Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly selected department veteran and current Assistant Chief John Chambers to be the Chattanooga Police Department’s next chief of police.
The appointment caps a two-month selection process that whittled a competitive field of applicants for a job that drew national interest and a pool of talented, external and internal candidates. Following interviews with the two finalists, Chambers emerged as the clear choice, earning unanimous support from the Mayor’s Advisory Committee.
“I am proud to announce that I have selected CPD’s own John Chambers to serve as Chattanooga’s next chief of police,” Kelly says. “Throughout this search, we put a premium on our core policing values: community engagement, neighborhood policing, gun violence prevention, mental health crisis co-response, professional development and recruiting. Those values led us right to Chief Chambers, who performed exceptionally at every step of the interview process. He’s a consistent, accountable leader with a great heart for all of Chattanooga’s residents and he’ll continue CPD’s progress while maintaining the department’s remarkable record of fighting crime.”
“I’m honored and humbled to assume this new position and excited to continue serving alongside the men and women of CPD as we carry out our commitment to partner with the community, to keep all of our residents safe and to serve. I am eager to work in unity with each of Chattanooga’s diverse communities to overcome the challenges from our past and to continue forging a new path forward together,” Chambers says.
Chambers’ appointment is pending confirmation by the Chattanooga City Council and will be put forward for their consideration this month.
Colvin makes ‘Best Lawyers’ list
Chattanooga attorney William G. Colvin was named in the recent publication of “Best Lawyers In America” in the areas of litigation – construction and litigation – insurance.
The Herald published lists of area legal professionals in previous issues last month and is happy to highlight his achievement.
Green named city’s permanent COO
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly recently announced Mande Green as the new permanent chief operating officer of city government.
Mande first joined the city as chief human resources officer in December 2021 after holding several leadership positions for the government of Clark County, Washington. She has served as interim COO since June 2024.
“Mande has been excellent in the COO role since she came on as interim in June, and it’s great news for Chattanooga that she’ll be staying in the role long term,” Kelly says. “Under her leadership, we’ve already seen increased urgency in delivering city services and making improvements to key city infrastructure. And I know the best is yet to come now that she’s taking the job on a permanent basis.”
“I want to thank Mayor Kelly and the more than 2,000 employees of city government for trusting me with this responsibility,” Green says. “I believe in the mayor’s vision for One Chattanooga, and I’m committed to doing my part to see it implemented. In particular as COO, I’ll work to make more progress toward providing responsive and effective local government, which is the foundation of everything else we do.”
Basco takes on new UTHSC, Erlanger roles
William (Bill) Basco, M.D., has been named chair of the department of pediatrics in the College of Medicine – Chattanooga at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Dr. Basco joins the college from the Medical University of South Carolina where he served as professor of pediatrics and director of the Division of General Pediatrics. He also served as the associate dean for Continuing Medical Education at MUSC.
As chair, Dr. Basco aims to grow the department’s faculty and expand pediatric services in the Chattanooga region. He looks forward to working with pediatricians and leadership in the College of Medicine – Chattanooga and Erlanger. “One of the strengths of the department is that they really have most pediatric specialties represented,” he says. “When I think about the clinical volume and activities they already have and the growth of the Chattanooga area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to 100 faculty over the next five to 10 years. So, I think that’s exciting.”
Dr. Basco is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric hospital medicine. He was the principal investigator of two Health Resources and Services Administration grants that created and expanded the Primary Care Pediatrics Residency at MUSC.
Dr. Basco earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Tulane University. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and completed internship and residency in pediatrics at MUSC. He also completed a General Pediatric Academic Development fellowship at Johns Hopkins University department of pediatrics.
Hutchens joins CHI Neuroscience Institute
Sheila Hutchens, FNP-C, has joined CHI Memorial Neuroscience Institute Neurosurgery and Spine Center.
Hutchens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and a master’s degree in Nursing from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale.
She has 27 years of experience as a registered nurse in pediatrics and orthopedics in both the hospital and orthopedic clinic settings, 14 of those years in an orthopedic spine surgery practice. After obtaining her certification as a family nurse practitioner, she practiced for three years in a spine practice and the past seven years in a joint replacement practice in Charleston, South Carolina.
Hutchens will join Paul Hoffmann, M.D., physiatrist, and Maegen Frizzell, MSPA, PA-C, in providing nonoperative spine care, and Ranjith Babu, M.D., Mayshan Ghiassi, M.D., FAANS, and Sydney Adams, PA-C, who provide neurosurgical care for patients who have tumors of the brain or spine and those who suffer from spinal conditions including spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis or cervical myelopathy. Her primary focus will be treating patients with nonoperative conservative measures for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal disorders.
Hutchens will see patients at CHI Memorial Neuroscience Institute Neurosurgery and Spine Center located at 725 Glenwood Drive, Suite E-680, Chattanooga, and at CHI Memorial Multi-Specialty Clinic at 6401 Mountain View Road, Suite 101, Ooltewah. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call (423) 206-9480.
Erlanger Neurology adds neurologist Lucey
Timothy Lucey, DO has joined the Erlanger Neurology team.
Dr. Lucey is a board-certified neurologist with more than 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, then completed his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lucey completed his neurology residency at the University of Florida, Health Science Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Lucey previously served as Director of Neurology as well as Director of Stroke Services for Baptist Medical Center in Nassau, has worked in a private practice and most recently, practiced Neurology for Baptist Neurology Group in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He also served as co-chief resident and chairperson of the Resident Graduate Medical Education Committee for the University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville.