
Prestigious Women Awards Honorees: Caitlin Stella
Caitlin Stella, MPH is Chief Executive Officer of Joe DiMaggio Childrenโs Hospital. She began her professional career as the start-up administrator of the multi-million dollar Center for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA Health. Caitlin also co-managed a state-wide pilot study looking at the epidemiology of Autism in California, which was published in 2002. After completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at UCLA, she joined PricewaterhouseCoopersโ (PwC) national healthcare consulting practice working with payer, provider and life science clients throughout the country including several childrenโs hospitals. She was a senior executive at Childrenโs Hospital Los Angeles before becoming Chief Administrative Officer for UCLA Healthโs Mattel Childrenโs Hospital and Womenโs Health Programs. She was a Board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and is Past-President of the alumni association for the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA. She is currently a Board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida and has been an executive/community leader for March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, United Way, Junior Achievement and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Public Health Association, the Healthcare Financial Management Association and Women in Health Administration. She is the healthcare representative for the Broward Economic Council and also a member of YPO (Young Presidentsโ Organization) and IWF (International Womenโs Forum).
Favorite quote:
โThe meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.โ
โ Pablo Picasso
Fun fact: I am the second oldest of 7 children and am a trained speed reader!
How do you unwind after a long day of work? Watch reruns of The Office, Seinfeld or 30 Rock.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? I have learned to build strong and talented teams and lean on their support and expertise to help innovate and overcome challenges. I am rarely the expert in anything. My best skill is finding out who is the expert and enlisting them for their ideas and support!!
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? Leading the 4-story expansion of Joe DiMaggio Childrenโs Hospital and watching us bring exceptional pediatric care to more children in our community!
Who are your role models? Too many to name!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? โDonโt look back. Only look to the future!โ – my Mom
What advice would you give a young woman at the start of her career? Do what you love and the rest will follow!
How does being a woman has impacted your career? Everyoneโs journey has challenges. We are imperfect and the human experience is a series of ups and downs. I am grateful for the people/mentors along the way who saw how passionate I am about the work I do and had faith in me. So many people โ my family, my teachers, various leaders โ gave me encouragement and opportunities which have made me who I am today.
Marie Therrien
Posted at 20:14h, 28 JanuaryCaitlin is just an awesome leader, we, at JDCH are so blessed to have her as our CEO,
We are so proud of her and her accomplishments, which are many??????
Margaret Grell
Posted at 16:24h, 05 FebruaryCongratulations Caitlin! Well deserved, an outstanding career. Regards Margaret Grell
Lou Anne Garro
Posted at 17:18h, 08 FebruaryJDCH is so blessed to have her as a leader. Her enthusiasm and compassion set a high bar
Lora Bojilova
Posted at 16:02h, 09 FebruaryI know I speak for all of us when I say that the Pediatric Residents at Joe D love Caitlin! She is incredibly personable, kind, caring, and humble and is an amazing role model. Thank you Caitlin for all that you do! We are proud to be a part of your team!