Longtime Partnerships, Strong Financials Shine at Summer Advisory Board Meeting

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Advisory Board celebrated Memphis Medical Society's 150 years at the August meeting. From left, Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD; Clint Cummins, chief executive officer of the Medical Society; Dale Criner, MD, chair of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Legislative Committee and a past society president; Catherine Womack, MD, society president and associate dean of Student Affairs and Admissions for the university's College of Medicine; and Michelle Allmon, MD, vice chair of the TMA Board of Directors.

During its summer meeting Friday, Aug. 7, the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Advisory Board honored the Memphis Medical Society, heard about research developments and received an update on the university's improving overall financial position and capital projects.

Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, honored the Memphis Medical Society, founded in 1876 and celebrating 150 years of remarkable service. He presented a plaque honoring the society's "enduring role at the heart of medicine in the Mid-South" and its "constant and vital partnership" with UT Health Sciences across generations.

Clint Cummins, chief executive officer of the Medical Society, accepted the recognition on behalf of the society's board. "Our partnership is centered on workforce development, building the community of medicine and advocating for better healthcare in our state," Cummins said.

Chancellor Buckley also recognized Dale Criner, MD, chair of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Legislative Committee and a past society president; Michelle Allmon, MD, vice chair of the TMA Board of Directors; and Catherine Womack, MD, society president and associate dean of Student Affairs and Admissions for the university's College of Medicine.

Research Strategy Targets Rural Health Gap

Jessica Snowden, MD, vice chancellor for Research and interim dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, presented on the university's efforts to scale discovery and build a research enterprise across Tennessee.

Dr. Snowden outlined four priority disease areas that are the current focus for the university, cardiovascular health, cancer, neuroscience and infectious disease. Population and rural health, novel therapies and data science cut across all four, she said.

Jessica Snowden, MD, vice chancellor for Research and interim dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences shared about research collaborations, pivotal cancer research training and other priority disease research areas for the state.

Dr. Snowden also pointed to three recent research collaborations. UT Health Sciences has joined the Vanderbilt Institute's application for renewal of its Clinical and Translational Science Award program. With hopefully a successful federal review this fall, this would be a major collaborative boost in giving faculty access to nationwide clinical trial infrastructure.

Additionally, with Dr. Snowden's leadership, the university is now part of the new Mid-South AI Research Consortium, which will enable artificial intelligence development that draws upon the strategic leverage of "The Digital Delta." She highlighted how UT Health Sciences is working collaboratively with UT Knoxville in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop radiopharmaceutical treatments for ovarian cancer. Furthermore, Dr. Snowden announced UT Health Sciences recently received a K12 award from the National Institutes of Health, the first cancer research training grant in UT System history, to help train clinician scientists focused on the state's cancer outcomes.

Partnerships Grow Across the State

Chancellor Buckley gave a condensed strategic partnerships update. In Memphis, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and UT Health Sciences College of Medicine leaders are in the process of recruiting a new pediatrician-in-chief and chair of pediatrics. He also noted the hospital has completed its 100th pediatric cardiac surgery. Methodist University Hospital recently recruited a new transplant surgeon to lead the collaborative transplant program.

Chancellor Buckley indicated he and Raaj Kurapati, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer at the university, joined colleagues at Regional One Health and community leaders to hear an outline of the Regional One plan for a new hospital. Additionally, Chief Executive Officer Reginald Coopwood and Paul Wesolowski, vice chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at the university, are leading a workgroup on revision of the joint affiliation agreement.

In Chattanooga, Erlanger Health System has signed a letter of intent to join South Carolina-based Prisma Health, Prisma's second Tennessee partnership after Blount Memorial Hospital near Knoxville.

Also highlighted was the new Haslam Family Center for Emergency and Trauma Services at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where David Miller, UT System senior vice president and chief financial officer, serves on the board. Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of UT Health Sciences' College of Medicine, is also working collaboratively to finalize the College of Medicine recruitment for a new regional dean for that campus.

Kurapati honored Miller as a colleague who has long supported UT Health Sciences from his role overseeing finance, human resources and capital projects, among other responsibilities, for the UT System. A surprised Miller brought greetings from UT System President Randy Boyd, Board of Trustees Chairman John Compton, and Finance and Administration Committee Chair Bill Rhodes, adding that state's investment in the College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building (COMIB) is proof of tremendous support.

