2023 was a year of innovation, drive and compassion for Valley Children’s. Our teams helped create once in a lifetime memories for our patients and families, saw more well-deserved recognition for our workforce members who work day-in and day-out to achieve impressive outcomes for our patients and most importantly, our providers and staff once again provided high-quality care to children where and when they need it most.
As 2023 ends, we would like to reflect on this past year, focusing on the accomplishments our team has made and the memories we were able to help provide for our patients and families.
For the eighth consecutive year, Valley Children's was recognized as a Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Children's hospitals awarded a “Best" designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes and the quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care. Additionally, we were recognized by the Leapfrog group and Money.com for being one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation.
Valley Children’s also announced our clean air strategy, which was one of just 15 projects chosen nationwide for a grant to bolster Valley Children’s renewable energy microgrid. This is part of Valley Children’s plan to ensure patient care is never interrupted due to power outages or electrical grid failures.
Partnerships that ensure the best access to pediatric care continued in 2023. Valley Children’s signed a formal partnership with Wigmore Women's and Children's Hospital to elevate pediatric care in Armenia and share experiences with the deep Armenian heritage of our many patients. Additionally, we partnered with local Valley medical groups such as Doctors Medical Center in Modesto to enhance the care and service area for our patients.
We also continued our 10-year Fresno State partnership to increase opportunities for students pursuing health professions. This partnership also provided special experiences for our patients through our Kid Captain program with Fresno State Athletics and expanded our Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures initiative, which focuses on the health and well-being of kids in the Central Valley to help secure the future of the community for generations to come.
We had a year full of memories for our patients and families! From our first in-person NICU picnic to being invited to Oracle Park with the San Francisco Giants for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night, 2023 was a year full of creating the best experiences for our patients both inside and outside our hospital walls. One way we did this was through special visitors like Derek Carr, Fresno State Athletics and the internet-famous Savannah Bananas baseball team, who even made a special video with some of our Craycroft nurses.
Our Valley Children’s teams also had many great events to create special memories this year. From our inaugural Summer Carnival for staff, providers, volunteers and their families, which had a massive playground complete with stilt walkers, circus tents and unlimited fun, to our White Coat Ceremony for our seventh class of pediatric residents, Valley Children’s continued to recognize none of our distinctions could happen without our talented and devoted workforce members who believe in our mission, and we prioritized celebrating them this year.
Finally, a Valley favorite returned! Kids Day was held in-person for the first time since 2019. This treasured tradition had Kids Day Ambassador, Connor, on the scene with ABC 30 reporters and Valley Children’s physicians, staff and volunteers throughout the community, selling special edition Fresno Bee newspapers which benefited vital services and programs at Valley Children’s.
To conclude this year, we would like to thank our staff, providers and volunteers for a wonderful time of accomplishment and for continuing to make Valley Children's the best place to work in healthcare. We would also like to thank our community for continuously supporting our mission of providing the best care for the children of our region. Finally, we would like to send a special thank you to our patients who encourage us to strive for greatness and put our sights toward the best in innovation, research and care.
Have a safe and happy New Year, and we cannot wait to see you in 2024!