Geni A. Bennetts, MD FAAP FAIHQ

From children with cancer to multi-specialty recruiting!

Dr. Bennetts' career as a Pediatric Oncologist spanned a period of 22 years. During these years, she directed and participated in numerous programs designed to help those she had dedicated her career to, kids with cancer . As I interviewed her, she told me that it had been a rewarding career and added, "When I started, the survival rate was 30% and when I retired, it was up to 70%. Today, the survival rate is 80%." Dr. Bennetts credit this to advances in science. Included in the programs she was involved with are:

• Setting up the first accredited Hematology/Oncology Center in Orange County
• Creating an accredited center for treatment of children with Sickle Cell Disease (Orange County)
• Conducting epidemiological studies in leukemia and second malignancies
• Developing a Pediatric Tumor Registry incorporating CHOC and other general hospitals for a standard reporting system as per the state requirements
• Innovating a procedure for safely removing white blood cells in leukemia patients with counts greater than 100,000
• Credited with developing and formulating a protocol for collecting stem cells for auto transplantation in infants under five pounds to become one of the first hospitals nationwide to perform the procedure
• Designed an in-house donor program to ensure availability of adequate blood products by recruiting donors, selecting equipment and developing procedures
• Leading the development of protocols, procedures, training and metrics for a nurse practitioner program to expand patient offerings
• Spearheading the construction of a Ronald McDonald House in Orange County
• Initiating laboratory research funding project that is currently known as the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and has raised millions to fund CHOC and now other research facilities

Consulting, Program Development and a new career with Medical HR

Since her retirement from clinical practice in Pediatric Oncology, Dr. Bennetts has pursued new and expanded interests in independent consulting specializing in medical management, quality assurance, and risk management. She has also moved from Orange County to the Napa Valley. Most recently, Dr. Bennetts has joined Medical HR, a leading medical recruitment/staffing company as principal. She brings a myriad of experience which enables her to address creative solutions for the physician shortage within medical practices and institutions. Visit Medical HR

Children's Hospital of Orange Co. (1977 – 1996)

Dr. Bennetts worked at Children's Hospital of Orange Co. (CHOC) as Director/Acting Director, Division of Hematology/Oncology for 16 years. She was instrumental in initiating a laboratory research funding project that is currently known as the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. The foundation has raised millions to fund CHOC and now other research facilities.

CHOC has received numerous local and national recognitions for their work with children. It is one of only eight Children's Hospitals to be named to the "Leapfrog 2007 Top Hospitals" list and the CHOC Foundation has been named a "Four Star Charity" by Charity Navigator. CHOC has been recognized with the Bronze Level CAPE Award from the California Council for Excellence (CCE). CHOC was the only children's hospital in California to have earned this distinction and the only Orange County-based organization honored in 2008.    Visit CHOC

Orange County Ronald McDonald House (opened in 1989)

Dr. Bennetts was the founding president of the Ronald McDonald House in Orange County. She was instrumental in obtaining foundation support, recruiting volunteers and managing fundraising activities; efforts enabled opening in just over one year as the first of 50+ houses in the world to open with no mortgage and no debt.

The Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs provide a sanctuary near or in children’s hospitals in Orange County for children and their families. Since 1989, more than 10,000 families from all over California, the U.S. and other countries, have found a comfortable place to stay for several hours, days, weeks, months, and in some cases, over a year. The more restful environment of a Ronald McDonald House or Ronald McDonald Family Room rejuvenates family members, which helps them to better care for and assist their children during treatment.    Visit the Orange County Ronald McDonald House

Children's Health Initiative (CHI) Napa County (launched in 2005)

Dr. Geni Bennetts is a founding member of Children's Health Initiative in Napa County, CA (a 501(c) 3 organization) established to make access to health care and insurance available to all children in Napa County.

The Children's Health Initiative (CHI) Napa County was launched in 2005 to ensure that all children in the community have access to comprehensive, quality healthcare. Community and business leaders, healthcare providers, educators, child advocates and foundations have come together to create an innovative, public-private partnership that offers an effective and lasting solution to the healthcare crisis for our most vulnerable children and families.    Visit the Children's Health Initiative of Napa County