Dr. Tamerla Chavis graduated from Lamar University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1982 and at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with her M.D. in 1987. She was named a Lamar University Distinguished Alumna in 2004. Tamerla is among the few female neurosurgeons in the country. After her residency in San Antonio, she completed a two-year fellowship in endovascular neurosurgery at the State University of Buffalo in affiliation with the New York Millard Fillmore Hospital. She moved to Chicago, where she worked as a neurosurgeon for more than four years. Tamerla opened her Beaumont practice in 2001.

She is widely published and is a frequent speaker and presenter at conferences and programs around the country. While at LU, Chavis was a cheerleader and named Homecoming Queen in 1980. She has served as a Dinner and Conversation host and commencement speaker, is a past president of the LU Alumni Advisory Board, previous trustee of the LU Foundation, serves on the LU Chemical Engineering Advisory Council, and is a member of the President's Circle. She also established the Dr. Tamerla Chavis Distinguished Alumni Presidential Scholarship at LU to assist students majoring in engineering.