Health Department Commissioners

Current TDH Commissioner

Ralph Alvarado

Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP

Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP became the 15th Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health on January 17, 2023.

1923 to 1924

Dr. Charles B. Crittenden, M.D.

Dr. Charles B. Crittenden, M.D.

1924  to 1935

Eugene Lindsay Bishop

Eugene Lindsay Bishop, MD, CPH​

1935  to 1943

Wilson Carter Williams

Wilson Carter Williams, MD, CPH, MPH

1943  to 1969

Robert H. Hutchinson

Robert H. Hutchinson, MD, MPH

1969  to 1983

Eugene W. Fowinkle

Eugene W. Fowinkle, MD, MPH

1984  to 1988

James E. Word

James E. Word, BS, MPH

1988 to 1991​

J. W. Luna

J. W. Luna, JD

1991 to 1995​

H. Russell White

H. Russell White

1995 to 1997; 1999 to 2003

Fredia S. Wadley

Fredia S. Wadley, MD, MSHPA

1997 to 1999

Nancy Menke

Nancy Menke

2003 to 2007​​

Kenneth S. Robinson

Kenneth S. Robinson, MD

2007 to 2011​​

Susan R. Cooper

Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN

2011 to 2018​

John J. Dreyzehner

John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, FACOEM

2019 to 2022​

Lisa Piercey

Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP