Physician Spotlight: Dr. Billy S. Arant Jr. Dr. Billy S. Arant Jr. knew at age five what he wanted to be when he grew up. "I never looked to the right or the left," he said. "From then on, my whole goal was to become a doctor." JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. John A. Ternay Dr. John A. Ternay and Peter Parker have a few things in common. Both are considered by their peers to be quite the "science whiz," each possessing a keen interest in research and advanced technology. Both display little if any fear of heights and, in fact, have been spotted on several occasions rappelling. While Peter Park, aka "Spider-Man," climbs down New York City skyscrapers, Ternay climbs down waterfalls and mountains in Costa Rica and other places. ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Kimberly B. Fortner KNOXVILLE — Dr. Kimberly Fortner completed an exhausting nine-month continuing medical education course on March 16, 2007. It's no coincidence that on that same day, she signed up for an on-the-job training program that will last a minimum of 18 years. ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Michael Kimbro MOUNTAIN CITY — There are some hints in the office of Dr. Michael Kimbro, which give him away. On a bookshelf filled with the ordinary medical manuals is a well-used copy of the Wilderness Medicine Book. JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Keates-Baleeiro As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian. During and after undergraduate school, she leaned toward psychology. But it's apparent that Dr. Jennifer Keates-Baleeiro, the new pediatric-oncologist at Chattanooga's T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger Health System, ultimately found her calling. KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. John A. Ternay Dr. John A. Ternay and Peter Parker have a few things in common. Both are considered by their peers to be quite the "science whiz," each possessing a keen interest in research and advanced technology. Both display little if any fear of heights and, in fact, have been spotted on several occasions rappelling. While Peter Park, aka "Spider-Man," climbs down New York City skyscrapers, Ternay climbs down waterfalls and mountains in Costa Rica and other places. ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Mark Wilkinson JOHNSON CITY — Not many physicians take to the skies to bring care to their patients, but for Dr. Mark Wilkinson, it's all part of the job. An emergency medicine physician in East Tennessee for more than a decade, Wilkinson stretched his skills over many counties, and at times, many states. He is a senior partner and COO with Johnson City Emergency Physicians, PC, JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Charles Cole JOHNSON CITY — A philosopher once observed that sleep is a serious affair, since one has to stay awake all day to obtain it. In a less philosophic and more practical vein, Dr. Charles Cole stays awake during the day and even at night so that others can obtain a blessed measure of this most precious of commodities — sleep. BY JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Charles Cole JOHNSON CITY — A philosopher once observed that sleep is a serious affair, since one has to stay awake all day to obtain it. In a less philosophic and more practical vein, Dr. Charles Cole stays awake during the day and even at night so that others can obtain a blessed measure of this most precious of commodities — sleep. BY JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David Horger CHATTANOOGA — Focusing on what's best for patients and best business practices are two goals of Dr. David Horger, the newest addition to Academic Urologists at Erlanger. Much of urology's appeal to Horger was the opportunity to treat patients and see them recover. "You're generally dealing with things you can improve," Horger said, "versus chronic illness where you are managing pain or disease." BY KRISTIN M. KEIPER

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David Horger CHATTANOOGA — Focusing on what's best for patients and best business practices are two goals of Dr. David Horger, the newest addition to Academic Urologists at Erlanger. Much of urology's appeal to Horger was the opportunity to treat patients and see them recover. "You're generally dealing with things you can improve," Horger said, "versus chronic illness where you are managing pain or disease." BY KRISTIN M. KEIPER

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Felicito Fernando Dr. Felicito Fernando couldn't decide what to specialize in when he was in medical school. So during his third year rotations, he studied doctors' demeanors. "I watched all the folks who were mentoring us and tried to decide who seemed to be the happiest," he explained. "There were happy people in all fields, but the pediatricians seemed the happiest." Today, Fernando, 45, is one of those happy pediatricians, and it didn't take him long to discover the key to that happiness. by KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Greg Blake No one ever said that being a doctor was an easy profession. Dealing with crazy hours, administrative pressures, never-ending stress, and the vexing medical mysteries that sometimes arise during diagnosis is enough to push even the most stable individuals over the brink. For Knoxville-based family practitioner Dr. Greg Blake, the interweaving of private passions and public service is the factor that makes the long days and ceaseless pressure bearable. BY JOHN SEWELL

