February 5, 2020
ED and Urgent Care Patient Access
Jan. 15, 2020 – Today I met with team members who have the critically important job of working with families as they seek care for their children at our emergency department and urgent care facilities. These patient access representatives can be found at our locations as far north as Murrieta, as far south as Chula Vista and as far east as La Mesa. Read More...
February 5, 2020
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services
Jan. 10, 2020 – Today I met with a highly experienced team of specialists who provide comprehensive psychiatric care through our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (CAPS) program, an inpatient unit for children and adolescents up to age 18 diagnosed with mental and behavioral health concerns. Conditions treated include depression, psychosis, anxiety disorders and substance abuse. Read More...
January 15, 2020
Trauma Services
Jan. 8, 2020 – “We are the support system for the frontline staff that takes care of our trauma patients.” That’s how Trauma Program Manager Matthew Derkrikorian described the responsibilities of the dynamic trauma services team during my visit with this group — my first passport stop in 2020! Read More...
December 13, 2019
Behavioral Health Services
Dec. 4, 2019 – What a fun visit I had today with the outpatient psychiatry team! Some of them were dressed for Comic-Con, some wore matching shirts and others were decked out in holiday attire. This dynamic — and eclectic — group provides mental health and psychosocial services to children, adolescents and their families as part of Rady Children’s comprehensive behavioral health services program. Read More...
December 4, 2019
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Nov. 22, 2019 – Today I met with a group that mostly works behind the scenes, but what they do is critically important to our patients. The pathology and laboratory medicine team provides diagnostic results that affect 70 percent of all medical decisions. It’s a big responsibility, but this team demonstrates every day that they are more than up to the challenge. Read More...
December 3, 2019
Surgical Services, Sterile Processing and PACU
Nov. 20, 2019 – Today’s visit took me to the Warren Family Surgical Center, which provides general and specialized surgical services for infants, children and adolescents. Here, surgeons perform more than 20,000 procedures each year, making Rady Children’s one of the busiest surgical centers on the West Coast. In order to get the full experience, I was assigned the role of a patient who was arriving at the Hospital for a surgical procedure. Read More...
December 2, 2019
Education and Professional Development
Nov. 18, 2019 – The first part of my visit with the education and professional development team was reminiscent of a family holiday meal. We all sat around a large, festively decorated table, shared stories and ate delicious food. I learned that the majority of this nine-person team transitioned from a clinical background, with former CHET team members, nurses and nursing assistants among the group. Read More...
December 2, 2019
Clinical Information Systems
Nov. 12, 2019 – By now most everybody has heard of Epic, the system that Rady Children’s uses to access, organize, store and share electronic medical records. Since it was launched here in 2009, Epic has expanded to include multiple modules that have transformed the way clinicians provide care to our patients. Today, I met with the clinical information systems team, which supports and maintains existing Epic applications, provides education to users and comes together for “go-lives” when a new application is launched. Read More...
December 2, 2019
Heart Institute
Nov. 1, 2019 – I was excited to start my morning with the talented team members from Rady Children’s Heart Institute, which was created to integrate and coordinate the research and educational programs of the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery divisions. Their common goal is to provide optimal care for infants, children and adults with congenital heart defects, and to advance our knowledge and understanding of congenital heart disease. Read More...
November 18, 2019
CASRC
Nov. 1, 2019 – I can hardly believe today was one of my last Patrick’s Passport visit to the Plaza! I’ve met countless fantastic teams here, and today’s group — Child and Adolescent Services Research Center — was no exception. This 30-year-old collaborative of more than 100 researchers and employees unites experts from Rady Children’s, UC San Diego and San Diego State University — the main partners — as well as institutions such as University of San Diego and University of Southern California. Their focus is on optimizing high-quality and effective youth and family behavioral health programs, with an emphasis on developing, implementing and improving community-based services. They are also a major hub for training graduate students, postdocs and fellows. Read More...
November 18, 2019
Radiology
Oct. 31, 2019 –It was a treat to visit the Radiology Department on Halloween, especially when I was greeted by the full team dressed in skeleton costumes — perfect for a group that uses state-of-the-art imaging services to look at the skeletons (and a few other things) of our patients. The imaging services provided include angiography, bone densitometry, diagnostic X-rays, orthopedic imaging, computerized tomography, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, interventional radiology nuclear medicine with single proton emission computerized tomography and ultrasound with Doppler applications. Wow, that’s a mouthful! Read More...
