Meet the Ombuds at University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Over the past two years, Joan R. Rentsch and Melody Cunningham have established an Ombuds program for Tennessee's flagship research university. Rentsch provides services to the Gradaute School of Medicine, which includes faculty, fellows, and residents affiliated with the medical and dental school. Cunningham serves as the Ombuds for the school of medicine students. (UTMCK GSM Ombuds.)

Rentsch is also a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee where she has served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Management. Her expertise is in the psychological processes of organizations, teams, cognition, communication, and mindfulness. She graduated from the Ohio State University and earned an MA and PhD from the University of Maryland. (UTK Bio.) 

Cunningham has been a Professor in Pediatrics since 2008 and is also the Director of the Pailliative Medicine Service at the affiliated Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and previously worked at Harvard Medical School. She graduated from Wellesley College and earned her MD at the University of Massachusetts. (UTHSC Bio.)