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Rev. L. Clark Taylor, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
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Rev. L. Clark Taylor, Jr., was named Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of Chattanooga in late 2009. His first day with the organization was January 4, 2010. Previously, Rev. Taylor served as C.E.O. of Ephraim-McDowell Health System in Danville, Kentucky. He also spent ten years as President and C.E.O. of Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga.
Rev. Taylor has personally experienced the services of Hospice of Chattanooga. In 1999, the organization cared for his dying father-in-law. Rev. Taylor worked for Memorial Hospital at the time, but has said the outstanding care his father-in-law received was undeniable, even then. |
"My wife Judy and I saw firsthand in our own home the quality of the people at Hospice of Chattanooga," explained Rev. Taylor. "They showed such compassion in my father-in-law's final days. What a privilege to come back ten years later and lead this great organization."
Rev. Taylor is a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy. He holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from the Medical College of Virginia and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. He is also an ordained minister and is currently associated with First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. Rev. Taylor and his wife Judy proudly make their home on Chattanooga's North Shore.
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Meg Crimmins Beene
The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation Executive Director
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Meg Crimmins Beene has overseen The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation since its inception in 2006. The Foundation was established so the needy and uninsured could still receive end of life care from Hospice of Chattanooga. Each year, Hospice of Chattanooga provides more than half a million dollars in unfunded, non-reimbursed services.
A graduate of Emory University, Ms. Beene brings more than 20 years experience in fundraising to Hospice of Chattanooga. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and previously served as Executive Director for the Memorial Hospital Foundation. Under her leadership, The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation has raised more than five million dollars. | "I see Hospice of Chattanooga as a ministry," said Ms. Beene. "We never turn anyone in need of our care away, and my mission is to make sure our ministry reaches as many people as possible. I am so blessed to live in such a generous community."
Ms. Beene prides herself on community involvement. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Greater Chattanooga Area Planned Giving Council, and the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association. Ms. Beene has two adult daughters and is a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
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Denise Dye
Chief Information Officer
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Denise Dye currently serves as Hospice of Chattanooga's Chief Information Officer. Ms. Dye joined the organization 17 years ago as a billing specialist. During her tenure, she has filled a variety of roles including payroll coordinator, benefits administrator, and managing accounts payable. Eight years ago she accepted the position of system administrator, overseeing the computer server, software, and hardware.
Those shared experiences have served Ms. Dye well as she transitioned into her newest role this year. As Chief Information Officer, Ms. Dye oversees Hospice of Chattanooga's information technology office and the department of medical records. |
"Hospice of
Chattanooga sets the national standard," said Ms. Dye. “We not only deliver the very best clinical care, but we employ the latest and greatest technology to ensure our clinical care services are delivered in the most timely and efficient manner."
Ms. Dye was born and raised in
Whitwell,
Tennessee. She received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from
Covenant
College. Ms. Dye and her husband have one young daughter, Suzanna. They reside in
Chattanooga and are proud members of
St. John
United
Methodist
Church.
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Terry Melvin, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
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End of life care is more than a job for Dr. Terry Melvin. For her, it's a ministry. Dr. Melvin joined Hospice of Chattanooga 21 years ago. Many within the organization credit Dr. Melvin with setting the standard of excellent care at Hospice of Chattanooga.
A graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Melvin did her residency and internship in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She followed that with a fellowship in Geriatrics. It was during that time Dr. Melvin discovered her passion for end of life care. |
"Our country places such an emphasis on quality care at the beginning of life, but I believe that same standard of care is just as important at the journey's end," said Dr. Melvin. "I am committed to making sure no one in this region reaches the end of life alone, afraid, or in pain."
Dr. Melvin's comfort care goes beyond meeting the patient's medical needs. She has been known to help patients' plant gardens and make homemade soup. Very often you will find Dr. Melvin sitting by a patient's bedside holding his or her hand. When she's not working directly with patients, Dr. Melvin is educating families, staff, and the community about end of life care. She encourages those with questions to contact Hospice of Chattanooga.
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Julie Payne, R.N.
Chief Nursing Officer
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Julie Payne brings more than two decades of clinical nursing experience to Hospice of Chattanooga. Ms. Payne joined the organization as an in-home nurse nine years ago. She worked her way up to the position of Nursing Team Leader and was promoted to Chief Nursing Officer in 2005.
As Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Payne oversees Hospice of Chattanooga's clinical staff. She coordinates nurses, certified nurse assistants, social workers, and bereavement counselors to ensure quality patient care is delivered in a timely and efficient manner. That care is centered on the patient's physical and emotional needs. |
"It is an honor to work with such dedicated, caring, and compassionate staff," said Ms. Payne. "They work very hard to make sure all of the patients and families needs are met."
Ms. Payne and her husband of 25 years are proud to call Chattanooga, Tennessee, home. They have three wonderful sons, Christopher, Garrett, and Hunter.
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David Rawiszer, C.P.A.
Chief Financial Officer
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David Rawiszer joined the Hospice of Chattanooga team five years ago as the Chief Financial Officer. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has more than 15 years of experience managing finances at local healthcare institutions. Before coming to Hospice of Chattanooga, Mr. Rawiszer was the top financial executive at Galen Medical Group.
"Working at Hospice of Chattanooga allows me to use my talents for a good cause," said Mr. Rawiszer. "The people I work alongside are wonderful, and I cannot imagine working anywhere else."
Mr. Rawiszer continues to share his expertise with others in the hospice industry. He has served as treasurer for the Tennessee Hospice Organization, and currently, is the President-Elect of that same organization. In addition, |
Mr. Rawiszer is a Certified Advanced Hospice Administrator. He is a member the American Institute of Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Public Accountants.
Mr. Rawiszer was a
Tennessee state wrestling champion in high school. He attended the
University of
Tennessee of
Chattanooga on a wrestling scholarship, and graduated with his Bachelors of Science in Accounting. Mr. Rawiszer and his wife Sharon live in
Chattanooga with their two beautiful children, Drew and Dakota.
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