Tennessee Oncology Celebrates 50 Years of Innovative Cancer Treatment

For 50 years, Tennessee Oncology has operated under a simple truth: Caring for people with cancer is a privilege. Through community-based cancer care, cutting-edge therapy and clinical trials, the organization provides patients with the intentional and individualized care they deserve.

TO celebrated this legacy — and its golden anniversary — during a glamorous black-tie gala at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The evening united colleagues and their supporters to reflect on 50 years of progress and what’s to come. 

Guests mingled in the lobby, sipped wine and admired a photo display highlighting the organization’s history. Covers of classic hits, from “What a Wonderful World” to “My Girl,” greeted revelers as they entered the Laura Turner Concert Hall for dinner. 

Natalie Dickson, president and CEO of TO, captured guests’ attention and provided a graceful welcome. “Tennessee Oncology has been shaped by generations of physicians willing to ask one simple question — ‘What should we do next for our patients?’ — and then having the courage to do it,” she said. 

She also thanked the spouses and partners in the room, noting that a 50-year story like TO’s is never built by physicians alone. It’s also shaped by families who support demanding careers, late-night calls, missed dinners and the tremendous responsibility of caring for people with cancer. 

Natalie then welcomed Dr. Tony Greco, Dr. Jeff Patton, Dr. Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, Dr. Ted Arrowsmith and Dr. John Boskind for an engaging panel exploring 50 years of progress and innovation in community-based cancer care. 

Tony, one of TO’s founders, spoke to the organization’s early years and its process for providing patients with clinical research. “I’m happy to say, in the 50 years I’ve been in Nashville, most of that has been in Tennessee Oncology,” he said. “Now we’re moving on [and] continuing to try to develop even better therapy for patients.” 

After an engrossing conversation and a Champagne toast, Natalie shifted the evening’s rhythm with two words: “Let’s dance.”