Provider Direct Initiative Improves Access to Care at Children’s National
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Children’s National announced the launch of Provider Direct, a new initiative aimed at streamlining specialty‑care access for families across the Mid‑Atlantic. The program, funded by a $3.5 million donation from the Schattner Foundation, leverages advanced information‑technology tools and an expanded care‑coordination team to reduce wait times and simplify referrals. Michelle Riley‑Brown, the hospital’s president and CEO, highlighted the goal of eliminating geographic and socioeconomic barriers to timely pediatric care. The effort is overseen by Marc DiFazio, MD, MBA, the institution’s first vice president of access, who will integrate the initiative with the upcoming adoption of Epic electronic health records. Children’s National, consistently ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals, expects the model to improve outcomes and family experience.
💡 Why It Matters
- · By cutting delays in specialist appointments, Provider Direct directly tackles a proven driver of poorer long‑term health in children, turning access into a measurable clinical advantage.
