MEMPHIS PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene :
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare named Tina Haskins Smith as its senior vice president and chief information officer. She is responsible for leading and executing information technology functions across the system, as well as patient-and employeefacing digital transformation initiatives including the implementation of a new medical health record system and a human capital management system in 2024. Previously, Smith was Seattle Children’s Hospital’s associate vice president and chief applications officer.
Endocrinologist Khine Mon Swe is the newest member of the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare staff at its 1325 Eastmoreland Ave. location on the campus of Methodist University Hospital. She is board-certified and earned her doctorate from the University of Medicine 2 in Yangon, Myanmar. Swe completed a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism from the University of Wisconsin.
The Society of Entrepreneurs announced the selection of five new members to its organization. They are Chris Brubaker of Progressive Technologies,
who bought Progressive Technologies from his father David Brubaker in 1997; Fred Grinder, Brett Grinder and Justin Grinder, Grinder, Taber and Grinder Inc., and Stacy Mccall, Servicemaster by Stratos. They officially will be inducted into The Society of Entrepreneurs at the 32nd Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet on April 20 at the Fedex Event Center at Shelby Farms. The Grinders are active in the community supporting a broad range of local causes including Memphis University School, Hutchison School, Memphis Art Museum, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Ballet Memphis, Girls Inc., Rhodes College, the University of Memphis, MIFA and the West Tennessee chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. Since 2008, Mccall has served on the Servicemaster Clean Regional Council, as well as a Southeastern Conference Council representative on the Servicemaster Clean National Franchise Council, eventually serving as vice chairman and chairman.
Urbanart Commission appointed Lakeisha Edwards as its new executive director. A Covington, Tennessee, native and alumna of the University of Memphis, Edwards holds bachelor degrees in Social Work and Psychology. Her decade-long tenure in child support services culminated as the operations manager for Maximus
Shelby County Child Support Services, where she honed her skills in organizational management and community service. Urbanart Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of Memphis through public art.
Dr. Marcus Ford,a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Campbell Clinic, won the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Clinical Research Award.
This award, presented at the recent AAHKS annual meeting, is given annually in recognition of an outstanding clinical paper in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. He graduated as valedictorian from medical school at the University of Texas in San Antonio. He then completed orthopedic surgery training at the Campbell Clinic followed by a joint reconstruction fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.
Ford teaches orthopedic residents and fellows, serves as faculty for surgeon training around the country, and participates in clinical research projects, and serves as a consultant for various hip and knee projects.
The University of Memphis elevated Melinda Carlson to Vice President for Student Affairs, filling out its executive team with another seasoned higher education leader. Carlson began her new role Jan. 1. Her most recent role was as assistant vice president of Auxiliary Services & Operations within
the division of Business and Finance at the U of M for nearly two years. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University and has worked across multiple areas of student affairs at several institutions including the University of Missouri S&T, the University of Northern Colorado, Arkansas Tech University, the University of Mississippi, Saint Louis University and Southern Methodist University.
Noteworthy
Eight local women were celebrated for change-making leadership at the 38th Women of Achievement awards, Memphis’ premier celebration of National Women’s History month.
The Women of Achievement honorees for 2024 are:
h Courage: Vanessa Rodley and Jennifer Murry-rodley, Mid-south Pride leaders;
h Determination: Phillis Lewis, founder and CEO, Love Doesn’t Hurt;
h Heritage: Madame Florence Cole Tolbert Mccleave, barrier-breaking opera singer and educator;
h Initiative: Ellen Rolfes, philanthropy strategist and innovator;
h Steadfastness: Joy Brown Wiener, concert violinist, teacher, 40-year Memphis Symphony Orchestra concertmaster;
h Vision: Amy Moses and Sara Lynn Johnson Fultz, co-founders, MOJO Pelvic Health.
— Compiled by Daniel Ginsburg
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