Dr. Habeeba Park’s journey to becoming a trauma surgeon wasn’t an ordinary one. It was shaped by resilience, a passion for learning, and an unwavering commitment to make a difference in the lives of those she treats. For 17 years, Dr. Park has built a career around saving lives, particularly in critical and high-pressure environments. As the Associate Trauma Medical Director at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon, she has helped lead the development of the hospital's trauma care program, providing life-saving care to patients across a vast region.
As the eldest of nine siblings in a family facing both financial struggles and personal adversity, she watched her father and mother make sacrifices to care for them, inspiring Dr. Park’s determination to pursue her dreams. From a young age, she was captivated by the human body and how it functioned.
"I was always fascinated with the human body and how it worked," she recalls, spending hours drawing anatomy illustrations while sewing and mending clothes for her siblings—activities that unknowingly laid the foundation for her future in surgery.
After completing her medical education, Dr. Park became a general surgeon and specialized in trauma and critical care. She honed her skills at the prestigious University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, one of the busiest and most renowned trauma centers in the world. It was here that she faced the most severe and complex cases, from car accidents to gunshot wounds, often working alongside military medical teams in situations comparable to battlefield injuries.
Despite the high demands of her work, Dr. Park’s decision to relocate to Tennessee was motivated by both personal and professional considerations. Her husband, a former US Army servicemember, was returning home to Robertson County, and Dr. Park was offered the opportunity to help build Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital's new trauma program.
"I reached out to my friends at Vanderbilt, and they created this position for me," she says. Along with Dr. Andrew Hopper, the hospital’s trauma medical director, Dr. Park helped establish the hospital’s Level 3 trauma center, which serves a broad area from Gallatin to Chattanooga.
While trauma surgery is often described as "high-stakes" medicine, it is also a deeply personal mission for Dr. Park. "It's about giving people a chance to live again," she says. As the leader of the trauma team, Dr. Park is at the helm during critical moments, but she is quick to emphasize that trauma care is a team effort. Nurses, physical therapists, techs, and physicians from various disciplines work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Despite the intensity of her work, Dr. Park maintains a strong sense of balance in her life. Her family, including her husband, children, and a growing collection of rescue animals, provide her with a sense of grounding.
"I’m lucky to have such a supportive community here in Lebanon," she says. Outside of medicine, Dr. Park enjoys spending time on her farm, where she connects with nature and the agricultural community that surrounds her.
In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Park is passionate about trauma prevention and community education. Through initiatives like the "Stop the Bleed" program, she teaches people how to respond to life-threatening injuries and potentially save lives. "Trauma prevention is key," she explains, "and empowering the community with knowledge can make all the difference in a crisis."
For Dr. Park, trauma surgery is more than just a career—it’s a calling. With her expertise and leadership, she is helping to reshape the future of trauma care in Wilson County while staying true to her roots and passion for serving others.