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Richard M. Briggs Dr. Richard M. Briggs leads two lives. As a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville, he is a physician with a long and distinguished career as a healthcare provider. As a full colonel in the Medical Corps of the United States Army Reserves, he is a wide-ranging traveler who is no stranger to active military deployments, which include Seoul, South Korea; Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait in connection with the Persian Gulf War; Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2004; and Baghdad, Iraq from November 2005 through March 2006. BY JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Rosanne Barker KNOXVILLE — Dr. Rosanne Barker never tires of her job. Her patients, however, often come to her plain worn out. For more than 20 years, Barker, 51, medical director of Knoxville's Baptist Sleep Institute, has been doing everything she can to change that. BY KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Rosanne Barker KNOXVILLE — Dr. Rosanne Barker never tires of her job. Her patients, however, often come to her plain worn out. For more than 20 years, Barker, 51, medical director of Knoxville's Baptist Sleep Institute, has been doing everything she can to change that. BY KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Steven J. Baumrucker The term "Renaissance man" is one of those overly used expressions most often referring to little more than empty praise. But when used to describe Dr. Steven J. Baumrucker, medical director of palliative care services at Wellmont Health System's Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, no other description could be as fitting. A man in possession of far-ranging talents, Baumrucker balances a passion for his career with a rich family life, a spiritual focus, avid participation in hobbies and deep immersion in creative pursuits. BY JOHN SEWELL

Physician Spotlight: Dr. William B. Smith Dr. William B. Smith enjoys water sports, especially sailing and piloting his ski boat. Not that he does either these days. Both were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. "A casino boat came loose and destroyed the sail dock," he explained. "And the boat house for the other one collapsed. Most importantly, though, our staff could have fared much worse. Nobody was killed or seriously injured." BY JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Michael Kimbro MOUNTAIN CITY — There are some hints in the office of Dr. Michael Kimbro, which give him away. On a bookshelf filled with the ordinary medical manuals is a well-used copy of the Wilderness Medicine Book. JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. C. Allen Musil Armed with a powerful trident of medical aptitudes, Frontier Health child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. C. Allen Musil plays a constant balancing act by incorporating multiple talents for a holistic approach to his practice. Musil is board-certified in pediatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry. The doctor's education — he also spent a year in seminary school — and his experience, along with his multifaceted approach, have resulted in a challenging and ever-evolving career. BY JOHN SEWELL

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Marielisa Rincon There are pediatricians. And then there are ultra-special pediatricians such as Dr. Marielisa Rincon, a pediatric endocrinologist at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger Hospital at theUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga. BY GARTHIA ELENA HALBERT

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Keates-Baleeiro As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian. During and after undergraduate school, she leaned toward psychology. But it's apparent that Dr. Jennifer Keates-Baleeiro, the new pediatric-oncologist at Chattanooga's T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger Health System, ultimately found her calling. KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Dan David Peruse Dr. Dan David's wardrobe, and chances are there's a closet full of hats. That's because the active Johnson City professor and family practitioner wears so many. A Virginia native who landed in Upper East Tennessee in 1985, David today separates his time among interests that range from clinical teaching to quality improvement of healthcare delivery and the increasingly important role of physician understanding and participation in the business side of medicine. BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Larry Rigsby For Memorial Health System hospitalist Dr. Larry Rigsby, drawing from a wide palate of life experiences is a key factor in maintaining focus on his primary pursuit: to provide top quality healthcare to his myriad patients. Rigsby said that following a quest for adventure during his off time has actually served to revitalize his zeal for his practice. An avid mountaineer, Rigsby has spanned the globe, traversing dangerous altitudes many times over. BY JOHN SEWELL

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Christopher Miller After finishing medical school at the University of Connecticut, Dr. Christopher Miller headed south to Durham, North Carolina for his pediatric residency. His plan was to finish up and begin his practice in general pediatrics. As many physicians know, however, a rotation can change everything. Although Miller had always found neurology fascinating, he knew he really wanted to work with children. During a neurological rotation, he began to consider the possibility of doing both. "I think most neurologists gravitate to the field because they like the science of it � and the Sherlock Holmes approach of piecing together clues to try to find a diagnosis," he says. "My enjoyment of the specialty took over, and that became my career." By Cindy Sanders

