Attention visitors and patients: The Children’s Hospital parking garage elevator is currently being upgraded. To better serve our guests, we ask families with strollers and wheelchairs to park on the first level of the garage. All other guests are welcome to use the stairwell or walk across the parking garage and use the Erlanger Hospital garage elevator. The Children’s Hospital turnaround in front of the emergency room and main lobby is also available to drop off supervised children before entering the parking garage. We apologize for any inconveniences. We are dedicated to providing the best service possible to our patients. Thank you for choosing the region’s only children’s hospital and allowing us to care for your little ones.
Click link below to open a pdf map.
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Chattanooga, Tenn. – Eight medical residents from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga were recently recognized for their dedication in research during their term at Erlanger Health System.
Twenty presentations were heard by faculty, residents, medical students, Erlanger Board members, and administrative staff, involving nine case reports and eleven research projects. Judges included Dr. Beth Choby, Associate Professor for the St. Francis Family Medicine Program in Memphis; Dr. Matthew Good, Clinical Assistant Professor for the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga Department of Pediatrics and practicing physician with the Highland Pediatrics Group; and Dr. Paul Stumpf, Professor, Chair, and Residency Program Director for the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Robert C. Coddington, the first Associate Dean and leader for the campus, was the inspiration and driving force behind establishing the event in 1983 to encourage and recognize scholarly activity and research in Chattanooga. It was an honor for Dr. Coddington to attend this year’s event and assist Dr. David C. Seaberg, Dean of University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, in presenting the awards.
Other dignitaries who attended the event included Erlanger Board members Donnie Hutcherson, Russell King and Jim Worthington; Associate Dean and DIO, Dr. Robert Fore; former Associate Dean, Dr. Ron Blankenbaker; Director of Research for the campus, Dr. Greg Heath; and Dr. Eric Gratias (Pediatrics) and Dr. Francis Fesmire (Emergency Medicine). Drs. Gratias and Fesmire participated as the Scientific Review Committee, evaluating the scientific validity of research proposals and serving as the selection committee for initial abstracts submitted for the annual event.
The following physicians were recognized for their research work during their residency.
Case Report Posters
3rd Place: Fernando Windemuller, MD, Department of Pediatrics
“First Report of Biopsy Proven Acute Interstitial Nephritis Associated with Escitalopram”
2nd Place: Jennifer Hamm, MD, and Vanessa Slots MD, Department of Pediatrics
“Medical Child Abuse: When a Father Suffocates His Child”
1st Place: G. Ralston Major II, MD, Department of Surgery
“Use of CT Perfusion Imaging and CT Angiography in the Selection of Hyperacute Stroke Patients to Undergo Emergent Carotid Endarterctomy”
Research Projects (both posters and oral presentations)
4th Place: Michael Johnson, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
“Non-Operative Management of Retrocalcaneal Pain with AFO and Stretching Regimen”
3rd Place: Hal Parker, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine
“Feasibility of Pre-Hospital Transmission of the 12-lead ECG Using a Camera Capable Cellular Phone for Identification of ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction”
2nd Place: Richa Sood, MD, Department of Pediatrics
“High Flow High Humidity Nasal Cannula Therapy for Respiratory Failure in Infants with Bronchiolitis”
Best Overall Research Presentation and Winner of the Robert C. Coddington, MD, Award for Research Excellence:
Erik Martin, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine
“Improving Risk Stratification in Chest Pain Patients: The Erlanger HEARTS Score”
Pictured are: Front row (L to R): Robert Coddington, MD, Associate Dean Emeritus; Richa Sood, MD, Senior Pediatrics Resident; Jennifer Hamm, MD, Senior Pediatrics Resident; G. Ralston Major II, MD, Second Year Surgery Resident. Back Row (L to R): Erik Martin, MD, Senior Emergency Medicine Resident, Recipient of the Robert C. Coddington, MD, Award for Research Excellence for the Best Overall Research Presentation; Michael Johnson, MD, Chief Resident, Orthopaedic Surgery; and Hal Parker, MD, Chief Resident, Emergency Medicine.
The University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga is part of the statewide academic health system: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga campuses are separately accredited by the ACGME to sponsor residency and fellowship programs in a variety of specialties. The primary clinical affiliated institution in Chattanooga is Erlanger Health System. For more information about the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, visit: www.utcomchatt.org, or email lizjones@uthsc.edu.
As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service. In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrated its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care. Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit. In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit. Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state. For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.
Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Vance-Stafford General Pediatric Center, located at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, received the “Hot Shot Award” this month from the Tennessee Department of Health Immunization in recognition for 100% compliance in state vaccination program.
“We are very honored to receive this award,” said Children’s Hospital pediatrician, Karla Garcia, MD, FAAP. “Everyone in our entire staff is committed to our vaccine program, and their efforts have been noted.”
The award recognizes the diligent effort by the hospital physicians and clinical staff to ensure the center meets stringent compliance in storage and handling of vaccinations, patient screening for eligibility, documentation and vaccination accountability.
“The center has proven itself to be an immunization leader for the state of Tennessee,” wrote Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Tennessee Immunization Program. “Its commitment to the health and well-being of our state’s children is evident by the staff’s outstanding compliance with the Vaccine for Children Program protocols.”
