The Erlanger Health System Foundations will honor Drs. Hugh Brown and Joseph B. Cofer, and award U.S. Senator Bob Corker with the first “Gordon Street Distinguished Leadership Award” during Erlanger’s annual Dinner of Distinction Friday, Feb. 27, at the Chattanoogan.
The 2015 honorees are being recognized for their "enduring commitment to foster quality medical services to this community, as well as demonstrating unquestionable character and human compassion."
Dr. Hugh Brown, board certified orthopedic surgeon, taught future surgeons while serving as associate professor with the UT Department of Orthopedic Surgeons and was director of Pediatric Orthopedic Services from 1997-2008. He has been honored on numerous occasions for his teaching skills and recognized with the “Outstanding Teacher Award” on three separate occasions from the Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program. For 28 years, Dr. Brown served as director of the Scoliosis Clinic, and orthopedic consultant to the Walter Boehm Spina Bifida Clinic, in addition to running a private practice for 28 years. Dr. Brown’s influence will be felt within the walls of Erlanger for decades to come, said officials.
Board-certified general surgeon Dr. Cofer is a professor of surgery and serves as surgery residency program director for the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. He has been recognized on numerous occasions as a champion for Project Access, a program based on donated services and medical care for those in need.
This year, the Distinguished Community Leadership Award will be posthumously awarded to Gordon Street and henceforth known as the Gordon Street Distinguished Leadership Award. Senator Bob Corker is being honored as the first recipient of the Gordon Street Distinguished Leadership Award.
“Gordon Street was a devoted and longtime supporter of Erlanger, serving both as a member and chairman of the Erlanger Baroness Foundation,” said Erlanger Foundations President Julie Taylor. “Since his untimely death last March, Mr. Street left a void that will always be felt by the Erlanger family. We wanted to recognize his impact on Erlanger and his advocacy for improving health of our community,” she said. According to Ms. Taylor, it was the wish of the Erlanger Health System Foundations that Gordon Street’s legacy will continue to live through those recognized in his name.
Senator Corker has been a long-time advocate for improving the health of our region. During his tenure as mayor of Chattanooga, Senator Corker supported numerous wellness initiatives within the city. He has also sponsored several bills to improve healthcare in our nation and help empower all Americans to have access to medical services.
The Feb. 27 event begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Table sponsorships are currently available at $1,500 per table. Individual tickets will be available beginning Feb. 9, at $85 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Christian Orth at the Erlanger Health System Foundations at 778-9298 or Christian.Orth@erlanger.org.