Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Honored with National Quality Award

Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s pediatric subacute program has earned the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), making it the only program of its kind in California to receive this national distinction. The award recognizes providers across the nation that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing quality care and outcomes for the residents they serve. “We are deeply honored by this recognition which reflects our strong commitment to continuous improvement and to delivering quality care every day,” said Totally Kids’ chief operating officer Pauline Hennessey. “It is a wonderful testament to our team of caring professionals who combine exceptional clinical skills with compassion that supports each child’s physical and psychological growth and overall development.” The Bronze Commitment to Quality Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate a systemwide commitment to improving care and outcomes through the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. Recipients undergo a rigorous evaluation process examining leadership, strategic planning, workforce engagement, operational effectiveness, and resident-centered care. “This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our caregivers and reinforces Totally Kids’ commitment to helping children achieve the best possible outcomes,” said Douglas Padgett, chief executive officer of Totally Kids. “Our mission extends beyond providing exceptional care. We work every day to help children build independence, reach developmental milestones and, whenever possible, transition home to their families. This award recognizes the life-changing impact of that work and the trust families place in us during some of the most important moments of their lives.” Padgett said that for families the award reflects “a commitment to safe, high-quality care delivered by a multidisciplinary team focused on helping medically complex children achieve their highest possible level of independence and quality of life.” Since launching its pediatric subacute program in 1991, Totally Kids has become a national leader for enriching the health and quality of life for patients with clinically complex conditions, consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes that exceed industry benchmarks and earning the highest possible rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While many residents arrive at Totally Kids with significant medical and developmental challenges, the hospital’s goal is to help every child reach his or her highest potential and, whenever possible, transition to a less intensive level of care and ultimately return home with their families. To help achieve this goal, an individualized treatment plan for each resident is developed by an interdisciplinary team of pediatric physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, pharmacists, and other specialists. Through advanced therapies, family education and coordinated care, Totally Kids helps children build skills, make meaningful progress toward greater independence and longterm success and prepares families for the next stage of their child's journey AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award recipients will be recognized during the association’s annual convention and expo, October 11–14, 2026, in Boston. About Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital For more than 50 years Totally Kids has been a national leader in providing personalized rehabilitation and habilitation services for children with a family-centered emphasis. Programs include acute pediatric rehabilitation, subacute care for children with clinically complex conditions, the innovative “Totally Infants Program” for the care of infants who are ready to transition from a NICU but not yet ready to go hom