We are so grateful for each and every one of the medical providers who currently volunteer with us, but the need is still great.
“Do it.
It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do in medicine right now.”
- Dr. Andrew Dudas
“Although I retired, the joy of giving tugged me back... I consider it a privilege to be able to do this.”
- Dr. Reed Baskin
Church Health’s patient population is uninsured and underserved. Many live without the resources others take for granted - stable housing, access to healthful foods, and access to proper healthcare. You can help us care for them.
Prov id e hop e and h e aling f or our c ommunit y tod ay ChurchHealth.org/volunteer/volunteer-medical-providers
Cover photo taken on the campus of Saint Francis Hospital - Memphis.
Message from the Publisher…
Dear Readers,
Happy 2025! I don’t know about you, but throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have some dynamic mentors. These are people I worked for who I admired, who took an interest in me, who sometimes saw potential in me that I didn’t even see in myself. I watched them operate. I took copious physical and mental notes. I learned from and sometimes mimicked them.
Among the mentors and role models in our lives are a select group called legends. Legend is a strong word, and I don’t use it lightly. This year we chose to honor five extraordinary Memphis physicians on our front cover. They were chosen for their passion, leadership, contributions, and the legacy they have in the Memphis medical community. I met them all recently and besides being legends, I can report they are delightful human beings as well.
I’ll start introductions with the newest legend in this group. Dr. Andrew Kerwin has only been in Memphis for four years, but he currently leads the Elvis Presley Trauma Unit Team at Regional One. This is one of the busiest ERs in the nation! People from parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri depend on it in a crisis. Dr. Kerwin is quite accomplished and already making such a lasting contribution to Memphis!
I’ll have to admit that when we came up with the theme of “Legends,” the first doctor who popped in my mind was Dr. Ed Garrett, Jr. of the Baptist Heart Institute. And when you hear of Dr. Garrett, you will hear about his father too – Dr. Ed Garrett Sr. who 60 years ago (on November 23, 1964, to be exact) performed the very first successful coronary artery bypass! Today, senior Dr. Garrett’s son has taken his father’s work a few steps further and made his own mark on medicine. He was instrumental in establishing the heart transplant program at Baptist Memorial Hospital and has performed over 250 heart transplants!
Serendipity sometimes plays a role in meeting your mentor and it sounds like that was the case when a young resident named Kurt Tauer met Dr. William West in a chance encounter with one of his patients. The two hit it off and eventually partnered (along with the renowned Dr. Lee Schwartzberg) to form the West Cancer
Clinic in Memphis. What a remarkable history they have! From a tworoom clinic in downtown Memphis, to multiple beautiful locations in the tri state region, West Cancer Center today is the premier oncology practice in this region and beyond. Congrats on the success Dr. Tauer!
Our next two honorees are straight outta (pardon the slang) the Mississippi Delta! Long before Dr. Madison Michael was doing brain surgery, he was helping his dad serve burgers in Cleveland, Mississippi. That experience (he humbly admits) taught him the importance of serving other people. Of course, his dad went on to start the Backyard Burgers franchise, and Dr. Michael went on to become one of the finest neurosurgeons in the country. We’re so proud to officially say he is a legend in Memphis medicine.
Our second Mississippi Delta honoree hails from Greenville, Mississippi. Dr. Azar has served as team physician for numerous professional, collegiate, and high school teams. He is well known in Memphis sports medicine and as one finest orthopaedic surgeons in the area. And as Chief of Staff, Dr. Azar leads Campbell Clinic, a globally recognized orthopaedic practice. Legendary!
More on these five doctors in the next few pages. And then we’ve put together an updated list of the people leading healthcare organizations in Memphis. Many changes and new faces are included throughout! We hope you can use this directory to stay informed and connected.
I know that some of you are thinking that you know other legendary physicians in Memphis. Here’s what you can do with that. Email me a nomination (just a name and a paragraph) and we will consider spotlighting them in a future issue of Memphis Medical News and InCharge! The first newspaper of the year comes out in March so be on the lookout for that. Thank you for reading and supporting us!
Pamela Z. Haskins Owner, Publisher pamela@memphismedicalnews.com
Legends Among Us
Five Physicians, Five Specialties, Five Legacies.
Remember, kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends, hero’s get remembered and legends never die.
–Babe Ruth
Thanks to these legendary Memphis doctors for sharing their journey with Memphis Medical News. Enjoy!
Frederick M. Azar, MD
Current practice: Chief of Staff, Campbell Clinic
Birthplace: Greenville, Mississippi
Where did you attend college and medical school?
College: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
What are your parents’ names and what were their occupations?
Joe and Virgie – they were realtors and small business owners.
What events or experiences led you to medicine and then to your specific medical specialty?
My parents always encouraged my siblings and me to do something to serve others. And I saw medicine as an opportunity to achieve this goal. One of my sisters was involved in an accident that required extensive orthopaedic surgical expertise while I was in medical school. I was fortunate to have spent time with the Campbell Clinic graduate who was treating her then, and this
helped inspire me to pursue the specialty of orthopaedic surgery.
Who were the mentors who influenced you the most?
I have been blessed with several mentors in my profession – Terry Canale, David Sick, Jim Beaty, James Andrews, Freddie Fu, and others. The prayers and guidance of my parents have had the greatest impact on my career.
What are the most significant changes have you seen over the years in your specialty or in medicine in general? What stands out in your mind?
Throughout my career, the specialty of orthopaedic surgery has benefited from many data-driven advancements including the improvement of patient outcomes, the focus on outpatient surgery and advancements in technology and biologics.
What are the new advancements in your area of medicine OR what are the advancements made during your career that have helped you do your job better?
biopsychosocial aspects of the athlete. Also, the transition to shared decision-making with our patients has improved patientphysician communications and improved the quality of patient care.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments during your career?
I have been fortunate to serve in numerous leadership roles throughout my career. At Campbell Clinic, I have placed emphasis on fostering an impactful culture centered on faith, family, and patient care. These foundational principles guide our daily decisions and strengthen our mission of service.
What are your “off call” pursuits? What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, including travel; and anything to improve my spiritual, mental, and physical fitness.
In recent years, there has also been a more holistic approach to the care of athletes, which includes the biopsychosocial aspects of the athlete.
–Frederick
M. Azar, MD
There have been many advancements in sports medicine orthopaedic surgery. The role of arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures continues to evolve. In recent years, there has also been a more holistic approach to the care of athletes, which includes the
Is there anything we did not ask that you would like to pass on to your peers in the Memphis medical community, or any medical students who read this?
I consider the practice of medicine to be a vocation, and it is truly a privilege to serve in this profession. It is important to have the support of your family to be a productive and successful physician. I have been blessed to have the prayers and support of my wife and children throughout my career.
H. Edward Garrett II, MD
Current practice: Cardiovascular Surgeon, Baptist Memorial HospitalMemphis
Birthplace:
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in Houston, Texas.
Where did you attend college and medical school?
College: Emory University Medical School: Vanderbilt University. General surgery residency and cardiac surgery residency at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Peripheral vascular surgery residency at University of Tennessee, Memphis.
What are your parents’ names and what were their occupations?
H. Edward Garrett, Sr, MD, Cardiovascular Surgeon; Chris Garrett, Assistant Dean, University of Tennessee Nursing School.
What events or experiences led you to medicine and then to your specific medical specialty?
I intended to do anything other than medicine because my father worked so hard and was rarely home. However, I spent the summer assisting in surgery at Baptist Hospital during college and was totally captivated by surgery. I went to medical school with the intention of becoming a surgeon and probably chose cardiac surgery because of the challenge and the connection with my father.
Who were the mentors who influenced you the most?
Of course, I wanted to emulate my father, but I also wanted to
make my own reputation, so I chose to train at an institution (Washington University in St. Louis) with which he had no connection. My excellent mentors there were (1) Dr. James Cox who invented the maze procedure, (2) Dr. Tom Ferguson who was president of the Society for Thoracic Surgery and editor of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, (3) Dr. Nick Kouchoukos who authored the definitive textbook of cardiac surgery and published the largest series of aortic valve conduit procedures in the world, (4) Dr. Greg Sicard who was president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and (5) Dr. Charles Roper who was one of the great thoracic surgeons of his generation.
What are the new advancements in your area of medicine OR what are the advancements made during your career that have helped you do your job better?
Technology has advanced at a rapid pace during my career resulting in successful less invasive procedures. The first transformative change was endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms which I was privileged to participate in many of the trials as technology evolved. Replacing the aortic valve percutaneously with a stented valve has totally changed aortic valve replacement from an open procedure to a percutaneous procedure. Approximately 80 percent of aortic valve replacements are now done percutaneously, which allows the treatment of older and sicker patients who had not been
a candidate for open surgery. Stenting blockages of every artery in the body has greatly reduced the need for open bypass procedures. Heart transplant and implantation of left ventricular assist devices can now offer a good quality of life to patients with severe heart failure.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments during your career?
Replacing the aortic valve percutaneously with a stented valve has totally changed aortic valve replacement from an open procedure to a percutaneous procedure.
–H. Edward Garrett II, MD
I was privileged to participate in many of the clinical research trials which advanced the technology of endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms, left ventricular assist devices, and less invasive cardiac valve repair and replacement procedures. Heart transplant became a reality when I started training, and I was privileged to help establish a transplant and left ventricular assist device program at Baptist Memorial HospitalMemphis which continues to the present time. I have contributed about fifty publications to world literature. However, I believe my most important and rewarding contribution has been the training of sixty-two vascular surgeons and approximately forty cardiac surgeons as well as numerous medical students and residents. I am proud of the great care which they provide in their communities and their many accomplishments.
What are your “off call” pursuits? What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
My first priority is my relationship with nine grandchildren who have many activities and interests. When opportunity presents, I enjoy fishing for any type of fish with any type of gear anywhere in the world.
Andrew Kerwin, MD
Current practice: Chief of Trauma, Regional One Health Elvis Presley Trauma Center
Birthplace: Where did you grow up?
Born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Where did you attend college and medical school? College: Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois Medical school at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Illinois.
What are your parents’ names and what were their occupations?
Andrew Kerwin, retired Marine and computer programmer; Sue Kerwin, school secretary.
What events or experiences led you to medicine and then to your specific medical specialty?
I don’t think there was one specific event that led me to pursue medicine as a career. I remember when I was young, my mom asked me if I thought I wanted to be a doctor one day and I said yes. All through high school I took rigorous math and science classes to prepare myself for pre-med studies in college. I went to Augustana because it had a strong pre-med program, and it was close to home. It also gave me a chance to play baseball.
