Healthcare Leadership Awards honor Phoenix Children's Hospital and staff
Arizona Business Magazine recognizes the best in the state
Arizona Business Magazine's 2nd Annual Health Care Leadership Awards recognize the accomplishments of health care professionals that make a difference to the community and help Arizonans receive better care.
Medical Center/Hospital
Phoenix Children's Hospital received the award as the leader in the Medical Center/Hospital category. Our Hospital was recognized for its contributions made to the advancement of health care in Arizona including:
In his acceptance remarks, president and CEO Bob Meyer said, "I believe this award recognizes a tremendous team effort by the Phoenix Children's leadership and staff, so I am pleased to accept it on behalf of the entire team."
Physician
Dr. Jeffrey Buchhalter, a pediatric epileptologist, was honored in the Physician category. Dr. Buchhalter is on a mission to find a new ways to diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy in children. He is the director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (PEMU), which offers several new ways to treat epilepsy. The PEMU is the only one of its kind in Arizona, with beds designated only for pediatric epilepsy patients, and staffed by specially trained nurses, technicians, and support staff. In addition to standard antiepileptogenic drugs, Dr. Buchhalter provides alternatives for intractable seizures such as the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulator, and epilepsy surgery.
Hospital Executive
Phoenix Children's Hospital's CEO, Bob Meyer, was honored as a finalist in the Hospital Executive category for his accomplishments in the past seven years, moving the Hospital out of financial crisis to embarking on a $588 million expansion that will make us the largest pediatric medical center in the country.
Volunteer
Cynde Leshin, RN, Ph.D., was honored as a finalist in the Volunteer category for her work with the Healing Paws pet therapy program at a Phoenix Children's. Leshin and her Puli pup, Marley, were one of the Hospital's original Animal-assisted Therapy teams. Leshin was instrumental in the success of the program and developing strong, lasting connections between patients and animals.
Surgeon
Dr. Michael Teodori, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, was honored as a finalist in the Surgeon category. In the minds of his patients, their families, and his staff, Teodori is a legend. He finds the time to perform more than 300 open heart surgeries every year at Phoenix Children's. His mortality rate is under 3 percent -- one of the best in the country.
The award ceremony took place on March 4, 2009 and honored the winners and finalists in 12 categories. Arizona Business Magazine publishes a special feature highlighting the finalists and winners in the March 2009 issue.
