Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare Professionals

How well do you know your medical staff?

The medical staff at Cincinnati Children's exists “to promote quality healthcare in a manner that is consistent with the vision and mission statement of the medical center as defined by the Board of Trustees.” So says Article II (B) of the medical staff bylaws.

Within that statement is a host of responsibilities designed to ensure that we offer the highest standard of care to the patients and families we serve. The Medical Executive Committee (MEC), currently led by Derek Wheeler, MD, MMM, MBA, president, is charged with making sure these responsibilities are carried out.

There are approximately 2,026 members of the medical staff. The majority are in the “Active Staff with Privileges” category. Most of the active staff are employed by the hospital. The “Affiliate Staff” category has significantly increased over time, resulting in a bylaws change last year and the election of the first member-at-large from the affiliate staff to serve on the MEC.

Says Wheeler, “Our medical staff has a lot to be proud of this year. We are strong financially, and several members have received significant awards. Others have or are currently serving as leaders in national societies and organizations.”

Having a solidly engaged medical staff is an advantage when dealing with the challenges that are facing us. Wheeler specifically highlighted the changing healthcare landscape, as well as the issue of provider burn-out, which has received a lot of attention in both the medical literature and lay press (see related article). 

Since the beginning of this year, Wheeler and the MEC have focused on three priorities:

  • Be like Young. This is a reference to Steve Young, the NFL Hall of Famer who persisted despite encountering multiple obstacles and disappointments in his career
  • Work as a team. When one individual or division has a problem, it affects us all. We need to approach every challenge together and commit to finding solutions.
  • Clear the deck. With so many changing regulatory requirements, new technology and demanding clinical schedules, it’s hard to set priorities. What work can we eliminate or delegate, and how can we make the work we must do easier?

Wheeler is confident that 2017 will continue to be a year of promise and progress. “We have a very active medical staff, and for that I am thankful,” he says. “We are always looking for more representation, so if you’re interested in serving on any of our committees, please give me a call.”

Staff Bulletin.

MEC elected members

  • Christy White, MD, MAT (president-elect)
  • Lesley Breech, MD (elected member-at-large from the Departments of Surgery or Anesthesia)
  • Eric Kirkendall, MD, MBI (elected member-at-large from the Departments of Radiology or Pediatrics)
  • Elena Duma, MD (elected member-at-large)
  • Radhika Ramesh, MD (elected member-at-large, Community Pediatrics) and
  • Mandi Cafasso, CNP (elected member-at-large, Affiliate Staff).

MEC permanent members

  • Cheryl Hoying, PhD, RN, senior vice president, Patient Services
  • Peggy Hostetter, MD, chair of Pediatrics and CMO
  • Brian Coley, MD, radiologist-in-chief
  • Dan von Allmen, MD, surgeon-in-chief
  • John McAuliffe III, MD, anesthesiologist-in-chief
  • Mike Vossmeyer, MD, chair, Utilization Review
  • Paul Samuels, MD, chair, Professional Health
  • Rich Ruddy, MD, chair, PPEC
  • J. Paul Wilging, MD, chair, Credentials Committee
  • Camille Graham, MD, executive community physician leader
  • Beth Stautberg, Esq, General Counsel (non-voting)
  • Tom Cody, board representative
  • Michael Fisher, president and CEO
  •  Staff Bulletin.

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