Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts 2020, 2021 Classes at Annual Ceremony

Ten-member, joint class–inducted today by event emcee John Seigenthaler–recognizes esteemed pioneers, leaders, educators, executives and researchers in health and health care from across the state

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame this week inducted its 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony held in Belmont’s newly opened Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The dual-year class is made up of 10 health care leaders and legends from across the state.

The Hall of Fame, which was created by Belmont University, Belmont’s McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, seeks to recognize and honor the leaders that have formed Tennessee’s heath and health care community.

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College of Health Sciences, Nursing Dean Taylor Helps Pass New Tennessee Tobacco Legislation

Cathy Taylor

College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dean and Professor Dr. Cathy Taylor recently served on the Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force for the State of Tennessee, spearheaded by Senator Rosalind Kurita. Taylor, along with two other experts, received an invitation from the Governor’s Office, in conjunction with the commissioner of health, to act as a subject matter expert to make recommendations for improving the health of Tennesseans.

Taylor and her team, which included Belmont public health students Genevieve Delano and Deviyani Bajpai, conducted online research and interviews to make recommendations to the task force. Despite the interruption of COVID-19 on the team’s research, Taylor and her team contributed to the final recommendation to allow local authorization to limit tobacco smoking and vaping in public spaces. The recommendation was passed into legislation by the 112th General Assembly.

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College of Health Sciences and Nursing Hosts High School Educators, Advisers for Tennessee Career and Technical Education Conference

Learning about Physical Therapy

On July 13, the College of Health Sciences and Nursing hosted approximately 70 high school teachers and advisers for the Tennessee Career and Technical Education Conference. The participants rotated through demonstrations and presentations of each of the disciplines in the College of Health Sciences and Nursing, exposing them to the professions and giving them suggested activities to introduce their students to these careers. 

In addition, this was an opportunity to showcase the Belmont facilities to teachers and advisers who will be working with high school students as they consider their college options.

The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, including “I have been going to this conference for years and this has been the best.” Many expressed interest in bringing their students to campus. 

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Announces Two Years of Inductees

Awards luncheon in 2019
2019 Healthcare Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon at Belmont University. rPhoto by Billy Kingsley

Belmont University has announced the sixth and seventh inductee classes of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame. Because last year’s inductee class was not able to be recognized in person due to COVID-19, this year’s event will honor both the 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony on October 19.

With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by founding partners Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council.

“Over the course of the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused the spotlight on the health care industry and the important role health care professionals play in each of our lives,” said Belmont President Dr. L. Gregory Jones. “Now more than ever, we want to honor the leaders in this vital field, individuals who demonstrate the character, compassion and strength of purpose that quite literally transforms lives on a daily basis.”

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Dr. L. Gregory Jones Casts Vision for Belmont University to ‘Let Hope Abound’ in First Day as New President

New Belmont University President Dr. L. Gregory Jones isn’t easing into his new position. Rather, Dr. Jones—along with his wife, the Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones—is using his first day in office to make an immediate impact with campus and community leaders through a full day of meetings and conversations across the city, all introducing his theme for his inaugural year, “Let Hope Abound.” 

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Belmont University Announces Plans to Return to In Person Classes, Events for Fall 2021

tulips in front of Belmont

In an email to current and incoming students on April 6, Belmont University announced plans to return to in-person classes this fall following more than a year of a combination of in-person, remote and hybrid courses due to the impact of the worldwide pandemic.

“We are nearing the conclusion of what has been one of the most unique and challenging years for our campus community and for higher education in general,” said Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher. “Thanks to the vaccine rollout and improving trends related to COVID data, we have every reason to be optimistic about providing a more traditional learning and living experience on campus this fall. And most importantly, the outstanding leadership of our Health Services team and truly extraordinary cooperative spirit and actions demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff this past year have shown our commitment to living together in community.”

Campus leaders will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and shift or evolve plans as needed based on trends and insights from local, state and federal public health officials. In addition, the University will implement recommended protocols as needed to ensure the health and safety of the campus community.

At this point, the campus expects to operate in-person classes at full or near-full capacity with more robust campus life experiences in place, including in person meetings, events and activities. The University is also making plans for a traditional fall schedule, allowing for observance of traditional holidays and Fall Break.

Belmont’s Spring 2021 semester concludes over the next two weeks with final class meetings and exams. The University will be hosting four separate, socially distanced in-person commencement ceremonies to honor graduates on April 22-23.

Belmont University Earns 2021-22 Military Friendly® School Designation for Seventh Year in a Row

Belmont University has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation for the seventh consecutive year. Belmont was highly rated on culture and commitment, admissions and orientation and academic policies and compliance.

“It’s an honor to once again receive this designation that recognizes Belmont’s commitment to support our student veterans and military family members,” said Dr. Mimi Barnard, associate provost for Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education, home to Belmont’s Veteran Success Team. “Belmont faculty and staff are intentional in their goal of providing educational environments that support student veterans and military family members in meaningful ways.”

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Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Opens Nominations for 2021 Class

Created by Belmont University, and supported by founding partners The McWhorter Society and The Nashville Health Care Council, the Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industry. The Health Care Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.

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Belmont Announces Plans for New College of Medicine in Collaboration with HCA Healthcare

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher speaks during an announcement that Belmont University intends to start a new College of Medicine in partnership with one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, HCA Healthcare at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, October 15, 2020.Nashville’s stalwart reputation as the nation’s health care capital grows even stronger today. Belmont University announced this morning its intent to start a new College of Medicine in collaboration with with one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, HCA Healthcare. HCA Healthcare’s Nashville-based TriStar Health will provide clinical elements in support of Belmont’s plans to pursue Liaison Committee on Medical Education(LCME) accreditation for the new college.

Sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association, LCME is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in the U.S. (and Canada). Belmont College of Medicine would seek to become the nation’s 156th LCME-accredited medical school, and its graduates would be well positioned to help fill the significant physician gap anticipated to be felt between now and 2033.

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Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger shares about her recent research project

Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger, Professor of Social Work, answers questions about her recent research project entitled, Pedagogical Service User Model.

What is your research topic? Why did you choose it?
Broadening pedagogy work begun last year with Dr. Joe Duffy from Queen’s University Belfast. Service user (client) focus groups were brought in to determine how (if) sharing their experiences with students and engaging in the pedagogy of social work could shape the client’s understanding of themselves as teacher, leader, and service recipient.

What are some of your most interesting results?
At present, we have only initial results from last spring. Covid-19 has postponed focus groups and service users in spring classes.

What is the importance/application of your research?
This pedagogical practice models collaboration, practice skills, listening to the experiences of clients, and elevates clients into teachers and experts in a way that traditional guest speakers do not.

Where have you presented your research?
We will present at the Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in November 2020 and hope CSWE will be interested in developing this into a practice guide as well.

Belmont University Joins Governor Bill Lee’s TN Strong Mask Movement

Belmont-Branded Face Mask

Belmont University is partnering with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Economic Recovery Group (ERG) on the new TN Strong Mask Movement, a plan to distribute more than 300,000 free or low-cost cloth face coverings across the state through partnerships with 31 flagship brands at a projected value of more than $3 million.

While Belmont will use a portion of the masks for its campus, many will be distributed to members of neighboring communities in partnership with The Store. The Store, which opened earlier this year, is a free, referral-based grocery store started by Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, which provides groceries to people working toward self-sufficiency. Through this movement, patrons of The Store will leave not only with important food resources, but also a resource to help manage the risk of COVID-19. Continue reading

Dr. Crews Supports Metro Students in tnAchieves Webinar

Dr. Douglas Crews, assistant professors of social work, eagerly worked with tnAchieves in a webinar held at the beginning of April to support local metro schools during this time of virtual learning. tnAchieves is the partnering organization to the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, aiming to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance.

Dr. Crews has served as a mentor for tnAchieves since 2017. “I have loved every minute of it,” he shared. “Being a mentor with tnAchieves allows me to combine my passion for being a university professor and a social worker together with high school seniors as they plan for the next step in their life’s journey. I feel privileged to be able to connect with students and help them process the questions they have about what the future may hold. Being a mentor during their time of transition from high school to life beyond is a very rewarding experience. I believe all of us would benefit from being a mentor with tnAchieves.”

