Memphis physician Blakely named 2009 Young Alumnus of the Year

 

Memphis physician Johnetta Blakely has been named Lipscomb University’s 2009 Young Alumnus of the Year by the university’s National Alumni Association. Blakely will be recognized during Lipscomb’s commencement on Dec. 19.

 

Blakely is a medical oncologist and one of the leading clinical researchers at The West Clinic, a world-class center of excellence for oncology, hematology, radiology and other advanced medical care based in Memphis, Tenn., with locations in West Tennessee and North Mississippi.

 

“Johnetta Blakely exemplifies the Christian leader that we hold up to our students. Her dedication to service and to excellence is evident in all she does and is refreshing to all of those around her. We are so proud to claim her as one of our alums,” said Mark Meador, senior director of alumni and parent relations.

 

Blakely said being named Young Alumnus of the Year is a special honor.

 

“I was so surprised and honored when I learned that I had been selected Lipscomb University's Young Alumna of the Year,” Blakely said. “Lipscomb University is an extraordinary academic center with an outstanding faculty and tradition of educational excellence. My experience there laid the framework for my journey to become a researcher and medical oncologist.”

 

The Young Alumnus of the Year Award is designed to recognize established and future leaders among Lipscomb’s young alumni. Standards for recognition include one or more of the following:

 

Blakely came to Lipscomb because of an organic chemistry class she hoped to take during summer school.

 

“I went to Lipscomb just to transfer some credits,” said Blakely. “When I got here… I actually liked the class. I asked my parents if I could transfer to Lipscomb permanently. I knew that if I studied at Lipscomb, I had a great shot at getting into a top medical school, and that was my goal.”

 

After graduating from Lipscomb, Blakely attended medical school at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. She said she was attracted to working with cancer patients after she had an opportunity to volunteer to work with them at Vanderbilt Medical Center one summer.

 

As a fourth-year medical student, Blakely worked with Dr. Lee Schwartzberg, board certified in hematology and oncology. Schwartzberg joined The West Clinic in 1987 because he could combine care and compassion for his patients with cutting-edge research. When Blakely finished her residency at the University of Texas at Houston, she contacted Schwartzberg and discovered there was an opening at the clinic that she could fill.

 

Today, Blakely has developed a practice working with adult sarcoma patients and is a part of the Memphis Area Sarcoma Society and is also part of the Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network in which she assists other researchers across the nation in developing and executing clinical trials.

 

Blakely lives in Memphis with her husband, Dr. Martin Blakely, a pediatric surgeon at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. They have two daughters, ages six and eight.