The University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Advisory Board has given the green light to a $711.3 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2026. The proposal, unanimously approved during their spring meeting on May 9, will now be forwarded to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees for final consideration in June, as reported by UTHSC News. At the meeting, the Board also had the chance to celebrate a decade-long clinical partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville and welcome new leadership.
Newly appointed as Board Chair, Memphis radiologist Randall A. Davis, MD, presided over the meeting. Rick Spell, a gubernatorial appointee and noted Memphis businessman, joined the board, with Executive Vice Chancellor Raaj Kurapati handling the introductions. "This is a very esteemed medical university and I’m very proud to serve it in any way I can," Spell said, as noted in the UTHSC News report. Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, took the opportunity to congratulate student representative Margaret Bohm on her federal research training career award, as she prepares to graduate and end her term.
In addition to fiscal discussions, the board reflected on the university's 10-year relationship with Ascension Saint Thomas. "We are proud to celebrate a great partnership," said Chancellor Buckley in a statement obtained by UTHSC News. The partnership, which began with a single residency program, has expanded significantly, bringing residency and fellowship programs, pharmacy training, and research collaborations to the region. Ascension's President and CEO Fahad Tahir spoke about keeping clinicians in Middle Tennessee and across the state.
The meeting also served as a platform to introduce newly recruited leaders. Michael Hocker, MD, MHS will assume the role of executive dean of the College of Medicine on June 23, and Karla Leeper, PhD, MBA, MA will take on the role of vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing on July 7. Dr. Wendy Likes will continue her leadership of the College of Nursing, and with her new title of Executive Director and Special Advisor on Rural Health, will focus on delivering primary care in West Tennessee's rural communities. Former Advisory Board Chair Phil Wenk, DDS, was named the Special Advisor to the Chancellor to foster strategic partnerships and support the university's statewide mission. These announcements underscore the board's goals to strengthen leadership and further educational growth in areas critical to the region.
Continuing the meeting's agenda, David Mills, director of Government Relations, highlighted the recent legislative session's success stories. Chancellor Buckley gave special thanks to UT System President Randy Boyd and his team for securing essential support, particularly for the College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building (COMIB), pointing out the importance of aligning with state government priorities. The collaborative efforts with officials in Nashville have set the stage for what appears to be a positive path forward for the institution.
