ATLANTA — There’s a new leader on the job in a place Georgia parents depend on to take care of little ones. Dr. Patrick Frias is the new CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Frias told Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer he’s meeting staff members in a “People and Possibilities” tour.
“Every person along that care journey is involved in the life of that child. No matter where we are in our organization, you gotta wake up with your ‘A game’ today, because you’re caring for the kids,” Frias said.
This is actually a homecoming for Frias, because he started at Children’s in 2000 as a cardiologist, eventually serving as Chief Physician Officer and COO.
Frias moved to San Diego, becoming CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital.
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Now, he says he is “humbled and honored” to be back at Children’s, this time as CEO.
He told Stouffer his goals include expanding access to pediatric medical care.
“We want to make sure that every child in metro Atlanta has accessibility within 30 minutes to some level of our care, whether it’s in primary care, specialty care, across the spectrum, to be able to get in and see our providers,” Frias said.
Children’s is also announcing the purchase of more land in Sandy Springs.
While the specific plans are still developing, Frias says it will be used to “enhance access and care.”
Frias also plans to lead investment in mental health care.
“There is no health without mental health. And I’m a big believer and proponent of that,” Frias said.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a non-profit, serving children through more than 1.2 million patient visits a year.
Children’s has three hospitals: Arthur M. Blank, Scottish Rite and Hughes Spalding.
There are also neighborhood and Urgent Care Centers throughout metro Atlanta.
More than 15,000 people work at Children’s.
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