People: Faculty News


The Fight of Our Lives: Advancing Cancer Research in Tennessee

|

As a pediatrician, I’ve been at the bedside of countless families whose lives changed in a moment when they learned their child had cancer. As a daughter and patient, myself, I’ve scrambled to learn as much as I could about new diagnoses, treatments, and testing for adult cancers, all while wondering if this was the… Read More


Raising Funds to Renovate Dunn Dental Building, Continuing a Legacy

|

College of Dentistry alumnus Phil Wenk, DDS, smiles when he remembers driving across the state in the mid-2000s with another alumnus, former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn, to meet with potential donors and raise funds to renovate the Dunn Dental Building, which had not been updated since it opened in 1977. “Gov. Dunn had a heart… Read More


Unlocking the Brain’s Gatekeeper: A New Hope for Autism Treatment

|
Portrait of Dr. Il Hwan Kim

Il Hwan Kim, PhD, a researcher at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and heartaches faced by parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States. “It’s always so moving when I hear their stories,” said Dr. Kim, an associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology in… Read More


UT Health Science Center Giving Day April 29 Enables More Investment in Cancer Research

|
Photo of researcher

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center will hold its fifth-annual Giving Day on Tuesday, April 29, inviting the community to join the university in supporting the mission to make Tennessee healthier. This year, each dollar raised during the 24-hour campaign will have an even bigger impact because all gifts, no matter the area they… Read More


Jon Ryder, DDS, Named Executive Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry

|
Headshot of Dr. Jon Ryder

Earlier this spring, Jon Ryder, DDS, MS, joined the College of Dentistry as the new executive associate dean. A leader with a wealth of experience, Dr. Ryder will provide day-to-day leadership of the college and support the vision and mission led by Dean Ken Tilashalski, DMD. “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Dr. Jon Ryder… Read More


Four UT Health Science Center Physicians in Chattanooga Honored by Erlanger for Distinguished Service

|
Photo of Dr. James Haynes receiving an award

Erlanger hosted the 21st annual Dinner of Distinction recently at the Westin Chattanooga. The dinner honored four outstanding physicians and community leaders, all a part of the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine in Chattanooga, who have contributed to health care in the greater Chattanooga community. The 2025 honorees included: In addition to honoring… Read More


New Features for Campus Rec Aimed at Drawing Members, Improving Experience

|
Photo of a fitness class

Campus Recreation at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has introduced some new features, including offering affiliate memberships for the Fitness Center located in the Student-Alumni Center on the Memphis campus. Membership is free to students, faculty, and staff. New affiliate memberships are available for UT Health Science Center alumni; part-time and temporary employees;… Read More


Balaji Krishnaiah, MD, Honored for Advancing Stroke Care, Shaping Future of Neurology

|
Portrait of Dr. Balaji Krishnaiah

From growing up in a small village in India with only one physician to being named one of Memphis’ 40 Under 40, Balaji Krishnaiah, MD, has built a career focused on improving patient care, education, and community impact. As division chief of Vascular Neurology, program director of Neurology Residency, and associate professor in the University… Read More