TODAY
Official News Publication for Loma Linda University Health
December 2017/January 2018
Volume 30, No. 10
LLU Children’s Hospital receives national award for top quality By Briana Pastorino
For the first time, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) has been named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a designation that highlights its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality. LLUCH is the only children’s hospital in the western United States to earn the coveted 2017 designation. Announced Thursday, Dec. 7, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization. Among the roughly 350 children’s hospitals in the country, LLUCH was one of only 10 hospitals to receive the Top Children’s Hospital distinction this year. Scott Perryman, MBA, senior vice president/administrator of LLUCH, attributes this recognition to the medical professionals at LLUCH who dedicate their lives every day to their patients. “At Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, our medical staff, nurses and other experts dedicate themselves to giving nothing but the best care for our mothers, babies and children, restoring them to health and happiness” Perryman said. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.
(From left) Trevor Wright, Helen Staples-Evans, Dr. Richard Chinnock, Scott Perryman, Kerry Heinrich, Elizabeth Rankin, Dr. Ihab Dorotta, and Brenda Bruneau celebrate the Top Children’s Hospital Award presented to LLUCH by The Leapfrog Group. Loma Linda was the only children’s hospital in the western United States to earn the designation in 2017.
Leah Binder, president and CEO of Leapfrog congratulated LLUCH in a statement to all the top hospitals. “This demonstrates extraordinary dedication to patients and the local community,” Binder said. “The entire staff and board deserve praise for putting quality first and achieving results.” The LLUCH medical team comprises more than
100 pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and sub-specialists to treat everything from broken bones to disabilities and life-threatening diseases. LLUCH also has more than 1,200 nurses, child life specialists and other staff who are dedicated to the health and healing of children. Together they provide a family-focused environment backed by state-of-the-art care.
Robert Handysides, DDS, appointed sixth LLU School of Dentistry dean By Doug Hackleman
Shortly after graduation from LLUSD in 1993, Handysides established and maintained for five years a solo practice in Kingston, Ontario, his Canadian home. Robert Handysides, DDS, class of 1993, associate dean for academic affairs since He returned to LLUSD in 1999 and earned a certificate in endodontics that 2013, has been appointed dean of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLUSD), he completed in 2001 at the School’s Advanced Specialty Education Program in effective January 1, 2018. Endodontics. Joseph Caruso, DDS’73, MS’75, who has served first as acting and then as interim Commencing immediately upon completion of his specialty program in 2001, dean since May 2017, will continue through the academic year his positions as associate Handysides served the Department of Endodontics in a variety of roles: course direcdean for Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Practices and as tor, lecturer, clinical educator, and researcher. In 2003, he became director of the LLU program director for the Advanced Specialty Education Faculty Endodontics practice, a position he held in that busy dental practice until 2013. Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Due to accumulating teaching and administrative responsibilities, his involvement with In response to his selection, Handysides said, “I am patient care is somewhat reduced. deeply honored and humbled to learn that my colleagues In 2007, Handysides was added to the LLU Faculty of Graduate Studies as associate and peers have chosen me to lead the School of Dentistry. professor, and in 2008 he was promoted to associate professor status with the DepartAlthough LLUSD has a proud tradition of excellence and ment of Endodontics. In November 2008, he was named a Diplomate by the American is recognized as having one of the profession’s premier Board of Endodontists. clinical programs, we have no interest in resting on our In 2009, when Leif Bakland, DDS’63, distinguished emeritus professor, laurels. I look forward to collaborating with our School’s retired, Handysides replaced his mentor and friend as chair of the Department of highly dedicated faculty, staff, alumni, and students as we Endodontics. strive to improve on our laudable past.” Appointed to the position of associate dean for Academic Affairs in 2013, Handysides LLU Provost Ronald Carter, PhD, affirmed the for four years has helped to guide and direct the decision-making and implementation of Robert Handysides appointment: “It has been my privilege to work closely both clinical training and curriculum design so essential to the maintenance, integrity, with Dr. Handysides as the School of Dentistry’s associand growth of the School. ate dean for Academic Affairs. Rob demonstrates a delightful blend of attention to detail Handysides has authored or coauthored several peer-reviewed articles and textbook and process with a cheer and humor that lightens the load of serious decision-making. chapters in endodontics and dental education. He has also presented numerous continuDean Handysides has a vision for academic and professional excellence and the commit- ing education seminars both nationally and internationally, enjoying the various cultures ment to forge a faculty and administration equal to the challenges of 21st-century dental and customs of the places he has visited. education.” Handysides and his wife, Minnie, have three daughters: Nicole, Carina, and Alison.
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