At its final meeting of 2025, the Staff Senate at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center celebrated its achievements, honored university leadership, and welcomed its new president for 2026. Among the Staff Senate’s accomplishments in its second year were approving bylaws and operational procedures and securing a budget to help it recognize and build… Read More
When Karen Derefinko, PhD, talks about her work, there is a theme that comes up again and again: people working together can solve almost anything. This principle is what first drew her into clinical psychology, what motivates her research today, and what shapes her goals as president of the Faculty Senate at the University of… Read More
“You’re not just entering a profession. You’re joining a mission to make Tennesseans and beyond, healthier and stronger.” With those words, Executive Dean for the College of Medicine Michael Hocker, MD, captured the essence of what 146 new health care professionals entered into Dec. 8 as the University of Tennessee Health Science Center celebrated winter… Read More
Jenifer Prather, MPH, RN, will graduate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with a PhD in Nursing Science on Monday, Dec. 8, but her research on the impact of mindfulness interventions on stroke survivors and their caregivers is already gaining attention in the field. Her research abstract was accepted for the International Stroke… Read More
Matt McDaniel, MPH, MPA, has been named the director of the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence. McDaniel brings strong experience in public health and public service to his leadership role in the new, statewide initiative housed at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He joined the Center of Excellence as director on… Read More
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center have named Melissa Robinson, DHA, MBA, the chief development officer and associate vice chancellor for Advancement. In this role, Dr. Robinson will guide the long-term strategic direction of fundraising across UT Health Science Center’s four statewide campuses, lead major and… Read More
During its fall meeting Friday, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Advisory Board honored a vital partner in mental health care in Memphis, received exciting news about the fiscal year 2025 preliminary financial results, and heard an update on the new $350 million College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building proposed for the Memphis campus. Chancellor Peter Buckley,… Read More
Recent College of Dentistry alumnus Dillon Cutshaw, DDS, knows a trip to the dentist may sometimes be benched in favor of life’s necessities. “We can go to the dentist every six months,” he says. “It’s not you having to decide between this tooth hurting versus not buying food the next day. For a lot of… Read More
