Scottish Rite for Children CEO Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Scottish Rite for Children CEO Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

Scottish Rite for Children President and CEO Robert “Bob” L. Walker is the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for D CEO’s 2024 Excellence in Healthcare Awards. Each year, this award recognizes one leader in the North Texas community who has made a significant impact on health care throughout their career. Walker joined Scottish Rite in 1979, dedicating 45 years to serving children in Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond.

“Treating the whole child is at the heart of everything we do,” Walker said. “I’m grateful to be part of an institution like Scottish Rite for Children that distinguishes itself by caring for every child — in body, mind and spirit. It’s a true honor to lead alongside such a dedicated and one-of-a-kind team that not only believes in our mission but also embodies it every day.” Through this collective effort, Scottish Rite has become one of the top-ranked pediatric orthopedic facilities in the world.

The hospital has experienced tremendous growth, not only in meeting the increasing demand for health care in the North Texas community but also in advancing patient outcomes. In 2018, Scottish Rite expanded its operations by constructing a new campus in Frisco — the 345,000-square-foot Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. The center serves children and adolescents who experience sports injuries and fractures, among other health care specialties. In 2022, at its Dallas campus, Scottish Rite unveiled a 42,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art surgical suite, including six new operating rooms, and later renovated and expanded its day surgery to provide more ambulatory surgical care. Its most recent offering, Therapy Services at The Star, opened in Frisco, which presents an additional location for young athletes to receive rehabilitation after a sports injury or to improve their sports performance. By investing in these opportunities, Scottish Rite has transformed the lives of thousands of patients through 217,713 patient encounters in its 2023 – 2024 fiscal year.  

Amid this growth, the organization has earned multiple awards. U.S. News & World Report ranks Scottish Rite for Children No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in Texas and the Southwest region for pediatric orthopedic care. In collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Scottish Rite has repeatedly garnered recognition from U.S. News for its commitment to excellence, consistently ranking the organization among the best pediatric orthopedic facilities in the United States. Since specialty rankings began in 2007, Scottish Rite has led the nation as a top 10 pediatric orthopedic hospital. In addition, NRC Health, a national health care performance improvement firm, honored Scottish Rite for Children, for the eighth time, with the Excellence in Patient Experience Award in the nationwide pediatric category. Walker attributes the hospital’s success to a committed Board of Trustees and a world-class medical staff who are recognized internationally for their excellence in clinical care, teaching and research.

Walker’s commitment to excellence also extends to creating a workplace where staff members thrive, resulting in the organization being named a “Top 100 Place to Work” by The Dallas Morning News for the seventh year in a row.

“I have worked with Bob for nearly 30 years, and it has been a pleasure to witness the ongoing advancement of the organization under his leadership,” said Lyndon L. Olson, Jr., Chairman of the Scottish Rite for Children Board of Trustees since 2006. “Bob continues to live each day for the children, and I am proud to have the privilege of working with him.”

Walker holds Fellowship status in the American College of Healthcare Executives. During his career, he has been active in many health care related organizations including the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, Texas Hospital Association, Children’s Hospital Association, American Hospital Association and June Shelton School and Evaluation Center. Physical fitness has also had a major impact on Walker’s life for nearly five decades. He has participated in many marathons and has run the Boston Marathon three times.

With more than four decades at Scottish Rite, Walker’s dedication to the organization’s mission and core values is evident in everything he does. Congratulations, Mr. Walker! We are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside you and are thankful for your unwavering dedication to Scottish Rite.

Get to Know Our Staff: Mark Bowens, Radiology

Get to Know Our Staff: Mark Bowens, Radiology

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a sonographer, and I perform sonographic procedures on pediatric and adolescent patients. I also work closely with our radiologist in facilitating a diagnosis for the patient.

 

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is knowing that I played a part in helping with the diagnosis of a patient.

 

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Scottish Rite is the best place I have ever worked. I knew right away from the longevity of many of the employees that this was a special place. Watching the kids progress with all the different treatment methods is very satisfying to me. Also, my coworkers and management staff have been great to work with.

 

What made you choose a career in health care?
I chose a career in health care, because I wanted to help others. I started out as a radiologic technician at Parkland Hospital and then decided to go to diagnostic ultrasound school in Austin. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.

 

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I put gel on patients, which helps me look at their joints, tendons, ligaments, organs and other soft tissue structures inside the body.

 

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family and coaching sports

 

Do you have any hidden talents?
I like to sing. I also love fix things around the house.

 

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I am from Dallas and grew up in South Oak Cliff. I graduated South Oak Cliff High School. I have lived in Tampa, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, but the D-FW area will always be home.

 

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
There is not one place I would not love to travel to. Any place that has great weather and a beautiful beach would be fine with me.

 

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
My coworkers would probably say Subway, because I do go there a lot.

 

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Remember the Titans”

 

What was the first concert you attended?
Micheal Jackson in the 80s.

 

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
El Ranchito in South Oak Cliff.

 

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Common

 

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Live everyday like it’s your last.

Expanding Young Athletes’ Potential Beyond the Court

Expanding Young Athletes’ Potential Beyond the Court

by | Dec 16, 2024 | Events, Sports Medicine

Picture courtesy from the Dallas Mavericks. 

Division Director of the Movement Science Laboratory Sophia Ulman, Ph.D. inspires the next generation of athletes to explore the wide range of opportunities in sports beyond the court.

The Dallas Mavericks organization hosted their annual Mavs Academy Fall Classic in November in Frisco, Texas. The tournament united 80 boys’ and girls’ varsity teams across Texas to compete at various Frisco ISD schools throughout two weekends. Scottish Rite for Children’s athletic trainers handled injuries on the sidelines, ranging from minor abrasions to significant joint injuries, like ACL tears.

