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The Top Doctor selection process is based on peer-to-peer nominations, open to all licensed physicians in the United States, allowing them to nominate peers in any specialty and region. The research team then thoroughly vets each nominee’s professional qualifications, including: education, professional reputation, research leadership, hospital and faculty appointments, disciplinary history, and outcomes data. Interpersonal skills such as listening, communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence are also considered.
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Memphis is a medical Mecca, not least for the tremendous women doctors we draw to the city. Indeed, there’s so much talent here that perhaps you’re feeling a bit bewildered by the choices. Enter the Memphis Flyer and Castle Connolly, who hereby present this guide to the most exceptional practitioners among an already exceptional cohort. These award winners represent a wide swath of medical specializations, and most practice in multiple locations, from hospitals to private clinics, so you can find the best fit both medically and geographically.
While you peruse the list, take a look at our in-depth profiles of two award-winning medical professionals. Seeing the human side of your doctor can not only satisfy your curiosity, it can confirm just how deeply they can relate to you and your busy life — and thus earn your trust.
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Dr. Bindiya Bagga (Photo: Courtesy Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital)
Dr. Bindiya Bagga
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Pediatric Infectious Disease
by Toby Sells
Sick children in her native India drew Dr. Bindiya Bagga to medicine. Working with children — and training the doctors who will care for them — keeps her in Memphis.
Bagga was born and raised in Kolkata, India, the daughter of two engineers. Her mother was the only woman in her engineering class. Bagga’s father recognized his daughter’s creative mind for solving complex problems and suggested she study medicine. But seeing children suffer from preventable diseases was “when pediatrics felt like the place to be,” Bagga says. “I had that opportunity to change their trend. No one has a choice of where they are born — right? — or the cards that they’re dealt. It felt like I should be doing something for all kids in the community.”
And she means all kids. Her philosophy in pediatrics has become a mantra she has repeated to the many pediatric residents she’s guided over the years: no child left behind. She said this ethos is shared by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and is why they have given her a “community and a home.”
Bagga is quick to note that “my success is not my own.” Instead, she gives credit to both those who have mentored her and the residents she’s trained. This is not just modesty. It reflects the team-first mindset required in hospital medicine. Caring for children means caring for a whole person — and that work is done by teams, often teams of teams.
Developing strong pediatric team players is central to Bagga’s work. She has led UTHSC’s Pediatric Residency Program for five years, a role she describes as especially urgent at a time when fewer physicians nationwide are choosing pediatrics. It’s serious work. And one she jokes is kind of like “mom life, right?”
“The challenging part of my training now…is making sure I am able to create a space for residents to thrive in their training,” Bagga says, “while also making sure that they are able to see the clinical rigor that they need to be independent when they leave me.”
To help create those thriving spaces, Bagga developed and built a resident wellness and mentoring program, an effort that recently earned her recognition as Pediatric Residency Program Director.
For all of it, she says simply: “Le Bonheur has my heart.”
Also close to her heart are food, cooking — especially chai — and sunset walks at Shelby Farms Park, where she says, ”I’ve never seen sunsets as beautiful as those in Memphis.”
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Dr. Nora Daher (Photo: Courtesy Nora Daher)
Dr. Nora Daher
Daher Asthma & Allergy Clinic, Allergy & Immunology
by Alex Greene
Dr. Nora Daher is not one to blow her own horn. “I’m pretty humble, so it’s really hard to be like, ‘Oh, I’m really wonderful at this,’” she says. “There are so many talented, wonderful people out there. But I mean, I love medicine. I love what I do. It’s kind of hard to practice now, with insurance these days and all that goes with it. But I love my patients and I love science. My daughter, she’s 12, right? We’re studying her science homework at night, and I’m like, ‘Oh, this is great! This is so cool.’ And she’s like, ‘Uh, mom, I don’t know,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, you’ll love it once you get used to it!’”
That passion for her work and her patients is one thing making Daher exceptional, and it may stem from the fact that Daher herself suffered from allergies in her youth. When it comes to that aspect of her work, she’s had experience on both sides of the stethoscope.