November 18, 2019
Center for Healthy Sleep
Oct. 30, 2019 – When most people are winding down their evenings, the Center for Healthy Sleep’s team of registered sleep polysomnography technologists is just getting started. They stay up through the night monitoring sleeping patients to measure and identify physiologic changes, including the stages of sleep, respiratory abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias, body movements, arousal from sleep and abnormal behaviors. Read More...
November 18, 2019
Pharmacy Services
Oct. 25, 2019 – Today I visited a team with a crucial mission: promoting the safe and effective use of medication to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. This is Pharmacy Services, which includes both inpatient and outpatient pharmacies and is staffed by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other team members. Read More...
November 4, 2019
Telephone Triage
Oct. 17, 2019 – My latest travels took me to Copley for a visit with the telephone triage team. Manager Donna Donoghue leads this hardworking group of nurses and their admin extraordinaire, Lauren Berra, in fielding after-hours parent and caregiver calls for various health care entities, both within the Rady Children’s family and beyond. Telephone triage professionals help callers with everything from determining the best course of care for a child with a cold to talking through a child’s serious injury and guiding them to the optimal emergency medicine location — they really hear it all! Through my years as a physician, I was familiar with the concept of telephone triage, but arrived eager to learn how our specific team operates. Read More...
November 4, 2019
Infection Control
Oct. 16, 2019 – You may have heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The infection control team takes that old adage to heart! They dedicate themselves to preventing the spread of communicable diseases within the Hospital and to reducing the risks of health care-associated infections. Read More...
November 4, 2019
Case Managers
Oct. 16, 2019 – The dynamic case managers I met with today wear many hats and take on a variety of responsibilities. Working closely with patient families to address their child’s health needs, this team of nurses provides assessment, planning, care coordination and advocacy for options and services. Read More...
November 4, 2019
Electroencephalogram (EEG) Lab
Oct. 15, 2019 – Today I had the pleasure of meeting a team with a very specialized focus. Working closely with neurologists and other physicians, these medical professionals are trained to operate an electroencephalograph, a machine that monitors a patient’s nervous system by analyzing their brain wave patterns and electrical activity. Technicians place soft padded wires, called electrodes, on the scalp to conduct the tests, more commonly known as an EEG. Normal electrical activity in the brain makes a recognizable pattern that can be interpreted, much like a normal heart rhythm. Most EEG studies are initiated to diagnose and monitor seizure disorders, but they can also identify causes of other problems such as sleep disorders and changes in behavior. The team stays busy with about 4,500 EEG inpatient and outpatient studies annually. Read More...
October 22, 2019
Biomedical Engineering
Oct. 10, 2019 – Hospitals like ours are filled with a wide variety of complex equipment that is critical to patient care. Today I met with the small but mighty team that keeps our patients safe by ensuring this equipment is up and running and available 24/7. Read More...
October 22, 2019
Polinsky Children's Center
Oct. 10, 2019 – Today I visited with the staff of the Polinsky Children’s Center, a 24-hour facility for the temporary emergency shelter of children from birth to 18 years old who must be separated from their families for their own safety, or when parents cannot provide care. The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency operates the facility and Rady Children’s is contracted to provide medical care. Read More...
October 18, 2019
MPF Revenue Cycle
Oct. 8, 2019 – The MPF Revenue Cycle team had a very adventurous visit planned for me when I arrived at Rady Children’s Business Center (Copley). The moment I walked into the dining rooms, I felt like I was finally on my first Hawaiian vacation! Read More...
October 17, 2019
Rancho Springs Medical Center NICU
Oct. 2, 2019 – Today’s Murrieta adventures continued with a trip to the Rancho Springs Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit. NICU Supervisor Dawn Hesson and NICU Manager Lynnore Johns met up with me in the lobby of the Rancho Springs administration building to welcome me to “The Ranch,” and led me back to a “wine” (sparkling cider) and cheese picnic with a number of NICU team members. However, I had to make sure I got my passport stamped and boarding pass checked before digging in to our feast! Read More...
