FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Communications and Marketing

Anne Manning

(901) 448-4072

 

Ruffner Appointed UTHSC Interim Dean of the College of Medicine, Chattanooga

_________________________________________________________

 

            Memphis, Tenn. (July 21, 2006) -- B Winfred Ruffner, Jr., MD, an accomplished leader in medical oncology, will assume the interim dean position of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Medicine, Chattanooga, on August 1 for a one-year period.  Dr. Ruffner, associate professor of medicine at UTHSC, Chattanooga, has been actively involved in determining medical policy for the Erlanger Health Systems, Chattanooga, through his participation on several hospital committees.  He will replace Ronald G. Blankenbaker, MD, who is stepping down to pursue special projects at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Dr. Ruffner’s impact is felt on the state level as well through his position as a trustee in the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA).  He represents the TMA as a member of the TennCare Stakeholder Group and is also an appointee to the Governor’s Safety Net Study Committee.  Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Ruffner was assistant dean of the UTHSC Chattanooga College of Medicine from 1997 to 2004.  He continues as chairman of UT Physicians, a clinical practice group in Chattanooga.  Dr. Ruffner holds a medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and completed fellowships at the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics, National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health.

            “We appreciate Dr. Blankenbaker’s contribution to the UT Health Science Center and wish him the best as he pursues ongoing grant research,” said Michael R. Caudle, MD, vice chancellor Health System Affairs at the University of Tennessee.  “Dr. Ruffner is an experienced administrator who will support our search for a full-time dean of the UTHSC College of Medicine in Chattanooga.”

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, patient care and community service, all in support of a single goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans. Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus, which includes six colleges, is located in Memphis.  UTHSC has additional College of Medicine campus locations in Knoxville and Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

###