I played football and baseball growing up and I remember wanting to go into orthopedic surgery and sports medicine so I could become a team doctor for the Chicago Bears. Once I did my general surgery rotation as a medical student, I changed my mind and decided to pursue general surgery as a career. Once I started my general surgery residency, I developed my love of trauma and surgical critical care. Who were the mentors who influenced you the most?
Dr. John Porter was one of the trauma surgeons who I met during my residency at the Medical University of Toledo, and he was a role model and mentor who helped me throughout my residency as I decided to pursue trauma and surgical critical care. During my fellowship at UTHSC and the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health I trained under Drs. Tim Fabian and Martin Croce. They taught me a great deal about how to care for critically injured patients. It was an experience that I could not have had at any other fellowship in the country. They also taught me to have an inquisitive mind and how to do research. Dr. Liz Pritchard was an incredible role model who taught me about the importance of having compassion for our patients and families. She is one of the most compassionate physicians I have ever worked with in my career.
What are the most significant changes have you seen over the years in your specialty or in medicine in general? What stands out in your mind?
Medicine is always changing to improve outcomes for our patients. I have seen tremendous improvements in technology for surgery such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery. This allows our patients to recover faster because they have less pain. We have also had tremendous improvements in the management of vascular injuries. Our work in Memphis has defined how we diagnose and manage blunt cerebrovascular injuries. There have been tremendous improvements in vascular stents to manage life threatening injuries such as blunt aortic transections. Again, it is less invasive and has fewer complications than open surgery.
your career that have helped you do your job better?
I think we have developed newer technology that allows us to monitor patients closely during their resuscitation period so we can be precise on how we resuscitate them. We have also expanded our use of whole blood and blood products during resuscitation. We have gotten better at how we manage respiratory failure with ventilators.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments during your career?
Being a good leader and building a talented team to run a great trauma program is very important to me. I am really proud of the team I built in my prior position at the University of Florida in Jacksonville and the team here at UTHSC and Regional One. It can be a challenge to get a bunch of surgeons to work well together and I think I have done that in both places. Multiple surgeons who I recruited have gone on to take other leadership positions in other academic programs and I am proud to think I had some impact on them becoming leaders. What are your “off call” pursuits? What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
We have also had tremendous improvements in the management of vascular injuries. Our work in Memphis has defined how we diagnose and manage blunt cerebrovascular injuries.
–Andrew Kerwin, MD
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I have three kids. Our twin boys were born in Memphis during my fellowship. DJ is an attorney in St. Petersburg and AJ is a fourth-year medical student at Florida International University who is applying for general surgery residency now. Our daughter, Courtney, is a nurse at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. Is there anything we didn’t ask that you’d like to pass on to your peers in the Memphis medical community or any medical students who read this?
What are the new advancements in your area of medicine OR what are the advancements made during
I think it’s important to be kind to yourself and to others. Medicine requires tremendous teamwork to prevent errors and get the best outcomes for our patients. Being kind really helps to build your team.
Campbell
Why Choose Us?
• Board-certified orthopaedic spine specialists
• Innovative treatments backed by years of research
• Ultra minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery
• Physiatry specialists that provide minor interventions, such as spinal cord stimulation and biologics
• State-of-the-art rehabilitation for fractures and trauma
• Complex and deformity spine surgery, including fusions
• Center for Bone Health and outpatient kyphoplasty
L. Madison Michael II, MD
Current practice: Neurosurgeon, Semmes Murphey
Birthplace: Rosedale, Mississippi
Where did you attend college and medical school?
College:
University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Fellowship in Skull Base and Open Vascular Surgery, Bristol, England
What are your parents’ names and what were their occupations?
Lattie Michael, Owner of Michael’s Enterprises, started Back Yard Burgers; Beth Wyngarden, Best mother of all time
What events or experiences led you to medicine and then to your specific medical specialty?
I have always enjoyed guiding people through life experiences. I was a climbing guide for several years after college, travelling the world. I was in Talkeetna, Alaska, after a climb, and a TV show was on (Northern Exposure) in the bar. Oddly enough, the show was set in a fictional town based on Talkeetna. It is a peculiar storyline in which a recent medical school graduate from a big city is placed in a small town in Alaska for several years in exchange for payment of his medical school loans. I loved the idea of a physician serving within a community. After watching that show, I felt pursuing medicine was my next ‘calling.’
I entered medical school thinking primary care was my ultimate profession. One day during my first year, on my way to the Gross Anatomy lab, I met Dr. Jon Robertson, the chair of the Neurosurgery department. I have always heard of the awe people felt when they met Elvis. I was going into
Neurosurgery the second I met Dr. Robertson. Who were the mentors who influenced you the most?
Mr. John Nichols – He was an older Sewanee graduate that I met by chance. He taught me to believe in myself and to be bold in my approach to life.
Mr. Baron Jordan – He was my college roommate and still is the life of the party! I never understood what loyalty meant before meeting him. He showed me two other things. You are who you surround yourself with. And you will never get to your destination by yourself. I am immensely grateful to know him.
Mr. John Shackleford - He was my college tennis coach, and we remain close. He taught me the value of team, hard work, and discipline.
Dr. Jon Robertson – He has given me my entire professional career, and I will never forget that. I have always strived to make him proud.
What are the most significant changes have you seen over the years in your specialty or in medicine in general? What stands out in your mind?
Growing up in the surgical world, I was taught that surgery is the answer to practically everything. The older I get, the more I realize that ‘less is more.’ The great blues guitarists always know when ‘not to play the note.’ When looking at the different options for patients, I respect the natural history of disorders more than ever. Most things never need any treatment.
your career that have helped you do your job better?
To follow up on the previous question, the natural history of most pathologies is quite benign. Although scary to hear ‘I have a brain tumor,’ most lesions never require any treatment at all. When someone does need surgery, two things stand out to me when it comes to an improvement in care. One is image guidance. When you fly a plane, one has redundancy in the process of making things safer. Image guidance gives us that redundancy in the operating room. It verifies what we think is true, and that confidence is invaluable. The other has to do with medical oncology. The details that we get on tumor profiles these days are beyond what I could have ever imagined. It gives us treatment opportunities on every level.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments during your career?
When it comes to surgery, there have been unbelievable advances in neuroanatomy and microsurgical techniques. Our ability to unlock surgical compartments and work in tight spaces amazes me.
–L. Madison Michael, II, MD
When it comes to surgery, there have been unbelievable advances in neuroanatomy and microsurgical techniques. Our ability to unlock surgical compartments and work in tight spaces amazes me. Of course, this results in superior outcomes on quite complex pathologies compared to five years ago.
What are the new advancements in your area of medicine OR what are the advancements made during
I have been the director of our neurosurgical residency program here in Memphis for the last 13 years and have been responsible for teaching the ‘next’ generation of neurosurgeons. I find an immense amount of satisfaction safely getting them from residents to attending. What a great feeling! When it comes to my specialty (skull base surgery), we have inspired an entire generation of young doctors to devote their lives to improving tumor care and vascular care. It is unbelievable to see the commitment and the willingness to push the boundaries of surgical care going forward. I serve as President of our national subspecialty organization (North American Skull Base Society) in 2025-2026.
What are your “off call” pursuits?
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I have always loved sports. Watching it, playing it, anything sports related. I am a big runner and climber. I try to get outside any time I can. I love sharing this part of my life with our three boys.
Kurt W. Tauer, MD, FACP
Current practice: Chairman, West Cancer
Center & Research Institute
Birthplace: Lebanon, Indiana
Where did you attend college and medical school?
College: Undergrad at Wesleyan University
Medical School: St. Louis University, Internal Medicine
Residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Fellowship in Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
What are your parents’ names and what were their occupations?
Lucia Tauer and Paul Tauer. Owned and operated Paul O. Tauer Florist & Greenhouse in Lebanon, Indiana.
What events or experiences led you to medicine and then to your specific medical specialty?
I have always wanted to go into medicine since I was a child. No firefighter or police officer career for me, I always wanted to be a doctor. When I was a freshman in medical school my father developed lung cancer, he was a heavy smoker and suffered greatly from the disease. This event in my life inspired me to become an Oncologist, which was also scientifically fascinating to me as well.
Who were the mentors who influenced you the most?
I have been blessed to be around intelligent and competent people to guide me in my medical journey throughout life. The headmaster at the prep school I attended, suggested I go to Wesleyan University in Connecticut for my undergraduate education. My microbiology professor in medical school had a great influence on
my medical education as well. The greatest mentor for my career has been Dr. William West, founder of the West Clinic. He is a great mentor not only in Medical Oncology, but in negotiating the business of Oncology. I owe him a lot for my success and appreciate his work for helping patients and pathing a way for Oncology.
What are the most significant changes have you seen over the years in your specialty or in medicine in general? What stands out in your mind?
There have been many exciting breakthroughs in medical oncology but the most important is the incorporation of the genetic changes in the cancer cells that lead to the clinical situations we see in our cancer patients. The correlation of these mutations with the clinical picture and the subsequent treatment of the cancer patient through manipulating these mutations, has been breathtaking in its impact on treating cancer. I only wish I was 25 again so I could be around to see how these advances continue to develop.
important improvement in helping me take care of patients.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments during your career?
The ability for me to remember that my patients are people- fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, with a terrible disease and to be able to incorporate this same mind set into the fabric of the West Clinic along with excellent clinical care and research and to see this build up to where we are today and to be able to have such an impact on the community.
There have been many exciting breakthroughs in medical oncology but the most important is the incorporation of the genetic changes in the cancer cells that lead to the clinical situations we see in our cancer patients. The correlation of these mutations with the clinical picture and the subsequent treatment of the cancer patient through manipulating these mutations, has been breathtaking in its impact on treating cancer.
–Kurt W. Tauer, MD, FACP
What are the new advancements in your area of medicine OR what are the advancements made during your career that have helped you do your job better?
The technology associated with correlating the amazing amount of data that is being generated and being able to incorporate this into patient care has been the most
What are your “off call” pursuits? What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I have two lives, the one here at the clinic, but the more important one and the one I like to spend my off time with is family, my wife, Anita, my children, grandchildren, and our various interests.
Is there anything we didn’t ask that you’d like to pass on to your peers in the Memphis medical community or any medical students who read this?
We as physicians have the great honor of being able to deal with people at incredible times of crisis in their lives. We have the opportunity to impact this crisis in a positive way and by helping the patient- we help the family and help the community. For those of us who have gone into medicine, we can never forget this special relationship we have with our patients, and we must protect this relationship with all our spirit.
