LeBonheur News

 Le Bonheur Ranked Among Best Children's Hospitals

For the first time, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital was named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals list. Four specialties were recognized for their excellence. Neurology and neurosurgery is 25th; orthopaedics 32nd; nephrology 37th; and cardiology and heart surgery 46th. The rankings are now available online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

“We salute Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital,” said Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “The goal of the Best Children's Hospitals rankings is to call attention to pediatric centers with the expertise to help the sickest kids, and Le Bonheur is one of those centers.”

The new rankings recognize the top 50 children’s hospitals in 10 specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology. Seventy-six hospitals are ranked in at least one specialty.

Now in its fifth year, Best Children’s Hospitals pulls together clinical and operational data from a lengthy survey, completed by the majority of the 177 hospitals asked to participate for the 2011-12 rankings. The survey asks hundreds of questions about survival rates, nurse staffing, subspecialist availability, and many more pieces of critical information difficult or impossible for those in charge of a child’s care to find on their own. The data from the survey is combined with recommendations from pediatric specialists on the hospitals they consider best for children with challenging problems.

“The children we care for count on us to be the best. We have taken that responsibility very seriously and are thrilled to be recognized by the experts at U.S. News & World Report,” said Le Bonheur President and CEO Meri Armour. “We will continue to provide excellent care for children for years to come.”

Establishing Le Bonheur among the nation’s top children’s hospital has been a vision since 2005. The hospital’s strategic plan included building a new $340 million facility and creating programs of distinction. Le Bonheur has focused on creating multi-disciplinary programs, implementing quality improvement initiatives and investing in technology. By recruiting some of the nation’s most respected pediatric specialists and investing in research and technology, the hospital has ensured that all children in Memphis and across the country have access to excellent care.

“While what really counts is that our patients are getting world-class care, we are also happy to have the recognition,” Armour said.

The hospital has used the survey as benchmarking tool since 2007 and completed the survey for the first time in 2008. This year Le Bonheur completed the survey in four categories – neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, nephrology, and cardiology and heart surgery and was ranked in all four categories. By measuring the hospital against a national standard, Le Bonheur identified areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement.

For the full rankings and methodology, visit www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

The Heart Institute at Le Bonheur provides evaluation and treatment for all forms of congenital and heart disease and other related pediatric cardiology diagnoses. Our patients include newborn babies to adults living with congenital heart disease. The hospital has a 10-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and two comprehensive cardiac catheterization (cath) labs. Christopher Knott-Craig, MD, is an internationally known pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon who has created an innovative technique for the repair of a potentially fatal cardiac condition called symptomatic neonatal Epstein’s anomaly.

Le Bonheur Neuroscience Institute is a regional and a national hub for the evaluation and treatment of nervous system disorders in children and adolescents. Le Bonheur treats children with brain tumors, epilepsy, spine disorders, sleep disorders, craniofacial conditions and other neurological conditions. Investments in technology – including a magnetoencephalography (MEG) and 3T intraoperative MRI – allows Le Bonheur physicians to make the most informed decisions for treatment. James Wheless, MD, is a prolific researcher in the field of neurology, having authored or co-authored more than 300 articles and abstracts in national publications. His studies focus on seizure disorders and epilepsy including drug therapy, the ketogenic diet, epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation and magnetoencephalography.

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is home to the largest pediatric orthopaedic program in the region with the most pediatric orthopaedic specialists. Services are provided by world-renowned Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics physicians. The program treats children with clubfoot, fractures, limb length discrepancies, scoliosis, spinal cord tumors and spina bifida. James Beaty, MD, is a nationally respected expert in the field. He is the former president of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pediatric Society of North America.

The Nephrology department treats children with all types of kidney problems, kidney stones, kidney transplants, high blood pressure and abnormalities in body fluids, salt and/or acid balance. Le Bonheur’s program excels at helping children managing their kidney function and disease and maintaining a high quality of life. Le Bonheur is the only dialysis program to serve children within a 100-mile radius of Memphis. One of nephrologists, Russell Chesney, MD, is recognized as a leader in the field. He recently received two national awards – the John Howland Medal from the American Pediatric Societies and the Ira Greifer Award from the International Pediatric Nephrology Association.

Chesney wins Most Prestigious Pediatric Award

Pediatric nephrologist Russell Chesney, M.D., is the recipient of the 2011 John Howland Medal, the highest honor of the American Pediatric Society.  Since 1952, this prestigious award has been given annually to an individual who has aided in the advancement of pediatrics.  He is the first recipient in Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center history.

Dr. Chesney was awarded the Howland Medal at the Pediatric Academic Societies and Asian Society for Pediatric Research Joint Meeting, held in Denver April 30 – May 3.

Since 1988, Dr. Chesney has served as the chair of the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.  He is the longest-standing Pediatrics Department chairman in the country and has been instrumental in shaping the care at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and children’s hospitals across the country.

“Dr. Russell Chesney is a wonderful example of a true clinician and educator – he is committed to excellence with his research, patients and students,” said Meri Armour, president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.  “His leadership has forever shaped the field of pediatrics and we are proud of his work at Le Bonheur and UT.”

Dr. Chesney’s nomination for this prominent award was supported by physicians from across the United States.  In their letters, they praise his role as a clinician, educator, investigator, advocate for children and international leader in the field of pediatrics.

His research has contributed to the fields of pediatric nutrition, nephrology, genetics and metabolism. Specifically, Dr. Chesney is known for his research that has given clinicians a better understanding of the amino acid taurine and its role in transport by renal epithelial cells.

“Throughout his career, Dr. Chesney has demonstrated a tenacious commitment to scientific discovery.  He has succeeded in translating his research into groundbreaking modalities of treatment that have made the difference in the lives of countless children and their families.  Truly a giant in his field, we are proud to celebrate this international, well-deserved recognition,” said Steve Schwab, M.D., chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

His nominators call Dr. Chesney “the consummate pediatric clinician-scientist.”  Over his 42-year career, he’s published hundreds of articles, book chapters and other publications.  He’s given more than 500 presentations and lectured at universities across the country and around the world.

Dr. Chesney is also credited as an outstanding mentor to countless physicians in training.
This prize follows receiving the similar high honors from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Society for Pediatric Research, and the Federation of Pediatric Organizations.  Dr. Chesney also received the Ira Greifer Award from the International Pediatric Nephrology Association in September.

After a 22-year career at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Dr. Chesney will step down from his position after the next chairman of the Department of Pediatrics has been named.  Dr. Chesney is married to Joan Chesney, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist.  They are the parents of two children and grandparents of three.