Media Contact: Ben Metcalf; Office: 858-966-8579; Cell: 619-822-8593; bmetcalf@rchsd.org
San Diego – February 21, 2014 – After nearly eight years of service as President and CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, Kathleen Sellick announced today that she will retire for medical reasons. Kathleen arrived at her decision after carefully considering the recommendations of her doctors for her health now and in the future.
Kathleen suffered injuries in a horseback riding accident in August of 2012. She returned to work after one month, but in November, 2013, as a result of several complications and upon the advice of her physicians, she began a medical leave.
During her tenure as President and CEO and under her leadership and guidance, Rady Children’s:
- Achieved top rankings year after year in US News & World Report
- Established a Medical Practice Foundation, helping to align and improve the quality and delivery of care and enhance research
- Expanded community partnerships and collaborations to better serve families in the neighborhoods where they live
- Led the construction and opening of the Acute Care Pavilion in 2010, a state-of-the art patient care facility
- Established an alliance with Children’s Hospital Orange County to share and enhance best practices with the goal of achieving the best clinical outcomes for patients
- Expanded services into Southern Riverside County
- Opened a specialized cardiac unit and created infrastructure for a new heart transplant program
- Maintained financial stability across the organization
- Guided the implementation of EPIC, an advanced electronic medical record system that has dramatically improved efficiency, convenience and safety
In addition to these accomplishments, in 2011, Kathleen was named Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine.
Kathleen has shown a tireless commitment to Rady Children’s mission: to restore, sustain and enhance the health and developmental potential of children through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy.
“With the unwavering support of my family, medical team, colleagues and our wonderful community, I have made great progress in my recovery,” Kathleen said. “While I had hoped to continue in my role at Rady Children’s for years to come, my doctors now feel it is best for me to retire. My family and I are very grateful for the love and concern expressed by everyone regarding my health and I appreciate that everyone has been understanding of my wish to keep all of the details a private matter. ”
The Rady Children’s Board of Trustees will continue to provide active oversight to the Senior Executive Management Team during this transition. Rady Children’s Chief Administrative and Operating Officer, Meg Norton, and Chief Medical Officer, Donald Kearns, MD, will share the responsibilities as acting Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Kearns is serving as Acting President; Meg Norton as Executive Vice President. Both are long-tenured, veteran executives who began serving in this split role when Kathleen left on medical leave last November.
“Kathleen leaves behind an incredible legacy of service and accomplishment, not only to Rady Children’s, but to the entire community,” said David F. Hale, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Rady Children’s. “Her vision to make Rady Children’s a world class children’s hospital – a place where we not only provide top clinical care for sick and injured children, but we focus on research to help prevent diseases and find cures — is one of the many reasons the future of Rady Children’s looks so bright. We thank Kathleen for her significant contributions and wish her the very best as she transitions into this new phase of her life.”