People: Staff News


UT Health Science Center Communicators Win Three Awards at Statewide Conference

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Photo of plaques

The Office of Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center earned three awards, including a first-place honor and a Best in Show nomination, at the 2025 Tennessee College Public Relations Association (TCPRA) conference. Held May 21–23 in Chattanooga, the annual event brought together communications professionals from public and private colleges and… Read More


College of Nursing Dean to Lead Statewide Rural Health Initiative

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Portrait of Dean Wendy Likes

Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc APRN-Bc, FAAN, FAANP, dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, will fill a new role as executive director and special advisor on rural health for the university. Dean Likes will continue her role as the College of Nursing’s dean. Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, made the announcement… Read More


Outstanding Higher Education Leader Named Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing

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Portrait of Karla Leeper

After an extensive nationwide search, Karla Leeper, PhD, MBA, MA, a highly accomplished communicator with decades of leadership experience in higher education and health care, has been named the new vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She will join the university July 7. Dr. Leeper has… Read More


Advisory Board Recommends Approval of FY26 Budget Proposal

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Photo of Raaj Kurapati speaking

During its spring meeting Friday, May 9, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Advisory Board unanimously approved a $711.3 million balanced budget proposal for FY 2026, which will now go as a recommendation to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees at its meeting in June. The board also recognized the university’s vital 10-year clinical… Read More


Spring 2025 Graduate Health Sciences Magazine Shares Stories of Scientific Success

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Graduate Health Sciences Magazine Cover

This year, the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is renewing its commitment to preparing well-rounded scientists for successful careers. The latest issue of Graduate Health Sciences Magazine highlights this dedication through stories of thriving students, faculty, and alumni. Driven to Achieve More Learn why a doctoral student,… Read More


Donors Rally for Cancer Research in Record-Breaking UT Health Science Center Giving Day

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Photo of a researcher with the Giving Day logo

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center marked its most successful Giving Day yet on Tuesday, April 29, surpassing fundraising and participation goals and highlighting the strength of its community of supporters. This year’s Giving Day brought in a record-breaking $956,246 from 1,361 donors – well beyond the goal of 1,250 donors and nearly $300,000… Read More


Center for Youth Advocacy and Well-Being Marks 10 Years of Serving the Youth of Memphis and Their Families

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Portrait of Dr. Altha Stewart

The Center for Youth Advocacy and Well-Being (CYAW) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of working in collaboration with community partners to provide services to young people with mental health and trauma-related needs who are at risk of entering the justice or child welfare systems. In recognition of… Read More


Advisory Board to Hold Spring Meeting May 9

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Photo of the UT Health Science Center arches

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Advisory Board will meet Friday, May 9, at 11 a.m., in the Mooney Library, 875 Monroe Ave., on the Memphis campus. On the agenda:  While the meeting will be conducted in person, it will also be available to view online. The webcast link, more information about the UT Health… Read More