Beloved Loma Linda Pediatrician Recognized for Lifelong Dedication to Children and Families
14 March 2019 | From a press release by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital — Richard Chinnock, MD, chief medical officer for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, was recognized with the Outstanding Clinician Award at the 26th Annual Foundation Gala on Thursday, February 21, for his lifelong dedication and distinguished service provided to children and staff.
Chinnock is the son and father of pediatricians. He says that like other members of his family, he was meant to work with children — loving their willingness, innocence and joy. He has dedicated more than 25 years of service to Children’s Hospital.
Chinnock was first hired at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1989 to be part of the pediatric heart transplant team. He has taken on many roles during his career, including pediatric residency director, medical director of the pediatric heart transplant team, professor and chair of pediatrics for Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Chinnock was named as chief medical officer for Children’s Hospital in 2015.
Fresh out of his undergraduate program at Pacific Union College, Chinnock was a recipient of a U.S. Navy scholarship, financially allowing him to earn his MD at Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine in 1982, after which he pursued his internship in pediatrics at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Chinnock retired from the Navy at the rank of Navy Captain after 25 years of service to his country. He recognized the need for physician leaders to be skilled in the areas of administration and policy and continued his growth and professional development by earning a master’s of science degree in health care management at Harvard’s School of Public Health in 2013.
His dedication and commitment to children’s health has shaped Children’s Hospital — what it has become and where it’s going, says Children’s Hospital senior vice president and administrator Scott Perryman. “In Dr. Chinnock’s time at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, we’ve gone from having children’s services to a comprehensive network for children’s health,” he says. “He’s truly one of the main founders of children’s health, and our gratitude for the legacy of leaders from the Chinnock family cannot be overstated. Dr. Chinnock’s deep commitment to children’s health and our patients and families we serve every day is an inspiration to all.”
Chinnock says he’s been blessed to work with transformative leaders, faculty and staff who are amazing, loving and passionate about the care of kids. He believes that growing up as the son of a School of Medicine faculty member and chair of pediatrics at Loma Linda University Medical Center imprinted on him a passion for the mission of Loma Linda University Health. “My dad was the first chair of pediatrics when the current hospital was built. God-willing, I will be chair of pediatrics when the new tower is opened,” says Chinnock. “Having a front row seat to the history of pediatrics at Loma Linda for over 60 years has been an amazing thing to watch. I am proud of the part that my family, through the grace of God, has been able to play in its development.”
About Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital – LLUCH:
The Children’s Hospital is the only dedicated pediatric hospital in the region of San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties. With 348 beds dedicated just for kids, one of the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the country and more than 100,000 children who come each year, LLUCH is a major pediatric teaching facility, known worldwide as the pioneer of neonatal heart transplantation. LLUCH is part of Loma Linda University Health – the umbrella organization encompassing Loma Linda University’s eight professional schools and Loma Linda University Medical Center’s six hospitals located across the Inland Empire in Southern California. A Seventh-day Adventist organization, Loma Linda University Health is a faith-based health system with a mission “to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”