Dr. Valerie Boaz
A familiar face at the local Health Department is taking her leave.
Dr. Valerie Boaz, the longtime Health Officer at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, plans to retire on July 31 after 32 years of service. Dr. Boaz also serves as the Tennessee Department of Health’s Regional Health Officer/Medical Director for Hamilton County.
When there was concern in the community about a particular strain of the flu, the measles or Hepatitis C, Dr.
Boaz was the one looked to for her insight on the situation.
Dr. Boaz said from her work and her family, she has seen the practice of medicine from several different perspectives - from private practice to public health and primary care to specialty care. In her role as Health Officer, she has had the opportunity to interact with various entities that impact health, such as private providers, hospitals, medical insurers, medical organizations and community partners. Her focus is on public health, which provides some direct services to individuals and concentrates on promoting and protecting the health of the public.
She said, "I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked at the Health Department for 32 years, and I greatly appreciate all the support I have received from my family, friends, co-workers, colleagues, Health Department directors and administrators, as well as the Hamilton County Mayor and Commissioners and the Tennessee Department of Health’s Commissioner through the years."
As Health Officer, Dr. Boaz provides medical leadership for the Health Department’s programs and services, and executes the responsibility and authority required of a regional Health Officer. Her position involves administrative as well as clinical responsibilities.
A native of Chattanooga, she attended Notre Dame High School. She majored in chemistry at Vanderbilt University and received a B.A. degree in 1978. She attended St. Louis University Medical School and received her M.D. degree in 1983. She then completed a three-year Internal Medicine residency at St. Louis University Hospitals. Dr. Boaz returned to Chattanooga in July1987 to become the Health Officer at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.
Dr. Boaz is a member of several medical and professional organizations. When serving on boards and committees, she makes it a priority to be a champion for public health, officials said. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, Tennessee Medical Association, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Tennessee Public Health Association and American Public Health Association.
She has been recognized for her service with awards and honors and was a member of the 1993-94 Leadership Chattanooga Class. Dr. Boaz has been active in her neighborhood and participates in community events.
A part of a high-achieving family, Dr. Boaz is the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie R. Boaz, Jr. Dr. Boaz said she was strongly influenced by her father and his dedication to his patients and work. He was a family practice physician in Chattanooga for 33 years. She said, "Even though he worked hard and for long hours, it was evident that he enjoyed his medical practice and would not have it any other way."
Her mother, Aurellia Mitchell Boaz, is mentioned in chapter 10 of the Hidden Figures book. She worked for NASA “as a human computer” from 1949 until 1956.
She said her parents and two brothers were always a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. One of her brothers, the late Dr. Lonnie R. Boaz, III, was in private practice of gastroenterology in Chattanooga until his retirement. He was the first black gastroenterologist in Chattanooga. Her other brother, Andre’, is retired from the insurance business.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said the state has agreed to continue funding the medical director position.