Local Physician Named Pediatrician Of The Year By Tennessee American Academy Of Pediatrics

  • Monday, September 26, 2016

Dr. Allen Coffman, a primary care pediatrician with Highland Pediatrics in Hixson and president of the Pediatric Health Improvement Coalition for the Tennessee Valley was awarded Pediatrician of the Year by the Tennessee American Academy of Pediatrics for his work in the Chattanooga area and across the state. 

“His energy, passion, and knowledge are most evident.  His ability to articulate the mission and paraphrase a group's discussion in a succinct and accurate manner is phenomenal. He is a full time pediatrician, father, and active member of the greater Chattanooga area,” said Pamela Peck in her nomination of Dr. Coffman earlier this year. 

In addition to practicing full time at Highland Pediatrics, Dr. Coffman has also worked to establish community partnerships in Chattanooga. In 2012, he was a founding member of the board and first president the Pediatric Health Improvement Coalition.  "This coalition is working to build partnerships between all community groups invested in the health and well-being of children and is currently leading the development of a Tennessee Valley school-based health partnership," officials said.

“At a time when the practice of pediatrics is threatened by practice transformation and decreasing payment, Dr. Coffman is at the leading edge of proactive work to bring everyone to the table for the greater good.  Through PHIIT everyone who participates goes home with a win--practices, physicians, patients, and payers.  His vision of our future is promising,” said Michelle Fiscus, M.D., FAAP, when asked of the impact Dr. Coffman is making across the state. 

Dr. Coffman volunteers at pediatric organizations including the Tennessee AAP where he has served as president, vice president and legislative chair.  He developed and launched the TN AAP Pediatric Health Improvement Initiative in Tennessee (PHiiT), a network involving state Medicaid leaders, payer representatives, the Department of Health, academic medicine, schools of public health and practice leaders.  Dr. Coffman currently serves as the PHiiT medical director and the program is now helping individual practices across Tennessee measure their performance and improve the care they provide to children. 

Dr. Coffman graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Medical College of Georgia.  He completed his residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati.  Dr. Coffman also serves on the clinical faculty of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and is on the board of Beacon Health Alliance and the board of LifeSpring Community Health in Chattanooga Tennessee.   

Dr. Coffman was presented with the Tennessee Pediatrician of the Year award as well as an AAP Special Achievement award for his work on developing a state-wide Quality Improvement Partnership on Sept. 16 in Nashville during the Tennessee AAP’s annual Excellence in Pediatrics Reception.

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