Appointment of Two Interim Chairs for the Chattanooga Campus
Dean R. Bruce Shack, MD, is pleased to announce the appointment of two Interim Chairs for the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga Campus effective October 1, 2021:
Richard G. Alvarez, MD, Professor, was named interim chair of Orthopaedic Surgery October 1, 2021. He will be assuming a role he is most familiar with having served in an exemplary manner as chair of the department from 2010 – 2019. He is board certified in Orthopaedic surgery. As interim chair he will serve as the chief executive and academic officer of the department and be responsible for the entirety of education programs (undergraduate, graduate and continuing), research, public service and patient care programs of the department of Orthopaedic surgery including the Orthopaedic Trauma fellowship. His long standing commitment to patient care, medical education and leadership, and his ability to inspire residents and students to excel in patient care, research and service to the community, have made him one of the most respected and admired faculty members by both UT College of Medicine Chattanooga and Erlanger Health System.
Dr. Alvarez is presently practicing as specialist in foot and ankle Orthopaedic Surgery at Erlanger Health System. The College of Medicine is grateful for his willingness to assume interim chair responsibilities and his continuing commitment to education.
Jigme M. Sethi, MD, Professor, was named Interim Chair of the Department of Medicine effective October 1, 2021. As Interim Chair he will serve as the chief executive and academic officer of the department and be responsible for the entirety of education (undergraduate, graduate, and continuing), research, public service and patient care programs for the Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowships in Gastroenterology and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Sethi is board certified in critical care medicine, pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine. He has served in various roles in academic medicine and received numerous teaching awards since completing his fellowships in 2000.
Dr. Sethi is presently Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Medical Director of Medical Intensive Care, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Respirator Therapy and ABG Laboratory at Erlanger Health System. He has made exemplary contribution and developed robust critical care processes during the Covid pandemic. The College of Medicine Chattanooga is deeply appreciative of Dr. Sethi’s commitment to education and his desire to serve in this important academic and administrative role.