“I was one of the only food-allergic kids that I knew back in the day. That was one of the reasons I was interested in allergies,” she says. That’s all changed now, as food allergies have become more prevalent. “Now there are so many that have food allergies, and we still don’t really know why so many kids now have food allergies that we didn’t see a few years ago. So allergies are getting much more prevalent. There are all these theories as to why, but nobody really knows completely. Is it the way food is made? Is it the soaps that we use? What is it? And now, that’s kind of at the forefront in the allergy realm. How to fix food allergies, and what do you do to fix it?”
While analyzing our industrialized food supply and its many inputs is not in her wheelhouse, Daher has specialized in ameliorating the effects of allergies that may stem from it. “In the clinic, we do oral immunotherapy to try to lessen the sensitivity to it. And that’s something that we’re doing that not everybody in town does, called oral immunotherapy, where you hope that by treating the patient with very small amounts [of an allergen] that they do tolerate, that they can, over time, grow out of it, so to speak.”
Daher’s clinic deals with other issues, of course, like airborne allergens and asthma, but, perhaps because of her own experience as a youth, food allergies have a special place in her practice. “Food allergies really affect a patient’s quality of life. Parents are scared. They have to read all the labels. Anything you eat, you have to read the label. Does it contain peanuts? If so, they can’t eat it. And there’s a social stigma associated with it, too. So that’s one of the bigger things right now that we’re doing.”
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ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
Nora Daher
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Daher Asthma & Allergy Clinic
2136 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 203-6055
Christie F. Michael
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
51 North Dunlap Street, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
BARIATRIC SURGERY
Virginia Weaver
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Methodist University Hospital
UTMP Weight Management and Wellness Center
57 Germantown Court, Suite 204
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 758-7840
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Jennifer S. Morrow
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Stern Cardiovascular
8060 Wolf River Boulevard
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 271-1000
Neeraja Yedlapati
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Stern Cardiovascular
8060 Wolf River Boulevard
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 271-1000
CHILD NEUROLOGY
Tanjala T Gipson
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(866) 870-5570
Amy L. McGregor
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists Neurology Clinic
848 Adams Avenue, Suite L400
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
Namrata S. Shah
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
DERMATOLOGY
F. Gwen Beard
Memphis Dermatology Clinic
1455 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6655
Luella G. Churchwell
Dermatology East
1335 Cordova Cove
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 753-2794
Frances K. Lawhead
Memphis Dermatology Clinic
1455 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6655
Robin H. Friedman-Musicante
Memphis Dermatology Clinic
795 Ridge Lake, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 726-6655
Purvisha J. Patel
Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
7658 Poplar Pike
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 759-2322
Malika Tuli
Mid-South Dermatology
6644 Summer Knoll Circle
Bartlett, TN 38134
(901) 372-4545
DEVELOPMENTAL-BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS
Toni M. Whitaker
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Methodist University Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
51 North Dunlap Street, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM
Lisa M. Myers
Endocrinology and Diabetes Specialists
1920 Kirby Parkway, Suite 120
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 334-5464
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
Linda M. Smiley
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist University Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital – Memphis
West Cancer Center – East Campus
7945 Wolf River Boulevard
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 683-0055
HEMATOLOGY
Marquita N. Nelson
Regional One Health
Regional One Health Sickle Cell Center
880 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-8535
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Shirin Mazumder
Methodist University Hospital
Methodist Medical Group
1211 Union Avenue, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 525-0278
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Joan Michelle Allmon
Allmon Internal Medicine (AIM)
61 Peyton Parkway, Suite 103
Collierville, TN 38017
(901) 910-3246
Natascha S. Thompson
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
UT Internal Medicine BMG
8040 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 102
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 227-7900
Catherine R. Womack
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
UT Internal Medicine BMG
8040 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 102
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 227-7900
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
Sylvia S. Richey
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist University Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital – Memphis
West Cancer Center – East Campus
7945 Wolf River Boulevard
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 683-0055
NEUROLOGY
Violiza Inoa Acosta
Methodist University Hospital
Regional One Health
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Semmes Murphey Clinic
6325 Humphreys Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 522-7700
Barbara Cape O’Brien
Neurology Clinic
8000 Centerview Parkway, Suite 500
Cordova TN 38018
(901) 747-1111
