News and Events

G. Anthony Wilson, MD, Named Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs at University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) is pleased to announce the appointment of G. Anthony Wilson, MD, FAAFP, as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, effective March 1, 2025. Dr. Wilson succeeds Rajiv Dhand, MD, who has served in this role since its inception in 2015.

"Dr. Wilson's unique combination of experience in both private practice and as a faculty physician in our Department of Family Medicine provides him with an ideal background for this role, and during my interactions with him over the past two years, his capacity for strategic thinking have been made readily apparent," noted Robert M. Craft, MD, Dean of UTGSM. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Dhand for his incredible contribution to our institution and to me personally through his service in this role," added Dr. Craft.

Dr. Wilson brings extensive clinical and academic leadership experience to his new role. A graduate of Tennessee Technological University, he earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in 2000 and completed his residency at UTGSM in the Department of Family Medicine in 2003. After several years in private practice in Crossville, Tennessee, he returned to academic medicine as a UTGSM faculty member in 2011.

Dr. Wilson has demonstrated a strong commitment to medical education and faculty development after completing a fellowship in Faculty Development at UNC Chapel Hill in 2015. He has been instrumental in advancing faculty development programs, having initiated the Faculty Development Seminar Series in 2018 and co-founded the Academic Leadership Academy in 2021. The Seminar Series has had a significant impact, with more than 75% of UTGSM paid faculty attending at least one session. Recognizing its value, faculty from the Memphis and Chattanooga campuses began participating in the monthly sessions during the 2024-2025 academic year and now comprise about half of the attendees. Dr. Wilson’s research focuses on medical education and diabetes monitoring, and he has contributed to the academic community as a peer reviewer for multiple prestigious journals, including Annals of Family Medicine and Academic Medicine. In 2021, he was appointed Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, where he has led initiatives to enhance clinical training and patient care.

As Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, Dr. Wilson will oversee the clinical services provided by UTGSM, ensuring accessible, comprehensive, and coordinated care across the Family Medicine Clinic and Resident Clinics for Internal Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology. In this role, he will collaborate closely with department chairs and clinic directors to enhance clinical integration, continuous quality improvement, and electronic medical record (EMR) optimization. He will also oversee the selection, supervision, and mentorship of clinic medical directors, ensure compliance with CLERS expectations, and provide strategic input on financial, space, equipment, and personnel matters. Additionally, Dr. Wilson will work with leaders in graduate and undergraduate medical education to support quality patient care and clinical training while serving as a key member of the UTGSM Executive Leadership Dean’s Council.

"Medical education is my true passion and calling. Having worked as a doctor in a small community prior to entering academics, I understand the unique challenges that physicians face when practicing in underserved areas," said Dr. Wilson. "By training doctors with the skills and compassion needed to serve these communities, we not only address today’s healthcare needs but also create a healthier future for East Tennessee. I am excited to take on this role leading the clinical education mission on our campus, working to support our residents and preparing them to serve the communities here and across the country that will rely on them in the years ahead."

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wilson on his new role and in supporting him as he continues to enhance clinical operations and medical education at UTGSM.

Posted February 24, 2025