June 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A longtime local physician will be ending his practice in DeKalb County soon to become a medical director at Erlanger in Chattanooga.
Dr. Steven Cooper, a member of the team at the Family Medical Center, will be taking on the new position next month. His last day here is June 30.
Dr. Cooper received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
“I wanted to thank the citizens of DeKalb County for the last nineteen years of entrusting me with the honor of serving as one of your physicians. I have truly enjoyed my tenure in Smithville and will miss each of my patients dearly. I am leaving my practice at the Family Medical Center at the end of June to begin a new chapter in my life. I am accepting a position as a medical director at Erlanger in Chattanooga. Please know that you are welcome to stay within our practice, if you so desire. You may choose another physician (Hugh Cripps, MD; Doug Hooper, MD; Jack Rhody, MD; Will Sherwood, MD; or Kevin Rhody, MD) or nurse practitioner (Natalie Gilley, APN; Andria Keith, APN; or Brenda Tramel, APN). Thank you again for your patronage, and I wish each of you the very best,” said Dr. Cooper.