AKaren Adams, CMPE
Director
of
Operations
Semmes Murphey Clinic
6325 Humphreys Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38120
901-522-7700
smc-info@semmesmurphey.com
Adams serves as the Director of Operations at Semmes Murphey Clinic, overseeing the logistical operations to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and objectives. With a tenure of over two decades at Semmes Murphey, she has spent many years in leadership, including time as Clinic Manager before assuming her current role. She holds a B.S.Ed. in Education from Abilene Christian University and is a Board-Certified Medical Practice Executive. Adams also served as the 2019 President of the Mid-South Medical Group Management Association.
Chris Anderson
Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
Baptist Memorial Health Care
350 North Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120
901-227-4140
Chris.Anderson@ BMHCC.org
Anderson was promoted to executive vice president/chief operating officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care on Oct. 1, 2023. He previously served as VP of operations for Baptist Memorial’s metro market and VP of operations for Baptist Memorial’s Mississippi market, which included nine hospitals in Central and North Mississippi. Anderson joined Baptist in 2017 after Baptist Memorial and Mississippi Baptist Health Systems signed a shared mission agreement. Prior to that, Anderson served as president/CEO of Mississippi Baptist Health Systems from 2014 to 2017. In total, he has served as a health system CEO for 19 years and worked in health care for more than 35 years.
Kimberly Avery, BBA, MBA, JD
Chief Executive Officer/ Administrator
Mid- South Pulmonary Specialists, PC
5050 Poplar Ave., Suite 800 Memphis, TN 38157
901-276-2662
mspulmonary.com
Avery graduated with a BBA in International Business, an MBA in Healthcare Economics, and a Juris Doctorate all from the University of Memphis. She was named administrator of Mid-South Pulmonary Specialists, PC, in September of 1998. Since then, she helped grow the practice from five physicians to over forty-three providers specializing in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Success has come from working with all three hospital systems in Memphis as well as embracing change and being willing to constantly restructure the way the physicians practice to meet the needs of the evolving healthcare market. Having such high-quality physicians who care about their patients has also been an integral part of the success of MidSouth Pulmonary Specialists, P.C.
Frederick M. Azar, MD Chief of Staff Campbell Clinic 1400 South Germantown Road Germantown TN, 38138
901-759-3100 campbellclinic.com
Dr. Azar joined Campbell Clinic in August of 1995 and currently serves as Chief of Staff. He specializes in elbows, knees, shoulders, and sports medicine and has served as the team physician for numerous professional teams, colleges and high schools. A graduate of University of Notre Dame, Azar then attended Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at UT/Campbell Clinic followed by sports medicine fellowship. He is a former president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and of the NBA Team Physicians Association. He is currently a Co-Chair of the ALSAC/St. Jude Board of Directors and Governors. Azar is also
a professor at University of TennesseeCampbell Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering.
Cara Azhar
Senior Director, Development
Memphis Medical Society and Memphis Medical Foundation 1067 Cresthaven Road Memphis, TN 38119 901-761-0200 mdmemphis.org
Azhar serves as Director, Physician and Practice Relations for the Memphis Medical Society. Before joining the Medical Society in 2019, she was the Executive Director of the Northeast Arkansas Board of REALTORS®. Azhar currently holds positions with the Mid-South Medical Group Management Association (MS-MGMA) and the Mid-South Health Care Executives (MHCE). She earned a B.S. in Strategic Communications and Marketing from Arkansas State University.
BBrian M. Barbeito, MBA, MSHA, FACHE, FRBMA
Chief Executive Officer
Mid-South Imaging & Therapeutics, P.A. Vascular Interventional Physicians 7600 Wolf River Blvd., Suite 200 Germantown, TN 38138
901-747-1000 msit.com
Barbeito serves as CEO or Midsouth Imaging and Therapeutics, PA a large multispecialty radiology practice serving Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives as well as a Fellow with the Radiology Business Management Association.
David Baytos Senior Vice President and President Methodist Olive Branch Hospital 4250 Bethel Rd. Olive Branch, MS 38654 662-932-9000 methodisthealth.org/ olivebranch
Interim Senior Vice President and President Methodist University Hospital 1265 Union Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 901-516-7000 methodisthealth.org/ university
Baytos joined Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 1998 as president of Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. He became president of Methodist Olive Branch Hospital in 2009 to coordinate the development of the healthcare system’s north Mississippi hospital, which opened to patients in August 2013. Additionally, he oversees Methodist Le Bonheur’s international consulting services. Baytos earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Xavier University, and volunteers for multiple civic and community organizations throughout Mississippi and Tennessee.
James Beaty, Jr. MD President Memphis Medical Society Department Chair, UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering Campbell Clinic Foundation 1067 Cresthaven Rd. Memphis, TN 38119 901-761-0200 mdmemphis.org
Dr. Beaty, a renowned pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, currently serves as Professor and Chairman in the UTHSC Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of Staff Emeritus at Campbell Clinic. With career spanning leadership roles such as president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and chief of staff at Campbell Clinic, Dr. Beaty has authored seven textbooks, fifty-eight book chapters, and seventy scientific articles, while delivering
lectures and holding visiting professorships worldwide. Dr. Beaty will serve as the 2025 President of the Memphis Medical Society.
Blevins is a native of Wisconsin and holds her master’s degree in counseling from Concordia UniversityWisconsin and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development from the University of WisconsinGreen Bay. Blevins has held her LPC license for the past 12 years. She worked as a direct care counselor and counseling manager for a local non-profit for almost 8 years before transitioning to Lakeside Behavioral to work in business development in 2017. There she held multiple roles in business development, Director of Business Development, Associate Administrator, and was appointed Chief Operating Officer. In March of 2023, Blevins was chosen to be the Chief Executive Officer of Crestwyn Behavioral.
Daniel Boyd, MD Chief Medical Officer Lakeside Behavioral Health System 2911 Brunswick Road Memphis, TN 38133
901-377-4700 lakesidebhs.com
Dr. Boyd was named Chief Medical Officer in November 2020. He has been part of the Lakeside family since 1996. Dr. Boyd is a graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Medicine (1990), completed a Pediatric Internship at Baylor College of Medicine (1990-1991), and was a Psychiatry Resident at Vanderbilt School of Medicine (1990-1994). He is board certified in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. He is a member of the Tennessee Medical Association and Memphis & Shelby County Medical Society. As a teaching hospital, Lakeside supports residents from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of
Medicine, where Dr. Boyd has served as Clinical Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry since 2009.
Peter Buckley, MD
Chancellor
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Mooney Building 875 Monroe Avenue Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-4796
pbuckle2@uthsc.edu
The 11th chancellor of UT Health Science Center, Dr. Buckley is a psychiatrist and expert in schizophrenia. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and serves as an expert reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health. He has served on various boards and committees related to his clinical specialty. With a background of studies in brain imaging and neurodevelopment, he has received numerous awards for his academic, clinical, and research work. Dr. Buckley previously served as dean of the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and executive vice president of medical affairs for the VCU Health System. He was the recipient of the 2023 Leadership Award from the American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry and was honored by the Association of American Medical Colleges in 2022 with the distinguished service membership.
Robert Burns Principal/CEO
Clearly MD 8110 North Brother Blvd. Memphis, TN 38133
901-373-8949 clearlymd.com
Having managed medical practices for over 40 years, Burns currently serves as co-owner and CEO for ClearlyMD Practice Solutions and is responsible for the development and management of Memphis’ largest women’s health practice, Memphis Obstetrics and Gynecological Association, PC (MOGA). A graduate of Memphis State University, (now University of Memphis), Burns has consulted with multiple practices throughout his career, having been instrumental in
many local practice start-ups, mergers, and acquisitions. ClearlyMD offers a full range of practice services including billing, human resources, marketing, IT, and financial management. Throughout the years, he has served in various positions with MGMA, OBGA, and Mid-South MGMA.
CPaul Cade
Vice President, Market Operations-Metro
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Chief Executive Officer Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis 6019 Walnut Grove Memphis, TN 38120 901-226-0505
Paul.Cade@BMHCC. org
Cade is the vice president of market operations-metro and CEO/ administrator of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. In this role, Cade oversees operations for Baptist Memphis, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, Baptist Restorative Care Hospital, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton and Baptist Cancer Center. Cade began his health care career with Baptist in 1993 and served as CEO/administrator of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle from 2008 to 2023. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized for quality by numerous organizations. Cade also served in other roles at Baptist Golden Triangle, including assistant administrator from 2004 to 2008 and administrative director of clinical operations-Willowbrook Services, behavioral health for Baptist Golden Triangle, from 1999 to 2001. Cade also served as administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City from 2002 to 2004 and assistant administrator of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County from 2001 to 2002. Cade has a Master of Education from Mississippi State University and a master’s in administration with a concentration in health care from Central Michigan University.
Dr. Marie Thompson
Dr. Samantha Ouyang
Dr. David Yanishevski
James
Cagle,
CPA, FHFMA Chief Financial Officer
West Cancer Center
7945 Wolf River Boulevard Germantown, TN 38138
901-683-0055 westcancercenter.com
Cagle brought 30+ years of financial operations experience to West Cancer Center starting in June 2022. He served eight years prior as CFO for a large behavioral health company, Strategic Behavioral Health, LLC. Cagle rose from Audit Staff Accountant Supervisor to Audit Partner over a 23-year period at Horne CPA Group before joining Strategic Behavioral Health. He has shaped and implemented fiscal policies and procedures to maximize cash flow and manage expenses to ensure the future of outstanding cancer care. His collaborative, hands-on approach, knowledge, and commitment to excellence will benefit patients and staff for years to come.
Brad Canada, MD
Chief
Medical
Officer
University Clinical Health 1407 Union Avenue, Ste 700 Memphis, TN 38104
901-866-8864 universityclinical health.com
Dr. Canada has served as University Clinical Health’s Chief Medical Officer since 2004. He acts as a liaison between UCH physicians and administrators and ensures UCH’s goals align with University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) goals. Additionally, he is also a practicing nephrologist. Canada earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from UTHSC and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi. He holds certifications in Nephrology and Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Paul Carruth, MD
Managing Partner
Memphis
Radiological PC
6401 Poplar Ave, Ste 220 Memphis, TN 38118
901-685-2696
memphisradiological. com
Dr. Carruth joined Memphis Radiological P.C. in 1997. He is a Tennessee native; and attended Memphis State University for 3 years prior to entering medical school. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee and completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Methodist University Hospital of Memphis. He then completed his fellowship in Ultrasound at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Carruth is Board certified by the American Board of Radiology and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. Dr. Carruth is also board certified by the American Board of Radiology. His professional memberships include the American College of Radiology, Tennessee Radiological Society, Radiological Society of North America, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and Christian Medical Dental Society.
