Briefs

10 Years in a Row!

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has been named a Best Children’s Hospital for 2020-2021 by U.S. News & World Report. This is the tenth consecutive year Le Bonheur has been included in the prestigious list with recognition in eight specialties.

The annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the U.S. in pediatric specialties. Le Bonheur was recognized in eight specialties – cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neonatology, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, orthopedics, pulmonology and urology.

“I am thrilled that for the tenth consecutive year, Le Bonheur has been recognized as a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report,” said Le Bonheur President Michael Wiggins. “This honor is a sign of our dedication to providing the best health care for children. This means that families can count on us to provide safe and effective care for all children who need us.”

Bagga appointed vice chair of Southeast Region of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors

Bindiya Bagga, MD, was appointed vice chair of the Southeast Region of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors. Bagga is the Le Bonheur site director for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s
Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship Program. She is also associate director of Le Bonheur’s Infectious Disease Program and medical co-director of Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Dormois named 2020 Ronald Bell Mentor of the Year

Larry Dormois, DDS, MS, was named the 2020 Ronald Bell Mentor of the Year by the Foundation of the College of Diplomats of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This award recognizes someone who has been instrumental in mentoring pediatric dentistry residents and new pediatric dentists. Dormois is associate professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Le Bonheur Children's Outpatient Center - Jackson named a "2019 Business of the Year"

Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center in Jackson, Tenn., was named a 2019 Business of the Year (category of 1-49 employees) at the annual celebration for the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. The celebration highlighted businesses that made an extra effort to achieve excellence through high standards, professional accomplishments and community contributions.

McCullers receives Dream Hero Award

Pediatrician-in-Chief Jon McCullers, MD, was selected as a 2020 Dream Hero Award recipient by the Legacy of Legends Community Development Corporation. The organization is dedicated to decreasing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), gang and youth violence, family violence and poverty in Memphis. He was recognized for his contributions to Legacy of Legends’ fundraising efforts and work to reduce ACEs.

Le Bonheur Pediatrics recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home

All six of Le Bonheur Pediatrics primary practice locations have been awarded the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) designation. Practices with this designation employ a model of care that puts patients at the forefront to build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams, improve quality and patient experience and increase staff satisfaction while reducing health care costs.

Neuro Symposium postponed to 2021

The Pediatric Neurology Symposium has been postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please save the date for April 30 – May 1, 2021 at The Westin Beale Street, Downtown Memphis. If you had already registered for this year’s symposium, please contact cme@mlh.org to have your registration fee refunded or moved to the 2021 date.

Researchers published in American Thoracic Society's Research News Quarterly "COVID Collection"

Le Bonheur Researcher Amali Samarasinghe, PhD, coordinated the “COVID Collection” feature in the latest issue of the American Thoracic Society’s Research News Quarterly. Samarasinghe serves as a Research Advocacy Committee member for the American Thoracic Society. The series discussed first research efforts, clinical and scientific discoveries and questions concerning COVID-19 as well as the impact of the disease on clinical research and training. Articles from Le Bonheur researchers and physicians included:

• “Encounters of the COVID Kind” by Amali Samarasinghe, PhD
• “A City’s Response to COVID-19: The Memphis Roadmap” by Jon McCullers, MD, and Terri Finkel, MD, PhD
• “Clinical Research in the Era of COVID-19” by Patricia Dubin, MD, and Nicholas Hysmith, MD
• “Chronic Lung Disease and COVID-19: A Complicating Duo?” by Amali Samarasinghe, PhD

To read the full articles, visit lebonheur.org/news.

COVID-19 resources for providers and patients

Le Bonheur has multiple resources for providers including information related to COVID-19 and MIS-C to share with patients and families.

Visit lebonheur.org/for-providers for the latest policies, procedures and guidelines regarding COVID-19 and MIS-C including frequently asked questions for providers.

Email providerquestions@ lebonheur.org for any questions regarding COVID-19, patient admission, referrals or other inquiries.

Visit lebonheur.org/coronavirus for an up-to-date list of resources for patients including public testing locations, community resources and sources for trusted information regarding the pandemic.