Frederick A. Boop, MD, FACS, has retired from Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital after 22 years of service.
During his time at Le Bonheur, Dr. Boop was co-director of the Neuroscience Institute and medical director of the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. He also served as chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and chief of the division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
During his storied career, Dr. Boop held many national leadership positions including president of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons, president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and president of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. He also held regional leadership positions as president of the Southern Neurosurgical Society and president of the Tennessee Neurosurgical Society.
Dr. Boop has been named one of America’s top doctors by U.S. News & World Report. In 2010, he was named the Endowed Chair of Pediatric Neurosurgery at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Through the Le Bonheur and St. Jude joint Pediatric Brain Tumor Program – one of the largest and most successful pediatric surgical brain tumor programs in the country – Dr. Boop fought for improved survival rates for children with pediatric brain tumors through improved prognosis, aggressive treatment and advanced technology. Dr. Boop’s work and success enabled the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program to grow into one of the largest and most renowned programs in the country. Yearly, Le Bonheur treats approximately 200 children with brain tumors.
“The entire Le Bonheur team, and most importantly thousands of families, appreciate the work and dedication that Dr. Boop gave to Le Bonheur, his patients and their families over his 22 years of service. The direct impact on families and children whose lives improved thanks to his talent and work ethic is immeasurable,” said Le Bonheur President and CEO Michael Wiggins, DBA, FACHE. “I admire and respect Dr. Rick Boop immensely. I hope in retirement he understands the vast impact he’s had on Le Bonheur and children from throughout the world who needed him.”
Dr. Boop obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Arkansas. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed an Internship and Neurosurgical Residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Boop completed a Fellowship in Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota, and a Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery.
“The UTHSC College of Medicine is extremely appreciative of Dr. Boop's leadership as chair of our Department of Neurosurgery,” said Scott Strome, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine and vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. “He is a gifted surgeon, an excellent administrator and a wonderful teacher. He leaves behind an incredible legacy of service to our community, the patients for whom he cared, and the learners who will build on his achievements.”
With the retirement of Dr. Boop, Pediatric Neurosurgeon Paul Klimo, MD, has been named co-director of Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute. He also serves as chief of the division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Dr. Klimo is a two-time winner of the Pediatrics Paper of the Year by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). In 2018 he won for his research on survival rates for pineoblastoma tumors and in 2019 for his work on The Preventable Shunt Revision Rate which found that of the 5,092 shunt operations performed, 861 failed within 90 days and that of those, 307 were determined to be potentially preventable.
“We are thrilled to announce Dr. Paul Klimo as co-director of Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute,” Wiggins said. “I know that with Dr. Klimo’s leadership, Le Bonheur and UTHSC will continue to provide the best and most comprehensive care for children with neurosurgical needs.”
Dr. Klimo attended medical school at Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his internship and residency at the University of Utah. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the American Board of Neurosurgery. Dr. Klimo’s patient care emphasis includes brain tumors, spinal surgery, epilepsy surgery, vascular neurosurgery and endoscopy.
