Note: This story was updated on June 10 to correct Dr. Ben Dart's title.
One thing about health care in Chattanooga — it isn't hard to find.
"I think we're definitely in a unique position," Harish Manyam, president of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Medical Society, says in a telephone interview. "One could classify (Chattanooga) as a medical city — with three systems (Erlanger, CHI Memorial and Parkridge), all independent of one another.
In addition to the three main medical centers, the city is home to the Children's Hospital at Erlanger, Siskin Hospital for Rehabilitation and several other institutions.
"It's a bit unusual because you'll find larger cities that might have two massive systems, but we have three, and they each offer health care in a robust way," adds Manyam, a cardiologist at Erlanger for the past nine years and the hospital's chair of medicine.
Photo by Bob Gary / Teresa BrownTeresa Brown, CHI Memorial
Teresa Brown's trajectory at CHI Memorial exemplifies dedication and leadership, says her supervisor at the hospital.
"Teresa began her journey as a staff nurse," says Petra Green, CHI Memorial's market vice president for patient care services. "Her passion and experience propelled her to her current role as the director of medical-surgical operations.
"Her commitment to growth is evident in her own academic achievements — she completed her master's degree during the pandemic while simultaneously leading the COVID units," Grant adds. "Teresa's grit and determination are further reflected in her leadership of the largest group of nursing units, encompassing med/surg dialysis and the IV team."
Something else about which Brown is passionate, she says, is fostering and developing future leaders. Brown empowers staff nurses with leadership potential to become charge nurses or managers and plays a pivotal role in implementing the LPN workforce, which has significantly helped address the nursing shortage.
"Teresa brings a touch of fun and laughter to the workplace," Grant says. "She's an invaluable asset to CHI Memorial and her leadership is crucial to the organization's future. She's poised to make an even greater impact, ensuring the continued success and well-being of both patients and staff."
EDGE archives / Janelle ReillyJanelle Reilly, CHI Memorial Hospital market president
"I am incredibly excited about the transformative potential of technology in the future of health care. From machine learning and AI to digital health solutions, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionize patient care.
These advancements hold the promise of dramatically improving outcomes, quality, safety, and the overall patient experience. By automating repetitive tasks and augmenting our workforce, these technologies will free up valuable time for health care professionals to focus on higher-level, critical thinking tasks.
Additionally, the ability to personalize medicine through advanced analytics and data-driven insights will enable us to tailor care plans to individual needs, leading to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. I am eager to witness the positive impact these technologies will have on patients, providers, and the health care system as a whole."
Contributed photo / Tyler WinksTyler Winks, Erlanger chief operating officer
"AI and machine learning algorithms will play a more significant role in health care, assisting with diagnostics, personalized treatment plans and predictive analytics to identify health risks.
Telemedicine will become even more prevalent, offering remote consultations, monitoring and treatment options. This expansion will improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, and enhance convenience for patients.
Health care systems will increasingly prioritize value-based care models focused on improving patient outcomes while reducing costs. This shift will emphasize preventive care, care coordination, and patient engagement.
There will be greater recognition of the importance of mental health, leading to increased access to mental health services, destigmatization of mental illness, and integration of mental health screening and support into primary care settings."
Contributed photo / Ben DartDr. Ben Dart, University Surgical Associates, general/trauma surgeon; UT College of Medicine – Chattanooga, chair of the Department of Surgery
"The future of surgery will be increasingly aided by robotic and AI tools. These offer increased precision while reducing costs. Quality outcomes will be paramount as reduction of complications from surgery factor into the value equation.
Surgical procedures will also be performed more frequently in an outpatient setting, a trend reflected in the growing interest in ambulatory surgery centers. And finally, we are facing a potentially catastrophic shortage of surgeons – as many as 20,000 by 2036 according to a 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
When combined with rising demands for greater patient access and physician autonomy, we believe new and innovative care models will emerge that will improve the doctor-patient relationship."