Ut Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ULPS EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AND LE BONHEUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY. ULPS WILL COLLABORATE WITH PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO BE THE LEADER IN PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE PATIENT AND FAMILY CENTERED CARE. SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED IN A MANNER WHICH SUPPORTS THE HEALTH MINISTRIES AND SOCIAL PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
- Income
- $85.7 million
- Spending
- $148.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 709
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $1.6 million, division chief cv surgery
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $71.2 million spent. ALLERGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND RHEUMATOLOGY: ULPS PEDIATRIC ALLERGISTS AND IMMUNOLOGISTS PERFORM COMPREHENSIVE LABORATORY AND ALLERGY SKIN TESTING TO DIAGNOSE A CHILD'S CONDITION. WE CONDUCT RESEARCH AND CONSULT A NETWORK OF EXPERTS AT OTHER CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS ON COMPLEX CASES. ULPS RHEUMATOLOGISTS ARE EXPERIENCED IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS AND MANY OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES IN CHILDREN. SINCE RHEUMATIC DISORDERS ARE OFTEN CHRONIC, WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR CHILD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME TO HELP HIM OR HER COPE WITH THE CHANGES THESE DISEASES MIGHT CAUSE. WE ALSO WORK WITH OTHER PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS, INCLUDING PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS, NEPHROLOGISTS, REHABILITATION SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENT NEW WAYS TO BETTER HELP PATIENTS. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: ASTHMA ALLERGIC RHINITIS ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO FOOD, INSECTS, AND DRUGS SKIN ALLERGIES IMMUNE DISORDERS INCLUDING T CELL DISORDERS, SUCH AS DIGEORGE SYNDROME (DGS) HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY (CVID) SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY (SCID) HYPER-IGE SYNDROME WISKOTT-ALDRICH SYNDROME IPEX IMMUNE DYSREGULATION ENTEROPATHY POLYENDOCRINOPATHY X-LINKED SYNDROME CHRONIC MUCOCUTANEOUS CANDIDIASIS COMPLEMENT DEFICIENCIES CHROMIC GRANULOMATOSIS DISEASE (CGD) ARTHRITIS (INFECTIOUS ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, OSTEOARTHRITIS) BACK PAIN BURSITIS LUPUS METABOLIC BONE DISEASE SOFT TISSUE DISORDERS VASCULITIS GASTROENTEROLOGY:. ULPS PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DIGESTIVE (STOMACH AND INTESTINES), PANCREATIC, LIVER, AND NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS. U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS RANKS OUR PROGRAM #30 IN THE NATION IN 2018. We have the only pediatric liver transplant program in the state. OUR DOCTORS USE LESS INVASIVE FORMS OF TESTING WHEN POSSIBLE, LIKE THE PILL CAM A SWALLOWABLE CAMERA THAT CAPTURES IMAGES OF THE GI TRACT. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: CHRONIC CONSTIPATION CHRONIC DIARRHEA FEEDING AND SWALLOWING DISORDERS FOOD ALLERGIES GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD) LIVER DISEASE NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE GENETICS: CLINICAL GENETICISTS EVALUATE AND DIAGNOSE GENETIC DISORDERS AND HELP PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES UNDERSTAND AND COPE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. OUR PHYSICIANS, WHO ARE ALL BOARD-CERTIFIED IN GENETICS, WORK ALONGSIDE GENETIC COUNSELORS, NURSES, AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS. We are a member of the Pediatric Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services (PLUGS), a national network of laboratories and hospitals committed to responsible use and maximizing the benefit of genetic testing for patients. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: BIRTH DEFECTS CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES AT-RISK SITUATIONS DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY CHRONIC GROWTH FAILURE MULTIPLE MISCARRIAGE OR FETAL LOSS HISTORY OF A GENETIC DISORDER IN PATIENTS OR FAMILY MEMBER ANY DISORDER THAT IS THOUGHT TO BE GENETIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE: OUR TEAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE CARE. THEY TREAT A WIDE RANGE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES CAUSED BY BACTERIA VIRUSES, FUNGI, AND PARASITES. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: COMPLICATED PNEUMONIAS ILLNESS OF UNCLEAR CAUSE, HAVE PROLONGED FEVER, OR ARE RECURRENT BONE AND JOINT INFECTIONS TUBERCULOSIS KAWASAKI DISEASE HISTOPLASMOSIS AND OTHER ENDEMIC MYCOSES TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES INFECTIONS IN IMMUNO-COMPROMISED CHILDREN INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS CONGENITAL INFECTIONS SEPSIS INFECTIONS IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS PALLIATIVE CARE: UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ULPS PROVIDERS, THE PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM AT LE BONHEUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS A FAMILY-CENTERED, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE APPROACH TO THE DIGNIFIED CARE OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESSES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR PHYSICIANS, STAFF, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY, WE PROVIDE TOTAL CARE TO THE CHILD'S BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT. THE GOAL OF THIS HOSPITAL BASED SERVICE IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE CHILD'S LIFE WHILE RESPECTING THE FAMILY'S GOALS AND WISHES. