Edge Magazine, in partnership with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, has announced the winners of the 2017 Champions of Health Care awards. The awards celebrate innovation, service, education and leadership in health care. More than 150 nominations were received from the public for providers, administrators and volunteers who make health care better in our community.

This year's winners are:

Lifetime achievement: Robert Bowers, MD, Volunteers in Medicine Medical Director, founder and past president of the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, CHCMS member

Community physician: Jimmy Davis, MD, former supervising physician CHI Memorial Community Health Clinics, CHCMS member

Academic physician: Lisa Smith, MD, FACS, pediatric surgeon, University Surgical Associates, Children's Hospital at Erlanger, CHCMS member

Non-physican practitioner: Debbie Ingram, PT, Ed.D., FAPTA, Director of Clinical Education and Department Head Physical Therapy Program, UTC

Administrative excellence: Sondra McGinnis, RN, MBA, MHS, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Erlanger Health System, Erlanger Medical Group

Volunteers: Rich and Kathy Kramer, CHI Memorial Volunteers

Community outreach: A Step Head

Innovation: Becky Barnes, Administrator of Health Services, Hamilton County Health Department

The winners will be honored at a celebration luncheon Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Chattanoogan Hotel. Tickets are available at: www.championschatt.com