Top Memphis hand surgeon, 43, is shot and killed by PATIENT in ‘targeted attack’

A leading Memphis hand doctor has died after being fatally shot by a patient in his exam room in what police describe as a “targeted attack.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck was killed at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Memphis.

Officers rushed to the scene and found the suspect on Poplar Avenue near the entrance to the clinic with a gun. The shooter has been arrested.

Police have not yet released the name, age or possible motive of the accused gunman, who reportedly paced the facility before committing the murder.

Dr. Mauck, 43, was remembered as a phenomenal doctor. Many of his patients, who praised him as “kind, funny and smart,” said he saved their lives with his vital work.

He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said, “It’s bad. It’s horrible. It’s terrible.

So this appears to be a one-on-one interaction that took place in an exam room. This was not a mass shooting.’

In an update, police wrote: “The suspect in this incident is in custody while we continue the investigation. This was a single shooting, not an active shooting incident.”

Dr. Mauck is survived by his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and their two young children.

Just five days ago, Dr. Mauck was heralded by the Memphis Magazine and national medical group Castle Connolly as one of the top doctors in the city in a gushing column.

Dr. Mauck told the magazine last month, “It’s never boring.

“This work includes treating sports injuries, trauma, cancer and soft tissue defects. It is an area of ​​orthopedics that is transitioning into other specialisms, such as plastic surgery and neurology.’

He warned of July 4: “Keep your children away from fireworks.”

He worked as a hand surgeon at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics and was also head of the Congenital Hand Clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Mauck graduated from Lambuth University in 2002, before going on to study medicine at the University of Tennessee-Memphis. He then completed his residency at UT-Campbell Clinic.

Campbell Clinic director of marketing and PR, Irina Ollar, said in a statement: “Earlier today, we experienced a single shooting incident at our clinic in Collierville.

“We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm that the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mack. We ask that you lift up his family in prayer.

“During this difficult time, we will be working out many details and will keep you informed as best we can.

“We have decided to close all Campbell Clinic locations tomorrow, July 12, and will communicate the reopening of all facilities at a later date.

“We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

“Our priorities remain Faith, Family and Patient Care. At this time, we are asking for your prayers for the entire Campbell Clinic family, as well as for the privacy of Dr. Mauck.’

Dr. Trey Eubanks, interim president, surgeon-in-chief of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, said: ‘We were shocked to learn that Campbell Clinic and Le Bonheur surgeon Ben Mauck were tragically murdered today at his clinic in Collierville.

“Ben was a friend to so many of us – a respected member of our Le Bonheur family, a beloved colleague and a devoted physician to so many patients.

“We miss him already.

His death is an unthinkable tragedy and I don’t know what to say. I am so sorry for those who loved and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.

“I am also grateful to this team, all of you. And I encourage each of you to be gentle with each other during this time. Ask for support and offer it when needed. We will all be affected by this loss in one way or another.

“We schedule debriefings and offer spiritual care and EAP sessions.

“Please keep the entire Campbell Clinic family and especially Ben’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

All Campbell Clinic locations remain closed.

Dozens of tributes to the stellar doctor flooded social media on Tuesday.

Kristina Austin, who studied with the doctor in school, wrote, “Every day we are bombarded with senseless loss of life, and one day it’s someone you know, someone you grew up with, who you cheered for at the basketball court, sat at a lunch table with in the cafeteria, stood next to the starting row, graduated with.

“Someone who was always a genuinely nice person. Someone who studied medicine for years to become a surgeon and help others. Today that someone was Ben Mauck.

“Just 5 days ago he was in the spotlight of a top doctor in Memphis Magazine, no one could have imagined how quickly things would change.

“The ridiculousness of the tragedies we are now enduring as a society will always be beyond our comprehension because there is no reason for it. There was no reason for Ben Mauck to lose his life today.

‘Enough must be enough. It is my greatest prayer that our world regains some kind of moral compass.

“However, it is my prayer tonight that Mrs. Ann Mauck, the family and everyone Ben has touched will be comforted by God’s unfailing love.

“We’ll never understand why, and our hearts certainly ache, but we can take comfort in the knowledge that Ben is in the arms of the best doctor tonight.”

Pamela Griffin, one of Mauck’s patients, said, “I am saddened by this news. I broke my fingertip in October and Dr. Benjamin Mauck performed my operation on my hand.

“I visited him every six weeks. He really tried to help me regain full movement in my right ring finger.

“I should have seen him in Collierville next Tuesday. He was a gentle giant with a very humble spirit. Prayers go out to your family and your assistant Mrs. Candice. Rest in Love.’

Jackie Kelley, whose family was also treated by the doctor, added: ‘So pointless and sad. He was such a nice person and a phenomenal surgeon. He made my husband’s hand twice.’

His former colleague Calissa Kneip said: ‘Oh my God, I worked with Dr Mauck constantly for 8 years. This is so horrific. He was shot dead today by a disgruntled patient in an exam room. I’m in shock.

“We loved you, Dr. Mauck, and you helped so many people. RIP and prayers for his precious young family and my Campbell Clinic family.”

Josh Jacobs, who said Dr. Mauck saved his life by performing his amputation, wrote online, “Praying for the friends, family and colleagues of Dr. Benjamin Mauck. I wish them all peace.

“He was the hand surgeon who discovered my cancer and performed my amputation. I give him partial credit for potentially saving my life.

“The work he did for me was amazing. This is very sad news to hear.’

Mauck’s former patient Tori Petrus Eads wrote, “I am heartbroken that Dr. Benjamin Mauck was murdered today! He has been my doctor for years. He was kind, smart, funny and a great teacher.

“He always used me to teach his residents how to inject joints. We joked that the only thing more painful was listening to me all the time. Pray for him and his family.’

Marcie Taylor Stewart also remembered the doctor: “Dr. Benjamin Mauck… the sweetest, most thorough hand specialist there is. Thank you for saving my husband’s hand and his ability to practice dentistry.

“Thank you for giving him hope with his Dupuytrens Syndrome in his hands. What a loss your gifts as an orthopedic surgeon will be. What a loss to the hands that need your care.

“Prayers for your family, friends, patients and all who love you. The loss of this wonderful man and medical professional is simply senseless!!!

“Thank you for treating your patients so well, Dr. Mauck. You will be missed. Shame on the person who took you from this world, your family and your profession that has blessed so many.”