Episode 64 : Building Care That Lasts: Innovation Beyond Technology with Ruth Frey

Global impact starts with local trust and sustainable partnerships.

In this episode of the Smart Care Team Spotlight, Ruth Frey, Executive Director for Global Collaborations for Boston Children’s Hospital – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, talks about building sustainable global pediatric care through community-driven innovation and long-term partnerships. She reflects on her 45-year career at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and how early mentorship from C. Everett Koop shaped her leadership philosophy and commitment to excellence. She shares how a mission trip to the Dominican Republic transformed her perspective and led her to move beyond short-term medical missions toward lasting system change. She also describes creating a health promoter model and developing a fully sustainable clinic that continues to serve as a regional hub for pediatric care and public health training.

Tune in to hear how people-centered innovation can transform global healthcare delivery and create an impact that lasts for generations.

About Ruth Frey:
Ruth Frey, MSN, CPNP, serves as Executive Director of Global Collaborations for BCH-CHOP, where she leads strategic international partnerships that expand pediatric access to innovative care and advance global child health. Over her 44-year career at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she has held diverse clinical and leadership roles, building high-impact global programs and trusted relationships with ministries of health, hospitals, researchers, and government leaders worldwide. Ruth helped launch CHOP’s Global Health Program through early work in the Dominican Republic and continues to align global initiatives with enterprise strategy and sustainable business models.

She serves on the Board of Advisors for the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University and is a member of the Milken Institute Women’s Network.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Early mentorship can profoundly shape a leader’s long-term philosophy, standards, and commitment to impact.
• Sustainable global health work requires moving beyond short-term mission trips to building permanent local infrastructure and capacity.
• Community empowerment is more effective than outside intervention alone; training trusted local leaders creates continuity and trust.
• Innovation in healthcare is not always technology-driven; people, process design, and cultural understanding often create the greatest impact.
• Paying attention to local context and social dynamics (such as identifying respected community members) is essential for successful program implementation.
• Building sustainable systems requires investing in local staffing, pharmacy access, transportation, and ongoing education.
• Global leadership means sharing expertise while empowering local clinicians to independently deliver and sustain high-quality care.
• Long-term commitment and relationship-building are critical to creating healthcare programs that continue thriving years later.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Ruth Frey on LinkedIn.
• Follow the Boston Children’s Hospital on LinkedIn and explore their website!
• Follow the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on LinkedIn and visit their website!