Briefs

Bissler shares TSC expertise with specialists, families across Italy

Le Bonheur Chief of Pediatric Nephrology and Director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Center of Excellence John Bissler, MD, recently spent time in Italy sharing his expertise on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with specialists, patients and families through the Italian Tuberous Sclerosis Association (Associazione Sclerosi Tuberosa). Lecturing in Rome, Naples, Milan, Bologna and Pisa, Bissler addressed kidney manifestations in TSC, introduced new guidelines for treatment and connected with researchers and health care providers across Italy.

Rezaie receives MEG research grant from the UCI

Le Bonheur Director of the Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Laboratory Roozbeh Rezaie, PhD, recently received a $25,000 grant from the Urban Child Institute (UCI) to conduct a study of the brain using MEG to observe the role of dichotic listening and academic challenges in children. Rezaie received this grant in collaboration with the University of Memphis School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. This research study will provide a unique opportunity to further explore the theory that brain activation patterns differ in children with dichotic deficits and how to treat children at risk for lower academic success. This pilot program is significant in Memphis, where the prevalence of severe dichotic deficits in schoolchildren is high at 27% of children in both age groups from 7 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years.

Le Bonheur experts named to the 2024 Castle Connolly Top Asian American and Pacific Islander Doctors

Le Bonheur’s Top Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Doctors for 2024 are Neonatologist Ramasubbareddy Dhanireddy, MD, Palliative Care Physician Arshia Madni, MD, and Pediatric Cardiologist Nithya Swaminathan, MD. This distinction honors physicians in the top 7% of doctors nationwide after a nomination by their peers and evaluation by the Castle Connolly research team. The curated list of Top AAPI Doctors aims to help patients find physicians with shared backgrounds and experiences, as well as the expertise to address their individual needs.

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program receives NAEC accreditation

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute recently received a two-year accreditation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a level 4 epilepsy center. Le Bonheur has been accredited for maintaining high standards and providing high-quality care to children with epilepsy.

Bagga receives Pediatric Educator Award from SSPR

Bindiya Bagga, MD, pediatric residency director and pediatric infectious disease specialist, received the Pediatric Educator Award from the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR). This award is given annually to a member of SSPR who is an outstanding educator in pediatric medicine, contributes to the development and administration of pediatric curricula and is recognized as a role model in pediatric education.

Le Bonheur experts named to the 2024 Castle Connolly Top Black Doctors

Le Bonheur’s Castle Connolly Top Black Doctors for 2024 are Genetics Division Chief Chester Brown, MD, PhD, Pediatric Hospitalist Desiree Burroughs-Ray, MD, Medical Chief of Community Health and Regional Services Cynthia Cross, MD, and Child Neurologist and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Specialist Tanjala Gipson, MD. The curated list of Top Black Doctors aims to help patients find physicians with shared backgrounds and experiences, as well as the expertise to address their individual needs.

Chokshi joins Memphis Child Advocacy Center

Board of Directors Le Bonheur Hospitalist Swati Chokshi, MD, was named to the Memphis Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Board of Directors. Chokshi will work with CAC to serve children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education and intervention.

Finkel named to the Board of Directors at Urban Child Institute

Le Bonheur Chief of Rheumatology and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs Terri Finkel, MD, PhD, was recently named to the Board of Directors at the Urban Child Institute (UCI). In this role, Finkel will work to provide vision, expertise and guidance for UCI’s mission to promote the education, health and well-being of children in Shelby County.

Heart Transplant Program receives Vanguard Center Award

Le Bonheur Heart Institute’s Heart Transplant Program recently received the 2023 Vanguard Center of Excellence Award from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) for the second consecutive year. This award was established to recognize the dedication and commitment of all the team members at a participating PHTS Center that ultimately contribute to a Center’s success. The award also recognizes individual Centers for their outstanding contribution to the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Registry.

Le Bonheur EEG lab receives ABRET LAB-EEG accreditation

The EEG Laboratory Accreditation Board of ABRET (LAB-EEG) recently granted Le Bonheur’s EEG laboratory a five-year accreditation renewal for a third time. LAB-EEG grants accreditations to EEG labs meeting technical standards and demonstrating quality output. Le Bonheur’s EEG lab is the only lab in Tennessee to acquire this accreditation.

Towbin receives Pioneer Award, Founders Award

Le Bonheur Executive Co-director of the Heart Institute and Chief of Pediatric Cardiology Jeffrey A. Towbin, MD, MS, recently received multiple awards for his achievements in the field of pediatric cardiology. He received the Pioneer Award from the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) at their 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. The HFSA Pioneer Award is given to an innovator and pioneer in the field of heart failure. He also received the Helen B. Taussig Founders Award at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition. The Founders Award (named after the “founders” of the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery) recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.

Sumpter named Memphis chapter board chair for JDRF

Kathryn Sumpter, MD, division chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was recently named board chair for the Memphis chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for the 2024 fiscal year. JDRF’s mission is to accelerate prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes and its complications. In her role, Sumpter will lead advocacy and community engagements for the Memphis chapter. education and intervention.