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jeffrey Johnson Who knew that behind the skills of accomplished cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey H. Johnson lay the talents of an accomplished pianist? In fact, Johnson, a clinical associate professor of cardiology at the UT Medical Center in Knoxville and a member of the University Cardiology practice, one of Knoxville's oldest cardiology practices, also has an associate degree in music with highest honors. Born in Cleveland, Tenn., Johnson started piano lessons at the age of five and eventually went on to Cleveland State for his music degree. Currently, Johnson performs on the piano for the church where he, his wife Sharon and their children attend. He is also often asked to compose piano music to go along with written verses. In addition, he meets periodically with other songwriters. by Rita H. Lee, PhD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Charles R. Handorf Dr. Charles R. Handorf was installed as the 152nd President of the Tennessee Medical Association on Sunday, May 7 at the group's annual meeting in Nashville. Handorf, a pathologist from Memphis, was elected by popular vote of the members of the organization and installed at the business session of the TMA House of Delegates, the association's governing body. The meeting of the TMA is the annual policy forum for physician leaders representing 7,000 physicians in Tennessee and is the mechanism for physicians to gather as a professional group and develop policies that will affect the practice of medicine and the delivery of patient care in both Tennessee and the United States. As president, Handorf will also serve on the TMA board of trustees, which implements and directs the activities of the association between sessions of the House of Delegates. By Kelly Price

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Daniel Wooten As a young black man in the 1960s, Dr. Daniel Wooten faced a difficult choice. While he was interested in medicine and ultimately pursued medical school, he still wrestled with doubt. "I kept asking myself, is this the way to make my contribution?" By the end of his first year, however, his decision to pursue medicine was final, guided in large part by the advice of others. Having very few role models to follow at that time, Wooten recounts another surprising fact. "The first opportunity I had to have a black teacher was in medical school." Wooten characterizes his medical education at Meharry Medical College as one of his greatest experiences and values the direction and education afforded him. His path, however, would not be without more difficult decisions. As a resident and fellow, Wooten loved working with patients and found himself at the hospital all the time. By Karen Ott Mayer

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David Adair Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not … genius will not … education will not. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Dr. David Adair, Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, and at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, has proved that while talent, genius, and education have been helpful, persistence and determination have been just as important for his pioneering research. RITA H. LEE, PH.D.

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Kamilia Kozlowski "I know you can do it," said the father of Dr. Kamilia Kozlowski when she first considered becoming a doctor. That single sentence spurred Kozlowski on to fulfill her dream. Kozlowski first became a clinical breast radiologist. But she did not stop there. Kozlowski went on to establish Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center which serves as a "one-stop shop" for breast cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment. Kozlowski, who grew up in Rhode Island, studied pharmacy at University of Rhode Island in the early 1970s. She then transferred to Simmons College in Boston, and with her father's encouragement, finished up with a pre-med major. BY RITA H. LEE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Charles Wilkens If one asks for Dr. Wilkens in Jellico, Tennessee, one could be asking either about Dr. Charles Wilkens or about his sons who have returned as physicians to Jellico. The legacy of Dr. Charles Wilkens, president of the Wilkens Medical Group, extends not only throughout the family tree, but also way beyond: a legacy of community service during the 32 years he has served the Jellico Community Hospital. More than 30 years ago, Wilkens, his wife Bonnie, and their first child returned to the U.S. after three-and-one-half years of mission service in Kingston, Jamaica. Why Jamaica, then Jellico? Wilkens says they are where he felt called to serve. "When I was young and growing up in a rural area in Delaware, I always knew I wanted to be a missionary doctor. Jamaica and Jellico became my places to serve," says Wilkens. By Rita H. Lee, PhD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Daniel Ibach "It is not the length of life, but the depth of life," the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once said. Dr. Daniel Ibach, Medical Director for Covenant HomeCare Hospice in Knoxville believes that depth and quality of life are precious, even in the end stages of life. Ibach was a missionary kid with his family in Mexico where his father worked in a missionary clinic. His parents eventually moved Ibach and his four siblings up to Chattanooga, Tenn., where Ibach grew up and eventually attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ibach's first encounter with the hospice concept was a very personal one. During his college years, Ibach's father became ill and died of a rare type of cancer at the young age of 53. Ibach was only 20 years old at the time. BY RITA H. LEE, PHD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Don Hall When asked about his favorite aspects of practicing as a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Don Hall mentions that the "cancer patients are the greatest." "Cancer patients have a lot of courage, good humor in the face of adversity and appreciate life. I admire them tremendously," says Hall. A discussion with Hall about his dedication to bringing the best of his gynecologic oncology subspecialty to his patients leads one to suspect that many of his patients hold the same grateful sentiment toward Hall as well. Hall is a long-standing member of Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), a national consortium of gynecologic oncologists which is affiliated with approximately 60 medical facilities across the United States, including medical schools and hospitals. BY RITA H. LEE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jeffrey A. Keenan With four children and five grandchildren, it's no surprise that Dr. Jeffrey A. Keenan loves babies. Yet his life's work also makes that point. His solo practice, established in Knoxville in 1992, is the Southeastern Center for Fertility and Reproductive Surgery, and two years ago he helped found the nonprofit National Embryo Donation Center, where he is medical director. "I guess everyone is drawn to specialties that fit their personalities," Keenan says. "Reproductive endocrinology and infertility has a very good mix of medicine and surgery. Endocrinology is a complex field, … and the surgery is something that requires a lot of precision. All of those things basically suit my personality." Keenan and his wife, Sandy, moved to Knoxville in 1990, having fallen in love with the Southeast during his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee, where today he is director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. By Sharon H. Fitzgerald