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS ARE EMPATHY, COMFORT, SUPPORT AND RESPECT FOR LIFE. OUR PROGRAM MAY BE APPROPRIATE WHEN: A CHILD'S PAIN AND SYMPTOMS ARE COMPLEX AND A CHALLENGE TO MANAGE A DECLINE IN CONDITION IS BECOMING EVIDENT THE GOALS OF CARE ARE FOCUSED ON COMFORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE AGGRESSIVE, CURATIVE TREATMENT METHODS ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE A CHILD'S LIFE EXPECTANCY IS MONTHS RATHER THAN YEARS PULMONOLOGY: UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ULPS PULMONOLOGISTS, LE BONHEUR'S PULMONOLOGY TEAM CARES FOR CHILDREN WITH A WIDE RANGE OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKED OUR PULMONOLOGY PROGRAM #24 IN THE NATION IN 2018. We are home to Tennessee's only infant pulmonary function laboratory, which can measure lung volumes and spirometry in infants with lung disorders. Our sleep disorders center is the only exclusively pediatric and adolescent lab in Tennessee accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. We treat nearly 1,200 kids each year with asthma, and have one of the lowest asthma readmission rates in the country. We're a leader in the treatment of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) a rare genetic lung disorder. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: CYSTIC FIBROSIS ASTHMA BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA CONGENITAL LUNG ABNORMALITIES NEUROMUSCULAR RESPIRATORY DISEASES CHRONIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE/INSUFFICIENCY PULMONARY SLEEP DISORDERS UROLOGY: THE ULPS UROLOGY TEAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC UROLOGIC CARE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT, OUR SPECIALISTS ARE EXPERTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF MALE AND FEMALE URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS AND GENITAL DISEASES. TREATMENT MAY INCLUDE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS SURGERY. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKED OUR UROLOGY #14 IN THE NATION IN 2018. OUR FACILITIES INCLUDE COMPLETE URODYNAMICS CAPABILITY, WHICH IS A TEST TO SEE HOW THE BLADDER IS WORKING. WE HAVE A ROBOTIC SURGERY PROGRAM AND OUR UROLOGISTS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE MOST CRUUENT SURGICAL CARE IN THE COUNTRY INCLUDING COMPLEX RECONSTR
- $40.7 million spent. CARDIOLOGY, CV SURGERY, AND CVICU: UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ULPS PHYSICIANS AND RANKED NATIONALLY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT AS #10 PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY AND HEART SURGERY PROGRAM IN 2018, THE HEART INSTITUTE AT LE BONHEUR PROVIDES CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS FROM BEFORE BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD. THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION CAPABILITIES AND EXPERTISE IN CARDIAC MRI ALLOW FOR QUICKER DIAGNOSES, BETTER PLANNING FOR SURGERIES AND MINIMAL EXPOSURE TO RADIATION. SURGEONS AND CARDIOLOGISTS CAREFULLY WORK WITH FAMILIES TO PLAN FOR OPTIMAL OUTCOMES THAT WILL GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE. OUR TEAM PROVIDES CARDIOLOGY COVERAGE AT ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL AND CONDUCTS JOINT RESEARCH TO BETTER IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH HEART DEFECTS. Le Bonheur Children's Heart Transplant team features some of the country's most experienced experts in pediatric heart transplants. Our program is approved by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and provides comprehensive care for children with end-stage heart disease, including those with single ventricle defects, and all forms of heart failure/cardiomyopathy The ventricular assist devices program provides a means to patients to recovery or to transplantation while they are on the transplant wait list. We offer this support for patients with cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease including single ventricle defects. CONDITIONS WE TREAT: ANOMALOUS CORONARY ARTERY (ACA) AORTIC STENOSIS ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS (ASD) ATRIOVENTRICULAR CANAL (AV CANAL OR AVC) BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS COARCTATION OF THE AORTA EBSTEIN'S ANOMALY HEART MURMURS HEART TUMORS HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME (HLHS) PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA) PULMONARY HYPERTENSION PULMONARY STENOSIS RHYTHM DISORDERS (ARRHYTHMIA) TETRALOGY OF FALLOT (TOF) TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT (VSD)