October 17, 2019
Developmental Services at Murrieta Medical Plaza
Oct. 2, 2019 – I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with many branches of Developmental Services over the course of my travels, and today, I spent the morning with the 40+ employees comprising our Murrieta Medical Plaza team. With the exception of a few programs made possible through County of San Diego funding, all Developmental Services available at our San Diego locations — such as autism services; developmental evaluations; and speech, physical and occupational therapy — are also available here. Read More...
October 17, 2019
Audiology
Oct. 1, 2019 – The audiology team had an interactive visit planned for me when I stopped by their offices at the Rady Children’s Health Services building. The first thing I did was sit in a chair that spins around inside of a cylinder! Read More...
October 16, 2019
Physical Therapy
Oct. 1, 2019 – I am frequently surprised and delighted by what departments have planned for me when I visit, and today was definitely one of those days. I had just sat down in the large physical therapy gym on the third floor of Rady Children’s Health Services building when suddenly music started thumping and a fashion show began! Read More...
October 15, 2019
Speech-Language Pathology
Oct. 1, 2019 – Today I met with the team that helps kids improve their speech and language skills through an amazing variety of creative and motivating strategies. The Speech-Language Pathology Department evaluates children with speech, language, cognitive, feeding, swallowing and auditory impairments and provides specialized therapies to develop their language skills. Read More...
October 14, 2019
HomeCare
Sept. 26, 2019 – While it may be true that most doctors don’t make house calls anymore, HomeCare still does! A Rady Children’s department for more than 25 years, HomeCare encompasses two programs: a home health agency with a clinical care team offering in-home visits and a home infusion pharmacy that delivers intravenous and injectable medications to patients, dispensed and monitored by experienced clinical pharmacists. Read More...
October 14, 2019
Research Administration
Sept. 25, 2019 – Research is such a vital part of Rady Children’s mission. It can lead to new and improved drugs, devices and diagnostics that can benefit patients in local, national and international populations. Today, on National Research Administrator Day, I met with the team that facilitates these important studies and investigations. Read More...
October 14, 2019
Rady Children's Hospital Foundation
Sept. 25, 2019 – Philanthropic investment is such an essential part of Rady Children’s, helping to fund the talent, research and technologies with the greatest promise to accelerate pediatric health discovery, and the programs and tools necessary to elevate patient care. During the last fiscal year, Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation worked with some 12,000 donors to raise more than $70M in philanthropic gifts to the Hospital. Read More...
October 14, 2019
Social Work and Child Life
Sept. 20, 2019 – During this visit I got a remarkable glimpse into the world of our social workers and child life specialists. These team members experience an incredible range of emotions with our patients and families on a daily basis, from moments that are inspiring and uplifting to situations that are incredibly difficult, sad and stressful. Read More...
September 30, 2019
Dialysis and Transplant
Sept. 19, 2019 – Today I learned more about the multitalented team that supports patients needing dialysis, liver and kidney transplants, infusions and Synagis injections. As Donna Donoghue, director of ambulatory care redesign and specialty services, described it, this team’s hallmark is “flexibility and collaboration” in their work. Read More...
September 20, 2019
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Main Campus)
Sept. 16, 2019 – My day began bright and early during shift change at the neonatal intensive care unit on the main campus. With 64 licensed beds and a multidisciplinary team of about 300 members, this Level 4 NICU provides care for the tiniest and most critically ill newborns, including those who have undergone a wide variety of complex surgeries. During my visit, 51 babies were under our team’s care. The neonatal team includes board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatal respiratory therapists and registered nurses with advanced life support training — our patient families certainly have a strong support system in their corners! Read More...
September 18, 2019
Medical Unit
Sept. 12, 2019 – Moments into meeting up with the leadership staff of our approximately 150-person medical unit team, I was glad I wore comfortable shoes — the patient care areas in which these hardworking professionals serve take up quite a bit of real estate in both the ACP and Rose Pavilion, and I was in for a grand tour! We began on the fourth floor of the ACP, where team members including Medical Unit Director Erin Costa, Medical Unit Manager Jill Greenberg and Clinical Nurse Specialist Cindy Lewis led me through the many hallways of the pulmonary unit. I learned that the 28 rooms are open to general care patients, as well as patients whose care requires equipment such as ventilators and trach tubes. Erin noted that because of this specialized level of care, the unit tends to stay very busy, particularly because all rehabilitation medicine patients with trach tubes stay here. Read More...
