Outgoing Children's Hospitals CEO Reflects On A Decade Of Change
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Some big changes are coming to Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Long-time CEO Dr. Alan Goldbloom is retiring this week after 12 years.
Goldbloom grew up in Canada, where he was a child actor. He later became a doctor, and eventually an administrator.
When the employees of Children's Hospitals said their goodbyes to Goldbloom, there was a lot of praise, handshakes and hugs.
During his time as CEO, Goldbloom led one of the largest pediatric health care systems in the country. His mark is everywhere, especially the additions to the Minneapolis hospital. The new Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was completed six years ago.
"Many of the surgeries are on very tiny babies, and we're working on hearts a little bigger than the end of my thumb and rebuilding those hearts," Goldbloom said.
There is now a Ronald McDonald House inside the hospital, allowing moms and dads a comforting place to stay when their children are very ill.
Parents are relieved to find there's a sibling play area. It's a place to drop off a healthy kid who has a sick brother or sister in the hospital.
Goldbloom built the specialty center where a blighted neighborhood once stood. A skyway, where the kids control the music, now connects the new building to the hospital.
"The curve of this skyway and the building is meant to be an embrace and to welcome people," he said.
Bright colors welcome you to the new Mother-Baby Center. Goldbloom didn't want stark white walls. The rooms here, like all rooms now at Children's, are private, with an area for mom or dad to spend the night next to their child.
"The delivery happens right here where she's been in labor, and that's why we have the space for the baby," Goldbloom said. "Immediately after the baby is born, that's where the baby can be assessed."
And if there happens to be a problem after delivery, the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is only steps away. There's even a Geek Squad on site to fix things, like an Xbox in a patient's room or mom or dad's laptop.
"The work that we do here every day is by far the most rewarding work that I have ever done," said Geek Squad's Agent Nelson.
Goldbloom may have overseen this $300 million transformation, but at 67, he hopes his real legacy isn't a building or a piece of technology. He hopes it's a culture he tried to instill.
"The commitment to outstanding outcomes, high quality, safety for patients. That's been a driving effort on the part of all of our staff," Goldbloom said.
He also preached honesty and transparency, actually listing a track record on the hospital website.
Mark Cohn was the board chair when Goldbloom was hired.
"He's done a remarkable job," Cohn said. "I think the children in the state of Minnesota could not have been better served over that period of time. He's left this organization in a significantly better way than he found it."
Goldbloom says he feels nothing but pride about the hospitals and their staff.
"I love it. I'm very proud. I'm proud of our staff. I'm proud of the commitment they have to families. That's what makes Children's unique," Goldbloom said.
Goldbloom say the biggest challenge moving forward is today's changing health care system. He hopes Children's can remain an independent hospital.
His last day on the job is Friday. Bob Bonar will take over as the new CEO.
