UT MD Anderson's Pam Redden honored for excellence in administration

MD Anderson News Release September 24, 2012

Rogers Award recognizes Redden's expertise in patient-focused facilities

MD Anderson News Release 07/24/12

Pam Redden, director of clinical operations development at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is the recipient of the 2012 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Administration.

The $10,000 award, which rotates annually among the areas of patient care, research, education, prevention and administration, recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate excellence in their work and dedication to MD Anderson's mission to eliminate cancer. Redden will receive the award at a 3:30 p.m. presentation ceremony Sept. 27 at MD Anderson's Dan L. Duncan Building, 1155 Pressler St., eighth floor, Rooms 1,2,7 and 8.

Redden arrived at MD Anderson in 1997 as a clinical administrative director for the Internal Medicine Center and the Cardiopulmonary Center, four years later transferring to MD Anderson Physicians Network as associate vice president for operations. In 2003, she accepted a newly created position to lead activation planning for MD Anderson's Lowry and Peggy Mays Clinic and Dan L. Duncan Building.

"The Mays Clinic was the first outpatient clinic outside MD Anderson's main hospital walls in Houston," said Redden, describing that project as one of her most challenging and rewarding.

Additionally, Redden has applied her expertise to numerous expansion and renovations projects. She's continued to grow professionally, completing a quality improvement/health services research project on nursing teamwork and operational efficiencies, presenting at the 2012 Design and Health World Congress in Malaysia and serving on several institutionwide committees.

Redden's work in operational facilities involves collaboration, communication, motivation and goal alignment across all divisions. She says her 15 years as an ICU nurse and later as an outpatient nurse inform her daily interactions with clinical and business counterparts.

"I'm able to speak their language and identify with patient and staff needs in a very real, on-the-front-lines way," she said.

Redden's positive attitude, spirit of collaboration and inclusive leadership style win the respect of senior leadership, direct reports and colleagues across the institution. One nominator wrote: "Pam Redden exemplifies the values of MD Anderson. The successful design and recognition of safe, efficient, effective and patient-focused facilities are due in large part to her visionary leadership."

Redden's administrative role at MD Anderson has evolved from patient point-of-care as a clinical administrative director to coordinating complex, multidisciplinary activities enabling many groups to come together to think in new ways.

"This focus on working together, accomplishing goals, and creating positive outcomes for patients, staff, care providers and the health care community has been at the core of my success," she said. "It's a huge honor to receive this award, and in doing so represent the administrative efforts that my colleagues have put forth to support the mission areas of this institution. To be recognized by this prestigious award is less about me personally, and more about validating administration as a foundation of MD Anderson."

Award represents longtime Rogers family commitment

Regina Rogers, a senior member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, established the award in 1987 in honor of her parents, the late Julie and Ben Rogers, and in appreciation for the treatment her brother and her mother received at the institution. Ben Rogers served on the Board of Visitors from 1978 until his death in 1994, when his daughter and wife established the Julie & Ben Rogers Breast Diagnostic Clinic in his memory. Julie Rogers died in 1998.

"It was my privilege to establish the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in 1987 to convey appreciation to my dear parents for their love and inspiration, which they continuously expressed through a concern for others," said Rogers.

Rogers added that her family's relationship with MD Anderson dates to 1960, when her brother, Arvey Rogers, M.D., was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 25.

"After a lengthy and successful surgery, performed by Dr. Edgar C. White and Dr. R. Lee Clark, he was able to continue leading a normal life," said Rogers. "Then, in 1987, our mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks to the surgical expertise of Dr. Richard Martin and Dr. Fred Ames, her recovery was good and served to reinforce our family's commitment to MD Anderson. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue this award in honor of my parents and to recognize excellence at an institution that's played such an important role in eliminating cancer as a major health threat."