Zach Chandler
Executive Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer
Baptist Memorial Health Care
350 North Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120
901-227-5137
zach.chandler@ bmhcc.org
Chandler serves as Baptist Memorial Health Care’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer. After completing his Frank Groner administrative fellowship at Baptist, Chandler held several leadership roles within the organization, including serving as CEO and administrator at four Baptist Memorial hospitals. He also served as vice president and head of metroMemphis operations and prior to that, vice president and head of regional operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and a master’s degree in health administration from Washington University. In addition to his leadership
roles at Baptist, he spent two years as president of Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas. The American College of Healthcare Executives has honored Chandler with its Early Career Healthcare Executive Award.
Allison Bosse Chase Chief Executive Officer and Administrator
Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women 6225 Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120 901-227-9106
Allison.Bosse@ BMHCC.org
Bosse Chase was named chief executive officer and administrator for the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women in May 2022. Chase joined Baptist in 2014 and quickly advanced from a graduate assistant in 2014 to associate administrator for Baptist Women’s Hospital in 2019 and pediatric service line administrator in 2021. A former Groner Fellow, Chase has worked on financial and operational management, budget planning and strategic development. She successfully aided in the deployment of a partnership with Vanderbilt Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital for pediatric specialty service coverage in pulmonology and urology and launched several programs at Baptist Children’s Hospital, including a Certified Diabetes Educator Telemedicine Program, an Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program and Baptist Children’s Hospital Sleep Lab. Chase completed an internship with Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in 2012 and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Memphis in 2016.
Chirag Chauhun, MBA, AIF, CFP Managing Partner Bluff City Advisory Group, LLC Board Member Methodist Healthcare Foundation
7906 Players Forest Drive
Memphis, TN 38119 901-365-3447
Bluffcityadvisory.com
Chauhun is a Rhodes College graduate. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of
Memphis and received his Retirement Planning Specialist designation from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2024, Chauhun became a member of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation board of directors. In addition, he is a member of the Methodist Germantown Hospital Advisory Council. Chauhun stays actively involved with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Medical Group Management Association and the Memphis Estate Planning Council.
Renee Cole, MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer Lakeside Behavioral Health System 2911 Brunswick Road Memphis, TN 38133
901-377-4700 lakesidebhs.com
Cole was named Chief Nursing Officer in August 2024. With 35 years in nursing, specifically 20 years in behavioral health, Renee started at Lakeside as the Director of the West unit and was an integral part in launching the Patriot Support Program, Lakeside’s program for military personnel and veterans. Renee earned a bachelor’s degree from
Chamberlain University and a Master of Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University.
Reginald Coopwood, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Regional One Health 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 901-545-7100 regionalonehealth.org
Dr. Coopwood has been the president and CEO of Regional One Health since March 2010. Prior to joining Regional One Health, Dr. Coopwood served in leadership roles including CEO and CMO in other health systems. Dr. Coopwood’s work at Regional One Health is complemented by his commitment to the health and well-being of the individuals in our community. Dr. Coopwood serves as a board member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. He is an alum of Leadership Memphis and serves on the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Directors. He has earned numerous honors for his work
in healthcare over the years, including being a 2022 Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inductee, Inside Memphis Business’ CEO of the Year in 2014; and the Tennessee Hospital Association’s CEO Meritorious Service Award in 2011, the Diversity Champion Award in 2013 and the President’s Award in 2016.
Heather Crawford
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare 1211 Union Ave., Suite 700
Memphis, TN 38104
901-478-0565
MethodistHealth.org
Crawford is senior vice president and chief nurse executive for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Previously, she held leadership roles at renowned healthcare institutions such as Sutter Health, ScionHealth and UCI Health. Crawford holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Sonoma State University, a master’s degree in business administration and a Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership.
Martin Croce, MD, FACS
Senior
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Regional One Health 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100 regionalonehealth.org
Dr. Croce transitioned to the role of senior vice president and chief medical officer in August of 2018 after a lengthy and distinguished career in one of the busiest trauma centers in the United States – the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health. As chief medical officer, Croce oversees quality, medical research, medical staff services, regulatory readiness and infection prevention for the system. Croce earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). He completed a surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida before returning to Memphis. He completed a residency and internship with UTHSC that started his career in the Trauma Center at Regional One Health, where he served as medical director 2000 to 2018. Croce’s work focuses heavily on quality initiatives, enhancing the physician/administration relationship and exploring new opportunities for patient care.
Cullison began her career with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 2004 as an administrative resident after completing graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has held numerous leadership positions including assistant administrator and hospital vice president. In 2016, she became chief executive officer for The Village at Germantown, an affiliate of the healthcare system. Cullison returned to lead Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown
Hospital in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and two master’s degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Clint F. Cummins, MHA
Chief Executive Officer
Memphis Medical Society, MedTemps and Memphis Medical Foundation
1067 Cresthaven Road Memphis, TN 38119-3833
901-761-0200 mdmemphis.org
Cummins has more than 20 years of executive leadership and advocacy experience in healthcare and nonprofit organizations. He serves nationally as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE). He serves locally as a volunteer leader for MidSouth Medical Group Management Association (MSMGMA), Vitalant Community Leadership Council, Woodland Presbyterian School, and as Chair of the Distribution Committee for the Dorothy Snider Foundation. At the state level he was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Tennessee Charitable Care Network, and will be joining the Steering Committee for the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee-Martin and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Memphis.
Pamela Dotson, MBA, BSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
West Cancer Center
7945 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138
901-683-0055
westcancercenter.org
Dotson has 30 years of experience in healthcare. Prior to joining West Cancer Center, she held the title of Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she led the institution to its first
James R. Downing, MD President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 901-595-3300
stjude.org
Dr. Downing is president and chief executive officer of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As the architect of a six-year strategic plan that will result in more than $12.9 billion in new construction on the St. Jude campus, he is leading the expansion of St. Jude clinical care and research programs around the globe. Downing is renowned leader in pediatric cancer research. His work is focused on understanding the genetic basis of cancer and using that information to improve treatments. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, an ambitious sequencing effort to discover why childhood cancer arises, spreads and resists treatment. Beyond research, Dr. Downing has been a driving force to take St. Jude to the world. Under his tenure, the hospital has developed a program solely focused on raising pediatric cancer survival rates internationally.
Transforming lives with life-changing care.
From treating the sick to everyday wellness and everything in between.
We believe life-changing transformations are possible with the right care. At Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, you can find expert, compassionate, personalized care. Whether you’re navigating a serious illness or pursuing everyday wellness, our providers take the time to listen, connect and understand your health needs. For over a century, we have been unwavering in our commitment to change lives for the better.
Duckett joined Baptist Memorial Health Care in 1992. He directs all legal services associated with Baptist Memorial Health Care, the largest hospital-based provider in the Mid-South, and has coordinated several mergers and acquisitions on behalf of the corporation, the largest of which was the acquisition of Mississippi Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, Mississippi. As the chief legal officer for Baptist, Duckett has overseen several complex transactions that have led to a number of new initiatives in health care. He was instrumental in some of the early physician practice acquisitions in the Memphis area. Additionally, he is responsible for risk management, corporate compliance, privacy and security, and the legal and regulatory department. Duckett is also a fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and the American Health Lawyers. He was acknowledged in the April 2018 edition of the Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the “50 African American Leaders in Healthcare to Know” and was honored in 2020 as a Memphis Living Legend.
Debbie Eddlestone Chief Executive Officer
Stern Cardiovascular 8060 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138
901-271-1000
Sterncardio.com
Eddlestone, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Stern Cardiovascular, one of the nation’s leading cardiology clinics. With over 25 years’ experience in healthcare leadership, she has transformed Stern into a model of innovation, patient care, and operational excellence. Under Eddlestone’s leadership, Stern has expanded its footprint, introducing state-of-the art technologies and advanced cardiac care programs that have set new standards in the field. In addition to overseeing clinic operations, she is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and
compassionate care, ensuring that Stern Cardiovascular remains at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine.
Brandon Edgerson, MS, PharmD
Chief Operating Officer Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Ave. Memphis, TN 38103
901-287-5437
LeBonheur.org
In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Edgerson oversees operations in the Pharmacy, Lab, Radiology, Rehabilitation Services, Nutrition, Spiritual Care, Child Life, Social Work, Volunteer Services and Respiratory Care. Brandon joined the Le Bonheur family in 2006 and served as director of Pharmacy before moving into his current position. In addition to his work at Le Bonheur, he has held the offices of President and Secretary/ Treasurer for TSHP and been involved in various professional organizations such as TPA, Children’s Hospital Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the UTHSC Pharmacy Alumni Board. Edgerson earned his PharmD from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, completed
his residency training at The Ohio State University Medical Center and earned his master’s from The Ohio State University.
Baylee Less-Eiseman Director of Development Memphis Jewish Home 36 Bazeberry Road Cordova, TN 38018 901-756-3273
Bless@memphisjewishhome.org
As the Director of Development for Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, LessEiseman is responsible for overseeing all fundraising, marketing, and community relations for the organization. A native Memphian, Baylee returned home after four years at the University of Maryland where she received a double degree in English and Jewish Studies. Prior to her role at MJHR, she worked at Youth Villages, Temple Israel, and the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation. She also serves on the board of directors for Music Export Memphis, a local nonprofit that supports working musicians, and is pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Memphis.
James W. Eubanks, MD, FACS President and Surgeon-in-Chief Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital 848 Adams Ave. Memphis, TN 38103 901-287-5437
LeBonheur.org
Dr. Eubanks is president of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Eubanks is a pediatric surgeon and has served Le Bonheur for more than 20 years. Eubanks holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi, and he attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Eubanks completed a general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center followed by a pediatric surgery fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Eubanks has served several leadership roles at Le Bonheur, including Trauma Medical Director from 2004-2018. Among his many accomplishments, Eubanks was instrumental in Le Bonheur earning the American College of Surgeons Level I Pediatric Trauma designation. He has held the role of surgeon-in-chief
since 2015 and previously served as chief of the medical staff for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. A native Mississippian, Dr. Eubanks is the father of five and grandfather to three.
Hella Ewing, MSM, RN
Chief Nursing Officer Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Ewing is the chief nursing officer at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Ewing has significant leadership experience at major children’s hospitals and is a well-respected nursing leader. She most recently served as CNO at Lucille Packard / Stanford Children’s Hospital in California and prior to that was CNO at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. Ewing earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Management from Troy State University.
FRenee Fancher, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Acting Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer VA Memphis Health Care
1030 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, TN 38104-2127
901-577-7292 www.memphis.va.gov
Fancher is the Acting Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) for Memphis, as of November 4, 2024. Prior to this role she is the sitting VISN 9 Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO) since 2023. She is responsible for network level oversight of Telehealth and Rural Health Veterans care, Nursing Qualification Standards, Care Coordination, and Integrated Case management (CCICM), Clinical Contact Center (CCC), Nursing Operations, and Nursing Informatics. Fancher has been employed by the Veterans Health Administration in Chief Nurse of Mental Health and Chief Nurse of Acute Care roles and served as Acting Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care Services, at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System within VISN 9, with
oversight of Acute Care, Intensive Care Units (ICU), Emergency Departments, Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health, Bone Marrow transplant, Palliative Care, and Discharge Coordination.
Thomas C. Ferguson
MD, FACHE
Chief of Staff/Chief Medical Officer
VA Memphis Health Care
1030 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, TN 38104-2127
901-577-7202
memphis.va.gov
Dr. Ferguson serves as Chief of Staff for the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis. In this capacity, Dr. Ferguson has overall responsibility for the medical support operations of a level 1A tertiary care facility delivering medical care, treatment, and services within a 220-bed inpatient facility and nine Community Based Outpatient Clinics covering fifty-three counties in West Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, and Northern Mississippi. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has previously served as Chief of Primary Care, Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory Care, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, and the Interim Executive Director at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VAMC. Before joining the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2008, Dr. Ferguson was a partner in a private practice affiliated with Methodist/Le Bonheur Healthcare.
John “Mose” Franck Chief Operations Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis 5959 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000 saintfrancishosp.com
In April 2022, Franck assumed the role of Chief Operations Officer at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations at the hospital. Prior to joining Saint Francis, Franck served as the Vice-President of Operations at HCA’s Presbyterian/St. Luke’s
Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. Other leadership roles include Associate Administrator at HCA: Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. Franck earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and his master’s in health administration from The Medical University of South Carolina. He also holds a Master of Science in Finance from Johns Hopkins University.
GKarun Gadiparthi Chief Strategy Officer
Saint Francis Healthcare 5959 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000
saintfrancishosp.com
Gadiparthi serves as Market Chief Strategy Officer for Saint Francis Healthcare and is responsible for guiding strategic development for Saint Francis-Memphis and Saint FrancisBartlett. Gadiparthi had previously served as Director of Forecasting and Financial Analysis for Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation since 2019. Prior to that, he served as Lead Analyst on Baptist’s Epic (electronic health record) team.
Gadiparthi earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas in San Antonio, Texas, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas, in Dallas, Texas. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
H. Edward Garrett, II, MD
Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis
BMG Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery
6025 Walnut Grove Rd, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38120
901-226-0456 baptistonline.org/ services/heart
Dr. Garrett graduated from Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine before completing both a general residency and cardiothoracic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Garrett returned to his hometown of Memphis to complete a peripheral vascular surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he is currently a professor of surgery and program director for the Division of Vascular Surgery.
Eric Gibson Principal/Chief Financial Officer
Clearly MD 8110 North Brother Blvd. Bartlett, TN 38133
901-373-2459
clearlymd.com
For over 25 years, Gibson has worked exclusively in healthcare and physician practice management and consulting and is currently co-owner and CFO for Clearly MD, LLC, a medical practice management services company. His experience includes financial and operational management, information technology solutions, and benefits and human resources administration. He is a graduate of Union University and serves as Treasurer on the boards of Tennessee MGMA and Mid-South MGMA.
Teresa Golden, RN, BSOL Practice Manager
Mid- South Pulmonary Specialists, PC
5050 Poplar Ave., Suite 800 Memphis, TN 38157
901-276-2662 mspulmonary.com
Golden has been with Mid-South Pulmonary Specialists for 25 years. She has an Associate of Science in Nursing from Southwest Community College. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Healthcare Management from Union University. She attributes the success of Mid-South Pulmonary Specialists, P.C. to working with highly skilled physicians who practice within the scope of their knowledge base yet remain flexible and easily adaptable to changes in the healthcare market.
Graves has over 35 years of leadership experience in healthcare. As CEO of West Cancer Center since 2019, he is creating a culture that focuses on clinical excellence, research, education, patient centric care, recruitment and retention of top talent, and growth of patient access to care throughout the Mid-south. Prior to joining West Cancer Center, he served as CEO of HealthChoice, LLC and prior to that was a senior executive for 25 years at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Graves serves on the Church Health Center’s finance committee and is board chairman for Memphis Light Gas and Water.
HLinda Hughlett, RNC, DNP, CNM
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Regional One Health 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100 regionalonehealth.org
Hughlett joined Regional One Health in 2016 as a nurse manager in women’s services. Since that time, she has been promoted to director of women and neonatal services, associate chief nursing officer, and eventually senior vice president and chief nursing officer in 2020. Hughlett spent her early nursing years working in acute care, emergency, and critical care before discovering her love for obstetrics and women’s services. Hughlett studied at Vanderbilt University, earning her master’s and doctorate degrees. Hughlett was a Certified Nurse Midwife and spent 13 years in a faculty practice at Vanderbilt before moving to Memphis and Regional One Health.
Kathy Hunt
Executive Director
Hunt & Associates
8719 Citrus Bend Dr. Cordova, TN 38018
901-828-4539
kathyhunt1231@gmail. com
Hunt & Associates provides services to not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals, healthcare systems, MSOs, independent physicians and ambulatory care organizations. Extensive focus includes strategic business operations, network development, practice management, innovation, partnerships and alliances. Hunt works with other non-profit, faith-based, and media organizations supporting strategy and philanthropic efforts. Prior to, Hunt served as Regional Director, Business Development/Physician Services, West Cancer Center; Administrative Director, Baptist Minor Medical Centers, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation; Administrative Director, Integrated Delivery Systems/Business Development, Columbia Lakeside Hospital; and Administrative Director, Physician Services, East Jefferson General Hospital. Hunt previously served as Mid-South Medical Group Management Association President, is a contributing author for publications, and serves on various advisory boards and councils.
JChris Jenkins
Chief Operating Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis 5959 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000
saintfrancishosp.com
In January of 2025, Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis announced that Jenkins will serve as the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer. Since 2018, he has been serving as Chief Operating Officer at Saint Francis HospitalBartlett. While at Saint Francis Bartlett, he led the recent redesign of the Emergency Department, created a first of its kind in the area clothing closet to help employees and patients in need, and played a pivotal role in helping Saint Francis Bartlett meet and exceed its operational goals. Prior to joining the team at Saint
Francis Bartlett, Jenkins held the role of Executive Director of University of Tennessee Methodist Physicians at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. He served in several different leadership roles during his time at Methodist, including Administrator of Clinical Operations at Methodist University Hospital and Director of the Cancer Center, Brain and Spine Institute and Orthopedic Center, among other positions. He also occupied the role of Administrator of the Tulane Cancer Center in New Orleans.
Jenkins has served as the CEO of OrthoSouth since 2017, leading the comprehensive orthopedic group with a focus on optimizing the patient experience through the delivery of exceptional customer service. OrthoSouth currently serves as the Official Sports Medicine Partner for the Memphis Grizzlies and recently announced the launch of its Spine Institute, the only program in the Mid-South where a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, physiatrists, and specially trained physical therapists works together to provide collaborative, patient-focused care for back and neck conditions. Prior to his role at OrthoSouth, Jenkins served as CEO of MRI Interventions, Inc., a publicly traded medical device company.
Senior Vice President and President Methodist North Hospital
3960 New Covington Pike Memphis, TN 38128 901-516-5200
methodisthealth.org/ north
Under the leadership of Dr. Jones, Methodist North Hospital received Magnet Designation and is one of only
a dozen Magnet-designated hospitals in Tennessee. Jones joined Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 2008 as chief nursing officer for Methodist South Hospital, later serving a dual role for Methodist North. In 2017, she was selected as president of Methodist North. Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Murray State University, a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Evansville and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Union University.
Mark Kelly
Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital
6019 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, TN 38120 901-226-1049
Mark.Kelly@BMHCC. org
Kelly became the chief executive officer of Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital in June 2023. Kelly has
more than 25 years of hospital administrative experience, with 15 years specializing in long-term acute care hospitals. Kelly previously served as CEO of Regional One Health Extended Care Hospital, a position he held from the hospital’s inception in 2013. Under Kelly’s leadership, the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality designated the hospital as a Center of Excellence in Long-term Acute Care. Prior to opening the facility at Regional One Health, Kelly served as CEO and administrator for various health care facilities in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas.
Andrew Kerwin, MD Chief of Trauma Regional One Health’s Elvis Presley Trauma Center 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100 regionalonehealth.org
Dr. Kerwin serves as the Chief of Trauma at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health. He leads a multidisciplinary team that provides lifesaving care for patients at one of the
nation’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Centers. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, the Elvis Presley Trauma Center is the designated trauma center for the most critically injured patients from a 150-mile radius. The facility is available around-the-clock to care for patients from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. Dr. Kerwin is board-certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. He earned his medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield and completed his internship at Loyola University Medical Center. He then completed his residency at Medical University of Toledo. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in trauma and critical care at University of Tennessee Health Science Center. As an academic, Dr. Kerwin is currently Division Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care in the Department of Surgery at UTHSC as well as a Professor in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Kerwin has given a variety of presentations and has a number of prestigious, peer-reviewed publications to his name. His research has appeared in The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery; Journal of Investigative Surgery; American Surgeon; Surgery; American Journal of Surgery; and Journal of the American College of Surgeons. He has also contributed book chapters on topics including trauma systems, triage and transport; identification of spinal fractures; blunt cerebrovascular injuries, and abdominal and perineal injury. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Annals of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and others. Dr. Kerwin is involved in a variety of professional societies, including the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Western Trauma Association, Southern Surgical Association, and American College of Surgeons.
Raaj Kurapati, AIFA
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating and Financial Officer
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Hyman Administration
Building 62 S. Dunlap Street Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-9685
rkurapat@uthsc.edu
Kurapati is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day administrative operations and management of the campus’s central administration.
Additionally, he oversees the Office of Finance. Previously, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating and financial officer for the University of Memphis. Kurapati has held several executive roles in public higher education, including as the vice president and chief financial officer for Texas A&M University in Kingsville, associate vice chancellor and executive officer at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and chief financial and administrative officer for Northern Marianas College. Prior to transitioning to public higher education, he held leadership roles in business and private industry.
LChuck Lane Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
1211 Union Ave., Suite 700 Memphis, TN 38104 901-478-0525 methodisthealth.org
Lane is senior vice president and chief financial officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Lane joined the healthcare system in 1996, serving as a project facilitator for the corporate finance department and director of business planning for the Methodist Le Bonheur corporate division. He was promoted to vice president and CFO for Methodist University Hospital in 2001. His responsibilities included revenue cycle, financial planning, physician relations and development of operational strategies. After leading the system’s flagship academic hospital for 16 years, Lane was promoted in 2017 to senior vice president and associate CFO for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare until his appointment to CFO in January 2019. His healthcare career includes positions at Regional One Health. Lane earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Memphis.
