Aero Med Express

02/04/2026

We are excited to share that Debra L. Palazzi, MD, MEd, has been selected as the next pediatrician-in-chief at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Dunavant Chair of Excellence at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Palazzi will begin her role on July 1.

Palazzi joins Le Bonheur from Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, where she served as division chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and professor of Pediatrics. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, completed her pediatric residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., and completed a Pediatric Infectious Diseases fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. She also earned a Master of Education with an emphasis in Health Sciences from the University of Houston.

Palazzi’s recruitment is a result of collaborative effort between The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Palazzi’s experience, leadership and commitment to excellent clinical care, research and education align with Le Bonheur’s momentum as we continue growing programs, expanding advocacy efforts and increasing our community impact across the Mid-South. We look forward to the innovation and collaboration she will bring to this role.

We want to thank Terri Finkel, MD, PhD, for her leadership as interim pediatrician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Pediatrics during this transition.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Palazzi to Le Bonheur. We look forward to this next chapter in our shared commitment to the children and families of Memphis and beyond.

https://ow.ly/P7W650Y8ZIc

11/26/2025

We’re proud to share that Dr. Trey Eubanks, president of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, has been named Chair of the Trauma Center Association of America (TCAA) for the next two years.

Dr. Eubanks has dedicated his career to advancing pediatric trauma care and national preparedness. Under his leadership, Le Bonheur earned national verification as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and continues to be recognized among the nation’s best children’s hospitals.

As TCAA Chair, Dr. Eubanks will champion trauma centers nationwide, advocating for resources and readiness to ensure lifesaving care for communities across America.

We’re to celebrate Dr. Eubanks for this incredible achievement.

11/09/2025

10/30/2025

Nice gift !

We’re thrilled to celebrate a life-saving milestone through Project AED365! Thanks to the collaboration between Project ADAM, Project AED365 and Coro Medical, an AED was recently donated to Power Center Academy Southeast, a school with Gestalt Community Schools—one of our valued Le Bonheur community partners. Chelcie Oseni, the clinical manager of School Health for Le Bonheur Community Outreach, delivered the device to the school.

This donation is part of a broader initiative to equip youth-based organizations with essential emergency response tools. Each Project AED365 donation package includes a ZOLL AED 3, three years of AED 365 Pro Program Management, one seat for HSI’s Remote Skills Verification (RSV) training and a LifeVac choking rescue device.

Le Bonheur Children's has been a Project ADAM Affiliate since 2021 and has helped 32 schools in West Tennessee achieve Heart Safe designation. Together with partners like Project ADAM, Project AED365 and Coro Medical, we’re empowering communities with the tools and training needed to respond effectively in cardiac emergencies and save lives.

10/10/2025

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and University of Tennessee Health Science Center are proud to announce Dr. Jason S. Frischer as our new Surgeon-in-Chief and Chief of Pediatric Surgery.

Dr. Frischer joins us from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he led nationally recognized programs in pediatric colorectal surgery, ECMO and surgical education. With deep expertise in complex conditions like Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, cloaca, severe constipation, f***l incontinence and inflammatory bowel disease, his leadership has transformed care for children across the globe.

“I am honored to join Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and to lead and integrate this exceptional surgical team,” said Dr. Frischer. “Together, we will build on Le Bonheur’s tradition of excellence by developing world-class interdisciplinary programs that deliver seamless, compassionate care and outstanding outcomes for every child and family we serve.”

We’re honored to welcome such a visionary leader to our team.

09/14/2025

09/14/2025

Congratulations !

Tuesday, we announced the expansion of our Methodist Neuroscience Institute. The $2.8 million, 47-bed unit consolidates all our neurology and neuroscience patients into one floor.

“This is a crucial development for our neurology and neurosurgery patients and their families to be able to stay close to their care teams, and for continuing to develop and train the next generation of neurologists and neurosurgeons in the region through our partnership with University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Semmes Murphey Clinic,” said Dr. Lucas Elijovich, Medical Director of Neurocritical Intensive Care.

A special thank you to ABC24 Memphis, The Commercial Appeal, The Daily Memphian, FOX13 Memphis and Action News 5 for being a part of this exciting announcement.

Read more from the CA Reporter Jack Armstrong here: https://ow.ly/288J50WUSyw

And from Aisling Maki with the Daily Memphian: https://ow.ly/CsTG50WUSyx