Alumni Page

  I hope this website will serve as an important venue for non-intrusive yet interactive communication between the GI and Hepatology division at UTHSC-Memphis and its alumni. Information on this website will be general in nature, providing an overview of our activities, but alumni should feel free to call (901-448-5813) should you wish to communicate more directly. Hopefully, we will be able to find out how our graduates are doing (professionally and personally) and how your UT training and experiences have influenced your career. I intend to use this section to keep you informed about new initiatives of the GI Division, what's new in Memphis (medical and otherwise), and how local and state politics are affecting our program. The website will also provide you with a portal of communication to our current fellows, who you may wish to recruit or offer some helpful advice. We intend to update this section of the website periodically, covering different topics over time, so visit frequently. Since this is a work in progress, any input on the content and/or presentation of the information contained on this website is much appreciated. Thanks for visiting and enjoy.

Rene Davila, M.D.

Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis

Changes in the Medical Community in Memphis

       In 1997, downtown Memphis had three major community hospitals: Methodist Central, Baptist Central, and St. Joseph's. In addition, UT managed the Bowld and LeBonheur's Childrens Hospitals, and had expanded its clinical and educational activities into Baptist Central. Shelby County managed much of The Med and then of course, there was the VA. Well, all that has changed. First, Methodist Healthcare acquired LeBonheur Childrens Hospital in the late 1990's. Next, St. Joseph's Hospital closed. Then Baptist Healthcare closed down Baptist Central and moved all operations to their expanding facility at Walnut Grove and I-240, known then as Baptist East. As part of the move, Baptist donated its downtown facilities (hospital, professional buildings, and parking garage) to UT. Following these changes, Memphis was left with 3 downtown hospitals – Methodist Central, The Med, and the VA.

       These rather dramatic physical changes to the downtown medical landscape led to a new affiliation. UT and Methodist Healthcare signed an official merger agreement in which Methodist Healthcare acquired the Bowld Hospital and the residency training programs at UT and Methodist fused. Methodist Central Hospital was renamed Methodist University Hospital (MUH). In 2004, the merger was finalized with closure of the UT-Bowld Hospital and the 920 Madison UTMG clinics and the transfer of university faculty practice activity to the MUH campus. Local community business leaders are currently working with UT to develop a large biotech center on the old Baptist Hospital grounds. Meanwhile, The Med continues much the same, struggling to improve its health care delivery woes with some success. Interestingly, in the wake of all this activity, the VA has emerged as the most technically advanced hospital in Memphis. It boasts a new (seismically-sound) hospital facility and a completely paperless medical record system.

       Regarding the UTHSC Division of Gastroenterology, the numerous changes that have taken place over the past several years are summarized below:

1. New Division Chief : After 14 years at the helm, Dr. Charles M. Mansbach II voluntarily resigned as Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology effective July, 1, 2002 to focus on his bench research. Christopher R. Marino, M.D. had served as Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology since then until 2006.

        He has since been promoted to Chief of Medical Services at the VA and Dr. Rene DAvila, M.D. has been appointed interim Chairman of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

2. Move of the Academic GI Office : After decades on the 5th floor of the Dobbs Research Building, the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology moved in autumn, 2002 to newly renovated space in the 920 Madison building. Our official academic address is now Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UT Health Science Center, 920 Madison Ave., Suite 240, Memphis, TN 38163. Parking is available in the adjacent elevated garage with entrances on Madison and Court Avenues. The new space boasts a conference room, fellows' office, small library, and an attractive reception area.

3. Closure of UT-Bowld Hospital and Dobbs GI Lab : UT-Bowld Hospital officially closed at the end of July, 2004. All patients were transferred to Methodist University Hospital (MUH) and the hepatology and transplant programs are now entirely housed at MUH in newly renovated wards and a new transplant ICU. Along with closure of the UT-Bowld Hospital went closure of the GI Lab that was housed on the 4 th floor of the Dobbs Building. All university-based endoscopic procedures are now being performed in the MUH GI Lab. Dr. Mansbach's research lab in the 5 th floor Dobbs has subsequently moved to the Coleman Building.

4. Closure of 920 Madison Clinics : In July, 2004, all UTMG clinic space in the 920 Madison building closed down. UTMG physicians moved their ambulatory activities to the 3 rd floor of the Medical Arts Building at 1325 Eastmoreland Ave., physically connected to Methodist University Hospital and its GI Lab.

5. Move of the Chairman's Offic e: In August, 2004, the academic office of the Chairman of Medicine, along with those of several university-based clinical faculty, moved from the Coleman Building to 1311 Union Ave., adjacent to Methodist University Hospital.

6. New Transplant Clinic Opened : In May, 2005, a newly renovated transplant clinic and adjacent ambulatory procedure center (dialysis, liver biopsy, and paracentesis) opened in Methodist University Hospital, down the hall from the GI Lab.

7. Dr. Smith promoted to interim Chairman of Medicine : Dr. James Lacy Smith was promoted to Chairman of Internal Medicine for the University of Tennessee, Health Sciences Center effective 2006.

  Anyone who trained at UT before 1997 would have never imagined such a turn of events in such a short period of time. The chaos, however, is over and we all look forward to settling in and taking advantage of the clinical and educational opportunities before us.

Caroline A. Riely Lectureship in Hepatology:

  On May 1, 2005, Dr. Caroline A. Riely officially retired from the full-time faculty of UTHSC Memphis. Although she returns in August, 2005 as part-time faculty, her academic, teaching, and clinical activities will be much reduced.

  In honor of Dr. Riely's outstanding contributions to the GI Division, the University of Tennesseee, and the City of Memphis, a fundraising effort is currently underway to establish an annual Caroline A. Riely Lectureship in Hepatology , to begin this academic year. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for an endowment that will preserve the lectureship in perpetuity. I can think of no better way to honor Dr. Riely than through such a lectureship. This effort, however, cannot succeed without the contributions and generosity of alumni who have been trained by and benefited from Dr. Riely's teaching. For those interested in honoring Dr. Riely's educational contributions while also supporting the educational activities of their alma mater, I encourage you to contact me ( cmarino@utmem.edu or 901-448-5813) for more information. Your tax-deductible contribution will be processed through the UT Office of Development (Amanda Tamburrino, Director - 901-448-5516).