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Joseph Childs Dr. Joseph Childs has heard all the seemly appropriate jokes about the connection between his name and the fact that he practices pediatrics, but truth to tell, he almost didn't become a pediatrician despite the seemingly pre-determined path predicted by his last name. Joe Childs grew up in Roswell, New Mexico, amid the ancient cultures, diverse landscapes and world famous cuisine of the Southwest. BY KELLY PRICE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Rosanne Barker Nineteen years ago, when sleep medicine was still a fledgling field, Rosanne Barker, MD, had the foresight to see that sleep medicine would become the important, rapidly growing field it is today. With this foresight, she decided to practice sleep medicine full-time. Today, Barker is the medical director of the Baptist Sleep Institute whose services are spread throughout East Tennessee The Sleep Institute has multiple locations including offices at Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee as well as at the Baptist West campus in Knoxville. With Barker at the helm, Baptist Sleep Institute is currently expanding across East Tennessee. This November, the Baptist Sleep institute will be opening up a facility in Sevierville, near Pigeon Forge. By 2006, Cocke County Hospital will also offer Baptist Sleep Institute services. BY RITA H. LEE, PHD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Tom Kim Dr. Tom Kim first came to the United States as a teenager. His family fled his native North Korea in 1951 moving to South Korea where they remained for a decade before coming to this country. Once here, Kim was anxious to make the most of the opportunity. Grateful that he had been afforded the chance to follow his dream to become a physician, Kim has made it his mission to give back to those in his adopted homeland that have not been as fortunate. On July 1, 1993, Kim opened the Free Medical Clinic of America offering free healthcare services for the uninsured and working poor in South Knoxville. "There are two reasons why I had the idea of opening up the clinic," says Kim. "One reason was that I was brought up Christian … my grandfather was Presbyterian and his values were passed on through my family." By Rita Lee

Physician Spotlight: Drs. William & David Hovis Many families have common interests and enjoy the same things. Dr. William Hovis and his son, Dr. David Hovis, both like to fix things, especially knees and shoulders. They fix a lot of both at the Hovis Orthopaedic Clinic in Knoxville. The clinic offers comprehensive care for injuries and illnesses of the knee, shoulder and other joints, arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the knee and shoulder, joint replacement surgery and sports medicine. BY KELLY PRICE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Forrest Lang In this age of computerized, robotic, high-tech medicine, the most important diagnostic tool in any doctor's little black bag is still the ability to communicate with the patient. Very few physicians realize this more than Dr. Forrest Lang of East Tennessee State University's James H. Quillen College of Medicine. Lang is in the field of communication. BY KELLY PRICE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Brett Sanders Work hard — really hard — and play harder. That could be the motto of Dr. Brett Sanders, an orthopedic surgeon with the Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics in Chattanooga. Consider his interest in music; he recalled many a jam session playing guitar with one of his colleagues, a concert-trained violinist. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Christine W. Parker How Dr. Christine W. Parker arrived at this place in her career and life is not an easy matter to untangle. At first, her situation seems straightforward enough. Parker, a happily married mother of two, is an internal medicine specialist with Memorial Health Partners. She has a special interest in the treatment — and especially the prevention — of diabetes. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David Wiles Inside the crowded office of East Tennessee Brain and Spine Center (ETBS) in Johnson City, Dr. David Wiles can be found moving from room to room talking with patients about how to change their lives. Because of his interest in experimental spinal surgeries the medical world only dreamed about a few years ago, changing lives is what Wiles can do. JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Donald T. Ellenburg For allergist Donald T. Ellenburg, MD, of Knoxville’s Asthma & Allergy Affiliates, family, faith, work, and community service are enmeshed in the rich tapestry of a life that focuses on both giving back and paying forward. The tireless physician balances the myriad requirements JOHN SEWELL

