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Types of ResourcesLauren Favors, MD
It is my distinct honor to nominate Dr. Lauren Favors for the Harold Alper Humanitarian Award. Dr. Favors is a PGY-6 chief resident in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, where she is held in the highest regard by faculty, peers, and trainees alike. She stands out as an exceptional surgical resident whose clinical excellence is matched only by her compassion and unwavering dedication to patient care.
Dr. Favors joined our program from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, where her potential was recognized early by her mentor, Dr. Paul Brock. His words continue to capture her essence perfectly: “Of her many strengths, her interpersonal and empathetic skills are at the top…. Her Christian internal compass and sense of honesty serves to keep her grounded.” Those observations remain just as true today, six years later. Unlike many trainees who become understandably fatigued by the demands of surgical residency, Dr. Favors’s instinct to serve has never dimmed. She consistently goes above and beyond—whether ensuring cases proceed seamlessly, helping her co-residents leave in time to see their families, or staying late to teach medical students the nuances of the next day’s operative schedule.
As the associate program director for General Surgery, I have had the privilege of witnessing Dr. Favors’s growth not only as a surgeon, but also as a devoted spouse and tireless advocate for her patients. She embodies the qualities associated with Dr. Harold Alper—kindness, thoughtfulness, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.
During her six-month rotation on the pediatric surgery service, I observed firsthand her extraordinary compassion. We cared for a critically injured child who required a laparotomy and bowel resection. When he awoke in the PICU, I repeatedly found Dr. Favors at his bedside, having gathered Legos and other comforting toys from Child Life to surround him with familiar, soothing items in what must have been a frightening environment. The child’s parents were deeply moved by her consistent presence, empathy, and vigilance. They spoke often of her impact during follow-up visits, expressing gratitude for the genuine care she provided their son.
The Department of Surgery takes great pride in the surgeon—and the human being—that Dr. Lauren Favors has become. It is with the strongest and most heartfelt endorsement that we nominate her for this prestigious award.