2 from UT Health Sciences Honored with UT President’s Awards

The University of Tennessee System has named two employees from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences among the recipients of the 2026 President's Awards, the highest honor a UT employee can receive.

Edwin Jeffres, assistant vice chancellor of Facilities, and Tina Dudney, MD, professor and assistant dean for Graduate Medical Education in the College of Medicine - Knoxville, were recognized among 14 faculty and staff members from across the UT System.

Established in 2016, the President's Awards honor employees whose work reflects the university's Be One UT values through exceptional service, leadership and commitment to the university's mission. Recipients are nominated by campus and institute leaders and selected from across the UT System based on their impact and contributions.

"These awards honor the exceptional talent, service and leadership of faculty and staff systemwide," UT System President Randy Boyd said. "Through their work, each honoree strengthens communities and creates lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond. They have earned this distinction and are helping define the greatest decade in UT history."

Honorees will be recognized by President Boyd, university chancellors and vice presidents during a special luncheon in August. Each recipient receives a commemorative plaque and a $3,000 monetary award.

Edwin Jeffres: Optimistic and Visionary

Jeffres was honored with a staff award in the Optimistic and Visionary category for his leadership in facilities operations, capital planning and infrastructure strategy. He has played a key role in supporting campus growth while maintaining efficient day-to-day operations.

"I am deeply honored to receive the President's Award and sincerely grateful for the trust and support of my colleagues and leadership," Jeffres said. "This recognition reflects a shared commitment to excellence and the belief that the greatest accomplishments come from working together toward a common purpose."

As assistant vice chancellor of Facilities, Jeffres has overseen major projects that have transformed the campus, including demolition of the former Holiday Inn on Madison Avenue, renovations in the Nash Building, campus fencing improvements and elevator modernization projects. He also has helped lead planning and site preparation efforts for the future College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building.

In the last two years, Jeffres and his team have generated significant cost savings through operational efficiencies, strategic staffing and careful contract management while maintaining high levels of service. He has also fostered collaboration across departments, including integrating Information Technology Services into capital projects to ensure technology and infrastructure planning are aligned from the earliest stages.

"I accept this recognition with humility and gratitude, knowing that true leadership is measured not by the awards we receive, but by the lives we impact, the teams we empower, and the legacy of excellence we leave behind," Jeffres said.

Tina Dudney, MD: Nimble and Innovative

Dr. Dudney is the recipient of the faculty award in the Nimble and Innovative category. As professor and assistant dean for Graduate Medical Education in the College of Medicine - Knoxville, she also serves as the designated institutional official for graduate medical education and is a pulmonary and critical care physician at UT Medical Center.

"From medical school at UT Health Sciences in Memphis to my current role at the College of Medicine - Knoxville, I have been fortunate to spend my career serving patients, educating physicians and advancing graduate medical education within the University of Tennessee System," Dr. Dudney said.

A longtime faculty leader, Dr. Dudney has advanced residency and fellowship education through programs that emphasize communication, empathy, leadership and team-based learning. Her work has helped expand access to high-quality residency education in East Tennessee.

"Dr. Dudney's commitment to advancing graduate medical education and improving the training experience for learners has elevated the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine and strengthened the physician pipeline across our state," said Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine. "This well-deserved recognition is a testament to her leadership and dedication to excellence."

Dr. Dudney has developed interdisciplinary initiatives with UT Knoxville, including an intensive medical Spanish course and a medical humanities program. She also has introduced narrative medicine and collaborative learning experiences within the medical curriculum, helping prepare future physicians to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

"I am truly humbled to receive a President's Award," she said. "It reflects the values that have guided my career and celebrates the collective commitment of the many outstanding colleagues across the system with whom I have had the privilege to work."

Congratulations, Nominees

In addition to the award recipients, several UT Health Sciences faculty and staff members were recognized as nominees in various categories.

Tracy McClinton, DNP, associate professor in the College of Nursing's Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, was a nominee in the Excel in All We Do category.

The United and Connected category had two nominees from UT Health Sciences: Bernd Meibohm, PhD, chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and associate dean for Research and Graduate Programs in the College of Pharmacy, and Leslie Phelps-Detter, office operations manager and assistant to the vice chancellor in the Office of Research.

Peggy Reisser, strategic communications manager in the Office of Communications and Marketing, was a nominee in the Transparent and Trusted category.