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Two physicians and a local faith-based free clinic were honored by the Tennessee Medical Association for community service.
The TMA awards were presented to:
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R. Phillip Burns, MD, Chattanooga, Outstanding Physician Award;
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David R. Collins, MD, PC, FACP, FACG, Distinguished Service Award; and
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Volunteers in Medicine, Community Service Award.
Dr. Burns Recognized for Innovation and Dedicated Service
Outstanding Physician Award is presented annually by the TMA House of Delegates to member physicians who have made their own personal mark on the profession of medicine in Tennessee and on those whom they have worked with and known during their illustrious medical careers. Dr. Burns was nominated by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society for his steadfast commitment to medical education and innovation and unprecedented longevity in serving as the surgical chairman at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga.
Under Dr. Burns’ leadership, the surgery residency program grew from eight to 30-plus residents in general surgery and in a critical care and vascular surgery fellowship directed by 31 multi-specialty full time faculty. In 2001, the R. Phillip Burns, MD, Award for Academic Excellence was created at the University of Tennessee to recognize his first 25 years of exemplary service.
Dr. Burns has served as the past secretary-director and president of the Southeastern Surgical Congress and past-president of the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He also currently serves as a governor of the American College of Surgeons, president of the Southern Surgical Association and was named the Outstanding Physician of the Year in 2007 by The Baroness Foundation at Erlanger Medical Center.
Dr. Collins Awarded for Volunteer Spirit, Inspiration
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1963 by the TMA Board of Trustees to exemplary members of the Association for their notable achievements during the last calendar year. Recipients are physician members who deserve recognition of outstanding service or contribution to the advancement of medical science, the Association, or to the public welfare, whether of a civic or scientific nature. Dr. Collins was nominated for the Distinguished Service Award by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (CHCMS) for his inspiring leadership and involvement with Project Access, a program to provide healthcare services to low-income uninsured residents of Hamilton County.
Dr. Collins was one of the first physicians to join the Hamilton County Project Access Community Health Initiative and he has faithfully served since the program’s inception in April 2004. His contributions include the recruitment of fellow gastroenterologists and a tireless volunteer spirit throughout the program’s history. In fact, Dr. Collins has provided health care for more individual patients than any other physician in the program. Given that Dr. Collins is in solo practice and Hamilton Countyfaces a significant shortage of physicians in his specialty, this accomplishment is distinguishing. In 2007, the CHCMS and its Medical Foundation held its third Doctor’s Day “Outstanding Physician” recognition. Several individual patients who heard about the recognition program through the news media nominated Dr. Collins for this award.
A graduate of Emory University in Atlanta and University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Dr. Collins is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He is a distinguished member of numerous medical professional organizations and hospital committees, and a tireless lecturer to internists, family practitioners and at conferences. He served as a board member and scientific advisor to the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis. Dr. Collins also serves as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at East Tennessee State University.
Volunteers in Medicine, Inc.
TMA annually recognizes persons or organizations outside the medical profession who contribute significantly to the advancement of public health in their respective communities. Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, Inc. (VIM), was nominated by The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (CHCMS) for providing care to financially-eligible individuals who otherwise have no access to health care – exemplifying the spirit of community service and making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of Hamilton Countyresidents.
The faith-based clinic, which opened its doors in May 2005, has a small paid staff that coordinates the efforts of volunteers who provide both primary and specialty care to the tune of $4.18 million dollars to date. Volunteers in Medicine offers primary and specialty care, along with physical therapy, nutrition counseling, life issues counseling, a chaplaincy program, emergency dental care and a children’s reading room – at no cost to the patients.
Nancy Franks is the President of VIM and spearheaded its creation. Former TMA President Dr. Robert Bowers serves as the volunteer medical director for VIM and sees patients several days a week. Since its inception, Volunteers in Medicine has been a key primary care partner with the CHCMS/Medical Foundation’s Project Access Community Health Initiative.
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