Distinguished Alumni

Major General (Retired) Stephen L. Jones dedicated over four decades to the United States Army and the medical profession. Graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1974, he earned his M.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1978. He began his military medical career at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, completing his internship, residency in Internal Medicine, and fellowship in Cardiology.

Throughout his distinguished career, General Jones held pivotal leadership positions. As Commanding General of the Army Medical Department Center and School from 2013 to 2016, he shaped medical training and education for Army healthcare professionals. Concurrently, he served as Chief of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, overseeing the professional development of Army physicians.

Ellen Ann Hutcheson Price, MD FACP, ‘78, is an Associate Professor Emerita of Medical Education and Administration with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. Price’s relationship with, and contributions to, Vanderbilt and VUSM span more than 50 remarkable years.

A Nashville native, Dr. Price graduated from Hillsboro High School and completed her B.S. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University in just three years, graduating Magna Cum Laude, earning an induction into Phi Beta Kappa, and receiving the Chemistry Department’s Award of Achievement.

As a member of the women’s tennis team, Price was a national standout in both singles and doubles. She was the three-time Tennessee State Collegiate singles champion, the winner of the Southern Championship in 1976, and she made round 16 of the National Women’s Tennis Tournament in 1970 and 1971. She has been inducted into the Hillsboro High School Athletics Hall of Fame, the Metro Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame, the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame.

Dr. Price entered medical school in 1974. One of only 13 women in her class at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Dr. Price was the top graduate, earning the Vanderbilt Founder's Medal. She was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and her class secretary. She also received the Upjohn Award and the Janet M. Glasgow of Achievement.

After completing her residency in Internal Medicine at VUMC, including an internship at Johns Hopkins and a year as chief resident at St. Thomas, Dr. Price served as an assistant professor of clinical medicine and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Primary Care Development at VUSM. Dr. Price was the Chief medical Officer of St. Thomas Health Services, as well as the Associate Chief Physician and Medical Director. She returned to Vandy when she became the Executive Director for Medical Alumni Affairs. During her time with VMAA, Dr. Price established the Neblett Society, served as the course director for reunion continuing medical education, and created the e-host program to support Vanderbilt medical students during their match cycles.

Dr. Price also provided consultation to VUSM Shade Tree Clinic student leaders and worked with Eskind Biomedical Library staff to develop and maintain a digital library for medical alumni.

John “Tarp” L. Tarpley, MD ‘70, FWACS, FACS is a Professor Emeritus of Surgery with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and an affiliated faculty member with the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. Deeply committed to the training of future physicians, Dr. Tarpley has worked to innovate medical education at Vanderbilt for over thirty years, serving in roles such as Master Clinical Teacher and Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program.

A double ‘dore, Dr. Tarpley completed both his bachelor of arts in chemistry in 1966 and his doctor of medicine degree in 1970 at Vanderbilt University, receiving the Lange Medical Award and Albert Weinstein Prize in Medicine during his time. He would go on to complete his surgery residency at Johns Hopkins University before serving as faculty member in their Department of Surgery for 14 years.

Alongside medical education, two of Dr. Tarp’s greatest passions are veteran care and global health. Upon returning to Nashville in 1993, Dr. Tarp served not only the Vanderbilt community, but also the patients at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VATVHS) until his retirement in 2016. During his time at VATVHS, he acted as chief of general surgery, associate chief of surgical service, and the site director of the general surgery residency, for which he received numerous awards for his exceptional service. 

Between his time with Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt, Dr. Tarpley moved to Ibadan, Nigeria, where he acted an associate lecturer for over a decade and continued to visit each year until his retirement. Upon retiring from Vanderbilt in 2016, Dr. Tarpley and his wife returned to Africa where he acted as a visiting surgeon and Professor of Surgery at universities across east and south Africa. He currently acts as the Academic Dean of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. 

Beyond the accolades, what truly defines Dr. Tarpley is his unwavering kindness and optimism. Known for his ever-present smile, keen sense of humor, and ability to see the good in everyone, Dr. Tarpley is beloved by his colleagues and students. He views his role not just as a teacher or mentor but as an “encourager,” always focused on building up others and helping them see their own potential.