We nominate Steven Buckingham to the Inaugural EHS Hall of Fame class

To Members of the Selection Committee-

Members of Edison High School’s Class of ’86 knew who their valedictorian would be practically from the day we entered as freshmen. Steve Buckingham was intelligent, inquisitive, and mature beyond his years. Smart kids are often more appreciated by their teachers than their peers. Not so with Steve. Yes, his teachers adored him, but his quick wit, his desire to help, and his complete lack of judgment of others made him a unique individual who was a friend to many and admired by all.  He had the respect of his peers in high school—a time in our lives when most of us had little respect for anyone. A member of the Academic Senate, Kiwanis Bowl, Spanish Club, and Academic Decathlon Team, Steve was perhaps best known for his extraordinary success in Model United Nations, where he received top honors at numerous conferences, including the state championship at UC Berkeley. We knew that Steve would go on to do great things, and he did not disappoint.

Steve received a Model United Nation’s scholarship to UC Riverside where he graduated cum laude with a BS in Biomedical Sciences. In his fourth year at Riverside, he entered a highly selective program in which his last year of college counted as the first year of his medical degree, allowing him to graduate from UCLA medical school in three years.  He served his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma/University of Oklahoma College of Medicine where he was on duty in 1995 when the Oklahoma City bombing occurred.  He tended to the few children who survived the collapse of the daycare center on the federal building’s second floor.

He became an accomplished pediatrician, working for 19 years at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee. A husband and father of three, Steve’s insistence on putting his family first was much admired by his fellow doctors. Though an established expert in pediatric infectious diseases, Steve’s interests went well beyond his chosen field, so much so that in his forties he started a graduate program in History. He won best Master’s Thesis in History from the University of Memphis and was completing a PhD on infectious diseases in American colonial history at the time of his passing. Spanning the disciplines of science and the humanities, Steve had a rare intellect that was as far-reaching as it was deep.

Steve’s resume is impressive—and long, standing at 22-pages—and he could be admired for those accomplishments alone, but they do not capture the real reason he was so extraordinary. We are nominating Steven Buckingham for induction into the Edison High School Hall of Fame because of the way his brilliance, kindness, humility, and humor came together in his singular, life-long dedication to making others’ lives better.

As an expert on infectious pediatric diseases, specializing in tick-borne diseases, Steve treated children who suffered from very complex and sometimes long-term illnesses.  The types of diseases he specialized in are notoriously hard to diagnose in adults, but are especially so in children since they have a difficult time expressing what they are experiencing.  Steve’s gentle nature put his patients at ease, helping him to figure out the best course of treatment.  Not only did he improve—and sometimes save—the lives of his patients, but he no doubt provided considerable comfort to distraught parents.

And yet, Steve’s greatest legacy will likely be in the area of teaching and mentorship.  After Steve passed away, his family received scores of messages from the residents he had mentored and colleagues he advised. From these messages emerges a portrait of a much-loved teacher: one whose intellect and skill shaped those around him professionally, and whose compassion and sense of humor had a profound impact on them personally. Here is a selection of those messages:

Very thankful this year for my friend and mentor Steve Buckingham. You were a patient teacher, a brilliant pediatrician, and witty friend. I am so grateful that you were right by my side my first month as an attending. You helped me gain the confidence I needed before going off on my own. Thank you for making me laugh so hard I could barely get through rounds or intern selection meetings. Thank you for teaching me to always take a step back and see the big picture before making my decision. Thank you for the life advice and support during chief year. Thank you for being a role model by always putting your family first while being an amazing physician. Thank you for teaching me less intervention can be more and not to fear the doxy. I can't help but think you are rolling your eyes with a sarcastic comment about my tears this week. You are the only person I know who was so smart that medicine was not enough of a challenge, so you had to go get a masters in history, too! I respect and admire you and will never forget all that you have done for countless children, medical students, and residents. Le Bonheur has lost another one of The Greatest all too soon. I will keep your family, Le Bonheur family, and friends in my prayers.

