Dr. Trent Ellenburg, Tennessee native and 2014 graduate of the internal medicine-pediatrics residency program at UMMC, shares about his time in Jackson and what he’s up to now.
First tell us about you and your time at UMMC.
I had the pleasure of training at The University Of Mississippi Medical Center from 2010-2014 in the combined internal medicine/pediatrics program. After graduating from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Go Vols!) and completing my medical school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia campus, my wife (Jen) and I made the journey to the great state of Mississippi. While there, we made friends of a lifetime while getting exceptional medical training in the Med/Peds program. While I spent many hours at the hospital, Jen worked at Rosa Scott School as a spanish teacher while we lived in the Flowood community. The program provided me a solid foundation and comfort level in treating patients of all ages and allowed me to pursue a fellowship in allergy and immunology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. While in Memphis, our son Caden was born, and our little girl Mary Michael joined our family in 2017. Life has been filled with much joy and excitement over the years, but our time in Mississippi was special and will always be cherished greatly.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
After completing my allergy fellowship, we moved back to our hometown of Knoxville, TN. I had the privilege of joining the private practice my dad founded in 1981, Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, as its 5th allergist. I spend my days seeing both pediatric and adult patients with a variety of atopic conditions as well as a few immune deficiencies. Primarily I work in a clinic setting, however, I have privileges at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and UT Medical Center, Knoxville. I even get to work with my dad a few days a month which is special. Our days are busy as Caden is 8 and Mary Michael is 6. I love coaching Caden’s baseball, football, and basketball teams while cheering on Mary Michael in gymnastics and tennis. I am currently on the board and President-Elect of the Southeastern Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society. I enjoy spending time with my kids, date nights with Jen, and traveling while cheering on the VOLS.
What do you miss most about UMMC?
I really miss working with young physicians and seasoned attendings. The camaraderie among other residents and trainees was second to none. My Med/Peds Residency training at UMMC provided a front row seat into taking care of Mississippians of all ages and caring for them and their families. I really miss daily discussions with attendings, fellows, and other residents in regards to patient care plans and medical decision-making. In addition to this, I miss middle of the night conversations about career and family plans with other residents. I also miss raiding the pediatric lounge for sodas and snacks and catching up with my pediatric colleagues while on medicine rotations or a night shift. UMMC was truly a wonderful place to train, and I miss the Med/Peds staff including, Jimmy Stewart, Michel Horn, and Zeb Henson dearly.
Share a memory of your time here at UMMC.
Though I have countless memories, I recall that I was on medicine wards every February from 2010-2014. For whatever reason I remember watching segments of at least 2 or 3 Super Bowl’s from the VA lounge (not the most ideal place to watch a Super Bowl, but it was part of the gig). Going to resident socials, program get-togethers, and application dinners along with playing in the medicine and pediatric golf tournaments each fall also are memorable highlights and provided nice breaks from work. Overall, The University of Mississippi Medical Center afforded me a terrific postgraduate residency training for which I will forever be grateful.
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