Social Work Associate Professor Julie Hunt Joins Other Belmont Faculty in Presenting at Lilly Conference on College Teaching

Belmont Faculty at Lilly Conference
Belmont faculty at Lilly Conference on College Teaching at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio

Social Work Professor Julie Hunt was among a group of nine Belmont faculty members who made presentations at the Lilly Conference on College Teaching held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on November 21-23. The Lilly Conference brings together scholar teachers from across academic disciplines.

Belmont faculty members contributed four presentations for the “Evidence-Based Learning and Teaching” conference theme. Each of the Belmont presentations was the result on ongoing scholarship and longstanding collaborations with campus colleagues.

Professor Hunt joined Nathan Webb, chair of the Communication Department and Andrea Stover, professor of English, in sharing their experiences as an active scholarly group in a poster titled “The Quest to Develop Authentic Learning Objectives Through an Interdisciplinary Faculty Group.”

Additional information about the presentation is available on the conference website: http://celt.miamioh.edu/lillycon/presenters.php.

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts 2019 Class at Luncheon and Ceremony

7 Inductees

Dr. Jonathon Perlin, Richard Miller, Clara Elam, husband Dr. Lloyd Elam was awarded, Morris Flexner, father John Flexner was awarded, Dr. David Barton, Dr. Mary Bufwack and Dr. Nancy-Ann Deparle were inducted into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon at Belmont University on October 15, 2019.

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted its 2019 class, made up of seven health care legends from across the state, at a luncheon and ceremony in Belmont’s Curb Event Center today. Hosted by John Seigenthaler, Jr., a partner at DVL Seigenthaler, a Finn Partners Company, the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor the pioneers and current leaders that have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals. Continue reading

Dr. Williams Invited to Professional Summit for Animal-Assisted Interventions

Williams with Layla at VUMC

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Christi Williams was one of approximately 20 individuals throughout the United States who were invited by the organization Pet Partners to attend a professional summit in San Antonio, TX this past month. Pet Partners is a nonprofit organization that registers handlers of various species to serve as volunteer pet therapy teams.

Pet teams provide animal-assisted-interventions for a wide variety of needs, including patients in healthcare facilities, kids with reading disabilities, students around exam times as well as adults and children in courtrooms, in crisis situations, etc. All of this work is done with the intent to help reduce stress and anxiety and improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond.

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Belmont Nationally Recognized for Innovation, Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching

Belmont University appears numerous times in the 2020 rankings of America’s Best Colleges, a new analysis released today by U.S. News & World Report. The University was praised as the best in the state and No. 17 in the country for its “unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching,” placing Belmont in heady company with the likes of Duke and Gonzaga. Belmont was also recognized for the 12th year in a row for innovation as an institution and ranked seventh nationally for Learning Communities, among other accolades.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “The recognitions we’ve received from U.S. News and our peers across the country prove emphatically what I’ve known to be true for a long time: Belmont faculty are leading the way in higher education by providing unparalleled expertise in the classroom and with the overall curriculum. While these rankings are certainly gratifying, I am far more excited about what they represent, that Belmont students are receiving the highest quality education that will empower them to use their skills and abilities to live lives of meaning and purpose.” Continue reading

Inman Honored at McWhorter Society Luncheon

Gordon Inman accepts his award from the McWhorter SocietyAt the recent McWhorter Society luncheon at Belmont University, trustee and Vice Chairman of Belmont’s Board of Trust Gordon E. Inman was honored with the 2019 McWhorter Society Distinguished Service Award. This award was established to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the health and health care related academic programs at Belmont University and who’s life work serves as a powerful example for students.

Inman was a major contributor to the construction of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing complex in 2006. The impact of this facility allowed Belmont to triple its nursing enrollment while also providing expanded laboratories for other health care programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work.

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Belmont Ranked Top 12 Christian University in America

Belmont is one of the best Christian universities in America, according to a list by The Edvocate that ranked the University no. 12 on its recent list of 2020 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in America.

In addition to the overall list, Belmont tied for fourth place for outstanding undergraduate teaching. The site ranked Belmont no. 5 among regional universities in the South, highlighting the university’s offerings for veterans and degrees in music and music production.