Kesley Alexander

Saddened that the Le Bonheur family has lost another giant in Dr. Steve Buckingham. He was first and foremost a great and passionate teacher. His clinical acumen was second to none. His wit was exceedingly dry and humorous, while he was also very insightful as to clinical matters, history, and sports among many other topics. He was always academic and practical at the same time. He will be greatly missed. I took this picture yesterday afternoon as I was walking out of clinic and the sun was setting on Le Bonheur, remembering all the great times he shared with so many there. Praying for his family.

Jason Yaun

Praying for the Buckingham family and Le Bonheur tonight. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Steve Buckingham as my advisor during residency and I couldn't have asked for a better one. I will miss his practical advice, sense of humor, kindness, and the calm way he dealt with any trouble I caused. Thank you Dr. Buckingham for making me a better doctor

Katie Alexander

Thank you for making me a physician with critical thinking skills. And for answering my questions even 10 years after residency. You were a true mentor. Hugs to your amazing family.

Kim Edgmon

What a great honor and privilege it has been to work with Steve as our medical director. He was always so supportive of our team. We will miss his wit, his bright blue eyes, and the memories of our lunch meetings at Café Eclectic. We greatly respect his commitment to his wife and family and those frequent family vacations. He knew what was important in life. What an amazing legacy he left for all who knew him. We miss you, Steve.

Joy

Every time I come to write my words of gratitude regarding Steve, I am overcome with emotion and just can’t do it. People have said such wonderful things about him and it makes me sad but also gives me joy that I had the honor of being mentored by him.

Residency at Lebonheur is tough! Lots of patients, most are very sick, and many have problems that we really don’t expect to see in the U.S. We survive with a smile on our face because our program is special. We are all family. Our fellow residents are like siblings and our attendings become like mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles. One of my brothers called to tell me the most dreadful news on Tuesday morning. We lost one of those great father figures who spent so much time chatting on our chief couch. I have struggled with wrapping my brain around the fact that Steve Buckingham is gone.

As many have said, Steve was an effortless mentor. He did so in a way that the mentee didn’t realize what he was doing until she went to say her final Lebonheur goodbyes, after 5 years. She walks into his office to say thanks and starts crying uncontrollably. Totally caught me off guard, but that was the moment I realized that Steve had invested so much time in me growing from a baby to a toddler physician. And I am pretty sure that the look on his face that day is the same look he would have listening to all of us carry on about him. (a smirk and an eye roll with a little awkward silence). He was not one for compliments and accolades. To him, he was just being authentically himself and that resulted in a natural mentor. It’s funny, I have reflected about all the time I spent learning, laughing, and talking with Steve. Very little of my reflection involves infectious disease. (I’m sure I would get a good eye roll from him and maybe Sandy Arnold here). Don’t get me wrong, I had my share of 2 hour conversations regarding which therapy and for what length. (usually, only to arrive where we started.) It took becoming an attending to realize that the 2 hour journey of critical thinking is what I would use most in my career.

Anyway, most of what I remember from Steve is his devotion to his family. He would often discuss his family and then remind me how important it was to choose a future career that would allow me to balance work/family life. I didn’t have kids at the time, but now that I do, he is always in my head. My husband and I are a physician/physician family and it’s not easy. Whenever things get tough, I think about how he and Vanessa made it work and have 3 wonderful kids. I was lucky to have him on service multiple times, which meant many Saturdays. And on those Saturdays, he was always (without compromising patient care) making sure that we were efficient enough so that he could get to Amber, Kyle, or Ashley’s sporting event. He often talked about his bride, Vanessa, and would get a little twinkle in his eye, like they were newlyweds.

To my Lebonheur family, I am thinking and praying for you. I realize the days ahead are going to be super tough.

To Vanessa, Ashley, Kyle, and Amber: I hope you get to read all the wonderful things people have to say about your father/husband. You may not know most of us, or only met us once at a redbirds game. However, we feel like you are family because he always talked of you with pride. I can say with confidence that our Lebonheur family is here for you and will walk alongside you in this difficult time. Your father made such a huge impact in our lives, which lives on across the globe. We will be thinking, praying and trying to serve you the best way we know how. Thank you so much for selflessly sharing your Steve. We are all different because of him. So very sorry for your loss.

