered approach to primary care.
Innovation in Health Care Award
Honors a company or person primarily responsible for a scientific discovery or new processes, device or service that can save lives or improve the quality of lives.Accomplishments: Blake has led the development of Erlanger’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program to better coordinate care and give physicians more time for patient care by lifting some of their administrative duties and relying upon other health care professionals to aid in the overall care model.
In her spare time, Dr. Blake, a native of Birmingham and a former college athlete at Florida State University, is a national champion Masters sprint hurdler – which is an apt metaphor for her work at Erlanger, clearing hurdles through grit and focus.