A Conservative Republican for County Commissioner

About Richard Briggs

Richard Briggs wants to serve you as Knox County Commissioner. He is prepared for public service with extensive and well-rounded leadership experience, both as a military leader and as a heart surgeon.

Dr. Briggs and his wife Stephanie have resided in the Riversound subdivision of West Knoxville since 1992.

Richard Briggs has an extensive government and military background of senior staff and leadership positions, including:

• Served as a combat veteran of Desert Storm (1991), Afghanistan (2004), and Iraq (2005-6).
• Received the Bronze Star in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm and many other military awards and decorations.
• Commanded a U.S. Army Combat Support Hospital and served on the general staff of large Army medical units.
• Treated several foreign heads of state.
• Negotiated reciprocal sharing of health facilities with foreign governments

Richard Briggs has practiced cardiothoracic surgery for more than 20 years. He has established himself as a community leader in the following capacities:

• Serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Mary's Health System.
• Is President-Elect of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine
• Has worked with our legislators in Nashville on health care issues, including malpractice reform and TennCare.
• Is active in our local medical community, especially in advocating for health care for the working uninsured.
• Is in the current 2007-2008 class of Leadership Knoxville, an organization dedicated to developing community leaders into servant leaders.

Richard Briggs has a long and extensive educational background including:

• Graduated from a French High School in 1971. He speaks fluent French
• Received his B.S. from Transylvania College, Lexington, KY in 1974
• Graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1978
• Completed his General and Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX in 1985
• Worked with Dr William DeVries and Dr. Robert Jarvik on the Jarvik Artificial Heart Transplantation Project, Louisville, KY 1989-1992
• Has held academic appointments at major universities