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Chattanooga, Tenn. – On Saturday, May 19, dragons and warriors alike will descend to the TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam for a water war like no other to benefit Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Dating back more than 2,300 years, Dragon Boat racing features teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer in an authentic 41-foot long Chinese dragon boat racing to the finish line on a body of water. Paddlers of all ages, skill and fitness levels can participate, making it the ultimate team building sport.
Participants are encouraged to raise $3,600 per team or $172 per person in pledges; approximately ten cents for every child who is treated annually at Children’s Hospital. Teams can also decorate their tents, wear their dragon apparel and cheer throughout the races.
Each team will have one on-water practice prior to the event and compete in at least two heats on race day. Teams will then race in qualifying heats for the title of Grand Champion.
Top prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams and the teams who raise the most money, but the real winners are the children treated at the hospital. Last year, paddlers from 46 teams raised more than $107,000 in pledges for Children’s Hospital.
It is not too late to register. Teams who register by Monday, April 2 will receive a $100 off registration. Final registration will be Monday, May 7. Corporate and community teams can register online by going to www.chattanooga.racedragonboats.com. To register a team fundraising page and allow others to donate and see the progress, visit www.paddleforchildrenshospital.org.
For more information on how to participate as a team or volunteer, please call Children’s Hospital Foundation office at 423-778-8057 or email Ali.Dunn@erlanger.org
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger joins national effort to reverse the obesity epidemic
Chattanooga, Tenn. – With obesity levels in the United States at all-time highs, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger leaders are working together to make local improvements through “Collaborate for Healthy Weight,” a national effort to reverse the epidemic through innovative local partnerships between primary care providers, public health professionals, and leaders of community-based organizations.
Children’s Hospital is one out of 50 locations across the country participating in this groundbreaking program that will bring solutions to the local community and share strategies on a broader scale. The effort is being led by the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The U.S. has the highest rate of obesity among all developed nations. At current rates, three in four Americans will become overweight or obese by 2020.
Joani Jack, MD, FAAP, Medical Director of the Childhood Obesity Program at Children’s Hospital
“Obesity constitutes a grave threat to the health and well-being of our nation, with a particularly strong impact on diverse and disadvantaged communities,” said Charles Homer, MD, MPH, president and CEO of NICHQ, a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to improving the care systems responsible for the health of all children. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with 50 pioneering communities across the country to find breakthrough solutions to this serious public health problem.”
“We are delighted that NICHQ has selected our team from Hamilton County to participate in this initiative based on our solid commitment to achieving healthy weight and health equity in our community,” said team leader Joani Jack, MD, FAAP, Medical Director of the Childhood Obesity Program at Children’s Hospital. “We look forward to sharing what we learn in this project with communities in other areas of the country.”
“Tennessee and Hamilton County have one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in the nation,” said Alan Kohrt, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Senior Medical Director of Children’s Hospital. “We are excited to be working with the community and our public health system to address this epidemic.”
Along with Children’s Hospital, the cross-sectoral team also includes representatives from:
Alan Kohrt, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Senior Medical Director of Children’s Hospital
• Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department
• La Paz Hispanic Health Advocacy Group
• Siskin Institute
• Erlanger’s Southside/Dodson Avenue Community Health Centers-Women’s Health
• City of Chattanooga Head Start/Early Head Start Program
• University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga
•The East Chattanooga Improvement, Inc.
This project will focus on reaching the children and youth served at Southside/Dodson Avenue Community Health Centers and the University of Tennessee Pediatrics Primary Care Clinic.
The 50 teams from across the country participating in the Collaborate for Healthy Weight initiative will learn from national experts, exchange ideas, and create plans for becoming best practice models for other communities to follow. The project will run through February 2013. To see a complete list of participating locations, go to: www.collaborateforhealthyweight.org/About/Collaborative/Meet-the-HWC-Teams.aspx.
“We are so proud of these communities that are laying the groundwork for tackling this complex and serious issue,” Dr. Homer added. “As their work gets underway, these efforts will make a huge difference in the lives of children and their families across the nation.”
“Collaborate for Healthy Weight” is a two-phased project supported through the Prevention and Public Health Fund under the Affordable Care Act and made possible by a cooperative agreement from HRSA. NICHQ is leading a coalition of partner organizations that is managing all program logistics and overseeing the work of participating teams.
For more information about this initiative, visit www.collaborateforhealthyweight.org or www.NICHQ.org.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority Board of Trustees today approved a transition agreement for former Erlanger President and CEO Jim Brexler, effective Jan. 1, 2012.
The transition package reflects agreement between the Hospital Authority Board and Mr. Brexler.
Guided by advice from legal counsel and what is in the best interest of the health system, a transition agreement was negotiated with Mr. Brexler. Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Brexler will receive severance pay for a period of 15 months, beginning on January 1, 2012 and ending on March 31, 2013. The Hospital Authority will also pay the employer portion of Mr. Brexler’s group health insurance premium for eighteen (18) months. The total value of the package is roughly $728,000, to be paid out over the next 15 months.
Speaking on behalf of the Hospital Authority, Board Chairman Ron Loving noted that the Erlanger board is a diverse group that sometimes has differences of opinion. “Today’s vote, which was 5-4 for approval of the package, reflects those differences of opinion,” Mr. Loving said, noting that several trustees made a point of expressing their deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Erlanger staff and physicians at today’s meeting.
“It is important to note that the board is unified in its support of Charlesetta Woodard-Thompson as Erlanger’s President and CEO, and of her plans going forward to improve the hospital’s operational and financial status,” Mr. Loving said.
