FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

                                               

For more information, contact:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Communications and Marketing

Anne W. Manning – (901) 448-4072

Sheila Champlin – (901) 448-4957

 

Two Chaired Professors Named at UT Health Science Center

___________________________________________________

Memphis, Tenn. (November 5, 2007) – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Department of Ophthalmology announced today the investiture of James C. Fleming, MD, FACS, as the Philip M. Lewis Professor of Ophthalmology and Natalie C. Kerr, MD, FACS, as the Roger L. Hiatt Professor of Ophthalmology.  Drs. Lewis and Hiatt were former professors and chairs of Ophthalmology at UTHSC.  Both are world renowned in their fields.

“Drs. Fleming and Kerr have each distinguished themselves in ophthalmologic research and clinical care,” said Barrett G. Haik, MD, professor and chair of the UTHSC Department of Ophthalmology.  “These chaired positions are fitting capstones to their careers.”

A recognized leader in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Fleming is past president of several professional organizations including the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Tennessee Medical Association. 

Specializing in orbital disease and oculoplastic surgery, Dr. Fleming has been named to the “Best Doctors in America^®” list since 1996.  He is the recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award, the Marvin Quickert Fellow Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Phillip M. Lewis, MD, Award in Resident Instruction and Clinical Service at UTHSC.

Dr. Kerr is widely published and nationally recognized in the areas of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, more commonly known as cross-eyed or wall-eyed.  Named among the “Best Doctors in America^®” since 2001, Dr. Kerr has received numerous professional accolades including the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2004 and the Honor Award from the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus in 2005.  In 2006, she received the American College of Surgeons/American Academy of Ophthalmology Health Policy Scholarship.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public 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 and College of Pharmacy campuses in Knoxville and a College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

###