Physician Spotlight: Dr. E.C. Goulding III The patient had no pulse and the young Goulding turned to his nurse and told her to call a code. “This nurse put her hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eye and said, ‘Baby, you are the code,’” he recalled. The patient survived, and Goulding was hooked on emergency medicine. JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. G. Harold Naramore G. Harold Naramore is more than just a physician. He’s more than just an administrator and much more than just an attorney. Actually, he’s all three. The medical degree, master’s in business administration, and law degree are not just initials after his name, they are the tools he draws from to fulfill his childhood calling: to help others. ANNE NEWTON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. George Webber KNOXVILLE — Bringing women through the ordeal of breast cancer treatment with both their minds and bodies intact is more than a mission for Dr. George Webber. It's a ministry. LUCY SCHULTZE

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Gerald Mancebo Dr. Gerald Mancebo has reached the pinnacle of his career. In fact, he wouldn’t mind one bit if it was “all downhill from here.” The Knoxville internal medicine physician has worked long and hard to make it to the top. Now, he is savoring the time he can spend snow skiing in the winter and camping in the summer with his wife Cindy and their 14-year-old daughter Madeline. He also enjoys an occasional round of golf and playing tennis on the weekends with his friends. ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Greg Stewart Dr. Greg Stewart, an orthopedic surgeon with Watauga Orthopaedics in Johnson City, doesn’t just talk the talk — he walks the walk. Not that he isn’t talkative or friendly — far from it. But he is very much a hands-on person. When asked about formative influences during his early years, he immediately thought of his father. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Gregory J. Mancini George Bernard Shaw once said “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.” However, Shaw never met Dr. Gregory J. Mancini. As assistant professor of surgery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center-Knoxville (UTK), Mancini is proving that those who “can” teach and teach well. BRIDGET GARLAND

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Herb Ladley When Dr. Herbert Ladley and his wife Kathy moved to Kingsport from Portland, Oregon, in 1984, they probably never dreamed that they would be running a sheep farm 20 years later. But that is exactly what the Ladley’s now do. BRIDGET GARLAND

Physician Spotlight: Dr. J. Mack Worthington Math’s loss is medicine’s gain. When the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) installed Dr. J. Mack Worthington as the organization’s 153rd president at the annual meeting in late April, it’s a moment that easily might not have happened because Worthington set out to be a math teacher … not an MD. CINDY SANDERS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. James Creel What do you get when you cross an emergency medicine specialist and a scuba diver? A board-certified physician in hyperbaric medicine, of course. In other words, you get Dr. James Creel. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. James Herman Doctors are known for their willingness to help out a colleague, even if it means traveling across town, or even out of state. For Dr. James R. Herman, this professional courtesy sent him halfway across the globe. JOE MORRIS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jeff R. Farrow JOHNSON CITY — When Dr. Jeff R. Farrow is not mending patients, he's likely to be found mending fences on his farm, his family's "happily ever after." He is with Pulmonary Associates of East Tennessee and is medical ICU director JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jeffrey Hecht Dr. Jeffrey Hecht comes from a Michigan family that can dress you up to go just about anywhere. His working roots originated in the clothing industry, where his father and other family members established a successful apparel business. The oldest of four siblings, it was a rite of passage for him to follow in those industrial footsteps. However, to the good fortune of many, young Jeffrey had different aspirations. When asked about challenging moments in his life, he alludes to the time when he broke the news to his father that he wanted to become a doctor. CARL RAUS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. John Cowan Dr. John Cowan believes in “living the good life.” The focus on living might seem ironic for the medical director of Blount Memorial Hospice in Maryville. After all, many of his patients have six months or less to live. Cowan is quick to point out, however, that death is a part of the cycle of life. ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Joseph Smiddy Like many physicians, Dr. Joseph Smiddy has a long list of credentials he can place behind his name. But there is one credential that makes this Northeast Tennessee pulmonologist a bit unique: it’s his CDL, or Commercial Driver’s License, meaning he is able to drive the big rigs. JAMES WATSON

