Pam Baker, shown here accepting her DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, will retire in May 2025.
In her 43 years at Akron Children’s, Vice President of Nursing Informatics Pam Baker has achieved an impressive list of accomplishments. She’s paved the way in everything from patient care to professional advancement, becoming the first chief nursing information officer in the organization. Pam was also the inaugural recipient of the hospital’s DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, which celebrates nurses who are dedicated to compassionate care, mentorship and advancing the nursing profession.
Throughout her four decades at the hospital, Pam’s philosophy of embracing change helped her benefit from every opportunity.
Pam on old 6W in the Med Room, circa 1990.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been a part of outstanding teams who have made a difference to patients, families and nursing as a profession,” Pam shared.
“As part of the infant/toddler unit, I worked with multidisciplinary teams to develop the first care pathways for diagnoses like bronchiolitis, pyloric stenosis and asthma,” she said. “I was able to do clinical research on nursing topics like the use of temporal thermometers and tracking fevers when that technology was changing care at the time.”
In addition, Pam also helped develop the first CARE Ladder system for nursing professional development, was part of the development for the shared professional governance system and worked with the team to achieve our Magnet designation.
Pam with the Patient Services Leadership Team in 2017. Pictured: Janet Rogers, Matt White, Beth Carr, Chris Young, Pam Baker, Judi Dawson-Jones, Lisa Aurilio.
As Pam prepares to retire on May 2, she offers some words of advice to employees beginning their journey at Akron Children’s. “Get to know people, make friends, get involved in activities at the hospital and learn about the organization, not just your work unit. Remember, nurses can do anything!”
What brought you to Children’s? Who gave you your start?
I was drawn to pediatric nursing after doing my clinical rotation here while attending The University of Akron. I enjoyed the atmosphere and working with the children. I was also fortunate in that my sister, Debbie Jennings, had worked here for 10 years and was a nursing supervisor on the night shift when I first started, so I was familiar with Children’s reputation and the nursing department.
Pam at the Leadership Academy Graduation in 2014, with Bill Considine [former Akron Children’s president and CEO and former CEO emeritus].
When I first started nursing, I remember being overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge and skill I needed to develop to be a pediatric nurse. Fortunately for me, I had fabulous mentors on my evening shift who showed me the ropes and supported me through those first years. Outside of work, I was having fun learning to be an adult and living on my own for the first time. I have 6 brothers and sisters and lived with roommates all through college, so that was an adjustment. I started traveling and exploring the United States.
Have you always worked in the same department and role?
I have been very fortunate in that I’ve had many roles and responsibilities in the 43 years I’ve worked at Children’s. I spent the first 20 years in roles as a bedside nurse, charge nurse and case manager, mostly as part of the infant/toddler unit and acute care group. I transitioned into management roles as director of nursing, assistant chief nurse and vice president of nursing informatics in the last 20 years of my career.
Pam with the Informatics team in December 2024. Front row: Mariah Hamilton, Jackie Huckabone, Cassi Ruggles. Back row: Ericka Moore, Amanda Parson, Dr. Sarah Rush, Renee Carver, Pam Baker, Cassie Cicen.
Other than new buildings and construction, how has Akron Children’s changed since you started here?
Akron Children’s has grown in recognition and reputation across the state and nationally. It is always amazing to me how much we have done to lead in care and technology. We have achieved so many milestones to prove that we provide excellent care and support for our work, as evidenced by Magnet, Most Wired and other accolades.
What gave you the most satisfaction at work?
I have always been proud of the fact that Akron Children’s focuses on children and their families. We work diligently to provide the best care and support when people bring us their most precious family members to care for in their time of need. When I’ve been able to assist in helping kids and their families, even in a small way, it makes me remember why we do what we do.
Pam receives the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Pictured: Brittany McIntyre, Sheila Daniels, Pam Baker, Jackie Huckabone, Cassi Ruggles.
What’s your most memorable and/or happiest moment at Akron Children’s?
I have been very fortunate in having many happy days and years at Akron Children’s. It’s one of the things that has kept me coming back to work for 43 years. The people here are supportive and caring. One thing that kids have taught me is even in the face of adversity or a tough day, we all need to have a little play in our lives.
With so many little children here, did someone or something especially touch your heart?
On the infant/toddler units, I worked consistently with patients who had long admissions due to their complicated care and lack of the right supportive care available in their communities. I worked with 3 or 4 families over years of admissions and readmissions, where I tried to support both the child facing incredible health issues and the parents learning about this chronic health condition, which is going to impact their child and their family for the rest of their lives. Those families’ situations could break your heart, but most faced it with courage and determination.
What do you look forward to the most in retirement?
My plans for retirement are to do more traveling, gardening and enjoying time with my family.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
A perfect day is to have a leisurely breakfast, do some outdoor activities with the dog or gardening, read a little bit, enjoy the sunshine and have dinner with family and friends.
What couldn’t you live without?
I am a big reader, so I could not live without books. I like all kinds – and in all formats – so you may find me reading a book or listening to a book. I’ve even thought about writing a book.
What’s the last book you read? What’s the last movie you saw?
I just finished reading “The Thursday Murder Club” series and am looking forward to the adaptation of it coming out. I haven’t gone to the movie theater since before COVID, but the last new movie I watched was “Dune 2” – I have read that entire series and am always interested in how books are interpreted into movies. Books are always better.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I like traveling, reading, remodeling, playing with the dog, spending time with my family and friends and learning new things, like cooking new dishes or taking classes.
