The Ophthalmology Department at Seattle Children’s has received the Family Choice Award, one of Children's top honors, and is especially meaningful because patients and families are the ones who nominate. The 2023 winners were recently announced by Children's Family Advisory Council.
"We are so incredibly honored to receive this award, said Michelle Cabrera, MD, Associate Professor and Division Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology. “The Ophthalmology team includes a cohesive group of doctors, surgeons, ophthalmic technicians, and administrators who all do so much to enhance the care of our patients. There is not a single team member who doesn't wake up every day motivated to provide great care to patients and families. Receiving this award is so special for us and brings incredible joy and meaning to all of us!"
Excerpt from the nomination:
“We have worked with many doctors in this clinic, and they have all demonstrated wonderful family centered care. Dr. Cabrera, Dr. Huang, and Dr. Baran always do a great job explaining the situation as it stands currently, and they are always respectful and supportive. My son has a very complicated issue, and there is a lot going on. They are all willing to write things down and explain things until we can understand the issues. The doctors always ask us what we need or ask us for our opinions on how we feel about the path moving forward.
“When my son became old enough, the doctors really made my son feel like he had control over what his treatment was as they would talk more to him directly. When appropriate, the doctors offer him choices. For example, Dr. Huang and Dr. Cabrera have all given my son choices on different medications and what his preferences were. They would explain how each worked and what the side effects were. They really make my son feel like he has a say in what happens and have always made us feel like our opinions, thoughts, and feelings are taken into consideration.”
The Ophthalmology team includes Sunakshi Anand, Dr. Francine Baran, Dr. Michelle Cabrera, Dr. Christopher Chambers, Lashel Chavez, Brandy Eslava, Lynnette Fortier, Dr. Erin Herlihy, Sydney Hernandez, Dr. Laura Huang, Hyeshin Jeon, Dr. Vivian Manh, Christina McCambridge, Joanna Mendoza Casarez, Dr. Debarshi Mustafi, Dr. Andrew Stacey, Jessica Steele, Dr. Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, Lyndsey Tews, Teresa Thomas, Dr. Alexandra Van Brummen, Jennifer Vincent, Greg Wejak, Meredith Zabala, Austin Zhao and Dr. Kabita Nanda (Rheumatology)
