"Mission Children's Hospital is a unique place. Our physicians came to Asheville from some of the finest academic institutions in the country. Our patients receive high quality medical care provided by staff who know them by name and offer a personal touch so important to healing."
-Susan Mims, MD, MPH, Medical Director
Working as a team with you and your child
At Mission Children's Hospital, all of us work together as a multi-disciplinary team to provide the child and family with excellent care that meets their unique medical and emotional needs. We know that children are not small adults. All of our team members - not only physicians, but nurses, therapists, respiratory therapists, clinical nutritionists and counselors as well - are experienced and trained in working with pediatric patients.
Parents are involved as crucial members of the team. You know your child better than anybody, and we honor your input about your child's condition and care. As one pediatric intensive nurse said "When a family member says something is wrong, I ALWAYS listen."
We work to be what hospitals call "Patient Centered" rather than "Provider Centered." It means we put needs of the patient and family first, rather than the convenience of staff. It's the cornerstone of our philosophy of care.
We believe that the care of each child should be approached from many angles with the patient and family at the center of the team. Our physicians work closely with all healthcare staff to provide optimal care for each patient using a multidisciplinary team approach. This holistic approach helps us to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Meet the Pediatric Specialists at Mission Children's Hospital
Our Philosophy of care
Mission Children's Hospital physicians and staff provide the level of care you would receive at a major teaching hospital, delivered with genuine warmth and caring.
Patient Centered:
At Mission Children's Hospital, the needs of our young patients and their families come first, rather than the convenience of doctors and staff members. To use textbook terms, we work to be "Patient Centered" rather than "Provider Centered." It's the difference between a hospital that is organized around the needs and convenience of the doctors and nurses, and one that is centered around young patients and their families.
Personal:
At Mission Children's Hospital, we know you. By name. You and your child will probably call your doctor by his or her first name. You'll know each other as friends with a shared mission, not just doctor and patient. We take the time to build trust, especially during difficult times. Members of our healthcare team came to Mission Children's Hospital because that's the kind of relationship they want with their patients.
There for you:
When we talk about our physicians being accessible, we mean more than having them right here in Western North Carolina. When children are in the hospital, the physicians who care for them are based right on the unit, rather than dropping by once or twice a day. That means they are available in an emergency, for a quick hallway talk with parents, or to just relax for a moment with an adolescent or child.
Seeking input from each other:
Our physicians are immediately available to each other for consultations. This is important because almost all serious illnesses, injuries and conditions are complex. They may need the perspective of many specialty areas, not just one.
Working with other hospitals:
Our physicians trained and practiced at internationally recognized medical centers such as Duke, St. Jude's and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. They know which hospitals around the country are best at treating rare or especially difficult problems, and they refer to them when it would help the patient.
Holistic care:
Our physicians recognize that healing involves more than medications and procedures. They work closely with an entire team of nurses, therapists and other specialists to meet the unique needs of each patient. When appropriate, they call on the resources of Mission's Integrative Healthcare program to provide therapies - like pet therapy- that are proven to promote healing.
