Awards of Excellence Presented at Leadership Conference
The Tennessee Primary Care Association recently recognized several community health care leaders with Awards of Excellence. The awards, named for early leaders in the statewide primary care movement, were presented at TPCA’s 2016 Annual Leadership Conference to Memphis Health Center, Inc., Linda Buck of Rural Health Services Consortium, and Dr. Karen Moyer of Homeless Health Care Center of Chattanooga.The Charles E. Darling Organization of Excellence Award, which recognizes a team or organization that has exhibited innovation and dedication to the delivery of primary care, was awarded to Memphis Health Center, Inc. Under the leadership of Willeen Hastings, who has served as chief executive officer since 2010, MHC has expanded access to healthcare services to the citizens of Memphis and Fayette County. Since 2013, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded MHC $4.7 million to renovate its main clinic; $500,000 for renovations to its rural satellite location; and $1.3 million to open a free-standing clinic in the Whitehaven area.
Memphis Health Center
The Logan Beasley Leadership Excellence Award, which recognizes an individual within a health center whose leadership has improved access to primary health care, was presented to Linda Buck, president and chief executive officer of Rogersville-based Rural Health Services Consortium. Since arriving at RHSC in 2003, Buck has overseen several construction projects to provide new facilities in Hancock, Hawkins, Washington and Johnson counties. RHSC celebrated the grand opening of the multimillion dollar Rogersville Medical Complex in 2015, and plans are currently on the drawing board for new facilities in Greene and Carter counties. RHSC also has expanded its services to include increased primary care; imaging and laboratory services; an enlarged pharmacy; behavioral health; dental services and more.
Linda Buck
The Outstanding Practitioner of the Year Award, which recognizes a clinical practitioner whose work has demonstrated outstanding leadership, community involvement and dedication to patient care, was awarded to Dr. Karen Moyer, medical director for the Homeless Health Care Center of Chattanooga and the Primary Care Program at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. In her role as medical director, Moyer facilitates connecting patients with the integration of services, such as case management and behavioral health, so that those who are too ill to manage life on the street are able to receive appropriate resources and accommodations. Her colleagues note her tireless efforts to ensure that patients in need receive the care they need.
Karen Moyer
About the Awards of Excellence Namesakes
- The Charles E. Darling Organization of Excellence Award: Dr. Charles E. Darling dedicated his life to serving the prenatal health needs of women in East Tennessee, regardless of their ability to pay.
- The Logan Beasley Leadership Excellence Award: Throughout his career with the U.S. Public Health Service, Logan Beasley steadfastly worked both regionally and with individual centers to develop primary care services and to strengthen Community Health Centers.
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