"It is the beginning of a great era for health sciences," Miller said.

Chancellor Buckley shared about a new pediatric residency partnership with Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, the region's first pediatric graduate medical education program in nearly 25 years, plus new residency affiliations at Athens Regional Hospital and Maury Regional Hospital, vital regional hospitals in East and Middle Tennessee.

"The work of partnerships is dynamic," Chancellor Buckley said. "And we're in good shape."

Raaj Kurapati (left), executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer at UT Health Sciences, presented a recognition plaque to David Miller, UT System senior vice president and chief financial officer, for being a colleague who has long supported UT Health Sciences.

New Celebrations, New Faces

The chancellor highlighted the institution's refreshed name, UT Health Sciences. Melissa Robinson, DHA, was honored and acknowledged in accepting the permanent role of vice chancellor for Advancement after joining the university as the chief development officer in October 2025.

Two employees, Edwin Jeffres, assistant vice chancellor of Facilities, and Tina Dudney, MD, Graduate Medical Education leader and senior faculty in Knoxville, were named 2026 recipients of the UT President's Award, the university's highest honor for faculty and staff. It was also noted that Jessi Gold, MD, the UT System's inaugural chief wellness officer and associate professor of psychiatry at UT Health Sciences, is now writing a national column for Inside Higher Ed, increasing national visibility for the institution.

Chancellor Buckley thanked outgoing board members and continued partners Michael Ugwueke, DHA, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare president and chief operating officer, and Natalie Tate, PharmD, vice president of Pharmacy Management at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, for their service. Board members were informed of Gov. Bill Lee's selection of two new members, awaiting and respecting the legislative confirmation process: David May, a Regions Bank regional manager and Greater Memphis Chamber leader, and Jeannie Beauchamp, DDS, a College of Dentistry alumna who also serves on the UT Foundation Board. The chancellor additionally thanked outgoing student representative Samantha Townsend from the College of Pharmacy.

Strongest Financial Position in Years

Kurapati presented preliminary, unaudited fiscal year 2026 financial results, framing them against a plan adopted after a 2024 review identified financial concerns. Preliminary results show an operating surplus of approximately $34 million for fiscal year 2026, the third straight year of gains since the university adopted a financial correction plan in 2024. Those consecutive surpluses have pushed the university out of an accumulated operating deficit from $55 million in June 2023 to an estimated positive position of $31.4 million by June 2026.

Cash reserves, which fell to just seven days on hand in 2021, are projected to reach 102 days by the end of fiscal year 2026, plus $25 million in bridge funding secured with support from President Boyd and Miller to assist with the cashflow needs of the COMIB, as the institution continues to build momentum in raising $50 million for the project. Internal policy targets roughly 180 days on hand, a goal Kurapati expects to reach within three years.

Kurapati credited the turnaround broadly. "It takes a village," he said. "I have the privilege of representing the good work of many of my colleagues across the institution."

Capital Projects Move Forward

Kurapati's capital update led with new details on the COMIB, a $350 million project of which $311 million comes from the state, the largest state-funded capital project for higher education in Tennessee history. A prior year legislative amendment enabled the university to begin planning and design with up to $10 million in advance funding before the full appropriation was finalized, saving approximately 14 months on the project schedule.

Fencing and soil testing are underway on-site. The State Building Commission will be considering the university's request for approval of the overall project, with certification of full funding, at its Aug. 13 regular meeting. Pending this review, Kurapati confirmed a groundbreaking ceremony for Oct. 8, with completion of the building targeted for fall 2029.

Other active projects include the Gross Anatomy Lab renovation and a proposed $70 million energy partnership to modernize the university's central utility plant, subject to required approvals. The university's first statewide Capital Master Plan comes before the board at its next meeting. Kurapati also outlined a possible mixed-use development with housing, retail and dining at the corner of Madison Avenue and South Pauline Street on the Memphis campus.

"We want our campus to be a place that people can come, stay, work, study, learn and practice," Kurapati said.

The recorded webcast of the meeting is available to view on the Advisory Board website.