Philanthropy
Impact Report
2 | Impact Report
Your Impact
2024 Giving at a Glance
On behalf of our patients, physicians and team members, please accept our sincere gratitude for your generous philanthropic investment in The University of Tennessee Medical Center and the UT Graduate School of Medicine. As we think about the past year, we are profoundly grateful for your kindness and the generosity of those who have supported the medical center and the Graduate School of Medicine. Your philanthropic commitment continues to inspire us, as we deliver exceptional care to our patients every day. As you read this Philanthropy Impact Report, we invite you to reflect on how your philanthropic investment makes an impact in the lives of our patients, their families and our team members. Your giving underpins our mission to serve through healing, education and discovery and accelerates our vision to transform health in our region. In 2024, your philanthropic investments helped fund more than $25 million in patient care research, education, equipment and program-related services at the medical center and the Graduate School of Medicine. Every dollar donated supports our campus initiatives, and we are grateful for your meaningful investments.
$25 Million Total Philanthropic Support
13,558 Total Gifts 1,530 Total Donors
305 Total Areas of Support
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The Haslam Family Center for Emergency & Trauma
The medical center proudly announced the expansion of its Emergency Department in December 2023. The new Haslam Family Center for Emergency & Trauma, a multi-phased 30,000 square-foot expansion, will offer transformative care delivery, innovative processes and facility modernization. This project imagines the community’s future health care needs by including 30 additional patient treatment rooms; eight new intake rooms; redesigned, bigger ambulance bays; a new entrance with improved parking and patient access; and an expanded two-story lobby, providing patients a modern, comfortable waiting space. In 2024, significant progress was made on the expansion, including rerouting access to the existing Emergency Department, initiating site demolition and grading, completing the retaining wall, installing decking, refurbishing the lobby, beginning steel framing and excavating the elevator.
We remain immensely grateful to the Haslam family for their generous and impactful support. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the many philanthropic donors whose thoughtfulness helped make this project possible. This project will enable improvements in care access, efficiency, effectiveness, quality, safety and service. This will allow the medical center to further enhance our mission, vision and values as the region’s only Level I Trauma Center—delivering excellent care to patients in our region.
4 | Impact Report
BSN Scholars Update
standards, mission, vision, values, and honor code as the College of Nursing’s existing programs. Participants receive last-dollar tuition assistance from the medical center and, in return, commit to working as registered nurses at the medical center for three years following graduation. In December 2024, the first cohort of 40 BSN Scholars graduated, and these new nurses are already making a meaningful impact by caring for patients at our medical center. The second cohort began in Fall 2024 with 54 students enrolled, marking another exciting step forward for the program. Cohort three recruitment is incredibly strong with 109 students confirmed for Fall 2025 admission! We are thrilled to see continued growth each year, made possible through the generous support of philanthropic donors. If you are interested in supporting the BSN Scholars Program, please contact the Office of Philanthropy. “Through this innovative pathway, our nursing students will graduate with the skills and experience they need to make an immediate impact for their patients and their community.” - Dr. Sandy Leake, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at the medical center
In August 2023, the medical center and the University of Tennessee College of Nursing launched a new undergraduate nursing pathway at a satellite campus
located adjacent to the medical center. Known as the BSN Scholars Program, this initiative represents a strong, innovative academic-practice partnership, providing nursing students with the opportunity to learn and train within the region’s premier academic medical center. Students in the program attend classes and complete clinical rotations at the satellite campus, which features an on-site learning lab and simulation center. This campus is located within the Innovation North building at Cherokee Farm. The BSN Scholars Program upholds the same accreditation
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Investigator-Initiated Research Funding at the Graduate School of Medicine
At the medical center and Graduate School of Medicine, conducting meaningful innovative research for patients and their families is an important part of our mission. An investigator-initiated research coordinator is responsible for supporting and managing research studies designed and led by a principal investigator at the medical center. This role involves coordinating all aspects of investigator- initiated trials or research projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and facilitating communication between stakeholders. For academic clinicians, a research coordinator is needed to organize and streamline efforts that would otherwise delay or hinder progress. We remain incredibly grateful for Axle Logistics’ investment, supporting our investigator-initiated oncology research coordinators. These research coordinators allow our faculty and clinicians the support they need to implement, manage and execute projects per local and federal regulations without disruptions in their clinical responsibilities.
