Annual Dr. Harold Alper Humanitarian Awards and Keynote Address
20th Annual Dr. Harold Alper Humanitarian Keynote Address and Awards Ceremony
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Medicine – Chattanooga, in conjunction with the family of the late Harold Alper, MD, and Erlanger Health, will host the 20th Annual Alper Humanitarian Keynote Address and Awards ceremony in 2027. (Details coming soon!)
About Dr. Alper
Dr. Harold Alper began practicing in 1947 and was appointed to faculty as Clinical
Associate Professor of Surgery in 1976. He was instrumental in founding the Chattanooga-Hamilton
County Speech and Hearing Center in the early 1950’s, and he pioneered microscopic
surgery and laser surgery in Chattanooga. Dr. Alper’s community service included
work as the president of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga
Jewish Welfare Foundation and the Jewish Community Center.
About the Award and Ceremony
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine - Chattanooga,
in conjunction with Erlanger Health and an endowment from the family of the late
Dr. Harold Alper, has established the annual ceremony and Grand Rounds Keynote Address.
The Dr. Harold Alper Humanitarian Award is presented to a graduating Resident or Fellow
at the UTHSC College of Medicine - Chattanooga who has consistently demonstrated
during residency or fellowship the humanistic qualities for which the late Dr. Harold
Alper was known: integrity, compassion, and community service.
About the Keynote Address
The Alper Humanitarian Award ceremony always includes a Keynote Address highlighting
the importance and role of humanism in medicine.
2026 Dr. Alper Humanitarian Award Recipient
The 2026 Dr. Harold Alper Humanitarian Award was presented to Faith Blackmon, DO, resident in the Department of Pediatrics
The Award is presented each year to a graduating resident or fellow at the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine – Chattanooga who has consistently demonstrated, during residency or fellowship, the humanistic qualities for which the late Dr. Harold Alper was known: integrity, compassion, and community service.
