Letter from the Medical Staff President

Dear Colleagues,

I was reviewing the list of topics for our Winter issue of Practice Update, and winter celebration seemed to fit. So, I'd like to say, "happy 20 years to Children's One Call!"  This wonderful service has the friendliest team around, and it was "born" as I completed my residency! When you page our internal medical staff, we know this most often is the call for service to our community. We thank you for all you do for the hospital and our providers.

We also celebrate the clinical teaching careers of our colleagues with our Career Teaching Scholars recognition at Grand Rounds in December. Recipients were Drs. Karen Leamer, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics; Jody Maes, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics; John Ogle, Professor of Pediatrics, and Michael Schaffer, Professor of Pediatrics. For an extra bonus, Ron Sokol, MD, with our Digestive Health Institute and Nancy Krebs, MD, with Nutrition were also recognized with prestigious awards.

And if you stop by the hospital anytime soon, check out the Inaugural Pillar Awards Program recognizing staff members or teams whose exemplary performance impacts one or more of the hospital's organizational pillars: People, Quality and Safety, Service, Growth, and/or Financial Stewardship. Jenny Reese MD, Director of Inpatient Medicine was recognized for her terrific efforts with Quality and Safety.

Finally, another chance to celebrate you as treasured community partners. Whether working with the Physicians Relations Advisory Board, through local advocacy and support of our Colorado AAP Chapter, or through work in your office, the children of our state and region are in great hands. It has been a rough year for many and as we head into our new state leadership, it's another opportunity to energize and continue our collaborative strong voice for children and families.

Best wishes to all of our community colleagues, your families and patients for the new year ahead of us all. Please watch for the date of our annual Medical Staff Dinner to be announced soon. I hope to see you there!

Andrew Sirotnak, MD
President, Children's Hospital Colorado Medical Board