Dr. Mark Shen has become the first physician to lead a Seton hospital.
In February Shen was named president of Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas after serving as interim president since June 2013. Prior to that, Shen directed the Pediatric Consultation and Referral Service at Dell Children's from 2007–13. He also helped develop Children's Comprehensive Care, a pilot clinic for the most medically complex children in Central Texas.
Much of his work continues to focus on connecting physicians throughout the health care system to create a more seamless process for patients.
"We've always thought of ourselves as more than a hospital because we've always worked very closely with the physicians, including myself," Shen said. "Now we would like to extend that to create a more organized system of care for the future."
Primary care, specialty care and hospital care all differ, he said, making it important those groups communicate to help improve outcomes. For example, Shen said, a child with asthma should get the same guidance from the school nurse, primary care pediatrician, clinic specialist or emergency room doctor.
"One system does not mean one physical space," he said. "We would all be on the same page, have the same information and communicate back to each other about what the plan will be for that child."