Briefs

Seacrest Studios opens at Le Bonheur

Le Bonheur recently welcomed Ryan Seacrest to open the doors of the state-of-the-art Seacrest Studios at Le Bonheur Children’s and host the first live show for patients and families. Seacrest Studios provides patients and families with opportunities for engagement, exploration, entertainment and education in an effort to aid in the healing process. Seacrest Studios are broadcast media centers located inside select children’s hospitals, allowing patients to explore a new world of radio, television and new media while showing them a new realm of possibilities and potential careers.

Sumpter named chief of Pediatric Endocrinology

Kathryn Sumpter, MD, was recently named chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). In this role, Sumpter will provide leadership for the division, advancing the care provided for endocrinology patients. She also leads two programs for children with suboptimally managed diabetes — Fresh Start, which cares for children and families with the highest risk of diabetes-related complications, and Be Empowered Grow Intentionally Now (BEGIN), which aims to improve diabetes management through community-based interventions. 

Heart Institute named HCMA Center of Excellence

Le Bonheur’s Heart Institute was recently named a Recognized Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA). To qualify as an HCMA Recognized Center of Excellence, a program must provide high-quality care to patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in accordance with guidelines and be dedicated to treatment and research in the area of HCM.

Towbin named to Stanford’s global list of top 2% of scientists

Jeffrey A. Towbin, MD, MS, Le Bonheur Heart Institute co-director, was recognized by a Stanford University study as one of the top 2% of scientists cited in his field. To be included on the list, Stanford developed a score that focused on the number of times other authors cited Towbin’s work, rather than the total number of publications he has published, showing the impact of his research among other cardiologists and medical professionals.

Boston inducted into the Society of University Surgeons

Le Bonheur Cardiovascular Surgeon Umar Boston, MD, was inducted into the Society of University Surgeons (SUS). The SUS promotes excellence and leadership in academic surgery. Membership is given to surgeons well established in their profession with demonstrated scholarly or creative ability that positively impacts their field.

Le Bonheur joins BPD Collaborative

Le Bonheur was recently named the 35th member of the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Collaborative. The BPD Collaborative serves as a catalyst for the life-long outcomes of babies who develop severe BPD by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the identification and treatment of these highly vulnerable patients. Centers in the collaboration share data, develop and implement quality improvement initiatives and foster research protocols.

Cohen receives Alumni Achievement Award from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

Le Bonheur Radiologist-in-Chief Harris L. Cohen, MD, FACR, recently received the Alumni Achievement Award at the 140th Annual Alumni Association Reunion of the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. He received the award for significant medical contributions to the welfare of the medical profession and humanity. Cohen also serves as executive chair of Radiology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and was a Tennessee Radiology Society Councilor for the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) May 2023 Annual Meeting. He is editor-in-chief of the ACR’s Continuous Professional Improvement (CPI) education series, which has released 74 modules during his 13-year tenure.

Arnold and McCullers named clinical ambassadors for CHA

Le Bonheur and University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Division Chief of Infectious Diseases Sandra Arnold, MD, and UTHSC Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Jon McCullers, MD, were named national clinical ambassadors for the Children’s Hospital Association and American Hospital Association’s COVID-19 vaccine confidence partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This partnership will focus specifically on pediatric vaccination through education of the hospital field, clinicians and members of the public.

Le Bonheur’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program receives NAEC reaccreditation

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) recently reaccredited Le Bonheur’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program as a Level 4 epilepsy center. This is the highest level that can be awarded to an epilepsy center and designates a center that provides more complex forms of intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring, as well as more extensive medical, neuropsychological and psychosocial treatment.

Nelson joins Le Bonheur as director of Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, CVICU

Le Bonheur’s Heart Institute recently welcomed David P. Nelson, MD, PhD, as director of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Program and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). Nelson comes to Le Bonheur from Kentucky Children’s Hospital where he was director of Cardiac Intensive Care and co-director of the University of Kentucky Congenital Heart Program. Nelson completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Washington. He completed fellowships in Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Critical Care at Harvard University, Boston Children’s Hospital. He is a member of the American Heart Association, Society of Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society.

Klimo and Evans named as leadership of Craniofacial and Cleft Program

Le Bonheur Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery Paul Klimo, MD, MH, was named director and Le Bonheur Plastic Surgeon Robin Evans, MD, FACS, FRCSC, was named co-director of the Craniofacial and Cleft Program at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Their leadership of the multidisciplinary Craniofacial and Cleft Program focuses on coordinated and integrated care, fostering improved outcomes and providing enhanced quality of life and better support for patients and their families. The Craniofacial and Cleft Program at Le Bonheur brings together a multidisciplinary team of skilled and experienced professionals to offer a comprehensive and specialized approach to the care of children with craniofacial differences.

Bissler, Finkel named MBJ Health Care Heroes Finalists

Le Bonheur Chief of Pediatric Nephrology John Bissler, MD, recently won the 2023 Health Care Hero Award in the Health Care Innovations Category from the Memphis Business Journal. Vice Department Chair of Clinical Affairs Terri Finkel, MD, PhD, was also named a finalist in this category.

Bissler is also director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Center of Excellence at Le Bonheur and a professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. In his years at Le Bonheur, Bissler has pioneered treatments and research for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) to provide better care for his patients. Most recently, he developed a surgery designed to remove kidney cysts for TSC patients and keep cysts from returning. Finkel is also associate chair and professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Most recently, Finkel has been involved in the launch of All Kids Academy at Le Bonheur — an innovative program that delivers specialized schooling to hospitalized children.

Waller named new chief medical officer

B. Rush Waller, MD, Le Bonheur pediatric cardiologist and medical director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease, is the new chief medical officer at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. He replaces Barry Gilmore, MD, who retired in June. Waller joined Le Bonheur in 1999 as the first pediatric interventional cardiologist in Memphis and led the pediatric cardiac catheterization lab as it developed as a highly regarded program. He was also the first cardiologist in Memphis certified in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) and started the nationally accredited ACHD program in Le Bonheur’s Heart Institute.