Dr. Jerry Epps Named Chief Medical Officer at UT Medical Center

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 11, 2016 -- The University of Tennessee Medical Center has named Dr. Jerry Epps senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer. Epps, who has more than three decades of experience as an anesthesiologist and in physician leadership, most recently served as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology with the medical center and UT Graduate School of Medicine.

"Dr. Epps has a longstanding tenure on our campus and brings a wealth of leadership, passion and vision with him to the role of Chief Medical Officer," said Joe Landsman, president and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. "His ability to analyze and solve complex issues and see things from an especially unique perspective will benefit our patients, team members, and medical staff, and ultimately our entire community. We're privileged to have him take on this responsibility."

In addition to practicing medicine and serving as chief manager of a private practice group of anesthesiologists in his 28 years at the medical center, Epps has held multiple positions of leadership, including Chief of Staff, University Health System, Inc. board of directors, and University Physicians' Association board of directors. He previously served as an anesthesiologist and vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Brooke Army Medical Center, located on Fort Sam Houston, TX. Epps replaces Dr. Jack Lacey, who retired last month after four decades with the medical center.

"I am deeply honored to represent the physicians of The University of Tennessee Medical Center as the new Chief Medical Officer," said Epps. "My predecessor, Dr. Jack Lacey, is the definitive example of a leader and clinician. With the aid of my fellow physicians and team members at the medical center, I hope to continue his legacy of improvement in the quality, efficiency and safety of patient-centered care at this great institution."

Epps graduated first in his medical school class at the University of Kentucky. He went on to complete an internship in surgery at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, and a residency in anesthesiology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He additionally completed two fellowships, one in Pediatric Anesthesiology at Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and one in Cardiovascular Anesthesiology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

A native of Benton, Kentucky, Epps lives in Knoxville with his wife of 40 years, Eleesa. Their adult daughter, Courtney Epps Read, also lives in Knoxville. In his spare time, Epps enjoys tennis, skiing, golf, and spending time outdoors.

In addition to his new role, Epps will continue to practice anesthesiology at the medical center, although on a scaled back schedule, in order to best continue to understand the evolving needs of patients and clinicians.

The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center, the region's only hospital to achieve status as a Magnet® recognized organization, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UT Medical Center, a 609-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center, serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina. The medical center, the region's only Level I Trauma Center, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. For more information about The University of Tennessee Medical Center, visit online at www.utmedicalcenter.org.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=39797

CONTACT: Jim Ragonese
         Public Relations Operations
         The University of Tennessee Medical Center
         (865) 305-6845