423-757-0737
Board of Directors
Eric Nelson, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Chairman of the Board
Joined the Board in 2023
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Every week it seems, I see a patient with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer that would have been prevented by following screening guidelines. As a colorectal surgeon, I do my best to help them at whatever point the disease is found. But I'm passionate about helping people prevent disease and, along with healthy lifestyle choices, the best way to prevent colorectal cancer is by getting a screening colonoscopy. I'm proud to join GCCCF in providing both education and assistance in prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, maximizing the health of our community.
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Colorectal Surgeon
University Surgical Associates - Chattanooga
Marshall Horton, MD
Board President
Years on the Board: 8
After retiring from the practice of gastroenterology, I wanted to give back to the community through volunteerism. During my 30 year career, I saw so many people with colon cancer that could have been avoided or found earlier with timely screening. The GCCCF was an opportunity to spread the word “Colonoscopies Save Lives.”
Retired Gastroenterologist,
Galen GI
Helen J. Pinkerton
Madison Thomason, MS, CGC
Board Secretary
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Joined the Board in 2021
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As a cancer genetic counselor, I work with many families who have an inherited predisposition to colon cancer because of a genetic abnormality that runs in the family. My goal is to help people understand their risk for colon cancer and what they can do to lower their chances (or even prevent it altogether) through earlier and more frequent colonoscopies. We know colonoscopies save lives, and I am excited to join the GCCCF in its mission to make sure that everyone in our beloved community gets the care they need so that they can keep enjoying life.
Cancer Genetic Counselor and Coordinator of High Risk Genetics, CHI Memorial
Rees Skillern Cancer Institute
Board Vice President
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Years on the Board: 5
I am very committed to the GCCCF for giving me an opportunity to continue to serve the community by volunteering and sharing my passion of giving back to my community. I am very passionate about the organization’s mission to educate the public about how colonoscopies save lives; as well as its specific target of reaching vulnerable communities of color with this message who are at a high risk of dying from this devastating, yet preventable disease.
Retired Grants, Health Education & Site Manager
Erlanger Community Health Centers
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Board Treasurer
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Years on the Board: 8
I became interested in and later joined the GCCCF after a close family member received a terminal diagnosis from colon cancer. After her passing, multiple other family members have been impacted by colon cancer. The desire to learn as much as possible about this disease and educate the general public about the importance of screenings has become important to me. The GCCCF is helping to educate my adopted hometown of Chattanooga about the preventable and beatable disease of colon cancer.
Henderson, Hutcherson &
McCullough, PLLC
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Derek Holland, MD
Joined the Board in 2022
I am a hematologist and medical oncologist in the Chattanooga community, and have had the privilege of caring for patients with colorectal cancers for the past 16 years. I am also the son of a colon cancer survivor – my mother was diagnosed and treated for stage III colon cancer in 2008. I am excited to join the Board! Through the GCCCF, I can help raise awareness about the importance of life-saving colon cancer screening. My hope is that through education and better access to colonoscopies, fewer patients would ever have to see me in clinic!
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Tennessee Oncology
Jones Krogh, CPA, CFP
Erica Sutton, M.D., FACS
Joined the Board in 2022
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​Dr. Sutton joined Morehouse School of Medicine in September 2019 to serve as the inaugural Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Affiliations. In this role, she is responsible for the growth of academic programs to regional medical campuses such as the proposed campus in Columbus, GA and those in Chattanooga, TN, Seattle, WA and Lexington KY in partnership with CommonSpirit and the More in Common Alliance. Dr. Sutton is also president and founder of Surgery on Sunday Louisville (SOSL), a nonprofit she founded in 2013 to provide free surgery to people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Alison Sexter
Job Title
Joined the Board in 2019​
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I'm passionate about the efforts of GCCCF in part because of the people I know who have been impacted by the disease - especially my beloved grandmother who our family lost to colon cancer.
Corporate Communications Specialist, Public Affairs, BCBST
Katie Wells
Interim Executive Director​
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I work with local and regional health leaders on initiatives and programs to improve community health and advocate for policies that ensure the success of physicians and their patients. I have a passion for public service and making health care more accessible and affordable to families in our community. I am honored to work with the GCCCF Board of Directors to raise our community’s awareness about colon and rectal cancer and help provide greater access to lifesaving colon cancer screenings.
Director of Special Projects and Policy Advisor
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society & Foundation
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