Our great champion and benefactor, Ann Lurie, passed away this year. A celebrated philanthropist locally and globally, Ann's experience as a pediatric critical care nurse at the former Children's Memorial Hospital inspired her to make an unprecedented gift of $100 million in 2007 that helped to build our hospital in Streeterville. This gift continues to be the largest charitable investment received in our 142-year history. Ann's life inspires us all to embrace the power of her mantra to “do a good deed daily.”
The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program® recognized Lurie Children's with its sixth Magnet® designation. The highest international distinction that a healthcare organization can receive, Magnet designation recognizes superior nursing processes and patient care, resulting in the highest levels of safety, quality, and satisfaction among both nurses and patients. Lurie Children's was the first hospital in Illinois and the first free-standing pediatric hospital in the United States to achieve Magnet designation and is now the first hospital in Illinois to reach its sixth designation.
Joshua Ewen MD, FANA, FACNS, joined Lurie Children's as Division Head of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and was named the Irene Heinz Given and John LaPorte Given Research Professor in Pediatrics. Dr. Ewen is a neurodevelopmental physician experienced in the care of children with developmental, cognitive/academic and behavioral challenges, particularly those caused by neurological conditions. Dr. Ewen has been a NIH-funded researcher in the cognitive aspects of autism and ADHD since 2008.
Mehul Raval, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP, a physician-scientist who has spent most of his career focusing on improving the surgery experience for children, was named Division Head of Pediatric Surgery and the Orvar Swenson Founders' Board Chair in Pediatric Surgery. In his clinical practice, he has extensive experience in neonatal surgery, minimally invasive surgery and the surgical correction of congenital anomalies. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Raval's research focuses on outcomes in children's surgical care, especially patient safety and improving recovery post-surgery.
Richard Lehmuth joined Lurie Children's as Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer. Bringing extensive experience and expertise in health system strategy development, his focus throughout his career has been on strategies that result in enhanced volume, improved access, and top line revenue growth. Rich will work with the leadership team to develop and deliver on growth objectives and provide greater access to our care for more children in our city, state, and region.
Hawk became Lurie Children's first full-time facility dog, working 40 hours per week alongside his Certified Child Life Specialist Handler, Natalie Sell. Through the NutriSource Facility Dog Program at Lurie Children's, our facility dog is an intentional member of the child life team with specific interventions and coping plans, helping patients and families cope with challenging medical situations, procedures and overcome stress that they may experience during a hospital stay.
Derek Wheeler, MD, MMM, MBA, was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Fatema Zanzi, Esq. was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Legal Officer.
Shannon Haymond, PhD, was named Senior Vice President and Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and assumes the title of Arthur C. King Professorship in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
Kendra Allaband was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer.