Spotlight
Dr. Cynthia Cross
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Cynthia Cross, MD FAAP, Medical Chief Community Health and Regional Services, Pediatric Hospitalist Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Medical Director Le Bonheur on the Move, Associate Professor of Pediatrics University of Tennessee.
What makes her an “Audrey” Dr. Cross knows how powerful it can be to really “see” someone. She first became a nurse after being encouraged by a neighbor who was working in the field. While she was a nurse working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a pair of physicians persuaded Cross that she had what it took to be a great doctor herself. As a special needs parent, she understands both the power and importance of advocating for our most vulnerable populations. She has spent her long, illustrious career identifying needs and developing programs that improve access to care and foster innovation both in and out of the hospital walls. This is a legacy anyone would be proud of, and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is certainly proud to have her as part of ours.
Notable achievements:
Medical Director, Le Bonheur Mobile Unit/School Health
Medical Chief, Le Bonheur Children’s Community Health and Regional Services
Division Chief/Co-Founder, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Hospitalist Program
Health Equity/Disparities/Inclusion Working Group Member, U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals
Board Member, Urban Child Institute
Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Audrey Evans inspires me because of her perseverance despite having a different learning style, excelling at a time when women were openly discriminated against. I connect deeply to the fact that she’s a woman of faith who sees Medicine as a calling. This, coupled with her amazing contributions to pediatric oncology and The Ronald McDonald House show that she obviously cares very deeply for her patient families and their holistic healing.
I want my legacy to be that I cared for kids and their families. I hope to encourage more underrepresented populations to pursue their seat at the table and use theirs to speak up for those who do not yet have a voice.