September 18, 2019
3 East Surgical
Sept. 9, 2019 – Today I met with a team whose job it is to get kids up and walking again. The staff on this 42-bed unit in the Acute Care Pavilion, called 3 East Surgical, provides comprehensive surgical and rehabilitation care to infants, children and young adults. Read More...
September 17, 2019
Environmental Services
Sept. 9, 2019 – In order to meet with as many of the environmental services team members as possible, I had the pleasure of visiting with two different groups of this large team on the same day! More commonly referred to as EVS, this team’s mission is to “provide excellent service to our kids and our customers and reduce infection by cleaning and sanitizing.” Just as medical staff care for our patients, EVS professionals work to keep our Hospital clean and everyone who walks through its doors healthy. Read More...
September 12, 2019
Scripps La Jolla NICU
Sept. 5, 2019 – The satellite locations I have visited so far all seem to embrace a theme based on their geographic location, and the Scripps La Jolla neonatal intensive care unit team was no exception. Just a couple of miles from the beach, this team was all about the sun and the surf. I received a lei and a boogie board (signed by every member of the unit) when I walked into the conference room! Read More...
September 10, 2019
KidSTART
Sept. 3, 2019 – My tour of developmental services continued with the KidSTART program, which serves children with complex developmental, mental health, medical and family needs. I learned that the START in KidSTART is actually a clever acronym for what the program does. It provides Screenings to identify potential concerns, Triage to determine level and complexity of need, Assessment by a transdisciplinary team, and Referral and Treatment to ensure that children and caregivers receive the services they need. My visit would take me take me through all five phases of this model. Read More...
September 10, 2019
Developmental Evaluation Clinic
Sept. 3, 2019 – During this stop, I was introduced to a team that helps steer families to the developmental and mental health services they need by providing comprehensive evaluations for children from birth through high school. This dedicated group staffs the developmental evaluation clinic, or DEC for short. Read More...
August 30, 2019
Quality Management
August 22, 2019 — As the group themselves aptly put it, I spent some quality time with the quality management team this afternoon! Manager Kat Worten greeted me right inside the Sadler Center for Quality and immediately ensured I was stocked up with a full plate of barbecue, a perfect pairing with the team’s brightly colored, picnic-themed décor. We had gingham tablecloths, kites and streamers, and a friendly bunch of giant (fake) ants ready to serve up some fruit treats. Systems Analyst Patti Seaney and Administrative Associate Mary Isela Mendoza had even taken the time to make me key lime pie from scratch! I guess word about my favorite dessert (besides my mom’s famous torta mil hoja, of course) gets around. Read More...
August 30, 2019
Scripps Mercy NICU
August 22, 2019 – It’s always a treat to spend time with staff who work in our satellite locations and partner institutions, and today was no exception. I had the pleasure of visiting with the Rady Children’s team at the Scripps Mercy neonatal intensive care unit, which is located in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. Read More...
August 30, 2019
Finance and Industrial Engineering
August 21, 2019 – Today I met with a group that has a unique and important role at Rady Children’s: the finance and industrial engineering team. They support efforts to make Rady Children’s more efficient by focusing on quality, safety, work flow, cost efficiency and satisfaction. Read More...
August 29, 2019
Developmental Screening and Enhancement Program
Aug. 14, 2019 – My travels brought me to the Plaza to visit the Developmental Screening and Enhancement Program team. With 40 members, the DSEP group is one of the largest under the Developmental Services umbrella, and includes two managers, developmental specialists, behavioral specialists, an aide, and dedicated outcomes and administrative teams. Through grant funding and in partnership with the County of San Diego’s Child Welfare Services, DSEP’s staff members accomplish intensive and important work: helping kids from birth to age 6 who have an open CWS case connect with the developmental and behavioral support they need to overcome traumas and live their healthiest possible lives. Read More...
August 28, 2019
Inpatient Developmental Services
August 13, 2019 – Today I was hit the gym – the OT/PT gym that is – in the Nelson Pavilion with the team from inpatient developmental services. This team of 35 occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech language pathologists works with patients who have been admitted to the hospital. Read More...
