Semmes-Murphey Clinic

S
Semmes-Murphey Clinic
Dr. Eustace Semmes was the first neurosurgeon in Memphis. With his first associate, Francis
Murphey, he founded the Semmes-Murphey Clinic, which has a long history of specialized
medical service and is a standard for neurological care. 
Dr. Semmes was among the top 10 in his medical school
graduating class at Johns Hopkins University. He was awarded a
surgical internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital where he received
Dr. Eustace Semmes
(left) and Dr. Francis
Murphey, founders
of Semmes-Murphey
Clinic.
Memphis regional
headquarters of
Semmes-Murphey.
John A. Lewis, CEO
2 I MY HOMELAND TENNESSEE
his neurosurgical training under Dr. Harvey Cushing, the Father
of Neurosurgery in America. Dr. Semmes returned to Memphis
to establish a practice in both general and neurological surgery in
1912, the same year that Baptist Hospital opened its doors.  
FIRST PROFESSOR
After serving in France during World War I, Semmes returned
to Memphis to reopen his practice, devoting all his time to neurosurgery. He was appointed the first Professor of Neurosurgery
at the University of Tennessee in 1932. 
Committed to educating and training the next generation of
neurosurgeons, Dr. Semmes began a program through the University of Tennessee and the Semmes-Murphey Clinic. Many
doctors across the nation, as well as internationally, have developed their neurosurgical skills in this program. The commitment
to training future generations of neurosurgeons continues today.
TENNESSEE
My Homeland
Semmes-Murphey surgeons have taken many medical mission
trips to provide hands-on demonstrations of their techniques for
local surgeons in various countries which lack high level training
opportunities.
Physicians and staff
BEST TECHNOLOGY
The physicians of Semmes-Murphey Clinic specialize in neurosurgery, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain
management and neuropsychology, all dealing with illnesses,
injuries and surgery related to the nervous system. The clinic,
through its various hospital affiliations, has access to the most
advanced diagnostic and treatment tools including magnetic
imaging (MRI), interventional neuroradiology, nuclear medicine,
Linac scalpel, Gamma Knife and image-guided surgery. The
physicians also play a supportive role in the development of
new technologies and surgical techniques.
According to a recent comment by Dr. Russ Greer, a respected
neurosurgeon in Monroe, La., “Semmes-Murphey Clinic, an
icon, is the standard to which other neurosurgical professionals
and practices aspire, and continues to be the major referral center for extremely complex neurosurgical cases.”
SMC neurosurgeons
enjoy the “family”
corporate culture
of SMC.
are committed to
helping their patients.
A surgical team
begins a procedure.
EXCELLENT SUCCESS RATE
The Semmes-Murphey Clinic is known for their excellent success rate for surgeries performed by their physicians, but it is
important to note that when a patient visits the clinic, surgery
is not inevitable. The physicians at Semmes-Murphey take a
conservative approach, opting first for less invasive measures
such as physical therapy, oral medication or a nerve block. Only
after exhausting all other options would the physician begin to
discuss surgery.
The staff and physicians at Semmes-Murphey look back on
their 100 year history with pride and look forward with renewed
commitment to the next 100 years of healthcare service for the
communities they serve. n
VISIT SEMMES-MURPHEY ONLINE: www.semmes-murphey.com
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