Physicians Support Public Health Through Purpose-Filled Programs
The Medical Society was founded in 1883 to promote sound medical practice and improve community health. In 1986, the Medical Foundation was created to expand that mission and provide a platform for physicians’ charitable endeavors. Today, these organizations, and their 1,300 member physicians, work to improve community health through programs that promote collaboration, provide access to care, encourage students to consider healthcare careers, and support physicians experiencing stress and burnout.
Future Docs
Founded in 2006 by Dr. Mark Brzezienski during his term as president of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Future Docs program provides students with a realistic, behind-the-scenes look at careers in medicine. The program was designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals by giving them hands-on exposure to the daily work of physicians and healthcare teams. Beginning in 2026, the Society is combining its high school and college components into a single, two-week summer program, offering a more comprehensive experience for students exploring medical careers.
“The Future Docs program embodies the mission of the Medical Society: to promote ‘the continual improvement of community health,’” says Dr. Richard Moody, current chair of the Society’s education committee. “We want to encourage young people of all backgrounds in our area to make informed decisions about their future and eventually return to practice here – so our community benefits. By connecting with youth seeking to learn about medical careers we can give them a vision of their future in the field.”
Each summer, students have the opportunity to shadow physicians across a variety of specialties, attend lectures, and participate in discussions with local healthcare leaders, gaining insight into the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine today.
“We are actively working on ways to give students a better picture of what the actual practice of medicine looks and feels like. Some of those ways are offering shadowing opportunities, presentations on various medical subjects, and most importantly, sparking connections with community physicians, residents, and medical students,” shares Dr. Moody.
Since its founding, the program has engaged more than 550 students from approximately 70 different schools and universities, many of whom have gone on to attend medical school and establish careers in the health professions, continuing the program’s legacy of fostering the physicians of tomorrow.
“Future Docs was my first opportunity to see what physicians do on a day-to-day basis. The surgeries I observed were fascinating, but what stands out in my mind was the kindness, care, and empathy the physicians showed their patients. Now, as a resident physician specializing in pediatrics, my relationships with my patients and their families are what sustain me through difficult days.”
“The Future Docs program has allowed me to explore a wide range of specialties and understand the inner workings of a hospital, all while fostering a sense of curiosity and excitement. I now feel more prepared for medical school, and I am eager to pursue a career in the field!”
Project Access: Turning Hope Into Health
For people in Southeast Tennessee who fall ill, have no access to health insurance, and no place to turn for treatment, Project Access can provide a second chance at life. Project Access serves low-income, uninsured adults who do not qualify for private health insurance or government-funded programs such as TennCare or Medicare and have no other means to access specialty care. For many, it is the only path to receive life-saving surgeries, diagnostic testing, and time-sensitive medical care. The program ensures that medical conditions are addressed before they become emergencies – improving health outcomes while reducing strain on hospital emergency departments.
Since its inception in 2004, Project Access has coordinated more than $241 million in donated healthcare to uninsured residents across Southeast Tennessee. The program connects individuals in need with a network of volunteer physicians, hospital systems, and community clinics that refer patients for donated, coordinated medical care.
Recognizing that many patients face challenges beyond medical care, Project Access launched an emergency food box initiative in May 2025 in partnership with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. More than 41% of patients reported experiencing food insecurity, and between May and October 2025, the program distributed 187 boxes, serving 370 adults and 181 children.
“No one should have to choose between food and medicine,” according to Rae Young Bond, Society and Foundation CEO.
Project Access by the Numbers
$241M
in donated healthcare services coordinated since 2004
1,175
volunteer physicians providing care
4
hospital partnerships: CHI Memorial, Erlanger, Parkridge, and Bradley Medical Center
38
community clinics referring patients
27,600+
individuals in Southeast Tennessee have received care or have been directed to services
5,514
individuals assisted in 2024-2025
500
patients on average enrolled each month
32
counties served, including 23 in Tennessee
LifeBridge Physician Wellness Program
The LifeBridge Physician Wellness Program was established in 2018 by the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga to provide confidential, accessible mental health and wellness support for physicians, residents, and medical students in the Chattanooga area. Program participants can receive up to six free and confidential counseling sessions with licensed counselors who specialize in working with healthcare professionals. Since its launch, LifeBridge has provided hundreds of counseling sessions and become a trusted resource for local physicians seeking balance, resilience, and renewed purpose in their profession.
