U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier received the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award during an Oct. 29 ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
Presented annually by the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, the award is the highest honor a federal judge can receive. It recognizes outstanding contributions to the administration of justice, the rule of law and society.
Chief Justice John Roberts presided over the ceremony, praising Collier’s integrity, service and devotion to the rule of law. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who chaired the award selection committee, also delivered remarks. Several current and former Supreme Court justices attended.
“Judge Collier’s faithful service represents the very best of the judiciary,” said Chief U.S. District Judge Travis McDonough, who congratulated Collier on behalf of Tennessee’s federal district judges.
Appointed to the federal bench in 1995, Collier served as chief judge of the Eastern District of Tennessee from 2005 to 2012 and took senior status in 2014. A graduate of Tennessee State University and Duke University School of Law, he previously served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as an assistant U.S. attorney.
Collier is also recognized nationally for his leadership in civics education and outreach.
“To be recognized by those colleagues for doing what I have loved and been privileged to do is an honor beyond what words can express,” Collier said while accepting the award.
Habitat Chattanooga announces new hires
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has announced the addition of Gayla Randle as events and community engagement manager and Wes Wimpy as construction superintendent.
Randle, a Dallas native, brings experience in program development, community partnerships and entrepreneurship. She is the founder of The Sisterhood Collective Group, a small-business owner and a SHE Mentor at Destiny Church of Chattanooga. In her new role, she will focus on strengthening community engagement and creating opportunities to support Habitat’s mission.
Wimpy brings more than 25 years of experience managing residential and commercial construction projects. His previous positions include project manager for a large residential construction company and superintendent for a commercial general contractor.
In his new role, Wimpy will oversee Habitat’s construction teams and volunteers as they work to provide quality homes for local families.
UTC professor receives mobile healthcare award
Dr. Meagan Oslund, an occupational therapist and assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, has received the 2026 Mobile Health Clinics Innovation Award from the Mobile Healthcare Association.
The award, announced at the association’s annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri, recognizes innovative contributions to mobile healthcare programs.
Oslund helps lead UTC’s MobileMOC initiative, which provides healthcare services and education to older adults and caregivers in 10 rural Southeast Tennessee counties.
Since launching in April 2025, MobileMOC has served more than 3,100 patients through 350 clinic visits. The program has also involved 278 UTC students, who have completed more than 3,300 clinical and community service hours across multiple healthcare and related disciplines.
Oslund has also led a heart health initiative that placed blood pressure kiosks in five senior centers and expanded health education opportunities in rural communities.
Tobin joins CommonSpirit Medical Group clinic
CommonSpirit Medical Group has opened a new Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery clinic in Hixson, welcoming board-certified surgeon Dr. Chase Tobin to lead the practice.
Tobin specializes in plastic and complex reconstructive surgery, hand and wrist surgery, and wound care. His practice focuses on restoring function, promoting healing and improving patients’ quality of life through individualized treatment plans.
Tobin earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, and completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He’s certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The clinic is located at 2051 Hamill Road, Suite 210, in Hixson and is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 423-531-1564.
ArtsBuild names 2026 Arts Leadership honorees
ArtsBuild has named sculptor Isaac Duncan III and Hunter Museum of American Art Executive Director Virginia Anne Sharber as recipients of the 2026 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award.
Named for the late Ruth Holmberg, a longtime champion of Chattanooga’s arts community, the annual award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Duncan, known for his large-scale metal sculptures, has championed arts education, public art and mentorship opportunities for emerging artists. Sharber has played a leading role in expanding access to the arts, strengthening cultural institutions and promoting community engagement.