Annual Report 2023-2024

Frances Marthone, Ph.D., RN , is the administrator for two locations – Shriners Children’s Boston and Shriners Children’s New England – a role she had held since 2022. Marthone was a chief nursing executive at hospitals in western Massachusetts before joining the team at Shriners Children’s New England in 2021 as director of patient care services. “Serving as administrator for both Shriners Children’s locations in Massachusetts provides opportunities to maximize synergies across the state to further our vision of providing care to more kids in more places,” Marthone said. Under her leadership, the two facilities have harnessed the power of the two medical teams to provide additional options for patients. Over the past year, Shriners Children’s New England surgeons have performed surgeries for some urology and orthopedic patients in Boston, and this spring, a clinical team from Boston held the first burn care clinic at the Springfield location. The teams continue to look for increased opportunities for collaboration and efforts to cross train their clinicians – outcomes for scoliosis patients. She attributes some of her success as a physician to the strong women who have mentored her and helped to foster a growth mindset that is a key part of her growth and development. “Having the experience of working with women leaders has inspired me to further challenge myself and to pay it forward for the women who will come next.” And when it comes to mentors, look no further than Dr. Farley, who sets the bar as chief medical officer. “She was one of the first female orthopedic chiefs in the country, has published hundreds of articles, and is a phenomenal mentor. She is bearing the standard and has given us our path forward. I am very grateful for her. As a system we benefit from her leadership,” said Dr. Welborn. These women are just a few examples of the smart, dedicated women at Shriners Children’s who are innovators, leaders and role models. They are charting the course for the next generation of female leaders and shaping the future of the care we provide. all to support the best outcomes for patients. Michelle Welborn, M.D. , the chief of spine surgery at Shriners Children’s Portland, has been with the healthcare system since 2016. Last fall, she was awarded an endowed professorship for her pioneering research on a collagen biomarker that could improve

Dr. Michelle James views an X-ray with her father, Dr. Preston James.

“Collectively, our female leaders are at the forefront of advancing our mission.” –Frances A. Farley, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

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