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Tina Dudney, MD Receives UT System's Nimble and Innovative President's Award

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Medicine, Knoxville (UT Health Sciences COM-Knoxville) is proud to congratulate Tina M. Dudney, MD, DABSDM, FCCP, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical and Dental Education and Designated Institutional Official (DIO), on receiving a 2026 University of Tennessee System President's Award in the Nimble and Innovative category, one of the university's highest honors recognizing faculty and staff whose work exemplifies the Be One UT values.

Presented annually, the President's Awards recognize outstanding faculty and staff from across the UT System whose leadership, service and commitment have made a lasting impact on the university and the communities it serves. Fourteen employees from across the statewide system were selected this year.

Since being appointed Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical and Dental Education and DIO in 2023, Dr. Dudney has led initiatives that continue to strengthen residency and fellowship education while fostering innovation across the institution. The UT System recognized her for developing programs that enhance clinical communication, empathy and leadership while expanding access to high-quality graduate medical education in East Tennessee. Among those efforts are interdisciplinary collaborations with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, including an intensive medical Spanish course and a medical humanities program, as well as new narrative medicine and team-based learning initiatives within the Internal Medicine Clerkship.

A pulmonary and critical care physician, educator and longtime faculty member, Dr. Dudney has dedicated her career to preparing the next generation of physicians. After returning to the UT Health Sciences COM-Knoxville faculty in 2002, she established and expanded the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship while serving in numerous institutional leadership roles. Her commitment to excellence in medical education has earned her multiple teaching honors and has helped shape the learning environment for residents, fellows and faculty alike.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition. While my name may be on the award, innovation in medical education is never the work of one person. It comes from colleagues who are willing to collaborate, challenge one another and continually look for better ways to educate and support our learners," said Dr. Dudney. "I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional faculty, program directors, coordinators, residents, fellows and staff across the UT System who share an unwavering commitment to preparing outstanding physicians. I am grateful to share this recognition with all of them."

Established in 2016, the President's Awards represent the highest honor bestowed upon University of Tennessee employees. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted by campuses and institutes across the statewide UT System and are recognized for exemplifying the university's Be One UT values through outstanding leadership, service and impact. Winners receive a commemorative plaque and a $3,000 award.

2026 UT System President's Award Honorees

• Bold and Impactful: Steve Elliott (UT Martin), David Moore (UT Institute for Public Service)
• Embrace Differences: Alicia Maya-Donaldson (UT Martin), Chris Stokes (UT Chattanooga)
• Optimistic and Visionary: Erkan Kaplanoglu (UT Chattanooga), Edwin Jeffres (UT Health Sciences)
• Nimble and Innovative: Tina Dudney, MD (UT Health Sciences College of Medicine, Knoxville), Ashley Bynum (UT Martin)
• Excel in All We Do: Toni Wang (UT Institute of Agriculture), Kelly Mihalik (UT System)
• United and Connected: Adnan Rasool (UT Martin), Jennifer Sicking (UT System)
• Transparent and Trusted: John Haas (UT Knoxville), Annie Freeland Fishel (UT System)

Posted July 29, 2026