Healthcare Roundup—Stanford Children’s names new CEO; Providers warned about EpiPen labeling issues

Stanford Children’s Health taps Paul King as new CEO

Stanford Children’s Health has a new CEO.

Paul King, who currently serves as executive director at the University of Michigan Health System’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, will take over beginning in early 2019.

CEO Chris Dawes announced in March 2018 that he would step down for medical reasons, and since then Dennis Lund, M.D., has filled the role on an interim basis.

King has been in the executive director position at UM since 2013, and was previously CEO of Pediatric Management Group. (Announcement)

FDA warns providers about potential EpiPen labeling issues

Mylan, Pfizer and the FDA have issued a warning to providers that a labeling issue with some EpiPens and their generic counterparts may lead to delayed administration.

In some pens, the label was not fully affixed to the pen itself, which can lead it to get stuck in the tube and delay treatment. Similar issues have been reported in Canada.

No problems have been reported with the labeling mishap so far, according to the FDA, and as the risks are minor, Pfizer will not recall the pens. (FiercePharmaManufacturing)

Seattle Children’s receives $20M gift from former Microsoft CEO

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie, have donated $20 million to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The gift will be put toward the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, a community facility primarily serving lower-income and ethnically diverse children. The clinic offers medical, dental, nutrition and behavioral health services.

OBCC announced it would open a second facility in July.

“We’re excited to support the work of giving families access to a medical home of this quality, led by a reputable healthcare team that understands and truly cares about the complex challenges many families face,” Connie Balmer said. (Announcement)

Wyoming program urges state providers to offer free care

Wyoming has launched the Volunteer Health Services Program, which aims to encourage providers to offer free care to the state’s poorest residents.

Participating providers will be afforded protection from malpractice suits by the state government. Legislators said that providers may be reluctant to participate in voluntary programs because of liability risks.

“There [are] people out there that want to do this stuff,” state Rep. Dan Laursen said. “They’re just afraid to get sued.”

Any provider that is licensed or certified by Wyoming can get involved. (Casper Star-Tribune)