August 26, 2019
Inpatient Hematology/Oncology
August 6 and 7, 2019 — In order to meet with as many inpatient hematology/oncology team members as possible, I had the pleasure of visiting this team on two different dates. And this group really went big with the travel theme, even setting up their conference room like the inside of an airplane! Read More...
August 26, 2019
Occupational Therapy
August 6, 2019 — Team Rady Airlines has treated me well throughout my passport journey, but today’s trip required a flight change to the self-proclaimed “most fun airline” of the Hospital: OT Airlines, overseen by our expert occupational therapy crew! The OT team helps Rady Children’s patients develop cognitive, motor, adaptive and social skills across many facilities (Plaza, main campus, Torrey Hills, Murrieta and Oceanside) and programs (including C3 and KidStart), and I was eager to meet the people behind this far-reaching group. Once Director of Down Syndrome Clinical Programs Alexa Kratze, therapist/”pilot” Martha Beck-Monroe and Lead Occupational Therapist Kim Arndt handed me my first-class boarding pass, I was ready for takeoff. Read More...
August 21, 2019
Health Information Management
August 1, 2019 – I was back at Copley today to visit with the health information management team. They work to assure that patient information is secure, accurate and updated in a timely manner. It’s a big job that is always evolving with health care technology updates. Read More...
August 6, 2019
Government Affairs, Center for Healthier Communities, Newborn Screening and School Health
July 25, 2019 — Today’s travels brought me to Communityville, the “city” that is home to Rady Children’s talented government affairs, newborn screening, school health and Center for Healthier Communities teams. Their hometown is aptly named, since this well-connected bunch interfaces so heavily with different individuals and organizations throughout the San Diego community (and beyond). The residents had a jam-packed visit planned for me, so we dove right into the program, beginning with a presentation from government affairs. Read More...
August 6, 2019
Human Resources
July 25, 2019 – The human resources team really pulled out all the stops for this visit, transforming their offices into a colorful carnival complete with games of skill, fantastic prizes and even a petting zoo! Read More...
July 29, 2019
Security
July 22, 2019 – My visit with the security team got off to an interesting start. When I entered the room I felt like I was going through a TSA checkpoint at the airport! Read More...
July 26, 2019
Emergency Department
July 20, 2019 — I haven’t been in my new hometown for very long, but I’ll say with confidence that the emergency department team picked a very San Diego way for me to get acquainted with them — a beachside picnic and a taco bar! On a beautiful Saturday morning, I, along with my wife and three of our children, made our way to Crown Point Park to join the ED’s annual summertime bash. They couldn’t have picked a better spot — I mean, check out our view! Read More...
July 26, 2019
Chadwick Center for Children & Families
July 17, 2019 — Today I had the pleasure of meeting with the team at the Chadwick Center for Children & Families. Charles Wilson, senior center director, and Dr. Suzanne Starling, associate center director and medical director, met me in the Plaza lobby to fill me and a special guest — my wife, Anjie! — in on some of the center’s history and accomplishments before heading upstairs. We have quite an amazing program and facility here at Rady Children’s. Read More...
July 26, 2019
Plant Operations and Maintenance (POM)
July 17, 2019 – I had such a fun morning visit with the dedicated plant operations and maintenance department, more commonly known as POM. Read More...
July 25, 2019
Revenue Cycle Teams
July 16, 2019 — Today marked my biggest Team Rady visit to date! I headed over to our Copley office to meet with more than 150 members of the seven teams (12 with sub-teams) responsible for all aspects of revenue cycles within Rady Children’s. Sprinkled between Hawaiian-themed décor, each team had set up individual stations with posters, fun visual aids and treats (so many, many treats) to help me learn more about what they do to support the Rady Children’s mission. With Michael Hester, senior director of revenue cycle, acting as my guide, I prepared for my tropical tour of “Copleyland.” Read More...
July 25, 2019
MPF Central Scheduling
July 11, 2019 – Immediately after my visit with the central authorizations unit at Copley, I headed across the floor to meet with the MPF central scheduling department. This busy team provides scheduling support for 30 specialty departments. Read More...
