‘We Are Stronger Together’: Faculty Senate Celebrates University’s Achievements, Looks Ahead with Optimism

Tennessee Rep. Bryan Terry, MD, who trained in residency at UT Health Sciences, speaks to the Faculty Senate at its June 9 meeting about the impact the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building will have on the health of Tennesseans. The Faculty Senate presented an award to Dr. Terry for championing the new building in the state legislature.

The Faculty Senate at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences wrapped up the academic year by celebrating its accomplishments and honoring several people who have made a tremendous impact on the university and its future.

At its final meeting of the year Tuesday, the Faculty Senate presented awards to some of the leaders who played a crucial role in securing $311 million from the state for the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building on the Memphis campus, including state Rep. Bryan Terry, MD.

Karen Derefinko, PhD, the Faculty Senate's outgoing president, shared some of the senate's achievements, including successfully interpreting and executing federal mandates, addressing changes in grant funding, and facilitating communication among faculty, administration, and staff.

"We are riding a great wave at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences, and I'd like to see that continue," said Dr. Derefinko, an associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine in the College of Medicine.

"This is a team effort. It takes a village, it takes partnership, and it takes us working together," Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, told the senators. "I'm immensely grateful to all of you, and I'm really excited about where we're at."

Ted Cory, PharmD, PhD, who served as president-elect last year and is the Faculty Senate president for 2026-27, is also looking forward with enthusiasm.

"We have been able to firmly and forcefully advocate for solutions to the issues that we all deal with as faculty, and I give you my word that over the next year, we will continue to do so," said Dr. Cory, an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science in the College of Pharmacy,

Honoring the Change-Makers

Dr. Bryan Terry, chair of the Health Committee in the Tennessee General Assembly's House of Representatives, was invited to Tuesday's meeting to receive the Faculty Senate Presidential Citation Award for his support and advocacy for the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building. Dr. Terry completed residency training in anesthesiology at the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine - Knoxville.

"In any legislature, there are very few physicians who are also lawmakers, and of course, they bring a unique skill set and perspective," Chancellor Buckley said. "Chairman Terry is not only a fantastic leader for our state; he is one of us."

David Mills, director of government relations and advocacy for UT Health Sciences, introduced Dr. Terry, calling him a fighter who "took the bull by the horns unsolicited" after learning about the plans for the new building. "He is ferocious, and we are thankful he is on our side," Mills said.

Chancellor Buckley called Dr. Terry "a fantastic leader for our state" and thanked him for his partnership in advocating for the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building on the Memphis campus.

In thanking the Faculty Senate for the award, Dr. Terry said the work and dedication of the faculty played a significant role in demonstrating the need for and value of a new College of Medicine building. He highlighted the impact the new building will have in reducing the state's physician shortage, saying it will help attract the best students and make a difference that will save lives.

"The interdisciplinary building certainly creates the sense that Tennessee is a place where healthcare professionals are valued, supported, and given the tools to succeed," he said. "In the end, we do not just recruit physicians to a program or facility, we recruit them to a mission, we recruit them to patients, and we recruit them to a state that is willing to invest in their ability to care for others, and that's what makes this effort worthy."

Dr. Terry thanked Gov. Bill Lee, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and other legislative leaders for including the new building in the state budget. He thanked UT System President Randy Boyd for his support of the building and commitment to investing in the state's health and education.

The Faculty Senate also honored leaders at UT Health Sciences who have worked to make the College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building a reality. The senators gave Exceptional Meritorious Achievement Awards to Chancellor Buckley, David Mills, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati, and Executive Dean of the College of Medicine Michael Hocker, MD.

"We have incredible students, incredible faculty, and incredible researchers, all doing great things in facilities that are not incredible. This is our opportunity to be that shining star, to have that building that reflects the great work we're doing," Dr. Hocker said. "There's no 'I' in 'team.' What you see up here are servant leaders who are here to serve the state of Tennessee. Ultimately, this is for our students who will go through and get to work in this building, for our faculty and staff, who every day come to work and do what's so important to us, which is taking care of people in Tennessee."

Passing the Reins

Tuesday's meeting included officer elections and a ceremonial passing of the gavel, marking the transition from Dr. Derefinko's presidency to that of Dr. Cory.

"I want to thank each and every one of you who has put their trust in me as I begin my term as president. I give you my word that I will work to make sure that this trust has not been misplaced," Dr. Cory said. "I want to particularly thank Karen Derefinko for her mentorship and support over the last two years. Over the last year, she has gone out of her way to provide me the tools and training necessary to be successful in the upcoming year."

Outgoing President Dr. Karen Derefinko and new President Dr. Ted Cory announce the results of the Faculty Senate officer elections for 2026-27.

Dr. Cory said he plans to pass along that mentorship to Kevin Freeman, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Medicine, who was chosen to be president-elect after serving as chair of the Research Committee during the past year.

The senate also reelected Nina Sublette, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, as secretary. Senators selected Jillian McCarthy, PhD, associate professor in the College of Health Professions, to represent the senate on the UT Health Sciences Advisory Board and Thad Wilson, PhD, associate professor in the College of Medicine, to serve on the University Faculty Council.

Celebrating the Senators

Other awards presented during the meeting honored faculty, administrators, and staff from across the university for their work on the senate, in the university community, and for patients.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Strategy Mike Ebbs was named Administrator of the Year. The recognition honors tangible sustained support of the Faculty Senate, outstanding service to UT Health Sciences, and proven qualities of leadership. The senate highlighted Ebbs' openness, frankness, and willingness to help resolve issues as an ex-officio member of the Budget and Benefits Committee.

College of Medicine Professor Liza Makowski, PhD, was awarded Senator of the Year for outstanding service to the Faculty Senate. She was honored for developing and chairing the Building and Facilities Committee and for her role in communicating to get the senate's needs met.

The Faculty Senate also presented a Clinical Excellence Award to Sunil Jha, MD, associate professor in the College of Medicine and director of the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program. The award honored Dr. Jha as the first fully trained faculty member in his subspecialty at UT Health Sciences and highlighted his clinical judgment, procedural expertise, and unwavering commitment to compassionate care that have earned him an outstanding reputation among patients and other physicians.

Certificates of Appreciation were also granted to Dr. Kevin Freeman for exceptional work as chair of the Research Committee; Valarie Fleming, PhD, senior associate vice chancellor for Academic and Faculty Affairs, and Terry Cooper, Harriet S. Van Vleet Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Medicine, for their roles as ex-officio members of the Handbook and Faculty Affairs Committee; and Benefits Director Debbie Jackson for service to the senate as an ex-officio member of the Budget and Benefits Committee.

Being a Voice

The Faculty Senate's new president closed the meeting by highlighting the importance of shared governance.

"At the university, there is a genuine commitment to shared governance, and we share a commitment to achieving the tremendous potential that UT Health Science has," Dr. Cory said. "This is an incredibly exciting time for the university, and our shared goals will only be accomplished through shared governance."

He also called upon faculty members to continue to be active in the Faculty Senate, saying more people attended its meetings in the last year than ever before. He asked the senators to commit to being a voice for their colleagues, to share with them what goes on in the Faculty Senate, and to get their insights into what the senate should be doing.

"The faculty senate is a powerful voice to advocate for faculty on campus, and I have seen over the last two years the impact we have had," Dr. Cory said. "By combining our viewpoints, we are strengthened. We are stronger together."