2015 Outstanding Alumnus Award Winner
Growing up in Norris, Tennessee, Jim Dale dreamed of becoming a fireman until age 16, when he took a job as an orderly at a hospital in Lake City (now named Rocky Top).
The 40-bed hospital was run by John Burrell, MD ’60, and Curtis Sexton, MD ′62. While Burrell and Sexton were supportive of Dale’s career goals, he credits two of the hospital’s senior nurses for providing him with his true inspiration. “They had seen it all and taught me a tremendous amount about people, health, disease and compassionate care,” Dale explained.
Dale received his bachelor’s in zoology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1973. Following graduation, he served as senior research technician at UT Hospital and Research Center in Knoxville before graduating from the College of Medicine.
Dale calls his time as a research technician the most meaningful detour of his career. “I loved it. To complete some projects and papers, I deferred medical school for six months. This initial experience set the stage for a lifelong interest in medical research,” he said.
Following an internship at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, a residency at City of Memphis Hospitals and the VA Medical Center, and a fellowship in infectious diseases and immunology at the VA, Dale’s path was clearly set. For more than 30 years, he has been firmly planted in the division of infectious diseases and immunology at UT College of Medicine and has served as division chief since 1989.
Dale’s research in group A strep and the prevention of rheumatic fever is renowned. He is on the journal review for seven medical publications focused on immunology, infectious disease, clinical investigation, pediatric oncology, rheumatology and immunopathology. He has a bibliography of more than 100 publications and is a member of several medical societies. He also is well-respected among his students.
A former rock ‘n’ roller, Dale loves to listen to the music of Eric Clapton and John Mayer as he cruises down the highway to spend time at Pickwick Lake or any place near water and boating. His dream trip is to The Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Even among his professional achievements and accolades, Dale says his proudest accomplishment is “as a father, seeing my son Peter develop into the finest, most caring and thoughtful young man I know.”
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