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Keith Gray While Dr. Keith Gray does enjoy running and exercising when he has the opportunity, it’s his career as a surgical oncologist that seems to be on the fast track. Gray joined the medical team at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, on September 1, 2007, and has quickly shown that his superior skills and humble attitude are appreciated by both patients and colleagues alike. BRIDGET GARLAND

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Mark A. Brzezienski “I was supposed to be a concert pianist, you know.” Believe it or not, this statement by Dr. Mark A. Brzezienski is a surprisingly apt introduction to his medical career. “I was playing piano with orchestras at age 10,” he said. “My father to this day does not get how I went into this field.” So, how did he find himself on a path that led him toward becoming a plastic surgeon? JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Maureen Ross It was the dual focus of patient support services and state-of-the-art research offered by Cancer Outreach that convinced Dr. Maureen Ross to settle in Southwest Virginia. JENNIFER LOGAN

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Maurice Rawlings, Jr. For Dr. Maurice Rawlings, Jr., practicing medicine has been about finding the right fit. As medical director of the Mary Ellen Locher Breast Center at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Rawlings has been involved in the creation of a $2.9 million facility that serves as a single-source treatment center for women throughout the region. It’s the culmination of a practice that began in general medicine and eventually evolved to a specialized practice in breast diseases and melanoma. JOE MORRIS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Mazen Khalil Knoxville cancer specialist Dr. Mazen Khalil celebrates two birthdays. The day he was born in Syria and the day he set foot on American soil. “I was born again on March 8, 1997,” Khalil said. “That’s the day I came to the United States. I grew up with a dream. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to come to America.” ANN METZ

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Michael Casey Athletes in the East Tennessee region have significantly benefited from the shared time and expertise of Dr. Michael Casey, Jr. To underscore this fact, Dr. Casey was honored at an awards luncheon on March 1, 2008, by the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA), where he was presented with the Jack C. Hughston, MD Sportsmedicine Person of the Year Award. STEVE QUINDRY

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Michael Love “I’m just an old doctor still trying to work.” So said Dr. Michael Love, an interventional cardiologist with Memorial Health Care System, in his typically self-deprecating, understated, and somehow jovial way. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Oliver Gregory One could describe Dr. Oliver Gregory as a down-to-earth sort of guy — were it not for the fact that his idea of a good time is flying hundreds and even thousands of feet above the ground in a hang glider. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Rebekah Austin Perhaps she missed her calling as a cardiologist, because when it comes to matters of the heart, neurologist Rebekah Austin seems to be an authority. Austin, who practices in Kingsport, TN, with Blue Ridge Neuroscience Center, P.C., demonstrates a caring attitude that is to be admired and respected, as reflected in one her biggest loves — participating in medical mission trips to second and third world countries. BRIDGET GARLAND

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Robert Sass CHATTANOOGA — When Dr. Robert Sass was about 5 years old, his mother brought home a surgeon's cap that she'd found on the sidewalk. "She explained to me that it was part of a doctor's uniform, and I became very fascinated with it," Sass, 47, explained. KATIE PORTERFIELD

Physician Spotlight: Dr. Walter Rose Dr. Walter Rose is no stranger to the East Tennessee area. This self-described “hometown boy” grew up on Signal Mountain right outside of Chattanooga. Now Dr. Rose, a bariatric surgeon with the Surgical Weight Management Program of Memorial Health Care System, is giving back to the community where he was educated. BRIDGET GARLAND

Physician Spotlight: Dr. William A. Rafuls As an abstract expressionist painter, Dr. William A. Rafuls’ time has come. Though he had begun to develop this hobby in high school, he stopped painting when he went abroad to medical school as a young man. He resumed his work in the 1990s, however, and now paints from his orange-and-white studio in the basement of his home. JOHN M. HAYS

Physician Spotlight: Mukesh Sharma, MD, FACC For Mukesh K. Sharma, MD, FACC, with Parkway Cardiology Associates in Oak Ridge, the decision to study medicine has taken him across continents and cultures. A native of Ludhiana, India, Sharma became the first physician in his family — a remarkable accomplishment, when the opportunities to study medicine in his homeland were limited. KAREN OTT MAYER