Dr. Worthington is originally from Eastern North Carolina where he grew up on a farm. He completed bachelor and master's degrees in North Carolina after which he worked as an Aerosystems Engineer at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas. He then taught mathematics at the University of Texas, Arlington prior to attending medical school.
He has been in medical education for more than 40 years. First in the military, then in Memphis at the College of Medicine, and now in Chattanooga as the founding Chair of the UTCOM Department of Family Medicine.
Prior to coming to Tennessee he served in the United States Air Force at Eglin AFB, Florida. He has an avid interest in aviation. In addition to holding a private pilot's license he has done medical exams for the FAA.
He enjoys music and plays trombone for his church orchestra.
He has served in many professional organizations including service as president of the Tennessee Medical Association, the Tennessee Medical Foundation, and the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians.
He has been married to his wife for 45 years and they have 3 grown children, a grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. They enjoy traveling and have been on more than 10 mission trips that has taken them all over the world.