After a nationwide search, Trey Eubanks, MD, professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and surgeon-in-chief at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, has been appointed president of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Eubanks has served as Le Bonheur’s interim president since March 2023. He will assume the role permanently later this month.
“At UT Health Science Center, we are thrilled that one of our own has been appointed to this prominent position, which will greatly impact the health of children and families in our local community and state,” said Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD. “The fact that Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare conducted a national search and found the best candidate right here at UT Health Science Center speaks volumes about our academic and clinical performance.”
The chancellor expressed gratitude to Methodist Le Bonheur President and CEO Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, also a member of the UTHSC Advisory Board, for his skillful formation and direction of the search committee. The committee was superbly led by James Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Edith-Kelly Green, a prominent local business leader and Methodist Le Bonheur board member, and included several UTHSC faculty members, who are leaders at Le Bonheur.
The appointment of Dr. Eubanks demonstrates the excellence of the physician faculty and trainees at UT Health Science Center and reflects the power of its vital partnerships with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Le Bonheur, and also with St. Jude, Chancellor Buckley said.
These collaborations provide essential support for UT Health Science Center’s new vision: Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.
“Our partnerships cultivated and supported Trey’s progressive career development and enabled him to emerge as the best fit for the new permanent leader for this vital position for Memphis and the state of Tennessee,” the chancellor continued.
Dr. Eubanks has had a stellar career at Le Bonheur for more than 20 years. In addition to his role as surgeon-in-chief and many leadership roles at Le Bonheur, he has served as chief of the medical staff and president of the medical staff for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Dr. Eubanks was instrumental in Le Bonheur earning national verifications as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons; and has helped Le Bonheur achieve recognition for the 13th consecutive year as a “Best Children’s Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report.
“I am honored and humbled to be chosen as Le Bonheur’s president,” Dr. Eubanks said. “I believe in our mission, and I am honored to stand beside our stellar faculty and staff, as we continue to provide excellent care for kids to help them live healthy lives.”
Dr. Eubanks also holds the Endowed Chair in Pediatric Surgery from St. Jude and is a member of the medical staffs at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, St. Jude, and Regional One Health.
“The University of Tennessee Health Science Center provided me with an excellent education and a wide range of experiences that helped shape my career.”
Trey Eubanks, MD
A native of Tunica, Miss., Dr. Eubanks received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The University of Mississippi. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Eubanks completed his residency and a research fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He completed a pediatric surgery fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern in Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.
“The University of Tennessee Health Science Center provided me with an excellent education and a wide range of experiences that helped shape my career,” Dr. Eubanks said. “I am excited about working with Dr. Buckley and the entire faculty to ensure others have these same opportunities. I want to help current and future students understand the importance of their work and the lasting impact they will have on the lives of their patients.”
“We are grateful for Dr. Eubanks’ service as a division chief for many years,” said David Shibata, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery at UT Health Science Center. “We feel he will do an outstanding job leading Le Bonheur and look forward to our partnership serving the people of this region together.”
Le Bonheur is a primary pediatric partner teaching hospital for UT Health Science Center. Additionally, UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists is Le Bonheur’s joint faculty practice plan with UT Health Science Center, with more than 250 pediatric specialists and approximately 50 advanced nurse practitioners who care for more than 40,000 children throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare – UTHSC partnership also encompasses cutting-edge pediatric research and also has collaborations with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Dr. Eubanks has been an exceptional partner and leader for the College of Medicine for many years and his new role will only strengthen our close partnership with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital,” said G. Nicholas Verne, MD, interim executive dean of the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine.