clinic VOLUNTEER leadership
Mitchell L. Mutter, MD
VIM Medical Director
Dr. Mitchell Mutter is widely recognized by colleagues and friends as an exceptional physician, mentor, teacher, leader, and humanitarian. He began his academic journey at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on a football scholarship, graduating in 1968, before earning his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in 1972.
Following graduation, Dr. Mutter served as a general medical officer in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Andrew Radar Clinic until 1976. He completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Walter Reed, earning double board certification in internal medicine and cardiology. He later served as Chief of Cardiology at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, leaving active military service with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Returning to Knoxville in 1982, Dr. Mutter began private cardiology practice and served as an associate professor of medicine at the UT Health Science Center. In 1992, he moved to Chattanooga, where he served as Chief of Staff at Erlanger Hospital from 2004 to 2007. Since 2012, he has served as Medical Director of Special Projects for the Tennessee Department of Health and has led the state’s pain management task force.
Dr. Mutter is also the founder of the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti, which operates in both Chattanooga and Haiti. His leadership roles include president of the Tennessee Heart Association, the Hamilton County Medical Society, the Hamilton County Medical Foundation, and the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. Over his career, he has contributed as a principal, co-, or sub-investigator on more than 25 cardiology research studies.
His numerous honors include the 2007 Outstanding Physician award from the Tennessee Medical Association, the Medical Staff Meritorious Service Award from the Tennessee Hospital Association, the 2010 “Angel for Children” award from Bethany Christian Services, the 2012 Distinguished Physicians Award from the Erlanger Baroness Foundation, and the 2022 Champions of Healthcare Lifetime Achievement Award.
