Oak Ridge Today

Gene Caldwell—retired pediatrician, former state representative—dies at 84

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Photo courtesy Amanda Caldwell

Photo courtesy Amanda Caldwell

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10:40 a.m.

Dr. Gene Caldwell, a retired pediatrician and former Tennessee state representative, died Saturday, March 4. He was 84.

Caldwell, a beloved pediatrician who often said he was the luckiest guy in the world, died at NHC of Oak Ridge from congestive heart failure, according to his obituary. He would have turned 85 in 10 days.

Caldwell, a Democrat, served three terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 33rd District from 1996 to 2002.

“Gene Caldwell was a great public servant and did much for our community,” said Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican. “He will be missed, but his contributions will live on.”

The district lines have changed a bit since then, but at the time, the 33rd District included part of Anderson County, including Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Norris, said Jim Hackworth, who is also a former state representative in District 33. Caldwell preceded Hackworth.

“He was a good friend and will be sorely missed,” said Hackworth, who served the district for eight years.

Caldwell and his family had moved to Oak Ridge in 1966, when he began his practice with the Children’s Clinic of Oak Ridge. He retired in 1994 after 27 years. [Read more…]

Children’s Clinic to donate helmets at Velo Classic bike race, wellness fest

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Oak Ridge Velo Classic

Professional and top amateur males race in a previous Oak Ridge Velo Classic. (Photo submitted by Lou Rabinowitz)

The Children’s Clinic of Oak Ridge is donating more than 20 children’s bicycle helmets to be distributed at the seventh annual UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic Bicycle Racing Event and Wellness event this weekend.

The Wellness event is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at the Horizon Center. It will feature a “Kids Bike Rodeo” that will emphasize safe bicycle handling and skills games for children age nine and under, a press release said. Helmets donated by the Children’s Clinic will be distributed to children who need one at no charge.

In addition, Roane State Community College is giving away a limited number of T-shirts to Kids Rodeo participants, and all children who participate and stay to watch the Pro/1/2/3 criterium race beginning at 1:30 p.m. will be entered to win one of two $50 gift cards donated by R&R Properties.

The Kids Rodeo is a “drop in” event. Parents can bring children anytime between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.. A short “Kids Race” will take place on part of the criterium race course at Horizon Center immediately following the Kids Rodeo. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take pictures of children posing on the podium with Velo Classic competitors including 2014 Tennessee State Road Race Champions and 1996 Olympic Bicyclist Kent Bostic. [Read more…]

Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

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Tanya Vargas

Tanya Vargas

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president. [Read more…]