CHOC Children's New Campaign Featured in M Magazine

(The following is an excerpt of the story “Forward Motion: Driving Change for the Advancement of Pediatric Care” by Michelle Armstrong of M Magazine.)

Investing in the lives of children, their families and the community, CHOC Children’s continues to set the standard for pediatric care in Southern California. Aside from being one of 44 free-standing children’s hospitals in the U.S., CHOC is the only children’s hospital in the state to earn the Silver Level CAPE Award from the California Council for Excellence — the highest recognition in California based on performance. The non-profit was also recognized as one of only eight children’s hospitals in the nation named “Leapfrog 2009 Top Hospitals”; not to mention, the countless accolades for the accomplishments and daily endeavors — both big and small — of the hospital’s nurses, doctors and administration. And with admissions growing by 117% since 1998, CHOC Children’s and CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital combined rank as the 17th busiest children’s hospital in the country.

Their mission is simple, and their passion — unwavering. Since opening in 1964, CHOC Children’s has remained at the forefront of advancing pediatric care; with a literal pulse on the health and well being of the region’s infant, child and adolescent population. From pioneering the use of the Amplatzer device for closing a hole in the heart and performing the first unrelated cord blood transplant, to holding the largest metabolic program in the state, the region’s only American Diabetes Associated-certified pediatric diabetes program, implementing the first worldwide RIVA a self contained robotic unit for preparing IV syringes and bags, CHOC offers regional residents leading-edge pediatric healthcare — regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

With an annual budget of $461 million, “we have high expectations, and desire greatness for our community,” notes CHOC President and CEO Kimberly Cripe. “It’s such a privilege leading an organization that is both committed and passionate about our mission and outreach. At the end of the day, children in Orange County have access to the best care in the country, and we will continue to advocate fiercely on their behalf.”

Strategically placed to become a nationally recognized premier children’s hospital, CHOC recently announced its “Change CHOC, Change the World” campaign comprised of three basic initiatives definitive of world-class service and stature: state-of-the-art facilities and amenities; building a significant endowment; and extending its existing affiliation with UC Irvine and its School of Medicine. In a recent interview with Cripe, celebrating almost 20 years with the non-profit, further details of the campaign’s forward motion were revealed.

*Read the full story (starting on page 92) on the M Magazine Web site.