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Arnold, Brown named MBJ Health Care Heroes

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Sandra Arnold, MD, MSc, and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Chief of Genetics Chester Brown, MD, PhD, were each named a Health Care Hero by the Memphis Business Journal (MBJ). This award salutes companies, individuals and organizations for their contributions to improving health care in Memphis and the Mid-South. Arnold has played leadership roles in many efforts at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) including ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ’s Safe Sleep Initiative, UTHSC’s Back-to-School Task Force and a trial for antibodies as a tool to fight COVID-19. Arnold is a professor at UTHSC. Brown is a professor and the St. Jude Chair of Excellence in Genetics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He also oversees the Biorepository and Integrative Genomics Initiative (BIG) for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ and UTHSC, a pediatric DNA repository.

Kink named to AAP leadership positions

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Emergency Medicine Specialist Rudy Kink, MD, was recently named to multiple leadership positions in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Kink will serve on the AAP Executive Committee for Transport Medicine and as a general member representative on the AAP Pediatric Education of Prehospital Professionals (PEPP) Steering Committee. Kink also serves as medical director of Pedi-Flite at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Children’s.

Cross named medical chief of Community Health and Regional Services

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Hospitalist Cynthia Cross, MD, FAAP, was recently named medical chief of Community Health and Regional Services at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Children’s. In this role, Cross will provide medical leadership and coordination of satellite hospitals and referral centers to ensure consistently high quality pediatric care in satellite clinical settings. She will also provide medical leadership for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ’s community health programs. This is a strategically important role as ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ continues to work toward improving the health status of children in our local community in addition to expanding our clinical services across the region. Previously, Cross has served in many leadership positions at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ, most recently as division chief of Hospital Medicine.

Heart Institute designated as an IC-OS Center of Excellence

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ’s Heart Institute was recently designated a gold level Center of Excellence by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). IC-OS Centers of Excellence are programs that supply an exceptionally high concentration of expertise and related resources, delivering care in a comprehensive interdisciplinary fashion to afford the best patient outcomes possible for patients with cardiovascular disease related to cancer treatment.

Ridley-Pryor named to ILAE Leadership Development Program

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Nurse Practitioner and Director of Research Strategies and Collaboration for Pediatric Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Tracee Ridley-Pryor, DNP, PMHNP-BC, was named to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Leadership Development Programme 2022, which took place in conjunction with the 14th European Epilepsy Congress. The Leadership Development Programme supports the preparation and advancement of young physician leaders from select ILAE chapters around the world. Through this program, Ridley-Pryor will have a unique opportunity to receive leadership development training and network with rising leaders from around the globe.

Gipson receives K23 NIH grant for TSC and autism research

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Pediatric Neurologist and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Specialist Tanjala Gipson, MD, recently received a K23 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her project “Early Communication in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and Its Prediction of Autism.” The objective of this study is to examine potential predictors of language outcome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity in infants with TSC. This project builds on previous research from Gipson that found deficits in early vocal development in most infants with TSC regardless of the diagnosis of ASD.

Burroughs-Ray named Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals

Congratulations to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Hospitalist Desiree Burroughs-Ray, MD, who was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professional. The Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals Awards honor rising African American Memphians who offer unique and innovative solutions to social problems, as well as those who shine in their respective professions.

Bowden named chair of HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable Executive Committee

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Pediatrician Michelle Bowden, MD, was named the chair of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable Executive Committee. In this role, Bowden will determine the Roundtable’s strategic plan and priorities, help develop and oversee local education events and vaccination opportunities and oversee recruitment of members in the community to collaborate for HPV cancer prevention. This HPV Vaccination Roundtable is a group of individuals who share an interest and commitment to increasing HPV vaccination rates for cancer prevention in the local community and is part of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s HPV Cancer Prevention Program.

Yohannan inducted into UTHSC Academy of Master Educators

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Cardiologist Thomas Yohannan, MD, was recently inducted into the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Academy of Master Educators. The Academy recognizes medical educators who consistently exemplify the highest standards of educational and clinical excellence; humanism and professionalism; innovation; leadership in their fields and mentorship. Master Educators will support the missions of and serve as ambassadors for the College of Medicine.

Wright elected chair of AAP Section on Dermatology

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ Chief of Pediatric Dermatology Teresa Wright, MD, was recently elected chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Dermatology. In this role, she will lead other colleagues in developing policy, clinical guidelines and educational programming and in advocating for children. The Section on Dermatology is charged with stimulating research in Pediatric Dermatology and teaching and disseminating knowledge of Pediatric Dermatology through Academy channels and the medical profession at large.

Endocrinology receives T1D “Outstanding Pediatric Team”

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ’s Endocrinology division was recently named “Outstanding Pediatric Team” by the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative. The team was selected from more than 50 peers in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement network for exceptional leadership this year.

Heart Transplant Program receives Vanguard Center Award

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÏÂÔØ’s Heart Transplant Program was awarded the Vanguard Center Award from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS). The PHTS Vanguard Award recognizes individual centers for their outstanding contribution to the PHTS Registry.