How To Manage Your 401(K) When You Switch Jobs
This article considers all options for managing funds in a former employer’s retirement plan.
In the past, baby boomers and Generation Xers often held on to jobs for 10 or more years. Some professionals stayed with the same company for most of their working lives. The Great Recession changed this for many. Now, people have become more comfortable moving from job to job. Millennials are especially adept at this. They change jobs three times more often than other generations.
Changing jobs introduces a new dilemma for people, regardless of why or how often they do so: what to do with the 401(k) account they had with their former employer. Should they consider taking the cash distribution, or could there be a better choice?
Consider All Options
Here are some options to consider:
1.Take the cash: When people make financial decisions, they may choose to do so based on interest rates and cash in hand. But another important factor to consider is taxes. When you take cash distributions from your 401(k) account, you may pay a lot of money in taxes and fees. This includes a 20% federal withholding tax and then another 10% penalty for people who are under the age of 59 and a half years old.
2.Directly roll the money into an IRA: An individual retirement account is much like a 401(k), but it can remain independent of any employer. You may want to consider this option if you change jobs often or if a new employer does not offer retirement plans.
3.Use the new employer’s plan: Some professionals prefer to keep rolling their 401(k) savings forward. You may
want to consider this option if you mostly work corporate jobs with good 401(k) plans. Rolling the money over directly from one employer to the next may also help to eliminate any fees from the IRS. Note that even if you are not yet eligible to contribute to your new employer’s retirement plan, you should be able to roll over your money.
4.Keep the old plan: If you have at least $5,000 in your old retirement account, your employer must allow you to retain your 401(k) account if you want to. You can no longer make contributions to the account, but you can make decisions regarding the investment of your assets. You may want to consider this option if you leave your job to start a business, or want to add some diversity to your retirement holdings.
The Importance of Research
The right approach depends on a number of factors. Aside from those mentioned above, you should consider the rules at your company as well as longevity. Is the company in financial trouble? What happens to your retirement plan if it goes under? Some employers may also set lower thresholds to allow former employees to leave their retirement accounts behind. Speak directly with the human resources department to get some answers.
Another good source of reputable information is financial professionals. At LPL Financial, our team helps clients to navigate these and other important decisions that impact their economic future. Start working with one of our professionals today.
Chirag Chauhan, MBA, AIF®, CFP® is the managing partner of Bluff City Advisory Group in Memphis, Tennessee. For more info, please visit bluffcityadvisory.com.
Chirag Chauhan, AIF®, CFP®
John A. Lewis Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Semmes Murphey Clinic, PC
Lewis is Administrator and CEO at Semmes Murphey Clinic, PC, where he is involved in all phases of leading the operation and setting strategic direction. Bringing decades of leadership experience across multiple industries, including manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare, he has dedicated the last 23 years to Semmes Murphey Clinic, PC. He completed his Master of Business Administration at Christian Brothers University and is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives and is certified in IT Project Management.
Wendy M. Likes, PhD, DNSc, FAANP, FAAN
Dean, College of Nursing, Ruth Neil Murry Endowed Chair University of Tennessee Health Science Center 874 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38163 901-448-6135
wlikes@uthsc.edu
A three-time alumna of UT Health Science Center, Dr. Likes was appointed dean of the College of Nursing in June 2015. Under her leadership, the college has been ranked among the Top 23 DNP programs in the country and has the most highly ranked DNP at a public university in Tennessee. She is responsible for managing more than one hundred faculty and staff members and educating and serving more than four hundred students annually. She holds the Ruth Neil Murry Endowed Chair in Nursing. Dr. Likes has served as principal investigator or co-investigator for more than $7 million in grants and special project funding. In 2023, she was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
Wayne Lipson, MD Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare 1211 Union Ave., Suite 700 Memphis, TN 38104
901-478-0991
methodisthealth.org
Dr. Lipson is senior vice president and chief medical officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Lipson joined the healthcare system in 2021 from Baptist Health in Kentucky, where he served as chief medical officer. He is a boardcertified cardiovascular surgeon, specializing in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. He trained in both general and cardiothoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. Lipson earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master’s degree from MIT Sloan.
Jason Little President/Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Memorial Health Care
350 North Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120
901-227-5134
Jason.Little@BMHCC. org
Little is Baptist Memorial Health Care’s president and CEO. He is the fifth president in Baptist’s 112-year history, and under his leadership Baptist has grown from a 14-hospital system to a 24-hospital, $4.3-billion integrated health care system in three states with more than 22,000 employees and 5,000+ affiliated physicians. Little came to Baptist in 2002 after serving as an operations administrator at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Prior to his role as president and CEO, Little served as system COO and CEO of three different Baptist Memorial hospitals. Little received his bachelor’s degree in health administration from the University of Tennessee, where he received the prestigious Whittle Scholarship and was elected student body president. He earned master’s degrees in business administration and
health care administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He serves on the boards of the Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis Tomorrow, the New Memphis Institute, the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Healthcare Institute and the American Hospital Association’s Health Systems.
Meadows joined Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab in 2013 after 13 years in the nursing home industry, eleven of those as an executive director. He attended Marshall University and then the University of Alabama where he earned a business degree in healthcare management. He began his work in nursing homes as a CNA and worked his way up to being a licensed nursing home administrator. Meadows currently serves on the National Board for the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS), the Tennessee Healthcare Association Board as Nonprofit Council Vice President, and the Tennessee Health Care Association (THCA) Memphis District Board as Vice President. He was named 2016 National Young Executive Leader by AJAS, was highlighted, and named Healthcare Leader in the October 2014 issue of Memphis Medical News and was named Tara Cares 2011 Administrator of the Year.
Dr. Michael graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He attended the University
of Tennessee College of Medicine. Upon completion of his internship in general surgery, he began his neurosurgical residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He served as Chief Resident of the program during his final year. Under the influence of Dr. Jon Robertson, he developed a significant interest in skull base neurosurgery. Following graduation, he completed a twelve-month international fellowship in skull base and open vascular neurosurgery in Bristol, England. He currently holds the title of Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology and Program Director for the neurosurgical residency program at the University of Tennessee. He is also the Co-Director of Cranial Base Surgery for the Methodist Brain and Spine Institute.
Edie Miller
Chief Operating Officer
Pediatrics East 7465 Poplar Avenue, Suite 201
Germantown, TN 38138
901-260-4937
emiller@pedseast. com
pedseast.com
Miller joined Pediatrics East in June of 2021. As Chief Operating Officer, she is responsible for dayto-day clinic operations. Prior to joining Pediatrics East, Miller managed pediatric emergency medicine and sub-specialty practices at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Miller graduated from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She then received a Master of Science in Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
David Morris, LSW, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Lakeside Behavioral Health System 2911 Brunswick Road Memphis, TN 38133
901-377-4700
lakesidebhs.com
Lakeside Behavioral Health System announced the appointment of Morris as its new Chief Executive Officer in midDecember, 2024. Morris succeeds Joy Golden, who announced her retirement in June 2024 after 24 successful years
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of leadership at Lakeside. Morris is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years’ experience in the behavioral health sector including holding CEO roles at facilities and operations across eight states. Most recently, Morris served as CEO for six years at Mind Care Solutions, a national provider of telepsychiatry serving healthcare and hospital environments. Morris holds a BA in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University, an MSW from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from Colorado State University.
G. Scott Morris, MD, MDiv Founder Church Health 1350 Concourse Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 901-272-7170 morriss@churchhealth.org
Dr. Morris has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University, and MD from Emory University. He is a board-certified family practice physician and an ordained United Methodist minister. Since its founding by Morris in 1987, Church Health has provided quality, affordable health care for working, uninsured people and their families. It has grown to become the largest faithbased clinic of its type in the country.
Cameron Murphy Chief Nursing Officer Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis 5959 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119 901-765-1000 saintfrancishosp.com
Murphy was named Chief Nursing Officer at Saint Francis Hospital in February 2022, having previously served as the hospital’s interim CNO since November 2021. Before coming to Saint Francis, she served as the National Director of Clinical Operations with Tenet Healthcare in Farmers Branch, Texas. Prior to joining Tenet, Murphy spent 16 years with St. Dominic-Jackson in Mississippi, where she held a variety of roles including Director of Nursing in Patient Care Services and as a Nurse Manager in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Mississippi Medical Center and
a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Susan G. Murrmann, MD FACOG
Chief Medical Officer/ Medical Director
McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health
McDonald Murrmann Center for Skin and Laser
7205 Wolf River Blvd. Suite 150 Germantown, TN 38138
901-752-4000 mmcwh360.com
Dr. Murrmann is the Chief Medical Officer of McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health and the Medical Director of McDonald Murrmann Center for Aesthetics and Laser. In 1996, she co-founded the all-female McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic with Dr. Mary McDonald believing that no one else could better understand or help deal with women’s issues better than women. In 2018 Dr. Murrmann spearheaded a change in the direction of the clinic and rebranded the clinic to better fit the needs of the patients and their overall health. The clinic and the other providers are focusing on preventative, integrative, and restorative medicine along with many added services. McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health also includes McDonald Murrmann Center for Aesthetics and Laser to cover 360º of women’s health.
Dr Murrmann, graduated from the University of Tennessee in OB/GYN, specializes in minimally invasive surgery, bio-identical hormones, and has recently completed her fellowship in Anti-aging and Functional Medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
NRyan Nelson Chief Financial Officer
Saint Francis Healthcare 5959 Park Avenue Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000
saintfrancishosp.com
Nelson was named Market Chief Financial Officer by Saint Francis Healthcare in July 2022. In this role, he is responsible for guiding financial operations for Saint Francis-Memphis and Saint Francis-Bartlett. Before joining Saint Francis, Nelson served as Chief Financial Officer at Woodland Heights Medical Center, a part of Community Health Systems, in Lufkin, Texas. Prior to that, he held a variety of roles at Baptist Memorial Health Care including Controller/Director of Finance and Accounting, Senior Finance Manager, and Assistant Controller. Nelson earned a bachelor’s in finance from The University of Illinois and received a master’s in business administration with a concentration in Finance from Baylor University. Additionally, Nelson is a graduate of Leadership Memphis, the Baptist Executive Leadership Institute through Baptist Memorial Health Care and is a member of the Health Care Financial Management Association.
