Former staff member Patricia Kassebaum has returned to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer as its director of clinical services and research, the foundation has announced.
Ms. Kassebaum previously served as the foundation’s clinic director from 2009-2013. She has worked at Erlanger Health Systems Physicians Services the last five years as a practice manager, responsible for daily operations of two medical practices. In her new position, she is responsible for coordination, execution and tracking of the foundation’s clinical and research-related services and the development of new programs and research.
“We couldn’t be happier about this ‘second time around’ scenario involving Trish.” said Austin Hatcher Foundation President Amy Jo Osborn. “She will be a great addition, as we continue to ramp up operations at our Education Advancement Center where we provide services to children and family members facing the challenges of a fight against cancer. Her experience is vast and her ties to the Chattanooga area are strong. Trish is coming back to us at the perfect time.”
Ms. Kassebaum has worked in the medical field since 1979, with much of that time spent in the Chattanooga area, including a four-year (2005-09) stint at Spine Surgery Associates in Chattanooga. During that period she worked as a practice coordinator for Dr. Jim Osborn, a spinal surgeon and the chairman/co-founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
In addition, Ms. Kassebaum is the chairperson of the Southeast Tennessee Cancer Coalition Childhood Committee. She also has served as the state vice chair of the Tennessee Cancer Coalition (2011-12).
“I’m coming home,” Ms. Kassebaum said of her return to the foundation. “When I left in 2013 to work for Erlanger, Jim Osborn was great. He told me ‘You go, but I’m going to get you back with us.’ And he did. I’m grateful for that. It seems you can go home again.”