When S. Bobo Tanner IV, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, welcomes a new patient to the Vanderbilt Osteoporosis Clinic, he’s often asked if Bobo is his given name.
“It is!” Tanner said. “My great-great grandfather worked in a South Carolina foundry, and the man that owned the foundry was named Simpson Bobo. He named his second son after his boss — Simpson Bobo Tanner. It’s been in my family ever since.”
The Tanners were Southern industrialists who played an instrumental role in founding the South Carolina textile industry. Tanner worked in the industry for two years after earning a bachelor’s degree in history and science at Harvard University. But medicine was his true calling.
“My father was delighted I had taken that time to really participate in the family business, but he supported me 100% in going to medical school,” Tanner said.
Tanner completed his medical degree at Wake Forest University before coming to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for his internship and residency.
Theodore (Ted) Pincus, MD, inaugural chief of Rheumatology and Immunology at VUMC, encouraged Tanner to pursue a career in rheumatology. Tanner, however, was equally intrigued by rheumatology and allergy/immunology, so he specialized in both.
Tanner remained at VUMC to complete fellowships and board certification in both specialties. He co-founded the Vanderbilt Arthritis and Joint Replacement Center in 1990, in collaboration with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. In 1994, Tanner established the Vanderbilt Osteoporosis Clinic as part of the Rheumatology Clinic. Tanner also co-founded the Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program.
He became active in the International Society for Clinical Densitometry — including serving as the society’s president — and became VUMC’s first certified bone density specialist. Today, he is joined by three nurse practitioners in the Osteoporosis Clinic.
Tanner sees patients with metabolic bone disorders, as well as others with bone density concerns such as solid organ transplant patients and individuals soon to undergo orthopaedic surgery. Imbalances in hormones and minerals in the body impact bone strength and structure, and Tanner often sees patients after they’ve had a fracture.
Because of his dedication and compassionate care for each patient, Tanner has received a 2025 Patient and Family Choice Award. Nominations are submitted by patients and families. The award honors employees from across Vanderbilt Health who act with compassion and excellence to provide an exceptional experience for patients and their families.
This year, Vanderbilt’s patient and family advisory councils bestowed awards on seven individuals from Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (two winners), Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Adult Ambulatory Clinics, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital.
“Dr. Bobo Tanner is one of the most exemplary doctors that I’ve had the privilege to encounter during my lifetime,” wrote a patient. “I first met him nine years ago and found that his listening skills were incredible. I felt both seen and heard. He ordered tests and discovered that I had a very low bone density score, which made me at high risk for fractures and broken bones should I begin to have falls.”
This individual, who had been self-injecting medication to improve bone density at home, soon fell within the donut hole, a term for a coverage gap for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D. This meant they had to pay a larger share of the medication’s cost, and they could no longer afford their medication.
When Tanner learned of this, he arranged for his patient to receive injections at the clinic so the medication would be fully covered. And when an irregular lab result was concerning, Tanner referred the patient to another provider to address this.
“He was diligent in looking at my overall health, rather than as a mere bone density test,” the patient added. “Consequently, I didn’t feel as though I was just another patient on an assembly line … I find him personable, caring, compassionate, trustworthy and kind.”
Scanning patient reviews on Tanner’s provider profile, it’s easy to see that this level of personalized care is the norm for him, with a consistent five-star rating and a long list of glowing patient reviews. Still, he was surprised to learn he’d won the award.
“I’m so grateful, but we have a team of folks who make the clinic work really well,” Tanner said. “If we can get our patients through the next five to 10 years without breaking a bone, we’re really, really happy about that. It’s the patient who shows up in clinic, sees an improvement and thanks us because we made a difference — that is my reward.”
