Alumnus Recognition: Albert Woodard Research Experience Leads to Awareness,

For Albert Woodard, Award is ‘Recognition of Lifelong Work’

by Chuck Wasserstrom

Albert Woodard is no stranger to being honored by his alma mater.

Woodard, a 1974 UTC graduate with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, has spent his professional career devoted to expanding the use of technology in healthcare and public health.

The Chattanooga native was named the Outstanding Young Alumnus of the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science in 1982, becoming the first person to achieve that honor within 10 years of graduating from the institution.

In May 2017, he provided the commencement address at the University’s undergraduate ceremony at McKenzie Arena.

In 2019, he was inducted into the Gary W. Rollins College of Business Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

The cherry on top came when Woodard received the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award at the UTC Office of Development and Alumni Affairs’ Legends and Leaders Award dinner on April 7, 2022.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest annual commendation presented to a UTC graduate. This award recognizes alumni who demonstrate extraordinary service to their alma mater, their field and their community.

“I think it’s a tribute to the lifelong work,” Woodard said. “I’m at that stage of life that you reflect back and say to yourself, ‘Did my life have meaning? Did I make a contribution?’ And I think that’s what makes this so exciting.

“This is a recognition of lifelong work, pursuit of excellence, and not being satisfied with what you’ve done—and always being challenged to do more and maintain that hunger and dedication.”

Following graduation, Woodard joined IBM—where he implemented computer systems in hospitals—before launching his own information technology firm, Business Computer Applications (BCA).

At BCA, one of the nation’s largest minority-owned software development companies, Woodard helped create the country’s first electronic medical record system and the world’s largest telemedicine system outside the U.S. Department of Defense.

After BCA’s federal health business was sold to Acentia, Inc. in 2014, Woodard and several other BCA executives spun off a newly created healthcare software operation, KaZee, Inc. Under Woodard’s leadership as chairman of the board and chief executive officer, KaZee has become a leading provider of healthcare IT products and services to the correctional healthcare industry.

Woodard, who lives in the Atlanta area, serves on the UC Foundation Board of Trustees and the CECS Advisory Board. Those obligations bring him back to UTC several times a month.

“I’ve been fortunate,” he said, “and the one thing I’m about is helping students.

“Whether that’s contributions of time or money or whatever role I have to play that will inspire young people to continue to try to pursue happiness, achieve their goals, and make life wonderful for themselves, I take those responsibilities seriously.”

Albert Woodard, right, at a December 2021 celebration of a gift from Truist in support of the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s internship program.