Season 3, Episode 2
Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Precious Cargo: How We Safely Moved 202 Patients in 10 Hours
In this episode, we hear from members of an incredible team that flawlessly executed a feat that reads like a movie script.
At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 was a day nearly a decade in the making. More than 200 Children’s patients—including several on advanced life support—traveled in a carefully planned caravan of 65 ambulances and made history as the first patients at Arthur M. Blank Hospital. And this was all in the wake of Hurricane Helene unleashing its wrath in the hours leading up to the big move. Joining Lynn for this insightful conversation are four key figures who played an instrumental role in this historic event: Linda Cole, Alison Bolt, Amanda Grindle and Kristen Cranmer. They share behind-the-scenes stories of the complex logistics, collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication that made Move Day possible.
In this discussion, you’ll hear:
- What it was like to be at Egleston Hospital in the final hours before the last patient departed.
- What was happening behind the scenes in our command centers.
- How unsung heroes made a big impact from behind the scenes.
Linda Cole, Chief Nursing Officer
Linda Cole, MBA, BSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, began her career at Children’s as a staff nurse more than 30 years ago. Since joining our team in 1985, she has worked at all three campuses, served in multiple leadership roles and led numerous high-profile projects, including Egleston hospital’s Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center designation, the integration of the Hughes Spalding campus from concept through operations, the opening of Children’s at Forsyth and the path to Magnet recognition. At home, she’s a proud mom to four adult kids and five grandkids.
Alison Bolt, MBA, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, Hospital Planning Director
Alison began her career at Children’s as a bedside nurse nearly 19 years ago. In her role as Hospital Planning Director, Alison was instrumental in ensuring our clinical teams were prepared to begin work in Arthur M. Blank Hospital. At home, she’s the proud mom of a teenage son and teenage step-daughter.
Kristen Cranmer, MSN, RN, CPNP, PCNS-BC, NEA-BC, Hospital Planning Director
Kristen, who’s worn a Children’s badge for 18 years, has worn many leadership hats across our clinical teams. A pediatric nurse and nurse practitioner by trade, Kristen helped build and lead our hospital planning team from its infancy. At home, she’s the proud mom of 11-year-old identical twin boys and an 8-year-old daughter.
Amanda Grindle, RN, Hospital Planning Director
In her 16 years at Children’s, Amanda has played key roles in several monumental clinical projects. For Move Day, Amanda was at the helm of many patient logistics and helped captain the command center at Arthur M. Blank Hospital. At home, she’s the proud mom of two daughters.
