Dr. Jeffrey Gefter
Dr. James Sizemore
Dr. Laura Witherspoon
Vicky Gregg
Drs. Jeffrey W. Gefter, James Sizemore and Laura E. Witherspoon, and Erlanger Board Member Vicky B. Gregg will be honored at the Erlanger Foundation’s 20th Annual Dinner of Distinction on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Westin Hotel Ballroom.
Physicians Drs. Gefter, Sizemore, and Witherspoon were selected by previous honorees to be recognized for their "enduring commitment to improving the community’s health and demonstrating unquestionable character and human compassion." Additional criteria used to choose honorees include a person who has contributed a lifetime of medical benefit to the community and a person committed to Erlanger’s healing mission and values.
Dr.
Gefter was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fl. He earned a bachelor of science in biology from Brandeis University in Waltham, Ma. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida, where he also completed his surgical internship and radiation oncology residency. Dr. Gefter moved to Chattanooga in 1982 to work in private practice before becoming medical director of radiation oncology for Erlanger from 1988 through 2008. He was also a clinical assistant professor for radiation oncology for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Chattanooga. Dr. Gefter has served as a member of the Tennessee Governor’s Committee on Cancer and as a full member of the National Children’s Oncology Group. He received the Life Inspiration Award from the American Cancer Society of Chattanooga in 2017. Most notably, Dr. Gefter was part of the group to establish Chattanooga’s first cancer program at Erlanger with early certification by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. He also helped install and develop the region’s CyberKnife program. Currently, Dr. Gefter works with Tennessee Oncology in Chattanooga.
Dr. Sizemore, a Chattanooga native and Baylor graduate, received his bachelor of science in psychology from Duke University. From there, he earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee. He then completed an internal medicine internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Subsequently, he finished an Infectious Diseases Fellowship and obtained a master of science in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He returned to Chattanooga in 2005. Currently, he is the Infectious Diseases Division chief, Department of Medicine at the UTHSC Chattanooga. He serves as the medical director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention Programs at Erlanger and was the chief of the medical staff in 2017 through 2018. He also serves as the chief medical officer at Cempa Community Care, a federally qualified health center look-alike, Ryan White-funded clinic serving over 1000 HIV-infected individuals in southeastern Tennessee.
Dr. Witherspoon is a native of Chattanooga who graduated from Red Bank High School. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in molecular biology and a medical degree from Vanderbilt University. She trained in general surgery at the University of California San Francisco, Fresno program. She served four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a surgeon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and trained both military and civilian surgery residents through Wright State University. Dr. Witherspoon then returned to her hometown where she practiced for 28 years prior to her retirement in 2022. She remained involved with resident and medical student teaching as a faculty member and attained the rank of associate professor of surgery at the UTHSC, Chattanooga. As one of the first female surgeons in the Chattanooga area, she has mentored and supported many young women pursuing surgical careers. Her surgical practice ultimately focused on breast disease and breast surgery, and she was able to lead the team which gained NAPBC accreditation for the Erlanger Center for Breast Health. She received the Augustus McCravey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. She has served as governor for the American College of Surgeons, president of the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and second vice president of the Southeastern Surgical Congress.
Erlanger Foundation will also honor Vicky B. Gregg with the “Gordon Street Distinguished Community Leadership Award.” This annual award is presented to leaders who have championed the advancement of healthcare in the Chattanooga region, are committed to improving health throughout the community and are dedicated to Erlanger’s healing mission and values.
Ms. Gregg, a nurse by education, has a vast range of healthcare experience from patient care to chief executive of hospital administrations, long-term care, healthcare benefits and financing. She began her career at Erlanger as a nurse, before moving into administration. Ms. Gregg served as chief executive officer of BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee from 2003 through 2012. Prior to joining BlueCross, she served as market vice president for Humana in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Ms. Gregg was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Institutes of Health Commission on Systemic Interoperability, served on the boards of the BlueCross BlueShield Association and America’s Health Insurance Plans, including two years as chair, the National Institute of Healthcare Management and the University of Tennessee. She has received numerous awards and recognition including Top 25 Women in Healthcare. Ms. Gregg is a co-founder and currently serves as a partner at Guidon Partners, a partnership private investment firm specializing in healthcare. She currently serves on the boards of Quest Diagnostics, Acadia Healthcare and MyEyeDr, and previously served on the boards of Landmark Healthcare, Trizetto and TeamHealth. She also serves on the board of directors for Erlanger and as hair of Electric Power Board of Chattanooga.
Erlanger’s Dinner of Distinction will be Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Westin Hotel. A welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program honoring the 2024 Distinguished Honorees at 7 p.m. "This year’s dinner marks a significant milestone in the Erlanger Foundation’s journey to commemorate the outstanding achievements and dedication of these esteemed honorees," officials said. "The Dinner of Distinction was established two decades ago with the vision of celebrating commitment to advancing healthcare in the community. This year’s honorees and their stories of perseverance, innovation, and compassion will undoubtedly inspire attendees and set the standard for future generations."
"The 20th Annual Dinner of Distinction is a testament to the incredible accomplishments of our honorees, who have shaped our society and made a lasting impact on our community," said Chair of the Dinner of Distinction Nomination Committee Dr. B.W. Ruffner, Jr. "We are thrilled to welcome guests, supporters, and sponsors to this milestone celebration as we come together to celebrate excellence and lay the groundwork for even greater achievements in the years to come."
"The Dinner of Distinction is not just an evening of recognition but also serves as a fundraising event for the Erlanger Foundation. By attending this event, guests will not only celebrate the honorees’ achievements but also contribute to a brighter future for our community," officials said.
Premier seating sponsorships are available at $2,000 per table. Tickets are $200 per person. Seating is limited and the deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 1, 2024.
"This event sells out early," officials said. "Join the Erlanger Foundation in celebrating the 20th Annual Dinner of Distinction and be a part of an evening filled with admiration, inspiration and the spirit of giving back."
For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, contact Taylor Hurley-Henson at Erlanger Foundation at 423-778-4803 or Taylor.Hurley@erlanger.org.