Dear Colleagues-Friends,
Last week the University of Tennessee System hosted its fall Board of Trustees meeting in Knoxville. It was a busy and productive two days culminating in President Randy Boyd’s inspirational presentation of a new UT Strategic Plan, developed over this year to enable the collective goal of achieving “The Greatest Decade in the history of the University of Tennessee.”
I want to tell you about a few items from the meeting that are of particular interest to UT Health Sciences faculty, staff, and students.
- The University of Tennessee’s overall financial position is healthy. And, while it remains a work in progress, our team was applauded by the board’s finance committee for the diligent financial stewardship we have exercised under Raaj Kurapati’s leadership and with all your support.
- The University of Tennessee System’s priority for advocacy this year continues to be the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building. This was evident at multiple points in the dialogue during the meeting, with recognition that the new building, while located in Memphis, will be a statewide asset enabling growth in the clinical workforce across the State of Tennessee. We are grateful for the continued advocacy of the System leadership for this important project.
- It was reported that the Tennessee State School Bond Authority approved a new debt policy, which is now endorsed by the board. This policy will allow institutions to also use a bond-based funding strategy for academic buildings. This new policy unlocks financial capacity on campuses in the System. It is particularly timely for UT Health Sciences as this new opportunity will be critical in our efforts for the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building.
- Advancing our master facility plan, the board approved the purchase of the SoMa 23 Apartment Complex on S. Pauline Street in Memphis next to the old Holiday Inn building, which is being demolished. This acquisition will be key to the overall strategic development of the campus footprint along Madison Avenue in collaboration with the Memphis Medical District.
- Chief Academic Officer Cindy Russell successfully presented the preliminary Strategic Enrollment Plan that many of our campus leaders have been engaged with over the last year, since our Fall 2025 Strategic Enrollment Retreat. This enrollment management plan was well received by the UT Board of Trustees. Dr. Russell described how this new opportunity can enable us to think intentionally across our campuses about how to grow the health care workforce that is needed for Tennessee.
- The board approved a new affiliation agreement with Starr Regional Medical Center in East Tennessee. This strategic affiliation was led by Dr. Robert Craft, dean of the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine-Knoxville, and Paul Wesolowski, vice chancellor for Strategic Partnerships. Starr is an excellent example of the partnerships we are creating across the state to provide outstanding clinical experiences for our students and residents.
- The Education, Research and Service Committee received a report on the 2025 COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey. Out of the 25 thematic areas evaluated, UT Health Sciences faculty categorized 23 as strengths, two as neither a strength nor a concern, and no areas were considered of concern. While these results are fantastic and echo the sentiments expressed in last year’s “Resolution of Gratitude” by our Faculty Senate, we must be vigilant in continuing to ensure that we remain a place where our faculty and staff are engaged and feel that they can do their best work.
We are grateful for the leadership of President Boyd and the support of the team at the UT System. And I am grateful for the work that each of you do every day to help us fulfill our mission of Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities. We have made tremendous strides in building our institution, creating outstanding educational opportunities for our students, and we are poised – even in the face of challenges – to realize the full potential of our new R1 research status.
The UT Board of Trustees and leaders in attendance from our sister universities and our UT System lauded the progress and momentum at UT Health Sciences, while also acknowledging that there is more yet to do. We can take a moment to reflect with pride on all that has been accomplished, as together we also look forward with enthusiasm and resolve to all that lies ahead.
See a full report and a video recording of the meeting on the UT System website.
With admiration for your accomplishments and gratitude for your service,
Peter Buckley, MD
Chancellor