Michael A. Nichols, MS
Associate Medical Center Director/Chief Operating Officer VA Memphis Health Care 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2127
901-577-7201 memphis.va.gov
Nichols was appointed Associate Medical Center Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 10, 2019. He came to us from the Fayetteville VA Health Care Center in North Carolina, where he served as the Administrator, with operational oversight responsibilities for a 49,000-patient facility with over seven hundred staff. Prior to Fayetteville, Mr. Nichols served as a Health System
Specialist to the Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory Care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, where he comanaged operations for nine (9) multi-specialty outpatient clinics. A native of Little Rock, he began his career with VHA in 2001 with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Mr. Nichols holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Central Arkansas. He holds a certification in psychiatric vocational rehabilitation from Boston University. Mr. Nichols is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Virginia.
ORola
A. Obaji
Chief Executive Officer
McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health
7205 Wolf River Blvd. Suite 150
Germantown, TN 38138
901-752-4000
mmcwh360.com
With over 25 years of experience in medical services and administration, Obaji has helped medical providers grow their services and abilities to treat the patients that need them the most. As the CEO of McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health 360°, she is passionate about providing comprehensive medical and aesthetic care for women in Memphis. Obaji strives to ensure patients receive the best care possible and that doctors can practice medicine in an environment that yields the greatest results. She has incorporated more offerings that benefit women’s overall wellness and supported the growth of McDonald Murrmann Center for Wellness and Health as it has expanded to the Center for Laser & Aesthetics along with the Center for Body Contouring.
PDonna Pendergrass
MD CPPM CPCO
CDEO
2025 President Mid-South MGMA Communications Director
MetroCare Physicians 1661 International Drive #202 Memphis, TN 38120
www.metrocarephysicians.com
A graduate of UTHSC College of Medicine, Dr. Pendergrass has served MetroCare Physicians members and their practices for the past 10 years, responsible for building practice relationships, practice education development, and writing communications to assist in conducting the business of medicine. Previously she served as a practice administrator at Pediatric Consultants. Pendergrass will serve as the President of the Midsouth Medical Group Management Association in 2025.
Jenny Bartlett-Prescott
Chief Operating Officer Church Health 1350 Concourse Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 901-272-7170
prescottj@churchhealth.org
Bartlett-Prescott is the COO at Church Health, where she has served in a variety of leadership positions since 1997. She leads all clinical service lines and health promotion programs. She has a master’s degree in epidemiology and is the leader driving quality improvement throughout the organization.
James Proctor
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Regional One Health 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100
regionalonehealth.org
Proctor is senior vice president and chief financial officer at Regional One Health, leading all areas of finance for the health care system including revenue cycle, accounting, strategic financial planning, internal audit,
facilities operations, and materials management. Proctor has more than 25 years of professional experience in health care finance. He joined Regional One Health in 2009 and served in various finance positions before being named CFO in 2021. Prior to joining Regional One Health, Proctor spent 13 years with a managed care organization. He earned his Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Memphis. He is a Six Sigma green belt and has worked on numerous process improvement items. Proctor serves on the THA Center for Innovative Solutions (TCIS) board.
RJustin Rhodes
Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Medical Group
Vice President, Baptist Connected Care
Baptist Memorial Health Care
350 N. Humphreys Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38120
901-227-4054
BMHCC.org
Rhodes serves as chief executive officer of Baptist Medical Group and vice president of Baptist Connected Care. In this role, Rhodes provides strategic direction and operational leadership for Baptist’s multispecialty medical group consisting of more than 1,200 providers in 200+ practice sites across the Mid-South. As VP of Baptist Connected Care, Rhodes is responsible for developing, implementing and supporting a connected health platform. Most recently, Rhodes served as CEO of Baptist Medical Group in Central Mississippi. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and an MBA from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
Sylvia Richey, MD
Chief Medical Officer
West Cancer Center
7945 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138
901-683-0055
westcancercenter.org
Dr. Richey joined West Cancer Center as a Hematology Oncology specialist in January 2005 and is currently the Chief Medical Officer. With a passion
for her patients and commitment to provide the best cancer care available to every patient she treats, it comes as no surprise that she is beloved by patients and staff. In 2017 She has successfully led and built West Cancer Centers Integrative Oncology program and leads our Clinical Practice Quality initiatives.
Jennie N. Robbins Chief Executive Officer Church Health
Robbins serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Church Health. Prior to joining the organization in 2007, Robbins worked in the corporate banking world in Memphis. She is a Past-President of Mid-South Medical Group Management Association and is involved in many community projects and organizations including the Board of Advisors of Memphis Bio-works Foundation’s New Market Tax Credit Program, Tennessee Charitable Care Network Association, and the Junior League of Memphis.
SEric Schnapp, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Mays & Schnapp
Neurospine and Pain & Resolve Pain Solutions 55 Humphreys Center Drive, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38120 901-507-1595 maysandschnapp.com
Since 2019, Schnapp has served as CEO of Mays & Schnapp Neurospine and Pain, a pain management practice providing comprehensive pain management to help relieve pain, restore function, and return patients to living their lives for over 20 years. Schnapp develops business strategies and manages company operations and growth across clinical operations, physical therapy, and ambulatory surgery centers over multiple locations. Since 2022, Schanpp has also served as the CEO of Resolve Pain Solutions, a management services organization providing administrative
and institutional support to pain management clinics and ambulatory surgery centers across the southeast. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law, a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University itself. Schnapp is a published author and regular contributor and presenter on growth strategies for clinics and ASCs.
David Schwartz, DO Market Chief Medical Officer
Saint Francis Hospital 5959 Park Avenue Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000
saintfrancishosp.com
In 2019, Dr. Schwartz assumed the role of CMO for Tenet’s Mid-South region that includes Saint Francis-Memphis, Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, and five Tenet-operated facilities in South Carolina. Schwartz oversees quality, patient safety, regulatory readiness, and medical staff services. Under his leadership, Saint Francis HospitalMemphis earned the prestigious Advanced Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission. Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett have received the distinction of being Accredited Chest Pain Centers from the Society of Chest Pain Centers, and have garnered disease-specific certifications for hip, knee and stroke from the Joint Commission. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the College of Osteopathic Medicine Residency at Tucson Medical Center. Before assuming his role at Saint Francis Healthcare, Schwartz was in a variety of administrative roles with Sentara Health System based in Woodbridge, Virginia and Vanguard Health Systems in Nashville.
Daniel Shumate, MBA, MHA Chief Executive Officer
Campbell Clinic
1400 South Germantown Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-759-3100
campbellclinic.com
Shumate leads Campbell Clinic, an orthopaedic surgery group founded in Memphis in 1909. Prior to being named CEO in 2021, Shumate was the clinic’s CFO and had held that role since 2010. The organization employs 90+ providers and over 900 employees at 9 locations across the Mid-South along with two outpatient surgery centers.
Scott Smith Market Chief Executive Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis
Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett
Chief Executive Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis 5959 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119
901-765-1000
saintfrancishosp.com
Smith assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for Tenet Healthcare’s Memphis market and as CEO of Saint Francis HospitalMemphis in July 2023. Tenet’s Memphis market includes Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett. As Market CEO of Saint Francis, Smith is responsible for overseeing all strategic growth and development, hospital operations and finances, and executive planning. He previously served as the market CEO for Tennessee-based LifePoint Health in Arkansas at National Park Medical Center and Saline Memorial Hospital. During his time there, he implemented multiple new service lines, brought new technology, and increased employee retention. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Mississippi State University and his Master of Science in Business Administration and Management from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi.
Bradley Somer, MD President West Cancer Center
7945 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138
901-683-0055 westcancercenter.org
Dr. Somer is a nationally recognized expert in cancer Boardcare. His passion is his patients and their families. As President of West Cancer Center, Dr. Somer has led projects such as sub-specialization and a new hospital rounding initiatives, while also serving as a leader in major projects, growth, and expansion. A top award graduate from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Somer joined the West team in 2002 after completing his fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. Somer also completed his internship and residency at the Hospital University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Somer, a Board-Certified Medical Oncologist, is a senior partner and President of West Cancer Center and Research Institute. Dr. Somer is actively involved in clinical research, often participating as principal investigator in research trials at West Cancer Center. “Our clinical trial offerings exceed many top academic programs across the country where people travel long distances to seek medical care. It is a crown jewel for the Memphis cancer community for patients to have access to potential treatments long before they reach the general community.” He has served on the board of Community Oncology Alliance. He has served on the board of the UT/West Institute for Cancer Research. Dr. Somer serves on the Board of Directors at West Cancer Center.
Ocpivia Stafford, PharmD, MBA, FACHE
Senior Vice President and President
Methodist South Hospital
1300 Wesley Dr. Memphis, TN 38116
901-516-3700
methodisthealth.org/ south
Before becoming hospital president, Dr. Stafford served in many pharmacy leadership roles within the healthcare
system including vice president of Support and Professional Services where she oversaw strategic operations for Environmental Services, Food Services, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Radiology, Rehabilitation, Respiratory, Security and Comprehensive Wound Healing Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, a master’s degree from The University of Memphis and a doctorate from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee. Stafford is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Master Examiner.
Lindsay Stencel Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Administrator for Orthopedic Services
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave. Collierville, TN 38017
901-861-9411
Lindsay.Stencel@ BMHCC.org
Stencel was promoted to chief executive officer of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville in 2020. She held the title of chief administrative officer for the hospital from 2016 to 2020. Stencel served as an assistant administrator from 2011 to 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, where she supervised a number of departments, including rehabilitation, food and nutrition, safety and security, pharmacy, oncology services, transportation, teleservices, facility services and construction. A trained occupational therapist, she began her career at Baptist in 2002 as the director of rehabilitation services. Stencel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and a Master of Business Administration from Union University.
Sherwin L. Stewart, DSL
Chief Executive Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett
2986 Kate Bond Rd. Bartlett, TN 38133
901-820-7000
Saintfrancisbartlett. com
Stewart joined Saint Francis Healthcare as CEO of Saint Francis Bartlett in January 2024. Stewart has 30 years of healthcare experience that includes advancing in healthcare leadership roles throughout the Southeastern United States. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations for Sentara Health’s CarePlex Hospital and Port Warwick divisions in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. Stewart earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree and his Master of Sciences in Management degree from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Stewart serves on the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce Board. He is a mentor with The University of Memphis MILE (Memphis Institute for Leadership Education) program.