Hae Won Shin
Methodist University Hospital
Methodist Medical Group Neurology
1325 Eastmoreland Avenue, Suite 370
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 261-3500
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Lanetta Anderson
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
Women’s Physician Group
681 South White Station Road,
Suite 111
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 276-3222
Heather Pearson Chauhan
Exceed Hormone Specialists
7512 Second Street
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 312-7899
Claudette J. Shephard
Regional One Health
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Regional One Health Outpatient Center
880 Madison Avenue, Suite 3E01
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 515-3800
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Lauren C. Ditta
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
University Clinical Health
Hamilton Eye Institute
930 Madison Avenue, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
Mary E. Hoehn
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
University Clinical Health
Hamilton Eye Institute
930 Madison Avenue, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
Natalie C. Kerr
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
University Clinical Health
Hamilton Eye Institute
930 Madison Avenue, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Victoria L. Lim
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Collierville
Shea Clinic
6133 Poplar Pike
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 761-9720
Courtney B. Shires
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist University Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital – Memphis
West Cancer Center – East Campus
7945 Wolf River Boulevard
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 683-0055
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
Karine Guerrier
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street, Floor 2
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
Jennifer Kramer
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 287-7337
PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
Rebekah K.H. Shappley
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-5437
PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY
Teresa S. Wright
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Methodist University Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
51 North Dunlap Street, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Bindiya Bagga
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street, Floor 3
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
Margaret C. Hastings
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
51 North Dunlap Street, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
Rima Zahr
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Rose Mary Stocks
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street, Floor 1
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
Patricia J. Dubin
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
51 North Dunlap Street
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
Tonia E. Gardner
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street, Floor 3
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY
Terri H. Finkel
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Department of Pediatric Rheumatology
50 North Dunlap Street
Memphis, TN 38103
(866) 870-5570
Linda K. Myers
Saint Francis Hospital – Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Rheumatology + Dermatology Associates, P.C.
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
(901) 753-0168
PEDIATRIC UROLOGY
Dana W. Giel
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 287-7337
PEDIATRICS
M. Michelle Bowden
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
51 North Dunlap Street, Floor 3
Memphis, TN 38105
(866) 870-5570
Emilee Dobish
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(866) 870-5570
Sara M. Federico
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 595-2220
Janet D. Geiger
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
River City Pediatrics
1717 West Massey Road
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 761-1280
Elisha M. McCoy
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(866) 870-5570
Dawn H. Scott
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Le Bonheur Pediatric Downtown
51 North Dunlap Street, Suite 310
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 523-2945
Ellen J. Stecker
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis
River City Pediatrics
1717 West Massey Road
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 761-1280
PLASTIC SURGERY
Devra Becker
UT Medical Center
University Plastic Surgeons
1068 Cresthaven Road, Suite 500
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 866-8525
Patricia L. Eby
Cosmetic Surgery Specialists of Memphis
6401 Poplar Avenue, Suite 360
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 752-1412
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Martha Tibbs
Methodist University Hospital
Department of Radiation Oncology
1265 Union Avenue, Shorb Tower,
Floor 1
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 478-7367
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/INFERTILITY
Amelia Bailey
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Fertility Associates of Memphis
80 Humphreys Center, Suite 307
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 747-2229
SURGERY
Dina M. Filiberto
Regional One Health
Elvis Presley Trauma Center
877 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-7100
Alyssa D. Throckmorton
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
Baptist Medical Group
7205 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 200
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 227-8950
UROGYNECOLOGY/FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Val Y. Vogt
Methodist University Hospital Baptist
Memorial Hospital – Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Collierville
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
The Conrad Pearson Clinic
1325 Wolf Park Drive, Suite 102
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 252-3400