- $14.4 million spent. RADIOLOGY: THE ULPS RADIOLOGY TEAM IS MADE UP OF HIGHLY SKILLED PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGISTS AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGISTS. THEY PROVIDE AROUND THE CLOCK COVERAGE TO LE BONHEUR AND ALSO SERVE OTHER FACILITIES. THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT USED IS MADE TO FIT CHILDREN AND EXAMS FOCUS ON CONDITIONS FOUND IN CHILDREN AND TEENS. THESE EXAMS PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE IMAGES OF YOUR CHILD'S CONDITION OR INJURY. WE OFFER LOW-DOSE RADIATION CT AND X-RAY TO LIMIT RADIATION EXPOSURE. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY, LIMITING RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN MAY DECREASE THEIR RISK FOR CANCER LATER. OUR PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY. AL L OF OUR RADIOLOGISTS ARE BOARD-CERTIFIED IN PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY AND ACTIVELY PUBLISH RESEARCH IN PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY. COMMON RADIOLOGY PROCEDURES INCLUDE: PLAIN FILMS, ALSO KNOWN AS E-RAYS AND FLUOROSCOPIC STUDIES CT AND MR, ALSO KNOWN AS CAT AND MRI SCANS ULTRASOUND NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND BONE DENSITY SCANS THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT USED IS MADE TO FIT CHILDREN, AND EXAMS FOCUS ON CONDITIONS FOUND IN CHILDREN AND TEEN. THESE EXAMS PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE IMAGES OF YOUR CHILD'S CONDITION OR INJURY. WE OFFER LOW-DOSE RADIATION CT AND X-RAY TO LIMIT RADIATION EXPOSURE. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY, LIMITING RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN MAY DECREASE THEIR RISK FOR CANCER LATER. OUR PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY. ALL OF OUR RADIOLOGISTS ARE BOARD-CERTIFIED IN PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY AND ACTIVELY PUBLISH RESEARCH IN PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY. In addition to all the program service accomplishments listed in the 2017 form 990, ULPS continued to grow in 2018 recruiting additional providers in multiple specialties. US News and World Report ranks our Le Bonheur ULPS programs as follows; Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery #10 in the Nation. Pediatric Urology #14; Pediatric Pulmonology #24; Pediatric Neurology #25; Pediatric Gastroenterology #30; and Pediatric Nephrology #40 in the Nation in 2018. (Expenses $ 13,426,902 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 8,645,998) NEUROLOGY: UNDER THE CO-DIRECTION OF ULPS PHYSICIANS AND THE NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE AT LE BONHEUR, OUR NEUROLOGY PROGRAM HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKS OUR INSTITUTE # 25 CHILDREN'S NEUROSCIENCE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY. OUR PHYSICIANS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED TO TREAT KIDS WITH THE MOST COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE TEAM INCLUDES LEADERS IN INTERNATIONAL NEUROLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SOCIETIES. Our team includes the pioneers of MEG technology, researchers in epilepsy treatment and leaders in international neurological associations and societies. Parents from around the country and internationally seek our team's expertise. Last year, the Institute attracted patients from 45 states. Le Bonheur's epilepsy program is a National Association of Epilepsy Center Level IV Accredited comprehensive program, the highest level and one of only a few in the United States. Each year, we treat more than 1,300 children with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. We are one of a few pediatric hospitals that offer a wide range of neuroimaging tools in the diagnosis and treatment of children. Patients here have access to magnetoencephalography (MEG), intraoperative MRI (iMRI). CONDITIONS WE TREAT: 15Q DUPLICATION SYNDROME Autism BEHAVIORAL ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVE DISORDERS BRAIN TUMORS CRANIOFACIAL DISORDERS DRAVET SYNDROME DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND NEUROMOTOR DISORDERS SUCH AS CEREBRAL PALSY EPILEPSY HEADACHES HEAD INJURIES LEARNING AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE SEIZURES SLEEP DISORDERS SPINAL DISORDERS AND TUMORS TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX TICS, TOURETTE'S SYNDROME
- $13.4 million spent. NEUROLOGY: UNDER THE CO-DIRECTION OF ULPS PHYSICIANS AND THE NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE AT LE BONHEUR, OUR NEUROLOGY PROGRAM HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKS OUR INSTITUTE # 25 CHILDREN'S NEUROSCIENCE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY. OUR PHYSICIANS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED TO TREAT KIDS WITH THE MOST COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE TEAM INCLUDES LEADERS IN INTERNATIONAL NEUROLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SOCIETIES. Our team includes the pioneers of MEG technology, researchers in epilepsy treatment and leaders in international neurological associations and societies. Parents from around the country and internationally seek our team's expertise. Last year, the Institute attracted patients from 45 states. Le Bonheur's epilepsy program is a National Association of Epilepsy Center Level IV Accredited comprehensive program, the highest level and one of only a few in the United States. Each year, we treat more than 1,300 children with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. We are one of a few pediatric hospitals that offer a wide range of neuroimaging tools in the diagnosis and treatment of children. Patients here have access to magnetoencephalography (MEG), intraoperative MRI (iMRI). CONDITIONS WE TREAT: 15Q DUPLICATION SYNDROME Autism BEHAVIORAL ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVE DISORDERS BRAIN TUMORS CRANIOFACIAL DISORDERS DRAVET SYNDROME DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND NEUROMOTOR DISORDERS SUCH AS CEREBRAL PALSY EPILEPSY HEADACHES HEAD INJURIES LEARNING AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE SEIZURES SLEEP DISORDERS SPINAL DISORDERS AND TUMORS TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX TICS, TOURETTE'S SYNDROME
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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