• Academic Affiliation

About / Overview

Scott O. Guthrie, MD, serves as Professor of Pediatrics with UT Health Science Center College of Medicine-Chattanooga and as Erlanger Director of Neonatal Quality, Research, and Outreach. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and biology from Lipscomb University, followed by his medical degree from East Tennessee State University College of Medicine. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Cincinnati. He completed his pediatrics residency at the Children's Hospital at Erlanger and his neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Guthrie is board-certified in general pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics. Prior to joining the team at Erlanger, he spent 20 years with Vanderbilt. Based at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, he also worked in Level 2, 3, and 4 NICUs throughout the hospital's network.

Dr. Guthrie's research centers on bettering outcomes for preterm infants, with key studies in minimally invasive surfactant therapy, probiotics to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis, delayed cord clamping, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neonatal ventilation, and sepsis prevention. He has co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and delivers lectures worldwide on various topics. As a quality improvement leader, he served as Infant Medical Director for the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care (TIPQC) and now directs statewide projects to tackle major NICU challenges. He has also hosted TIPQC's "Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby, Tennessee" podcast, sharing stories from NICU parents and insights from national experts.

A committed global health advocate, Dr. Guthrie served as a U.S. Department of State Fulbright Scholar-Specialist, traveling to Azerbaijan to strengthen their neonatal programs. He has collaborated on teaching, research, and quality projects in countries including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Ecuador, Tanzania, Jordan, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Nigeria. Highlights include partnerships with the Institute for Child Healthcare Africa and pioneering the use of supraglottic airway devices for resuscitation and surfactant delivery (SALSA) across multiple nations. He has also advised the American Academy of Pediatrics on global initiatives and has received awards for his impactful service and bedside teaching.

Beyond the hospital, Dr. Guthrie embraces Chattanooga's outdoor lifestyle with his family. An endurance enthusiast, he has tackled ultramarathons, half-distance triathlons, and CrossFit challenges. His adventures include summiting peaks like Cotopaxi, Kilimanjaro, and Rainier, and he holds a rescue diver certification.

Education / Credentials

• Fellowship - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) - Nashville, TN
• Residency - Pediatrics Children's Hospital at Erlanger – Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
• Medical School East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine - Johnson City, TN
• BA Lipscomb University - Nashville, TN

Locations

Children's Hospital at Erlanger - NICU

• 910 Blackford Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
• 423-778-5255