In his 2019-2020 State of the University Address in early November, Chancellor Steve Schwab said the UT Health Science Center is “weathering COVID in a lean but strong fashion.” Speaking via Zoom in his 11th annual State of the University Address, the chancellor said the university has “maintained our budget, maintained our workforce and expanded our mission.”
He cited many successes achieved during the pandemic, including graduating all students, residents and fellows on schedule. “We have led people into the healthcare workforce,” he said. “We have met all of our clinical obligations. We have put research on track and growing.”
The chancellor said the Campus Master Plan continues to deliver “best-in-class facilities to make sure we, as an institution, don’t get left behind.”
Additionally, he said that, across all its missions, the university is committed to diversity and inclusion in its student body, faculty and staff. “We need a diverse campus that refects Tennessee,” he said. “We need a healthcare workforce that reflects Tennessee.”
New Dental Building at UTHSC Named for Delta Dental of Tennessee
The UT Board of Trustees approved a request from UTHSC to name the new dental building under construction on the Memphis campus the Delta Dental of Tennessee Building. During its fall meeting, which was held virtually, the board also approved naming the entire grounds of the College of Dentistry, located at 875 Union Ave., the Delta Dental of Tennessee Oral Health Complex.
The designations honor the outstanding support of Delta Dental of Tennessee and its President and Chief Executive Officer Philip Wenk (Knoxville ’73, HSC ’77). He chairs the UTHSC Advisory Board. Delta Dental of Tennessee is the largest donor to the UTHSC College of Dentistry.
Since 1997, Delta Dental of Tennessee has provided financial support to the college totaling more than $16.5 million, including $6.3 million for construction costs toward the more than $45 million new building and $1.4 million in equipment.
College of Nursing’s 2020 NightinGala Honors Nursing Profession
Alisa Haushalter, director of the Shelby County Health Department, received the COVID-19 Community Nurse Hero Award and gave the keynote address at the UTHSC College of Nursing’s fourth annual NightinGala.
The event celebrates the nursing profession and honors outstanding nurses in the Mid-South. More than 300 people viewed the Zoom event.
“This is an especially important year for nursing,” said Wendy Likes, dean of the UTHSC College of Nursing. “As 2020 has been designated the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife and as our communities continue to combat a global pandemic, we believe it is essential to celebrate the great work our nurses do this year.”
