Marissa Wilson, BSN, RN, CPhT, and patient assistance coordinator for pharmacy at CHI Memorial, recently received the Social Stewardship Award during the 2017 HealthTrust University Conference.
“Marissa’s personal mission is to continually learn and apply knowledge and experience to meet the needs of the underserved, being the best steward of all available resources,” says Sandy Vredeveld, director of pharmacy at CHI Memorial, and Wilson’s nominator.
“She is the community’s strongest ambassador for CHI Memorial and its mission to serve the underserved.”
Wilson coordinates and manages CHI Memorial’s drug replacement program which helps find more affordable options for uninsured patients who need medication or insured patients who need medications their insurance may not cover.
She implemented and manages the hospital’s Dispensary of Hope program which has dispensed more than $250,000 in free medication since 2009.
Wilson also helps patients enroll in the healthcare exchange; advises nonprofit representatives and other hospitals in the community on medication assistance based on an individual’s needs; advises health coaches on medication assistance; and developes low-cost diabetic kits for charity patients.
She serves on the Chattanooga Regional Health Innovation Coalition in which she has been a featured speaker, guest lecturer and advisor for various foundations, medical groups and educational programs. Wilson helped develop “Bridging the Pharmacy Gap: Medication Resource Guide and Tips for Navigating Pharmacy Resources” and updates it annually. This resource is used throughout the community.
Through her efforts, CHI Memorial has received grant funds to help educate and enroll people in the Affordable Care Act.
Co-chairs selected for Pink! Gala
CHI Memorial Foundation has announced the co-chairs for the 13th annual Pink! Gala.
Dr. Taylor and Tiffany Whaley, and Dr. Tom and Susan Flanagan are this year’s honorees for the black-tie event on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. This year’s theme is A Night on Old Havana.
Tom and Susan Flanagan met in college at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and have lived in Chattanooga for more than 40 years. Tom is an orthodontist practicing in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. Susan works in his office doing public relations and marketing.
Taylor and Tiffany Whaley moved to Chattanooga three years ago so their growing family could live in Tiffany’s hometown. Taylor, a radiation oncologist for Tennessee Oncology, trained at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He serves on the Executive Oncology Committee for CHI Memorial, as well as the Lung Program Leadership Committee. Tiffany, who previously worked in health administration, now focuses her time and energy on their three children. She is a member of the Hamilton County Medical Alliance.
Other members of the Pink! steering committee include Will Clegg and Janie Jones, sponsorship chairs; Heather Hatfield and Kris Czufin, auction chairs; Dr. Beth Webb and Crissy Furrow, preview party chairs; Mark Ramsey, decorations chair; Amber and Dan Norton, Color Chattanooga Pink chairs; and Bob and Sarah McKenzie, Dr. Chuck and Susan Felts, and Buddy and Leeanne Werner, members at large.
Proceeds from Pink! are used to ensure the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at CHI Memorial has the latest equipment available and provides the highest quality care available to women in need.
CCVB welcomes Murphy as VP sales
Brian Murphy has joined the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau as new vice president of sales.
He will be responsible for cultivating and expanding the CVB’s client base in order to increase the number of meetings and conventions to Chattanooga.
“Brian brings more than 20 years of hotel expertise in the hospitality industry. We’re excited to have someone with his credentials and proven track record join our team,” says Bob Doak, president & CEO of the Chattanooga Convention Visitors Bureau.
“We spent several months searching locally and nationally for the right person for this job, and when we found Brian, we knew that he was the right fit. By adding to the current strong team we have, his experience in implementing successful sales strategies will help us book newbusiness.”
Murphy was most recently the director of sales and marketing at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to that, he held sales manager positions at the Renaissance Austin, Marriott International – Texas sales office, and the Las Vegas Hilton.
“I have been watching Chattanooga over the years and have always been impressed at how the entire community works together to support tourism. I’ve kept up with all the great things happening in the city and I’m extremely excited to now be representing such a premier and quality destination,” Murphy says. “I’m looking forward to working with such an incredible team and building on Chattanooga’s current successes.”