Press Release
Mukta Panda, MD, FACP, Named Chair for the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine Chattanooga ofThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center___________________________________________________________
Chattanooga, Tennessee: (December 10, 2009) - David C. Seaberg, MD, Dean for the College of Medicine Chattanooga of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), is pleased to announce the appointment of Mukta Panda, MD, FACP, Chair for the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine Chattanooga, effective November 1, 2009. Dr. Panda has served as Interim Chair since June 2007.
"Dr. Panda was an outstanding candidate to fill this permanent position, evidenced by her regional, national, and international reputation in patient care, medical education, and leadership skills. She has earned a long list of awards and accolades, most notably being the first recipient from the statewide University of Tennessee System to be honored by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a 2008 recipient of the Parker Palmer Courage to Teach Award, recognizing ten of the best program directors from across the country. Locally she was named the 2009 Chattanooga Young Professional of the Year by a group of community leaders. Dr. Panda is one of the most respected and admired faculty members by administration and faculty on our campus due to her ability to encourage teamwork and cooperation. Throughout her years at the Chattanooga campus, she has been a constant inspiration to student, residents, and colleagues, encouraging them to strive for excellence in clinical care, education, scholarly activity, and community service," stated Dean Seaberg.
A graduate of Goa Medical College in India, Dr. Panda trained in Saudi Arabia, and completed her OB/GYN Residency at Kings Hospital in London. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, and joined the College of Medicine Chattanooga as a faculty member and Transitional Year Program Director. She has continued to serve in this role as well as Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency from 2002 to 2006. Dr. Panda was instrumental in obtaining a grant in 2009 from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation to establish a Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapter in Chattanooga to encourage humanistic qualities and honor junior medical students throughout the UT statewide system. She is also part of the new Academic Internal Medicine (AIM) practice that will serve as a key segment of the newly developing University Health Associates in Chattanooga (faculty practice plan).
"I am humbled and honored to accept the responsibilities and challenges of Chair of the Department of Medicine in Chattanooga," Dr. Panda stated. "I feel so blessed for faculty support and leadership of both the University and Erlanger as we seek to model excellence for our patients, students, and residents. I want to thank my husband and children, as well as my parents, for their guidance and encouragement. The future of the Department of Medicine of the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga and Erlanger is bright, and I know that when we work together, great things can be accomplished."
The University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga is part of the statewide academic health system, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The Chattanooga campus is separately accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to sponsor residency and fellowship programs in a variety of specialties. The primary clinical affiliated institution is Erlanger Health System.
For more information about the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, visit: www.utcomchatt.org or email emcghee@uthsc.edu.
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