In addition, these coordinators ensure that oncology investigator-initiated research projects are completed in a reasonable amount of time. This allows data findings to be generated, analyzed and disseminated through national and international conference presentations, submitted to scientific journals, circulated to our health community partners and stakeholders, and implemented into practice when applicable. Through the philanthropic support of Axle Logistics, the Graduate School of Medicine was able to fund two research coordinator positions that are crucial to the success of various studies and projects.
6 | Impact Report
Team Member Giving Campaign Every day, our team members go above and beyond to make our community a healthier place, delivering dedicated care to our patients and families. Their generosity extends even further as they give back, supporting life-changing programs that uplift fellow team members, patients and the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment and impact.
$330,032
Total Dollars Raised Through the Team Member Giving Campaign
Did You Know? The medical center is a not-for-profit that delivers medical care based solely on need, not financial ability. One hundred percent of contributions to the medical center and the Graduate School of Medicine benefit the region.
678
Total Number of Team Member Donors
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Cycle 5 of the Bragg Cancer Research Endowment Grant Awards Announced
The Bragg Cancer Research Endowment was created in 2015 with funds raised in a philanthropic campaign led by community volunteers Steve and Becky South. The endowment will continue to fund meaningful cancer research on the campus of the medical center and the Graduate School of Medicine. The 5th Cycle of cancer research grant awards from the Bettie Lane Barnhill and Oscar Roe Bragg Cancer Research Endowment were awarded in 2024. These awards totaled $110,000 with four impactful research projects selected. Listed below are the Cycle 5 principal investigators and their project titles: • Jonathan Delong, MD: “Advancing Precision Care: Development and Training of a Machine-Learning Algorithm for the Automated Classification of Surgical Drain Output in Surgical Oncology Patients Using Computer Vision” • Timothy Panella, MD: “The Molecular Effect of Green Tea Combination on DCIS” • Clark Cutrer, MD: “A Prospective Randomized Study of Bone Marrow Biopsy Quality Obtained in Interventional Radiology Compared to Outpatient Clinic” • Che Solla, MD: “Efficacy of Perioperative Opioid Sparing Techniques on Time to Initiation of Chemotherapy: A Randomized, Double-Blind Control Study”
Cycle 6 award winners will be announced in 2025.
8 | Impact Report
Advancing Medicine Together: Inaugural Research Showcase
Panelists
Randy Boyd President, the University of Tennessee System
In 2024, the medical center and the Graduate School of Medicine proudly hosted the Inaugural Research Showcase, an event celebrating the vital role of research in driving innovation, improving patient outcomes and ultimately transforming lives. As both a leading hospital and research facility in East Tennessee, our work is shaping the future of health care both locally and beyond. The showcase provided a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with leading researchers and panelists who are advancing the practice of medicine. More than 20 groundbreaking, philanthropic supported projects demonstrated how philanthropy helps fuel medical breakthroughs. This event highlighted the pride we can all share, knowing this transformative work is happening right here in our community.
Peter Buckley, MD Chancellor, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
Deb Crawford, PhD Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation
and Economic Development, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Gina Tourassi, PhD Associate Lab Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Jon Wall, PhD Assistant Dean of Research, the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
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Tee Up for Trauma: Raising Funds for Trauma Patients Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, our 19th Annual Tee Up for Trauma Golf Tournament raised more than $173,000, supporting the impactful work of our Emergency and Trauma Center and the Trauma Survivors Network at the medical center. These funds will provide critical support to trauma patients, helping them through some of their toughest moments and supporting their recovery. A special thanks to our title sponsor, Internetwork Engineering, event chair Randal Dabbs, MD of TeamHealth and Cherokee Country Club for hosting our golf outing. Laughter and Love: A Night of Comedy Supporting Gynecologic Cancer Patients In October 2024, more than 200 guests gathered for an unforgettable evening at Comedy for a Cause, raising more than $104,000 to benefit the LeAnn Mynatt Patient Assistance Gift Fund. This fund directly supports gynecologic oncology patients by easing the small burdens that can feel like major hurdles during treatment, such as transportation or prescription drug assistance. The evening came alive with the humor and charm of comedienne Karen Mills, an ovarian cancer survivor herself, whose performance reminded everyone of the healing power of laughter with her unique ability to connect with the audience and the cause. We extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and supporters for making this impactful event possible.
