William (Bill) Basco, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine – Chattanooga at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Pediatrician-in-Chief at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Dr. Basco joins the college from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where he served as professor of pediatrics and director of the Division of General Pediatrics. He also served as the associate dean for Continuing Medical Education at MUSC.
“It’s an honor to be selected as chair, and I am also honored by the trust placed in me by the faculty, leadership of the College of Medicine, and leadership of Erlanger,” Dr. Basco said.
As chair, Dr. Basco aims to grow the department’s faculty and expand pediatric services in the Chattanooga region. He looks forward to working with pediatricians and leadership in the College of Medicine – Chattanooga and Erlanger. “One of the strengths of the department is that they really have most pediatric specialties represented,” he said. “When I think about the clinical volume and activities they already have and the growth of the Chattanooga area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to 100 faculty over the next five to 10 years. So, I think that’s exciting.”
Dr. Basco said he was led to Chattanooga by seeing its growth and the opportunities to meet the needs in the community. “Although there are multiple large pediatric medical centers within two hours, there is such a local need in that growing community,” he said. “I think it’s a really great opportunity for me, the department, and for Erlanger Hospital.”
Dr. Basco is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric hospital medicine. He was the principal investigator of two Health Resources and Services Administration grants that created and expanded the Primary Care Pediatrics Residency at MUSC.
“What I look forward to the most is getting to work with and help grow an entire department of pediatrics, rather than just one unit of a department. And it will be exciting to have the chance to work with the hospital to expand services in multiple specialties and geographic areas,” he said. “As the population of the area grows, and as the hospital system continues to add regional clinical sites, helping them plan for and implement new pediatric services at some of these sites is exciting.”
“Our College of Medicine in Chattanooga is extremely honored to welcome a clinician, educator, and researcher of Dr. Basco’s stature,” said James Haynes, MD, dean of the College of Medicine – Chattanooga. “His extensive experience with expanding children’s health care operations, improving health care quality, and studying the impact of those ventures will be of significant benefit to the families and institutions of our region.”
Dr. Basco earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Tulane University. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and completed internship and residency in pediatrics at MUSC. He also completed a General Pediatric Academic Development fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Department of Pediatrics.
The appointment further exemplifies the university’s statewide presence and leadership. Across the state, UT Health Science Center faculty serve among the staff at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, and West Tennessee Healthcare – Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson.