CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Vicky Gregg, a longtime leader in Tennessee health care, was inducted into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame in recognition of a career defined by innovation, governance and advocacy for population health.
Gregg began her career at Erlanger as a bedside nurse and rose to executive leadership at Humana before joining BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. There she served as chief executive officer for a decade, becoming the company’s first female CEO and one of only a few women to hold such a role in the state’s health sector at the time. Under her stewardship, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee expanded its focus beyond episodic treatment to broader prevention and population health strategies, an approach Gregg championed in the mid-1990s and which continues to inform health plan design across Tennessee.
Her tenure saw the establishment of the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation in 2003, a philanthropic vehicle created to support community health initiatives and prevention programs. The foundation remains a legacy of Gregg’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health and investing in long-term population-level outcomes.
Gregg’s influence extends into health system governance. She has been a sought-after board member for a range of public and private organizations, including the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority, known as Erlanger Health System, where she played a key role in the organization’s conversion to a 501(c)(3) structure. As a member of the inaugural Erlanger Health Board of Directors, Gregg continues to advocate for expanded access to care across Chattanooga and surrounding communities.
Her board service also reaches national companies in the diagnostics and behavioral health sectors. Gregg serves on the board of Quest Diagnostics and on boards in the behavioral health field. She also chairs the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, reflecting a broader civic engagement that connects infrastructure and public well-being.
Peers and institutional leaders highlighted Gregg’s practical leadership during the Hall of Fame induction. Erlanger leaders credited her with decisive action and steady counsel during the hospital system’s transition to a private nonprofit governance model, noting her capacity to translate strategic vision into operational change.
The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work has had lasting impact on the state’s health and health care community. Created by Belmont University and the McWhorter Society and supported by partners including the Nashville Health Care Council, the Hall of Fame recognizes pioneers and contemporary leaders whose careers serve as models for future professionals.
Gregg’s induction underscores a career that bridged clinical practice, corporate leadership and community philanthropy. Her advocacy for population-based care models, establishment of philanthropic mechanisms for health improvement, and sustained board engagement exemplify a multifaceted approach to system-level reform. As health leaders in Tennessee and beyond confront rising chronic disease burdens and disparities in access, Gregg’s contributions to governance, prevention-focused strategy and community partnership remain a reference point for policymakers and health executives.