Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has appointed seasoned nurse leader Emma Sandhu, MSN, RN, CPPS, chief quality and patient safety officer, following a nationwide search. Sandhu brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including serving as a critical care nurse, to the position. Most recently, she has led CHOC at Mission Hospital as its chief nursing officer and administrator.
In her new role, Sandhu will be responsible for advancing quality improvement and safety initiatives across the pediatric healthcare system. Reporting to Dr. Sandip Godambe, senior vice president and chief medical officer, she will work closely with physician and executive leaders to ensure CHOC continues to achieve excellence in key standardized and national metrics for patient safety and quality care.
“I am honored to serve CHOC as its chief quality and patient safety officer and look forward to collaborating with our physicians and staff to continue to deliver on our passionate commitment to clinical excellence. Each one of us at CHOC understands the trust families place in us and are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for the children we serve,” said Sandhu.
Sandhu’s career began at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she worked in the pediatric intensive care unit. She then moved on to leadership roles at UCI Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, and finally to CHOC. Most recently, Sandhu spearheaded CHOC’s Joy in Work collaborative to help ensure a joyful and engaged workforce. She also serves on the organization’s strategic workforce planning council, a cross-functional team focused on people-centered initiatives that help solidify CHOC as a best place to work and practice medicine.
“Emma is known for her authenticity, compassionate leadership, and transformative impact. She is deeply committed to improvement and safety science, guided by data-driven results through a transparent, system-oriented approach. Her boundless energy and innovative mindset will no doubt propel CHOC to new heights,” stated Dr. Godambe.
A frequent presenter at national conferences, Sandhu earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington and is currently working on a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree.