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Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Announces 2019 Inductees

Health Care Hall of Fame inductees announced at McWhorter Society Luncheon
(L to R) Dick Miller, Clara Elam, David and Lynn Barton and Mary Bufwack, Ph.D.

Hall of Fame’s fifth class represents some ofTennessee’s most influential health care leaders

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame announced the seven health care professionals selected as this year’s inductee class at a luncheon on Belmont University’s campus today. With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, a founding partner. The seven honorees will be inducted at a ceremony in October.

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Social Work Department Awards First DeEbony Groves Diversity Scholarship

Hayden MacMath (second from left) receives DeEbony Groves Diversity Scholarship.

At a recent Student Award Ceremony, the Belmont University Department of Social Work awarded the first DeEbony Groves Diversity Scholarship. The scholarship, renamed in May 2018 in honor of late student DeEbony Groves, is awarded to a social work student who “values diversity, upholds the spirit of inclusion and allied-ship.” Groves, a Belmont social work major, was killed one year ago today in a shooting at an Antioch Waffle House.

Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger, professor and chair of the Department of Social Work, opened the ceremony and began by speaking about the legacy Groves left at Belmont. “She shaped us because she was a part of our community,” Sullenberger said, continuing to say that diversity, inclusion and social justice were characteristics important to Groves. Sullenberger also noted how Groves didn’t call people out in situations but instead worked to “call people in” in her own way.

The recipient of the DeEbony Groves Diversity Scholarship this year is Hayden MacMath, a sophomore social work major. MacMath said he was “honored and humbled to accept this scholarship, because in a perfect world it wouldn’t exist.” He placed emphasis on his commitment to diversity and his passion for helping others. MacMath also said “I am committing everything about who I am to honor DeEbony.”

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College of Health Sciences and College of Pharmacy Hosts Inter-Professional Events

More than 200 first year graduate students in the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy participated in an inter-professional seminar focused on understanding the roles and responsibilities of each discipline as part of an inter-professional team to maximize patient outcomes. As part of this event, students worked on teams to create the tallest structure they could using spaghetti, string, tape and a marshmallow.

Approximately 190 second year graduate students from the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy also participated in an inter-professional seminar which explored the importance of communication and the risk of medical errors when there is miscommunication. These inter-professional events enable students to learn from and with students from other disciplines who will be their professional colleagues when they graduate.

Belmont Hosts Health and Well-Being Fair

Student talks with community vendor at Health and Well-being fair

Belmont University recently hosted its first Health and Well-being Fair, an event sponsored by the University’s Be Well BU initiative to promote a health and well-balanced lifestyle throughout the Belmont community. The fair showcased over 40 organizations focused on sharing information about a variety of topics with students, faculty and staff in attendance. Continue reading

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts 2018 Class at Luncheon and Ceremony

Event efforts collectively raise more than $1 million for student support

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted its 2018 class, made up of seven health care legends from across the state, at a luncheon and ceremony in Belmont’s Curb Event today. Hosted by Partner at DVL Seigenthaler John Seigenthaler, Jr., the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor the pioneers and current leaders that have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals. Continue reading

Belmont University Named as a Most Beautiful College Campus in the South

A glamour shot of the lawn

CountryLiving recently released its list of the 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South, and Belmont University was ranked No. 14 on this year’s list. In honor of summer coming to an end, the list points to the most beautiful campuses in the southern region that will soon be welcoming students back.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher Named to Nashville Health Care Council Board of Directors

Bob FisherBelmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher was recently named as a member of The Nashville Health Care Council’s 2018-2019 Board of Directors. Chairman and CEO of HCA Healthcare and Belmont alumni R. Milton Johnson will begin a two-year term as chairman of the Board.

“This is an exciting time in health care as the industry evolves to face today’s challenges. I welcome each new board member and look forward to working alongside them as the Council continues to serve as a convener for health care thought leaders,” Johnson said in an announcement released by the Council.

In the same release, Council president Hayley Hovious said, “I look forward to the contributions from this diverse group of world-class health care leaders. Along with our dedicated staff, we look forward to meeting the continued need for collaboration and innovation within health care through our suite of programming and initiatives.”