Stephanie Glover

Well I have avoided this about as long as I can, because frankly I feel pretty empty right about now, but it is good to remember, and to celebrate life, and to release, so now I will simply say: Steve Buckingham, my mentor, advisor, and friend- I love you and miss you in the deepest parts of my heart. Thank you for molding me and believing in me more than any other teacher ever has. Your legacy is great and will not easily be forgotten. Your humor was funny in my favorite way, your wit the quickest of quick, your knowledge profound, and your nature gentle. Many children will live long, healthy lives because you sacrificed yours to the work of medicine. We hold you in our souls and will keep you there forever.

Megan Imboden Galaske

I've avoided writing anything on Facebook until now, mostly because I've been in denial that Steve Buckingham could possibly be gone. I will echo a lot of what has already been said. Steve helped shaped me into the ID physician I am today, and I use what he has taught me more times than I can count. He was a great mentor to me from the first moment I decided that I wanted to be just like Steve and/or Sandy. Rounds with him were great, not just because of what I learned about Peds ID, but because of the zillion and one side conversations we had about family, college football, history, immigration... I could go on. I will miss his bone-dry humor, his insights, and his friendship very much.

Daliya Khuon

In honor of Dr. Steve Buckingham…

LeBonheur lost another great physician this week. From my mentor since medical school, advisor through residency, friend, and one of the smartest, kindest, and wittiest physicians I've ever known. …He was a huge part of the reason I decided to stay in Memphis for residency and I'm grateful for his influence in making me the physician I am today. You will be greatly missed by all. Continued prayers for your family.

Beth Brown

It's hard to say anything that hasn't already been said about the terrible loss that the world has endured. Steve Buckingham was a magnificent teacher, advisor, mentor, doctor and so much more. He was one of the smartest doctors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, but even more than that he was one of the kindest. He took the time to comfort and encourage me when I was down and gave me direction when I didn't know where to go. My prayers go out to his family as I join so many others in expressing our sadness and disbelief that he is gone. I weep in sadness for all the coming generations of students, residents and doctors who will never have the opportunity to experience his wit, his genius, and his bone-dry humor. You made me the doctor I am today, Dr. Buckingham - I only wish I told you more often how grateful I am to you. Don't fear the doxy!!!

Jonathan Chang

So shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Buckingham. He was such a wonderful mentor and teacher to so many doctors in training. Nine years after finishing residency, I still remember how much fun it was to work with him, his witty deadpan zingers, and his kindness. He was a brilliant man but never boastful and the consumate learner. I loved the example he set by coming to talks for the residents that other attendings gave so he could learn something new even though he was clearly already so knowledgeable in his own field. There will be a huge whole left at LeBonheur without him there. I grieve for his family, his friends, and for all of the future pediatricians who will never have the blessing of having been taught by such a wonderful man. Rest in Peace Steve.

Karen Willis

Today has been a very hard day, but I kept on thinking about all the great times I've had these last few years with Steve Buckingham. He was an attending on my first team at lebonheur, where he taught me how to think for myself and helped me transition to become a doctor. From there we had countless discussions about usually sports (Boomer sooner!), medicine, and later our families. We laughed through intern selection, and celebrated at holidays with Sandy Arnold, including last thanksgiving.

Steve is also responsible for maybe my proudest moment in medicine when he asked me if I would be his doctor. I could not have been more humbled to be asked that from literally the smartest doctor I know. Steve, your legacy lives on with this doctor and so many of the other doctors that you have influenced, forever. You will be deeply missed.

Mike Kleinman

Today I was heartbroken to hear about the passing of an amazing physician, mentor, and friend! Steve Buckingham helped to shape me into the physician I am today and I often find myself passing on things he taught me. I'll always remember him for not only his intelligence, but also for his sarcasm and his amazing ability to make things look/sound easy!! LeBonheur and the world won't be the same without him!

Ashley Shirah

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Steve Buckingham passed away on November 24, 2015. Though he moved away from Huntington Beach, he visited often, stayed in touch with many of his high school friends, and remained a Charger for life.  He will be remembered as the best of the Class of ‘86.

Sincerely,

Julie E. Taylor, ’86

Lilian Carswell, ’86

Kregg Strehorn, ’86

Raymond Chen, ‘86