July 18, 2019
MPF Central Authorizations Unit
July 11, 2019 – I was back at Copley for this visit with the Medical Practice Foundation’s Central Authorizations Unit. This is the team that secures funding (insurance authorizations) for kids who need outpatient services in dozens of Rady Children’s specialties. Read More...
July 18, 2019
Information Technology Infrastructure
July 9, 2019 — Today I met with a team that is critically important to keeping Rady Children’s complex network of servers, computers, applications and devices running smoothly: the IT infrastructure team. Read More...
July 12, 2019
Scripps Encinitas NICU
July 2, 2019 — While most of my stops have been inside a clinical unit or a conference room, today I got to enjoy the perfect weather on a patio at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas for my visit with the Rady Children’s neonatal intensive care unit team. Read More...
July 12, 2019
Scripps Chula Vista NICU
July 2, 2019 — I was on the road again today, headed south to visit with the small but mighty neonatal intensive care unit team at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista. This Level 2 NICU has 10 beds and provides support and care for babies who have mild to moderate health problems at birth. Read More...
July 9, 2019
Medical Practice Foundation Regional Satellite Staff
June 29, 2019 — Today I headed up to the Murrieta Medical Plaza (my first time there!) for a Saturday morning visit with the team that staffs Rady Children’s satellite clinics in Encinitas, Oceanside, Escondido and Murrieta. Read More...
July 8, 2019
Institute for Genomic Medicine
June 27, 2019 — What a fascinating and informative visit today with the team at Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine. These dynamic individuals are responsible for groundbreaking work that is on the leading edge of pediatric genomic medicine. Read More...
July 8, 2019
Medical Practice Foundation Support Staff
June 26, 2019 — Today I had the privilege of meeting with some frontline staff whose jobs are critically important to our organization’s success: the administrative associates and patient access representatives who make up the Medical Practice Foundation support staff. Read More...
June 26, 2019
In-House Transport and Information Desks
June 18, 2019 — During this visit, I had the pleasure of meeting with two teams who are on the front lines, working closely with families and patients every day: the in-house transport and information desk teams. Read More...
June 19, 2019
House Supervisors
June 12, 2019 — My next visit was with a dynamic group of women who have taken on one of the more challenging roles at Rady Children’s: house supervisor. Read More...
June 17, 2019
Medical Behavioral Unit
June 10, 2019 — The next stop on my journey was the Medical Behavioral Unit, a 14-bed inpatient medical stabilization unit in the Acute Care Pavilion for children, adolescents and young adults with eating and feeding disorders. Read More...
June 17, 2019
Palomar NICU
June 10, 2019 — I hit the road for this visit, driving up to Escondido to meet with the neonatal intensive care unit team at Palomar Medical Center. Read More...
June 3, 2019
Helen Bernardy Center
May 17, 2019 — You might think a facility that cares for kids with multiple medical, physical and developmental disabilities would be a depressing place. But at the Helen Bernardy Center for Medically Fragile Children, nothing could be further from the truth! With activities such as dance parties, karaoke, spa nights and music time, the Bernardy Center is a vibrant, engaging environment. Read More...
June 3, 2019
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
May 16, 2019 — Fresh off my visit with the CHET team, I accompanied Dana Patrick, director of critical care and emergency transport, on an elevator ride to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). On the way, Dana told me about a girl who had suffered traumatic injuries in an ATV accident in the desert and had just been admitted to the unit. Read More...
May 21, 2019
CHET Team
May 16, 2019 — Wet weather couldn’t stop my visit with the Children’s Hospital Emergency Transport (CHET) team. After all, this team is accustomed to doing their job rain or shine! Read More...
May 17, 2019
Facilities Planning and Development
May 15, 2019 — Tucked away in a modern space on the first floor of 7920 Frost Street, the Facilities Planning and Development team is a small but mighty group that oversees project planning and management for 1.5 million square feet of property across the main campus and satellite locations. Read More...
May 15, 2019
Medical Practice Foundation Nurses Luncheon
May 8, 2019 — There’s always a reason to celebrate the more than 1,800 nurses within our Rady Children’s family, and Nurses Week serves as an additional opportunity to recognize these extraordinary health care professionals. So, today’s visit with some of our Rady Children’s Specialists of San Diego nurses had excellent timing. Read More...
