Children’s of Alabama was honored by NRC Health with the 2024 Excellence in Patient Experience—Pediatric Award, recognizing the top-performing hospitals and health systems in the nation for their excellence in delivering outstanding patient experiences across the continuum of care.
“The outstanding dedication Children’s of Alabama has shown in understanding patient needs and elevating their experience truly reflects NRC Health’s mission to infuse human understanding into healthcare,” said Helen Hrdy, chief customer officer at NRC Health. “This significant achievement is the result of a collective team effort.”
Recipients join an elite group of winners who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving the care experience, earning top satisfaction ratings from patients and their families. Children’s was selected for its first-place ranking in Excellence in Patient Experience among Pediatric Hospitals. Winners are annually selected based on receipt of exceptional real-time patient and family feedback.
“We are honored by NRC Health’s recognition of Children’s of Alabama with this award,” said Beth Rocker, associate vice president of customer service at Children’s. “Our dedicated care teams and employees work together to provide exceptional family-centered care for our patients and their families, ensuring they have the best experience possible. We are humbled by the trust our patients and their families have in us, and we’re grateful for their invaluable feedback that helps us continue improving the care we provide.”
Johnson Controls honored Children’s of Alabama as an OpenBlue Pioneer. The award is presented to businesses advancing a more sustainable, safe and healthy world supported by Johnson Controls technology and expertise.
“We are delighted to accept this award, marking an incredible achievement for Children’s of Alabama,” said Tom Shufflebarger, Children’s president and CEO. “In our 113-year history, we have always been at the forefront of innovation, and we look forward to continuing our work with Johnson Controls on ways to enhance energy efficiency on our campus.”
Johnson Controls launched the Blueprint of the Future Award in 2022. Previous winners include Colorado State University, Museum of the Future in Dubai and Microsoft Beijing West Campus in China. Children’s was recognized in December 2023 as a pioneer in sustainability alongside global leaders at COP28 in Dubai.
Critical Care Transport flight nurse Mark Rogers reached the 5,000 transport milestone, becoming the first member of the Children’s team to do so. Rogers has completed an average of 200 ground, jet or helicopter transports annually and has impacted the lives of more than 4,000 patients since he joined the team several years ago.
“I have a passion for what I do—to be able to help children and take the level of care from Children’s to every corner of the state and help those families get back here for definitive care,” Rogers said.
“He has a true passion for caring for children and their families,” said Jason Peterson, director of the Critical Care Transport team. “Seeing him reach this milestone warms my heart to think of the direct impact as well as the extended family impact he has made on so many patients. I look forward to continuing to serve the children of Alabama with Mark.”
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) designated Children's of Alabama as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence. This designation indicates that Children’s has continued to make antibiotic stewardship a priority commitment with full leadership support. Children’s is part of an esteemed group of designated institutions that help raise standards of excellence in practicing and implementing stewardship. Shannon Ross, M.D., the medical director of the Children’s of Alabama Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, was instrumental in helping the hospital achieve this designation, which is valid for two years from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
The Children’s of Alabama Sleep Disorders Center has maintained accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for 15 consecutive years, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality care for people with sleep problems. AASM-accredited sleep centers provide diagnostic and therapeutic care for people who have problems related to sleep and alertness. To receive and maintain accreditation for a five-year period, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. These standards address core areas such as personnel, facility and equipment, policies and procedures, data acquisition, patient care and quality assurance. Additionally, the sleep center’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves. The Children’s Sleep Disorders Center is directed by Robert B. Troxler, M.D.
