Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, has earned a spot on Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “196 women hospital presidents and CEOs to know.”
As noted by the leading healthcare publication, Kim oversees a pediatric healthcare system that serves children and families across four counties. During her tenure, she has created nationally recognized centers of excellence, expanded research capabilities, formed large neonatal and primary care networks, completed several new construction projects, and developed national models of care for population health and pediatric mental health services.
Under her leadership, CHOC continues to invest in a continuum of mental healthcare across inpatient, outpatient, intensive and emergency settings, including launching a mental health crisis clinic that offers immediate stabilization for youth experiencing suicidal ideation.
Her passion for caring for the whole child has spurred a number of community health and wellness initiatives, including partnerships with the Orange County Department of Education and school districts to open 35 Well Spaces, facilities on school campuses where students can find respite and relaxation. Over the past year, Ms. Cripe has also advanced partnerships with other pediatric healthcare providers to bolster pediatric care, research, treatment, and education, as well as help retain and recruit top talent.
Before her appointment as CHOC’s president and CEO in 1997, Kim joined CHOC in 1991 and served as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