Mary Ellen Sumrall
Vice President/Chief Nursing Executive
Baptist Memorial Health Care 350 N. Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120
901-226-0505
Maryellen.Sumrall@ BMHCC.org
Sumrall is the chief nursing executive for Baptist Memorial Health Care. She served in a dual role as chief nursing officer for the health care system’s flagship hospital, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, from January 2022 until fall of 2023. Sumrall joined Baptist in 1993 as an emergency department charge nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus, Mississippi, where she would eventually become director of emergency services and chief nursing officer. Sumrall was instrumental in a number of successful initiatives and accomplishments at Baptist Golden Triangle, including establishment of
the hospital’s first nurse residency program, numerous Hospital of the Year awards and consecutive Leapfrog Patient Safety “A” ratings for Baptist Golden Triangle since 2012. Sumrall earned her nursing degree from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in nursing administration from Union University. She is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
TShannon Tacker
Chief Executive Officer
University Clinical Health
1407 Union Avenue, Suite 700
Memphis, TN 38104 901-866-8864
universityclinichealth. com
Tacker has been serving as CEO of University Clinical Health (UCH) since May 2020 and is responsible for formulating and executing UCH’s business strategy and operational plans. She also oversees the partnership between UCH and the University of Tennessee and provides oversight for UCH’s 23 locations. Prior to joining UCH, Tacker was Vice President and Executive Director of UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists and served as Chief Financial Officer for Baptist Medical Group. Notably, Tacker had a 15-year tenure with UT Medical Group, where she rose from staff accountant to Vice President. Tacker is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Medical Group Management Association.
Kurt Tauer, MD, FACP Chairman – Board of Directors West Cancer Center 7945 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138
901-683-0055
westcancercenter.org
Dr. Tauer is Chairman of West Cancer Center, bringing 35 years of experience and success to lead the clinic into the next decade of regional growth. Along with Drs. William H. West and Lee Schwartzberg, Dr. Tauer was one of the original founding partners
of West Clinic – joining the small oncology practice in 1985 following the completion of his Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His commitment to serving the entire community, regardless of their ability to pay, has been the foundation of West Cancer Center’s growing Community Outreach Program – a program that seeks to encourage education, prevention, and early detection among the most impoverished and underserved in the Memphis area. A renowned expert in the study and treatment of lung, breast, prostate, colon and melanoma cancers, Dr. Tauer has served on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Panel for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Manoucheka Thermitus, MBA Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Regional One Health
877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100
regionalonehealth.org
Thermitus is senior vice president and chief operating officer at Regional One Health, leading clinical and non-clinical operational areas including trauma, burn, wound care, HBO, pharmacy, surgical services, laboratory, imaging, respiratory, physical therapy, food and nutrition services, environmental services, security, emergency management, and patient experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. She has extensive experience in hospital administration, strategic planning, physician relations and patient experience. Thermitus is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the Tennessee Hospital Association Council on Inclusion and Health Equity and Mid-South American Heart Association Board of Directors.
Todd joined Le Bonheur as vice president, chief financial officer in
June 2013 but has been part of the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare family since 1996. Todd previously served as CFO at Methodist North Hospital (2008-2013) and Methodist South Hospital (2005-2008). He also worked as director of Finance at Le Bonheur from 2002-2005. Todd received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Union University in 1993 and has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Todd is currently serves as treasurer for the Le Bonheur Foundation and as treasurer for UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists. He also serves on the board for Le Bonheur Community Health & Well-Being and is an advisor for Le Bonheur Pediatrics.
Tish Towns, FACHE Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Regional One Health 877 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-7100
regionalonehealth.org
Towns is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Regional One Health. She has responsibility for ambulatory services, including primary care practices and multi-specialty locations; academic oncology; post-acute care services including rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and long-term acute care; marketing and communications; market development; community engagement; pastoral care; volunteers and guest services. Beginning her career in state government with the Tennessee Departments of Human Services and Health, Towns went on to serve in senior executive roles in community not-for-profit, rural and urban academic delivery settings in Illinois, Georgia and South Carolina before joining Regional One Health in 2009. Towns is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). She is a member of the THA Board of Directors and the Chair of the THA Council on Inclusion and Health Equity. Towns was honored with the 2017 Meritorious Service Award for a Senior Executive and the 2018 Diversity Champion Award by the Tennessee Hospital Association. She was honored with the ACHE Tennessee Regent’s Senior Executive Award in 2024.
Arthur M. Townsend IV, MD, MBA, FACOG, LSSC, CPHQ Chief Executive Officer
HealthChoice, LLC 1661 International Place Dr., Suite 202 Memphis, TN 38120 901-478-0533
Arthur.Townsend@ myhealthchoice.com
After serving as interim President and CEO of HealthChoice, LLC since September 2020, Dr. Townsend is now officially the Chief Executive Officer. He has also been Vice President and Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare since July 2016. Before assuming roles at Methodist and HealthChoice, he was a practicing OB/GYN hospitalist at Methodist Germantown Hospital and continues to be the program director. Before launching the hospitalist program, he ran a successful OB/ GYN private practice for 17 years. He has been a clinical faculty member of the UTHSC OB/GYN department since 1994 and held multiple medical staff leadership positions at Methodist, including Medical Staff President and Chief of Staff. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of multiple national and local medical organizations. Dr. Townsend received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, completed his OB/GYN residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Haslam College of Business from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Michael Ugwueke, DHA, MPH, FACHE President and Chief Executive Officer
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare 1211 Union Ave., Suite 700 Memphis, TN 38104 901-478-0520
methodisthealth.org
Ugwueke is president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, a $2 billion six-hospital integrated system.
He joined the healthcare system in 2007 as CEO of Methodist South Hospital, later serving a dual role for Methodist North Hospital before advancing to system chief operating officer. Michael has received numerous awards, including Modern Healthcare Up and Comer, Distinguished Alumni, Shaw University, and a 2020 and 2012 Modern Healthcare Top 25 Minority Executive in the country. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Shaw University, a master’s degree from Emory University and a doctorate from the Medical University of South Carolina. Ugwueke is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
VJoseph P. Vaughn, MBA, FACHE Medical Center Director/Chief Executive Officer VA Memphis Health Care 1030 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, TN 38104-2127 901-577-7201 memphis.va.gov
Vaughn began his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2005. He was appointed Executive Director of the Memphis VA Health Care System in 2022. Vaughn has overall responsibility for the medical, administrative, and support operations of a 1A tertiary care facility delivering medical care, treatment, and services within a 220-bed inpatient facility and nine Community Based Outpatient Clinics covering 53 counties in West Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, and Northern Mississippi. Previous leadership appointments within VA include Executive Director of the Salisbury VA Health Care System (Salisbury, NC), Associate Director of the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center (Jackson, MS), and Chief Logistics Officer for Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) sixteen. During his service in the United States Navy from 1983-1993, Mr. Vaughn completed four Mediterranean deployments and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and National Defense medal. Mr. Vaughn is a native of Durant, Mississippi and received his Master of Business
Administration degree from Mississippi State University. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives.
G. Nicholas Verne, MD
Interim Executive Dean of the College of Medicine
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 1031
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-5729
gverne@uthsc.edu
Dr. Verne previously served as the senior associate dean for Statewide Operations and Strategy, chair of the Department of Medicine, and Chief of Medicine at Regional One Health. He is a practicing gastroenterologist and a physician-scientist, whose research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 20 years. Dr. Verne served as chair of the Department of Medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine and as the Chief Medical Officer for the Tulane University Health System. He is a master of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association, and a member of the Association of Professors in Medicine.
WB. Rush Waller, MD
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Ave. Memphis, TN 38103
901-287-5437
LeBonheur.org
Dr. Waller is the Chief Medical Officer of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. He also serves as the medical director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) within the Heart Institute at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and is dual certified by the American Board of Pediatrics with a cardiology subspecialty and an ACHD specialty. He is a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Monica Wharton, JD, FACHE
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
1211 Union Ave., Suite 700
Memphis, TN 38104
901-478-0538
MethodistHealth.org
Wharton is executive vice president and chief operating officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, leading key operational areas for the system, including human resources, information technology, corporate risk, compliance, and legal services as well as overseeing operations at the organization’s community hospitals. She joined MLH in 2017 as chief legal officer, advanced to EVP and chief administrative officer in 2020 before becoming EVP/COO in 2023. Previously, she was chief legal officer and general counsel for Regional One Health. Wharton is active on many charitable and professional boards including serving as co-chair of the Memphis Business Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle, as well as a member on the American Hospital Association’s Region Policy Board. Wharton earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the William and Mary School of Law, received a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University. She is board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Jacquelyn Whobrey MSN, RN, CMSRN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer
Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett
2986 Kate Bond Rd. Bartlett, TN 38133
901-820-7000
SaintFrancisBartlett. com
Whobrey joined Saint Francis Bartlett in 2020 having previously served as vice president and chief nurse executive at Community Howard Regional Health. She joined Community Health Network in February 2016 as director of critical care services after a 16-year career in nursing that began at the bedside as a medical surgical nurse
and grew into 11 years of leadership roles spanning medical surgical, medical-psychiatric units, and critical care. Whobrey is a member of the American Organization of Nursing Leadership, Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, and the American Nurses Association. She received both her bachelor’s in nursing and master’s in healthcare administration from Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis. Whobrey is board certified as a Nurse Executive and holds her certification in medical surgical nursing.
Candace Wilder
Chief Operating Officer West Cancer Center 7945 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138 901-683-0055 westcancercenter.org
Before being appointed Chief Operating Officer, Wilder was Vice President of Operations for West Cancer Center. Candace joined West Cancer Center as Director of West Clinic’s Comprehensive Breast Center in 2012 where she managed staffing and operations for the two breast center locations. Prior to joining West, she served in leadership roles at the Memphis Heart Clinic (MHC) and aided in the transition as MHC merged with the West Clinic in 2011. Wilder graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in communications. She has been actively involved in the Memphis community, working with the Healthy Memphis Common Table, the American Heart Association and Conservation through Art, a partnership between Arts Memphis and Ducks Unlimited.
Williford accepted the position of Assistant Executive Director in 2024. In this role, Williford assists with the daily operations of the Home and oversees the Outpatient Therapy and Adult Day
Center programs. Previously, she served as Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab’s Director of Admissions for seven years and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing administration from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a licensed nursing home administrator.
YKimberly Young Executive Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer
Baptist Memorial Health Care 350 N Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 38120 901-227-4080
Kimberly.Young@ BMHCC.org
Young became executive vice president/chief financial officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care on Nov. 1, 2023. She has served in a financial role for Baptist Memorial Health Care for more than 33 years, including as CFO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton, Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto,
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and Baptist Medical Group, before being promoted to vice president of finance operations for Baptist in December 2019. Young has served on boards of the LG&W Federal Credit Union and the American Red Cross. She is an avid runner and CrossFit participant, and she routinely participates in marathons and CrossFit competitions, helping raise money for nonprofit organizations. Young earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis.