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Find Meaning, Live with Purpose, Leave a Legacy
Committing to a planned gift gave him a sense of purpose, as it was a way to honor both Sara’s legacy and the medical center. He feels blessed to be able to grow his commitment through his profession and ultimately help as many lives as possible through the Chaplain’s Crisis Fund and the Larry and Dorothy Stephens Cancer Care Fund. Howard is passionate about supporting pastoral care because it helps patients and their families in need regardless of their religion or beliefs. He is also passionate about helping oncology patients in financial need through the Stephens Fund, as he has seen first-hand how the fund directly impacts patients and their families. We remain grateful to those, like Mr. Taylor, who have considered the medical center as part of their planned giving. Find out how your legacy can be a part of something greater by contacting one of our gift officers in the Office of Philanthropy at plannedgiving@utmck.edu or 865-305-6611.
Planned Giving is critical to the future sustainability of philanthropic programs and initiatives at the medical center. Through planned giving you can maximize your ultimate wishes for all beneficiaries that are important to you, including charities.
Mr. Howard Taylor is a member of our Bernard E. Bernstein Society, comprised of individuals who have chosen to make a deferred gift to the medical center through a bequest, retirement plan or life insurance policy among various other vehicles for giving. Howard’s relationship with the medical center began in 1984 upon meeting his late wife, Sara.
Sara Taylor, CRNA
A lifelong employee of the medical center, Sara enjoyed her career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist up until her passing in 2017. After Sara’s passing, Howard’s connection with the medical center grew even stronger, as the medical center was a legacy connection to Sara and her meaningful work. Sara’s passing also brought light to Howard’s future and led him to evaluate his financial plans.
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Patient Assistance Funds Provide Access for Patients and Families Through philanthropic giving, patient assistant funds directly support patients in need. We have a number of patient assistance funds across our organization, offering support to our patients through financial assistance. Some examples include these shown to the right.
• Larry and Dorothy Stephens Cancer Care Fund - Supports patients during cancer treatment • LeAnn Mynatt Patient Assistance Gift Fund - Provides additional resources to help gynecologic oncology patients and patient families in crisis situations • Chad Welch Memorial Transplant and Cellular Therapy Gift Fund - Supports transplant and cellular therapy patients and family members • Helping Hands Gift Fund - Provides patient case management with additional resources for discharge planning purposes supporting patients and/or patient families • Chaplain’s Crisis Gift Fund - Provides the Pastoral Care team with additional resources to help patients, patient families and team members in crisis situations
Philanthropic giving to these funds provides important and meaningful assistance to patients. More than 2,600
gifts were given to these funds in 2024 supporting important patient needs such as transportation, prescription and lodging assistance. Scan the QR code to support one or more of these gift funds. Your support is greatly appreciated.
• Daisy Belinda Basehart NICU Crisis Gift Fund - Supports NICU patients and patient families in crisis situations
• Robert Affel Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Assistance Fund - Provides resources for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementials who are experiencing financial difficulty due to the impact of the disease
Scan Here
12 | Impact Report
• Thaddeus M. Gissel Cardiovascular Patient Assistance Fund - Provides resources for cardiovascular patients in difficult financial situations • Jennings B. Meredith Hematology Gift Fund - Provides resources to help hematology/oncology patients and patient families in crisis situations
• Bridge to Recovery Gift Fund - Provides resources for substance-abuse rehabilitation patients
• End-of-Life Care Gift Fund - Provides additional resources and support for patients and/or patients’ families facing end of life care decisions • Sunshine Palliative Care and Education Fund - Established by Rev. SM Johnson-Atchley and interested friends and grateful patients of the medical center, the fund supports palliative-care patients and their families by fulfilling needs that are not met through the existing standard of care
“Thank you for this assistance, as it will help me get back on my feet again.” - Cancer Institute patient
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Honor a Caregiver Guardian Angel Program
Our team members are dedicated to serving our patients with care, compassion and respect. If a team member has made a difference in the care you or a loved one received, you can honor them through our Guardian Angel program. Recognizing an individual for a job well done is one of the most meaningful accolades our team receives throughout the year. By making a gift in their honor, the caregiver(s) will be acknowledged by their leaders and receive a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly. If you would like to honor a caregiver, visit utmedicalcenter.org/guardian-angel, or scan the QR code below.
Giving Options Online at
utmedicalcenter.org/ guardian-angel
scan here
Check, make payable to UT Medical Center
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Contact Us To learn more about all of our giving options or to contact the Office of Philanthropy, please scan the QR code or email giving@utmck.edu.
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Office of Philanthropy 2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 110 Knoxville, TN 37920
giving@utmck.edu 865-305-6611
The University of Tennessee Medical Center is the home of the Knoxville campus of UT Graduate School of Medicine, UT College of Pharmacy and University Health System, Inc. Together, these entities embody the medical center’s philosophy and mission to serve through healing, education and discovery.
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