Children’s Hospital at Erlanger pediatrician and University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Chattanooga faculty member, Joani Jack, M.D., has been named “Tennessee Pediatrician of the Year” by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP).
The TNAAP Annual Awards event held in September recognized and honored pediatricians and community members who have made exceptional contributions to children’s health advocacy in Tennessee.
“Each year we set out to discover the most valuable players in children’s health advocacy, and we rely on the community to make the nominations,” said TNAAP executive director, Ruth Allen.
Dr. Jack was selected as “Tennessee Pediatrician of the Year” for her contributions to society. She has been a physician trainer for the START program (Screening Tools and Referral Training), providing education to pediatricians, family practitioners and other clinicians through out Tennessee in the evaluation and management of children with developmental and behavioral disabilities. She has been a TNAAP Board Member at-large for Chattanooga since 2008 and serves as the physician champion, content developer and physician trainer for the HEALED initiative (Healthy Eating and Living Education): The Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity in the Primary Care Setting.
“Dr Joani Jack truly exemplifies the spirit of the Tennessee Pediatrician of the Year,” wrote Quentin A Humberd, M.D., Tennessee Pediatric Society Foundation. “Her background in medicine and pediatrics abounds with her selfless service to her patients, families and the community at large.”
In his nomination for Dr. Jack, Dr. Humberd also stated, “Dr. Jack became an early advocate for addressing childhood obesity before it reached widespread recognition, and used her considerable writing skills to collaborate on a book [Raising Fit Kids in a Fat World] for parents to help their kids with a culture and environment that has put so many kids at risk for overweight and obesity.”
Her roles at Children’s Hospital include serving as the medical director of the Well Newborn Nursery at the Baroness and East campuses, medical director of a multi-disciplinary childhood obesity clinic that will open in 2012, member of the Chattanooga Interdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Research Team (CICORT), member of the Practice Management Committee and mentor for two pediatric residents.
“Dr. Joani Jack has been recognized by her peers, fellow pediatricians, for her commitment to helping children and families throughout the state,” said Alan Kohrt, M.D., Chair, Department of Pediatrics, UTCOM, Chattanooga and Senior Vice President of Children’s Services at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. “In addition to her excellent clinical care, Dr. Jack is an outstanding teacher for patients, families, residents and pediatricians. Children’s Hospital is very proud to have Dr. Joani Jack as a member of our team, and we congratulate her on being named “Pediatrician of the Year.”
Photo Caption: Dr. Joani Jack received the 2011 Pediatrician of the Year Award from the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP). Dr. Eddie Hamilton, president of the TNAAP, presented the award at theW.O.SmithSchool of Music in Nashville, on September 17.
About Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger is the only medical center in the tri-state region devoted solely to children. As a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center (CRPC), it has the highest designation in the state for pediatric treatment. Children’s Hospital at Erlanger has a full range of pediatric subspecialists, as well as a 24/7 pediatric emergency room, pediatric intensive care unit, and Level III neonatal intensive care unit, providing the highest level of care in the region for premature and sick infants.
About TNAAP
Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP) is a statewide professional membership and child advocacy organization comprised of more than 1000 pediatricians and sub-specialists in Tennessee. The Tennessee Pediatric Society Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Chapter whose mission is to promote innovative programs to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Tennessee’s children.
