February 28, 2020
To: Dean Lloyd Minor, Ombudsperson James Laflin, David Stevenson, MD, Sohail Husain, MD
We, the undersigned, are submitting this letter on behalf of John Kerner, MD and the fact that his leadership titles for both Children’s Home Pharmacy and Nutrition Support were removed earlier this week. He did not request that we submit this letter, nor does he have awareness that we are doing so.
As you likely know, Dr. Kerner founded the Children’s Home Pharmacy in 1992. He utilized his time that was intended for academic sabbatical in order to create the CHP. He developed an amazing and multi-disciplinary team that included not only physician leaders, but pharmacists, nurses and nutritionists. The CHP at one point was the only pharmacy to provide TPN to all of Northern California. Two years after this, Dr. Kerner was asked to establish Nutrition Support services for LPCH. He and his team traveled to some of the top pediatric hospitals in the country in order to see how their Nutrition Support services were run. Interestingly, one of the programs that he visited used his textbook in order to set up their nutrition support program. There have been no complications from TPN in the decades that CHP and Nutrition Support services have been in place. Both of these entities generate substantial revenue for the hospital as well. Additionally, numerous programs around the country based their Nutrition Support services on Dr. Kerner’s model. His academic reputation extends internationally as well.
In addition, while we understand that there was to be a succession plan in place for leadership of the intestinal rehabilitation program, it is somewhat abrupt that the unofficial leadership role that Dr. Kerner held for this program was also removed. It seems short-sighted to not recognize that the excellent support of the nurses and dieticians is in place because of loyalty and dedication to Dr. Kerner as the leader of this program. It will be a great loss to the organization to lose not only Dr. Kerner as the head of this program, but potentially other care providers as well.
Lastly, while we recognize that Dr. Kerner will remain the fellowship director for Pediatric Gastroenterology, we have concerns that this could potentially be the next leadership role that is taken from him. Over the course of several decades, Dr. Kerner has led a program that has trained approximately 50 fellows. Many of these fellows continue to practice medicine in the Bay Area and their names appear on the petition. Certainly, for referrals that relate to nutrition, TPN and short gut, Dr. Kerner is the main reason that patients are sent to LPCH.
In 2017, Dr. Kerner was diagnosed with a significant medical condition. Despite numerous appointments, medications and procedures, he did not miss any days of work or service. Patient care, nutrition services and fellow education remained his top priority.
We are respectfully submitting our strong disagreement with this decision and ask that you consider alternative solutions than what was presented to Dr. Kerner this week.
Updates
February 29, 2020
I honestly did not think this would gain this much steam when I started typing it out on my laptop late at night. Seeing so many people recognize the history of what he built at the pharmacy is honestly incredible because it shows how much his work meant to everyone who saw it firsthand.
41 Comments
Dr. Kerner is unmatched in his dedication to his patients, their families, his students, and staff. For 30+ years, as Medical Director of Clinical Nutrition, he has provided unwavering support, advocacy and been a generous, patient teacher to each and every dietitian. The CND owes much of what we are today to the efforts, guidance and caring of Dr. Kerner. It is heart breaking to hear this news!
I’m in disbelief and fully support this petition. It's been an honor to work with Dr. Kerner during patient/family centered care rounds while supporting the Gastroenterology team as a Nurse Case Manager. His experience, knowledge and endless hours spent towards Children’s Home Pharmacy, and GI nutrition support for all of the children and families goes far beyond words. Please reconsider.
After working with Dr. Kerner for 35 years, I was surprised to hear that he has been removed in his role in the Children's Home Pharmacy. His care and reputation is known through the Central Coast of California and beyond. His dedication to patient care and families is legendary. I believe a transition period with recognition and gratitude would have been a better route to take if change was felt to be necessary in this leadership role.
Dr. Kerner has done more to ensure safe and optimal individualized nutritional for our patients (and pediatric patients everywhere) than anyone at this institution (or probably at any institution). His unilateral dismissal from leadership of these services is a travesty -- not only disrespectful and dismissive of his enormous and ongoing contributions, but endangering the quality of nutrition support available to these most complicated children. Reverse it, please!
Dr. Kerner is the main reason why I came LPCH to complete my pediatric gastroenterology fellowship. I received excellent training, guidance, and support throughout my 3 years of training. I am deeply disturbed by this news as it seems unjust and unfounded.
Dr. Kerner is world-renowned and a legend in the pediatric GI community. I owe so much of my career to his support, kindness, and generosity. I'm deeply saddened that the institution from which I still treasure so many fond memories has treated the wonderful Dr. Kerner with such disrespect.
I fully support this petition and am sad to hear. I worked with Dr. Kerner as a social worker in GI. Dr. Kerner is a passionate, brilliant, dedicated MD who gives 150% to all of the work he does. He means so much to the patients and the staff he works with. There is no one like him. He deserves the upmost respect and to be honored as the gem that he is.
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February 28, 2020
To: Dean Lloyd Minor, Ombudsperson James Laflin, David Stevenson, MD, Sohail Husain, MD
We, the undersigned, are submitting this letter on behalf of John Kerner, MD and the fact that his leadership titles for both Children’s Home Pharmacy and Nutrition Support were removed earlier this week. He did not request that we submit this letter, nor does he have awareness that we are doing so.
As you likely know, Dr. Kerner founded the Children’s Home Pharmacy in 1992. He utilized his time that was intended for academic sabbatical in order to create the CHP. He developed an amazing and multi-disciplinary team that included not only physician leaders, but pharmacists, nurses and nutritionists. The CHP at one point was the only pharmacy to provide TPN to all of Northern California. Two years after this, Dr. Kerner was asked to establish Nutrition Support services for LPCH. He and his team traveled to some of the top pediatric hospitals in the country in order to see how their Nutrition Support services were run. Interestingly, one of the programs that he visited used his textbook in order to set up their nutrition support program. There have been no complications from TPN in the decades that CHP and Nutrition Support services have been in place. Both of these entities generate substantial revenue for the hospital as well. Additionally, numerous programs around the country based their Nutrition Support services on Dr. Kerner’s model. His academic reputation extends internationally as well.
In addition, while we understand that there was to be a succession plan in place for leadership of the intestinal rehabilitation program, it is somewhat abrupt that the unofficial leadership role that Dr. Kerner held for this program was also removed. It seems short-sighted to not recognize that the excellent support of the nurses and dieticians is in place because of loyalty and dedication to Dr. Kerner as the leader of this program. It will be a great loss to the organization to lose not only Dr. Kerner as the head of this program, but potentially other care providers as well.
Lastly, while we recognize that Dr. Kerner will remain the fellowship director for Pediatric Gastroenterology, we have concerns that this could potentially be the next leadership role that is taken from him. Over the course of several decades, Dr. Kerner has led a program that has trained approximately 50 fellows. Many of these fellows continue to practice medicine in the Bay Area and their names appear on the petition. Certainly, for referrals that relate to nutrition, TPN and short gut, Dr. Kerner is the main reason that patients are sent to LPCH.
In 2017, Dr. Kerner was diagnosed with a significant medical condition. Despite numerous appointments, medications and procedures, he did not miss any days of work or service. Patient care, nutrition services and fellow education remained his top priority.
We are respectfully submitting our strong disagreement with this decision and ask that you consider alternative solutions than what was presented to Dr. Kerner this week.
Updates
February 29, 2020
I honestly did not think this would gain this much steam when I started typing it out on my laptop late at night. Seeing so many people recognize the history of what he built at the pharmacy is honestly incredible because it shows how much his work meant to everyone who saw it firsthand.
41 Comments
I've known Dr. Kerner and worked closely with him for well over three decades. As I understand it, the process and circumstances of the decision to abruptly remove him from his leadership of the Home Pharmacy and Nutrition Support represent institutional dysfunction and disrespect of a nearly unfathomable degree of stupidity and thoughtlessness. It is not too late the reconsider this big hit to Stanford Children's Health integrity and reputation.
Dr. Kerner is unmatched in his dedication to his patients, their families, his students, and staff. For 30+ years, as Medical Director of Clinical Nutrition, he has provided unwavering support, advocacy and been a generous, patient teacher to each and every dietitian. The CND owes much of what we are today to the efforts, guidance and caring of Dr. Kerner. It is heart breaking to hear this news!
I’m in disbelief and fully support this petition. It's been an honor to work with Dr. Kerner during patient/family centered care rounds while supporting the Gastroenterology team as a Nurse Case Manager. His experience, knowledge and endless hours spent towards Children’s Home Pharmacy, and GI nutrition support for all of the children and families goes far beyond words. Please reconsider.
After working with Dr. Kerner for 35 years, I was surprised to hear that he has been removed in his role in the Children's Home Pharmacy. His care and reputation is known through the Central Coast of California and beyond. His dedication to patient care and families is legendary. I believe a transition period with recognition and gratitude would have been a better route to take if change was felt to be necessary in this leadership role.
Dr. Kerner has done more to ensure safe and optimal individualized nutritional for our patients (and pediatric patients everywhere) than anyone at this institution (or probably at any institution). His unilateral dismissal from leadership of these services is a travesty -- not only disrespectful and dismissive of his enormous and ongoing contributions, but endangering the quality of nutrition support available to these most complicated children. Reverse it, please!
Dr. Kerner is the main reason why I came LPCH to complete my pediatric gastroenterology fellowship. I received excellent training, guidance, and support throughout my 3 years of training. I am deeply disturbed by this news as it seems unjust and unfounded.
Dr. Kerner is world-renowned and a legend in the pediatric GI community. I owe so much of my career to his support, kindness, and generosity. I'm deeply saddened that the institution from which I still treasure so many fond memories has treated the wonderful Dr. Kerner with such disrespect.
I fully support this petition and am sad to hear. I worked with Dr. Kerner as a social worker in GI. Dr. Kerner is a passionate, brilliant, dedicated MD who gives 150% to all of the work he does. He means so much to the patients and the staff he works with. There is no one like him. He deserves the upmost respect and to be honored as the gem that he is.
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I've known Dr. Kerner and worked closely with him for well over three decades. As I understand it, the process and circumstances of the decision to abruptly remove him from his leadership of the Home Pharmacy and Nutrition Support represent institutional dysfunction and disrespect of a nearly unfathomable degree of stupidity and thoughtlessness. It is not too late the reconsider this big hit to Stanford Children's Health integrity and reputation.