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Celebrating Excellence: 2025 Welcome Dinner and Faculty Awards Mark a Milestone for UTGSM

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) hosted its 2025 Welcome Dinner and Faculty Awards on June 26 at the Press Room in Knoxville. As in years past, the event brought together new residents, fellows, and faculty to honor achievements in education, research, and service. But this year's celebration also marked a turning point, serving as the final faculty awards program under the UTGSM name.

Later this year, UTGSM will officially become the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Knoxville (UTHSC COM-Knoxville). The name change reflects UTGSM’s full integration as an academic campus of UTHSC, while preserving its longstanding mission and values. At the Welcome Dinner, Dean Robert M. Craft acknowledged this transition and emphasized the importance of continuity: honoring the culture, traditions, and people who have shaped the institution over the years.

"This event celebrated the start of our 70th year of graduate medical education, and the coming campus name change reflects the full breadth of our mission, including undergraduate medical education and research," said Dean Robert M. Craft, MD.

Four faculty members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to medical education and research during the evening ceremony.

GSM Spirit Award - Brian Daley, MD - Department of Surgery

From left to right: Dean Robert M. Craft, MD and Brian Daley, MD

The GSM Spirit Award honors a faculty member who truly exemplifies the mission and values of the Graduate School of Medicine. Someone who has made a lasting impact on the institution through service, mentorship, and leadership.

This year's recipient, Dr. Brian Daley, joined the faculty in 1996 and has influenced nearly every part of the institution since. He served as Program Director for General Surgery for 12 years and as Director of the Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Fellowship from 2011 to 2015. Under his leadership, the General Surgery residency grew in both size and quality, producing graduates who now lead programs across the region.

Dr. Daley has been a tireless advocate for residents and a consistent presence in their training, known for clinical excellence, mentorship, and the high standards he holds for himself and others. He has led major quality initiatives, including UTMC’s involvement with NSQIP and pursuit of ACS quality verification.

Nationally, he has contributed to trauma and surgical research that has helped shape standards of care. Locally, he has served as Chief of the Division of Trauma/Critical Care and Chief of Staff for UT Medical Center. Across the UT System, he is recognized for his clinical skill and dedication to education. After nearly 30 years of service, Dr. Daley continues to shape the culture and direction of our campus.

Excellence and Leadership in Clinical Research Award - Jillian Lloyd, MD - Department of Surgery

From left to right: Dean Robert M. Craft, MD and Jilliam Lloyd, MD

This year's recipient of the Excellence and Leadership in Clinical Research Award is a gifted clinician-researcher whose impact spans patient care, research, education, and leadership, particularly in the fields of breast health and cancer care.

Since joining our faculty nearly a decade ago, Dr. Jillian Lloyd has advanced our understanding of breast cancer through research that puts patients at the center. Her work addresses barriers like access, awareness, and health literacy especially among underserved populations. Her ability to connect research questions with real-world needs is a defining strength.

She has secured funding from the NIH, One UT, and the Cancer Institute, while running a research operation known for high standards of compliance and ethical care. She has also helped shape statewide strategies on breast cancer through leadership roles in health planning and policy.

In addition to her research work, Dr. Lloyd is an acclaimed educator and a respected surgeon. Her peers have named her a Knoxville "Top Doc" three years in a row, and she was recently named Chief of Staff at UT Medical Center.

Excellence and Leadership in Basic Science Research Award - Joseph Jackson, PhD - Department of Medicine

From left to right: Dean Robert M. Craft, MD and Joseph Jackson, PhD

Dr. Joseph Jackson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, is this year’s recipient of the Excellence and Leadership in Basic Science Research Award. A Tennessee native, Dr. Jackson has become a key figure in our research community through his work in the Amyloidosis and Cancer Theranostics Program.

His path has included advanced training at Lipscomb University, a PhD in microbiology from UTK, and postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh, where he developed oncolytic viral therapies for brain cancer. Since returning to Knoxville, Dr. Jackson has continued that work while also launching new studies into the immune system’s role in amyloid clearance.

He has received major funding from the NIH and from the Cancer Institute Endowment, and he collaborates closely with Nuclear Medicine and Cardiology on clinical trials for new imaging agents. His contributions extend across basic and translational science, and his presence in the lab and in the community reflects a deep commitment to advancing research in East Tennessee.

Excellence in Teaching Award - Heath Many, MD - Department of Surgery

From left to right: Dean Robert M. Craft, MD and Heath Many, MD

Each year, the Excellence in Teaching Award honors a faculty member who not only teaches but inspires. Someone who sets a standard for patient care, professional conduct, and lifelong learning by example.

He is the kind of educator who brings the same calm, focused presence to the bedside that he brings to the classroom. His students and residents consistently describe him as a role model, both in clinical expertise and in the way he carries himself, patient, encouraging, and always accessible. He is known for teaching decision-making, not just procedures for making sure his learners do not just know what to do, but why. His work with residents extends far beyond our campus. A passionate advocate for global health, he has helped build international opportunities for surgical residents, particularly in underserved regions. His time practicing and teaching abroad has not only influenced how he teaches here in Knoxville but also opened doors for others to follow in his footsteps.

His impact on surgical education is not just practical, it is structural. He has played a key role in advancing how we assess residents, leading efforts in Entrustable Professional Activities at both the institutional and national levels. His involvement with the American Board of Surgery’s EPA Committee reflects both his leadership and his vision for the future of surgical education. He has been recognized multiple times by his own department for excellence in teaching, and he brings that same energy to every setting, on call, in conference, or halfway around the world. His dedication to our students, our residents, and our mission as a teaching hospital is clear in every part of his work. This year’s recipient is a gifted educator, a respected surgeon, and a tireless advocate for learner growth and development.

The Welcome Dinner and Faculty Awards have long stood as a reflection of the values that define our institution, collaboration, excellence, and service. As UTGSM transitions into its new name and chapter as the UTHSC COM-Knoxville, this event remains a touchstone for honoring our people and our purpose.

Posted July 31, 2025