2023 Department of Pediatrics Academic Annual Report

Community Impact

Children’s of Alabama Community Healthcare Education Simulation (COACHES) Program by Emily Franklin

In 2017, the Children’s of Alabama Community Healthcare Education Simulation (COACHES) Program was launched with a mission of improving pediatric care in community hospitals throughout Alabama. Over the past seven years, this program has made substantial progress in disseminating knowledge to 50 hospitals in Alabama as well as eastern Mississippi and western Georgia.

“The aim of the COACHES Program is to better equip hospitals with the training and tools necessary to ensure quality care for children,” said Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care and program director of the COACHES Program. The program engages with community healthcare providers who are crucial in delivering care to pediatric patients. Specifically, the emphasis is on those working in emergency departments and on inpatient pediatric floors, as well as facilities that are planning to expand their outpatient clinics.

Chrystal Rutledge, M.D.

The success of the COACHES Program is attributed to its key personnel’s dedication. The leadership team includes Dr. Chrystal Rutledge, serving as the Program Director, Dr. Sarah Bingham as the Assistant Program Director, Stacy Gaither, MSN, RN, and Carrie Norwood, MSHI, BSN, RN as Program Coordinators, and Dr. Lauren Robinson, who leads the Office and School-Based Education aspect. Drs. Bingham and Robinson joined the team in 2023.

2023 Academic Annual Report

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