IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN C H A N DA C H ACÓ N
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
C
handa Chacón, MPH, FACHE, the new president & chief executive officer at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, knows that childhood injuries and illness impact someone forever. She carries personal experience. As a preteen, she was seriously injured in a car accident. Despite initial treatments, her ongoing pain and side effects would not allow her to sit or stand for more than 30 minutes. The accident and its consequences were difficult for her entire family. Her experience navigating the health care system back then fuels her special calling now: to lead and serve Children’s mission to improve the lives of children.
“The people part is such an important part of our medical care. Memories imprint and affect the whole family. Focusing on taking care of families is an integral part of a child’s care,” Chacón said.
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“I’m not sure the region knows how deep the services are at Children’s,” she explained. “We have an excellent medical staff and amazing surgeons. They are not only good at what they
do, they are also the kind of people you want to be around. They are doing a very heav y lift and yet continue to serve with dedication and optimism, even throughout the pandemic.” Chacón emphasized that area families don’t have to travel far for the very best pediatric outcomes. “We support a dynamic, vibrant medical environment right here. And being close to family and a support network is particularly important in healing.”
