Skip to content

Other ways to search: Events Calendar | UTHSC News

UTHSC Advisory Board

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Advisory Board — created under the UT FOCUS Act passed by the General Assembly in 2018 — is composed of five public members, one faculty member, and one student member. The Advisory Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly.

Advisory Board Members


Gubernatorial Appointment

  • Chair: Philip Wenk, DDS
  • Randall A. Davis, MD
  • Natalie Tate, PharmD, MBA
  • Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE
  • Josh J. Wayman, DDS

Faculty Senate Elected

  • Richard Smith, PhD

Student Representative

  • Corinne Gibson

Secretary

  • Raaj Kurapati

Agendas and Minutes


Minutes will be posted following their approval at the next Advisory Board meeting.

News

Members

Phillip Wenk photo

Philip A. Wenk, DDS

Phil Wenk, DDS, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee since 2000, has earned a reputation as one of Tennessee’s leading health care executives. Dr. Wenk was selected as one of the University of Tennessee’s most illustrious alum when he was selected from more than 370,000 alumni and named to the list of “Top 100 Distinguished Alumni” by Tennessee Alumnus, the University of Tennessee system’s alumni magazine. Dr. Wenk has also been recognized as a “Health Care Hero” and named to the “Health Care 100” by Nashville Business Journal.

Dr. Wenk is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received his DDS from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.  Prior to coming to Delta Dental, Dr. Wenk practiced dentistry for two decades in his hometown of Clinton, TN.  He and his wife of 46 years, Brenda, live in Brentwood and frequently spend time with their two children and three grandchildren.


Randall Davis

Randall A. Davis, MD

Dr. Davis joined Memphis Radiological P.C. in 1999. A Tennessee native, Dr. Davis received an undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry from University of Memphis. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee and completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Methodist University Hospital of Memphis. He completed his fellowship in Nuclear Radiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Dr. Davis is 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, and American Society of Nuclear Medicine.


Tate photo.

Natalie A. Tate, PharmD, MBA, BCPS

Dr. Natalie Tate joined BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in September 2015 as Vice President of Pharmacy Management.  In this role, Dr. Tate oversees all aspects of the Pharmacy Management program and provides strategic direction for the pharmacy teams charged with helping our members improve their health outcomes.  Prior to joining BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Dr. Tate served with Bristol-Myers Squibb as Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research; with Memphis Managed Care Corporation as Director of Pharmacy and as a pharmacist with both Walgreens and the Memphis Mental Health Institute. 

Dr. Tate earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is certified by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.


Michael Ugwueke

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, President and COO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 30 years' experience and a track record of developing partnerships with physicians, associates and community leaders to address healthcare needs in the community. He has been recognized by City, County and State elected officials for his efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and is committed to patient- and family-centered care, excellent clinical quality and community wellness. 

Dr. Ugwueke received a Doctorate in Health Administration and Leadership from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and a Master's Degree in Public Health from Emory University. A member of various professional organizations, including NAHSE (National Association of Health Services Executives) and ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives), Dr. Ugwueke was recently named a recipient of Becker’s Healthcare 2015 Leadership Awards and was honored in 2012 as a Modern Healthcare Top 25 Minority Executive.


Josh Wayman

Josh J. Wayman, DDS

Dr. Wayman is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received his DDS in 2006 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Prior to working as the owner and sole practitioner at RiverSprings Dental in Kingston Springs, he worked as an associate dentist at Kemp Dental in Brentwood, Tennessee. He and his wife, Marci, have one daughter.


Richard Smith

Richard Smith, PhD (Faculty Member)

Dr. Smith is a life-long Memphian and started at UTHSC in June of 1983.  He is tenured in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering (BME) and serves as the Graduate Program Director for BME.  He has published over a hundred peer-reviewed research articles and received research funding from the Department of Defense, NIH, private foundations, and industry.  Over the years, he has taught numerous graduate students, residents, medical students, and students from other Universities.  He has served as UTHSC Faculty Senate President, Secretary Treasurer, Executive Committee member (College of Medicine), and Chaired the Education and Faculty Affairs committees.  During this time, he received two “Exceptional Meritorious Achievement” awards and was voted 2017-2018 Senator of the year.


Corinne Gibson

Corinne Gibson (Student Member)

Corinne is a born and raised Tennessean and graduated from Southern Methodist University as a Presidents Scholar in 2020, where she served as Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. She is currently in her final year of medical school in the College of Medicine. She plans to pursue a residency in anesthesiology after graduation with an interest in critical care medicine. This year, Corinne is serving as the president of the Medical Student Executive Council (MSEC) as well as the Student Government Association Executive Council (SGAEC).

Mar 13, 2024