Dr. John Thomison has joined Pathology Group of the Mid-South/Trumbull Labs LLC.

THOMISON

(Photo: Lance Murphey)

Hometown: Nashville

Education: B.A., Williams College; M.D., Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; residency in anatomic and clinical pathology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine; fellowship in cytopathology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Family: Wife, Katherine; daughter, Evie; dog, Molly

Favorite quote: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison

Activities you enjoy outside of work: Spending time with my family, especially outdoors: hiking, bicycling, running, hunting

Who has had the greatest influence on you? My father. He taught me the value and joy of hard work, getting your hands dirty and doing jobs yourself, of constantly learning new skills and hobbies.

Why did you pursue a career in medicine and specifically pathology? I grew up in a medical family, so I was exposed to different aspects of medicine from an early age. I liked that not only did the doctors I knew seemed like the most intelligent and capable people, but they were able to work helping others. It helped that my parents genuinely enjoyed their jobs as well. I was always interested in the sciences and community service, so medicine seemed a natural fit. I chose pathology because during medical school I found fascinating every clinical rotation I did. I loved the action of surgery and the thinking and deliberation of medicine, but I also liked knowing how diseases worked in addition to how to treat them. Pathology had the perfect mix of hands-on activity, thinking and problem-solving that I was looking for, by playing the important role of consultant to all other specialties as “the doctor’s doctor.”

What drew you to PGM/Trumbull Labs? I wanted to work in a place using state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose an interesting complexity of cases. PGM/Trumbull definitely provided that, with a great, supportive environment. The skills and expertise of the physicians and staff are comparable to those found in the highest-level pathology laboratories. I like the camaraderie, respect and family atmosphere exhibited among the employees at all levels. It has been a great fit, and I have been very fortunate in my job choice.

What do you most enjoy about your work? Every day I wake up excited and energized about my work for the day. Each case is like a puzzle and I have to synthesize information from a variety of sources to arrive at the correct answer. It is exhilarating having that “aha” moment, especially when it means good news for the patient.

SMITH

Craig Smith has been promoted to regional director of sales and marketing for Peabody Hotels. Smith will oversee sales, catering, conference services, marketing and public relations efforts for Peabody Hotels-branded hotels in Memphis and Little Rock, as well as the hotel group’s franchise properties in those markets.

SUMMERS

CARAWAY

Eight members of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP have been selected as 2011 Mid-South Super Lawyers by Law and Politics. The attorneys and their areas of practice are Robert E. Craddock Jr., business litigation; Robert L. Crawford, business litigation; Thomas R. Dyer, business litigation; Charles M. Key, health care; Glen G. Reid, civil litigation defense; William S. Solmson, mergers and acquisitions; Ellen B. Vergos, bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights; and Mark Vorder-Bruegge Jr., intellectual property litigation.

Jim Summers and Kirk Caraway of Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham PLLC have been selected for inclusion in Mid-South Super Lawyers for 2011.

Linda Bourgeois has been named an Agency of Excellence award winner at the 2011 Travel Leaders national meeting. The awards are presented to 24 Travel Leaders Associates franchises.

FOSTER

Connie Foster has been promoted to chief operating officer at masterIT. Foster previously served as senior vice president of finance. In her new role, Foster will oversee the functions of finance, accounting, human resources, office operations and asset management.

Memphis Goodwill Inc. has announced new board members. They are Joyce P. Lower, owner and president of Joyce Signs Inc.; deacon Bill Davis, director of the Prison Ministry; Billy Tedford, executive vice president of MC2; and Alan G. Taylor, general manager of MMI-USA Inc.