May 15, 2019
Compliance
May 7, 2019 —Even with just nine members, our Compliance team is responsible for helping support our more than 5,000-person workforce in following laws and regulations and, most important, protecting our patients’ privacy. This afternoon, I had the pleasure of spending some time with this small-but-mighty group. Read More...
May 13, 2019
Clinical Nutrition
May 7, 2019 — When I walked up to the Clinical Nutrition team’s office door today, I was greeted with a challenge. Read More...
May 13, 2019
Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders Outpatient Unit
May 6, 2019 — I had an uplifting visit with about 25 members of the Peckham Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders Outpatient Unit team this afternoon. Joined by special guest and Rady Children’s Board of Trustees Chair Michael Peckham, I first met up with Outpatient Services Manager Teresa Cassidy and Director Stacey Brown for a tour. While walking the halls, I had the opportunity to say “hello” to some of the Peckham Center’s nurses and patient access representatives, as well as get a peek at the state-of-the-art procedure room. Read More...
April 19, 2019
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
April 12, 2019 — Today I had the pleasure of making two visits with members of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) team during their skills fair, which is held every year in the spring. This is when staff have the opportunity to test their knowledge and practice life-saving skills such as CPR, suctioning and reviving a patient during a mock code. Read More...
April 19, 2019
Surgical Registration and Inpatient Admitting
April 5, 2019 — The two talented teams I visited today, Surgical Registration and Inpatient Admitting, have one important thing in common: they help parents navigate through the stressors surrounding their child’s Hospital admission or surgery. Read More...
April 12, 2019
Financial Counseling
April 5, 2019 — Seeing your child sick or injured is a stressful experience, and, for many families, a big part of their anxiety is figuring out how to pay for their child’s care. At Rady Children’s, that’s where the Financial Counseling team comes in. Read More...
April 3, 2019
Respiratory Care
March 26 and 27, 2019 — During these two visits, I caught up with respiratory therapists (RTs) from our Respiratory Care team during skills fairs at the EOB. At these events, RTs participate in interactive activities, find out about the latest research and equipment, and test their knowledge. Read More...
March 28, 2019
Food Services
March 21, 2019 – Today I had the pleasure visiting Food Services during both the day and night shifts. This talented team provides delicious food options around the clock for patients, parents and staff in locations across our main campus. Read More...
March 27, 2019
Children's Care Connection (C3)
March 19, 2019 – What a fun visit with the Children’s Care Connection (C3) team today! This group works with children from newborns to those about to start kindergarten to enhance development and behavior and improve school readiness. Read More...
March 26, 2019
Developmental Services Outcomes and Analysts
March 19, 2019 – My next visit was a behind-the-scenes tour of the Outcomes and Analysts team, one of 14 Developmental Services departments. As they explained it, this team is responsible for “analyzing the past and shaping the future.” Read More...
March 21, 2019
Marketing & Communications and Business Development
March 19, 2019 – The next stop on my itinerary was at Rady Children’s Health Services (Plaza), where the Marketing & Communications and Business Development teams are located. These teams work closely together, so they decided to split my visit into two action-packed half-hour segments. Read More...
March 21, 2019
Alexa's PLAYC and the Autism Discovery Institute
March 14, 2019 – Today I had the pleasure of visiting Alexa’s Playful Learning Academy for Young Children (PLAYC) and the Autism Discovery Institute (ADI), located just across the parking lot from the Rady Children’s Health Services (Plaza) building. My guides Shelley Turner, Andrea Wilson and Themba Carr joined me on this journey, and little did I know we would be time-traveling! Read More...
March 18, 2019
Supply Chain Management
March 14, 2019 – My next visit took me to the country of “Bokstoka” – a fascinating land more commonly known as Supply Chain Management. “Bokstoka” is a playful nod to “box stockers.” The 42 inhabitants have a big job providing direct service to every single department and location throughout the entire organization. My host Dave Graul greeted me for this whirlwind tour that included excursions by golf cart and box truck! Read More...
February 19, 2019
Information Services
Feb. 28, 2019 — My very first stop took me to Rady Children’s Business Center (Copley for short), where I had the opportunity to meet with the Information Services teams and learn about the vital role they serve in our organization. Read More...