Board Chair Jeff Brannen Describes PediPlace's Growth Throughout the Years

As we celebrate PediPlace’s 20th birthday, it seems appropriate to look back to see where we have been. I have been involved with PediPlace for 19 of those years – first as its outside pro bono general counsel, then as board member, and now as its Chairman. These different roles have given me different perspectives, and always allowed me to watch it grow. In that time, PediPlace went from a very small doctor’s office with six patient rooms to its much larger space with 16 exam rooms. In December, we are poised to open a second location in Dallas with another nine exam rooms. In that same time, I went from a young associate in a small law firm with one baby and a beautiful wife to Chief Legal Officer at an international construction company with the same wife who has grown more beautiful through the years and two kids, one of whom is at the University of Texas and the other is less than two years away from being at university. PediPlace went from an all-volunteer physician staff to a paid professional medical team of seven medical providers. Combined with a Pediatrician / Medical Director and a rotating group of volunteer physicians, our team continues to expand. Oh, how we've grown together.

The growth of PediPlace was intentional and appropriate. It has gone through the up times and down times with our nation and our state. It has gone from very few patients receiving Medicaid to 85% of patients enrolled in either Medicaid or CHIP. It has gone from trying to raise tens of thousands of dollars per year to raising a million dollars in 2013 through grants and giving. It has gone from seeing a few hundred patients to 6,000 thousand children annually seeking access to care and a medical home at PediPlace. With leadership now in place in its President and CEO, Larry Robins, its medical director, Dr. William Smith and its Director of Clinical Operations, Cassandra Singleton, PediPlace is positioned to do so much more. This is the PediPlace that its founders imagined and more.

The Dallas location will start in much the same way. We will start small with five exam rooms, but dream larger with four more ready to go. Our board member and architect, Jonathan Aldis of SHW Group, donated his time to design the space. I am proud that the company I work for – Balfour Beatty Construction has the privilege of building the new space with no fee. Subcontractors agreed to reduced fees as well. All of this is made possible through a lead gift from Medical City Hospital/HCA N. Texas Division and support of a fantastic community of individuals, corporations, foundations and the respective local, state and national government entities.

As I started this post, I looked back and finished by looking forward at the organization itself. I would be remiss if I failed to mention the kids that come to PediPlace. It is for them that we do all of this – the opportunity to bless their lives through appropriate medical care given by caring practitioners over the years. PediPlace is all about making healthcare a reality for every kid and its growth reflects our intention to do just that. I am so grateful for the blessing of having the opportunity to be a part of this organization over the years and can’t wait to see what happens in the next twenty years.

Jeff Brannen

PediPlace Board Chair