Graduate Medical Education Chattanooga

Thank a Resident Day Message
February 24, 2023:

"Thank a Resident Day 2023 is being recognized nationally on Friday, February 24, 2023, spear-headed by the Arnold P. Gold, MD, Foundation and its Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapters.  We want to address this message to the almost 200 Resident and Fellow Physicians who are part of our GME Programs at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga and our primary clinical training site, Erlanger Health System.  Both institutions want to recognize your efforts in providing quality patient care for our patients and community.  We express to each of you our sincere admiration for your essential contributions to our institutions here in Chattanooga.  You consistently impact the health of our entire region and are involved in the care of almost every patient who enters the doors of Erlanger Health System.  We acknowledge the overall integrity and compassion you demonstrate daily to your colleagues, hospital and University staff, and the families of your patients.  Chattanooga and our surrounding areas are better because of you. On behalf of our Deans, Program Directors, and Coordinators, please accept our heartfelt "thanks" for your efforts.  We are proud to be a part of your Graduate Medical Education journey."

Overview ... What is GME?

Graduate Medical Education (GME) is the Graduate Medical Education training of physicians who are pursuing residency and fellowship specialty training following graduation from medical school. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is a statewide system with campuses in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The University of Tennessee College of Medicine - Chattanooga is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to sponsor residency and fellowship programs.   Currently we have 194 Residents and Fellows enrolled in our GME Programs.

On January 3, 2023, the ACGME and its Institutional Review Committee (IRC) again awarded Continued Accreditation for our institution based on the review of all our ACGME WebAds annual updates. We were also commended for meeting all institutional accreditation standards without any citations.

The Chief Executive Officer and Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine - Chattanooga is James W. Haynes, MD, MBA, FAAFP.  Dr. Haynes is also Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and served as Chair of the Department until his appointment as Dean on September 1, 2022. 

Our Designated Institutional Official (DIO) of 15 years, Robert C. Fore, EdD, FACEHP, CHCP, retired at the end of December 2022.  He has consistently led our institution achieving Continued Accreditation throughout his tenure as DIO.  In early January 2023, Dr. Fore was named "Professor Emeritus" for his longitudinal service and excellence in both Continuing Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education.  

We are actively recruiting a permanent Associate DIO, and have named Sudave Mendiratta, MD, FACEP, as Interim DIO as of January 1, 2023.  He will also serve as Chair of our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC).

A core faculty of approximately 140 paid physicians is joined by more than 300 physicians who volunteer their support and represent the major medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. The Chairs of the UT College of Medicine - Chattanooga Departments report directly to our Dean and not to the chairs of corresponding departments at the main medical school campus in Memphis.

The Office of Graduate and Medical Student Education administers medical student rotations as well as the residency and fellowship programs for the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga.  Administrative Staff include:

• Tiffany Nabors, CMA, AAMA:  Medical Student Services Specialist, 423.778.7442 (Main GME/UME Phone)
• Jacqueline Hogan, CAP: GME Financial Specialist, 423.778.3899
• GME Lead Coordinator (Position is being recruited):   423.778.3894
• Pamela D. Scott, C-TAGME:  Director, Graduate and Medical Student Education, 423.778.7673

We also provide a full-time, licensed Counselor located within the Deans and GME Office area -- Lucy White, MEd, LPC/MHSP.  She is available for individual/confidential counseling and support sessions, and can provide didactics and other group discussions for departments and programs.  Her services are available to all Medical and PA Students, Residents, Fellows, and Departmental administrative staff at no charge.  Communication with the Counselor is absolutely confidential.  No one else has access to the Counselor's phone (423.778.9420) or email (lucy.white@erlanger.org).

The University of Tennessee College of Medicine - Chattanooga is part of a Statewide System of Graduate Medical Education. Click on the links below to view additional UT GME Programs at the other campuses:

• GME Programs at the flagship UTHSC College of Medicine in Memphis and Jackson
• GME Programs at the UT College of Medicine Nashville
• GME Programs at the UT Graduate School of Medicine Knoxville

UT GME Anonymous Resident/Fellow CommentsAlper Humanitarian Lecture and Awards