Dr. Ford is a board-certified hospital pediatrician with 25 years of experience. As a chief medical officer, he oversees clinical operations at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ford is part of a team at Memorial Healthcare System that is working to meet the ongoing challenges of the pandemic while providing the highest quality care in the safest environment.
Favorite Quote: “Be who you are and say what you mean, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
Fun Fact: I’m a pinball enthusiast and have three machines. I hope to spend time restoring classic pinball machines when I retire from medicine.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? The greatest challenge for me has been to embrace the fact that doing the right thing is often not the popular thing. Keeping focused on goals and objectives and reviewing them frequently keeps me from being derailed by the negative opinions of others.
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? While it seemed somewhat pedestrian when I volunteered, spending a day administering the first Covid vaccines to my work family at Memorial Healthcare System was something I’ll never forget.
How is the healthcare industry important to you personally? Healthcare is one of the few industries that I know of that every individual will interact with in their lifetime. The ability to affect positive change within the industry is an awesome and inspiring responsibility.
How did the pandemic disrupt your specific role in the healthcare industry, and how did you adapt? Interpersonal interactions are critical for relationship building. The pandemic caused me to find alternatives means to develop and sustain these relationships.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? You will never go wrong doing what is right.
What do you love most about working in healthcare? Working in healthcare is science, creativity, compassion, and humility all rolled into one for the benefit of many.