While the teams showed off their high-quality skills on the court, Ulman represented Scottish Rite’s sports medicine team in the tournament’s off-court, educational enrichment. In a panel discussion, Ulman expanded young athletes’ perspectives of careers in sports through her own journey. Starting as a competitive basketball player herself, she acknowledged that she was like many young athletes — imagining a career that allowed her to stay connected to sports. Ulman shared how her career path evolved with her internship at Duke University’s Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory (K-Lab). Since then, Ulman has conducted innovative research on lower extremity injuries,  as well as a variety of risk factors including movement quality, nutrition, sleep and early sport specialization in Scottish Rite’s state-of-the-art Movement Science Laboratory.

“I get to be around young athletes every day, and the work I get to do has the potential to impact thousands more,” Ulman says. “I can’t imagine a better place to be.”

Ulman’s perspective broadens young athletes’ views of sports, specifically through showing how it is possible to contribute to the game through STEM-specific careers. Panelists alongside Ulman included Mechelle Lewis Freeman — USA Track and Field Olympian, Olympic coach, CEO/Founder of TrackGirlz and partner with Ulman in Scottish Rite’s FAST clinics — and Dallas Mavericks legend Rolando Blackman, among others.

“I love talking to the kids because so many of them think that if they don’t go professional, that’s it with sports,” Ulman says. “Being able to share with them that it’s not just being a professional athlete, it’s not just production or being a broadcaster, but there are a lot of STEM-specific jobs as well.”

The Mavs Academy Fall Classic reinforces the relationship between young athletes’ physical performance, well-being and opportunities as they continue to develop. By having a sports medicine expert like Ulman, there is a touch of Scottish Rite’s principles of keeping children active and healthy well into adulthood.

“Over the years in our collaboration with the Mavs Academy, we have had the privilege of educating hundreds of young athletes and have engaged families in our injury prevention research,” says Ulman. “With a solid commitment to our mission of giving children back their childhood, we are dedicated to defining injury prevention standards and using evidence-based information in our care and in our community education so we can truly change the game for young athletes.”

 

 

Get to Know Our Staff: Bridget Barry Thias, Medical Library

Get to Know Our Staff: Bridget Barry Thias, Medical Library

by | Dec 12, 2024 | Research & Innovation, Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I manage all aspects of our Medical Library by providing evidence-based resources to our clinical staff for their clinical practice.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
Knowing that my behind-the-scenes role contributes to research, direct patient care, our staff’s continuing education and the formation of hospital policies and practices is fulfilling.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Our mission is important and meaningful.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I like the variety. I am always learning and doing something meaningful.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
Because of the new daily literature that crosses my desk, I stay on top of news in the health care field.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Time spent with family and friends! I love going to good restaurants, traveling, listening to live music, going to plays and museums and watching movies.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I am interested in photography and writing.

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I grew up in the DFW area.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Switzerland for the beauty of the mountains.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Palak Paneer. I love spicy Indian food.

What was the first concert you attended?
The Rolling Stones.

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Find work that is meaningful.

Answering the Call With Therapeutic Recreation Internship

Answering the Call With Therapeutic Recreation Internship

by | Dec 10, 2024 | Spotlight

Working in health care is a calling and service to others, and, at Scottish Rite for Children, it is a call to serve children and their families. Students interested in the field of pediatric orthopedics have the unique opportunity at Scottish Rite to learn firsthand from experts in their designated fields.

For Shetorsia, this calling began while exploring her interests in health care at Jackson State University. Shetorsia, of Indianola, Mississippi, is in her last year of college and is the current intern for Scottish Rite’s Therapeutic Recreation department. With a desire to have hands-on experience, she began considering a career in therapeutic recreation, thanks to her academic advisor and professor.

“One of the last things left for me to complete at the end of my courses was an internship,” Shetorsia says. “However, I had no idea where I’d end up. I didn’t have a car or family nearby, and I lived on campus. My options felt slim.”

Through her professor, Shetorsia discovered the therapeutic recreation internship at Scottish Rite. This internship is a 14-week program which allows students to work under the guidance of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).  

During her interview with the Director of Therapeutic Recreation Dana Dempsey, Shetorsia immediately felt a connection and the opportunity she was looking for.

“From the moment I read Scottish Rite’s mission statement on the website, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right place for me,” Shetorsia says. “I had no experience working with children in a health care environment, but I was determined to show Dana my dedication.”

Shetorsia spent her summer volunteering at Camp Joint Adventure and Camp TLC. These camps offer Scottish Rite patients an opportunity to just be a kid and to experience camp with others who have similar medical diagnoses. For Shetorsia, these camps gave her firsthand experience in how to support children as they navigate new activities and build self-confidence. At the end of the summer, Shetorsia was accepted into the internship program.

“I couldn’t believe I had done it,” Shetorsia says. “I proved to myself that I am capable and worthy of these opportunities. This entire experience has taught me the value of perseverance, preparation and faith when faced with uncertainty.”  

During her time as Scottish Rite’s therapeutic recreation intern, Shetorsia had the opportunity to work with inpatients and outpatients, as well as assist with community outreach programs and camps. While an internship is typically a brief chapter in a young professional’s journey, its impact can be everlasting.

“The incredible women in the therapeutic recreation department have inspired me in more ways than they’ll ever know,” Shetorsia says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better place to learn and grow, and I am so thankful for this opportunity and journey.”

While Shetorsia’s internship has ended, her career is just beginning. She is preparing to become a CTRS by studying for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. The possibilities are endless for what Shetorsia can accomplish, and we are excited to see her carry on the Scottish Rite way in whichever path she takes.