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St. Christopher's doctor named Pa. Pediatrician of the Year

The doctor, a state pediatric leader, is recognized for her history of care and advocacy of special needs children.

Dr. Renee Turchi, medical director of The Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, has been named Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year 2017 by the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Renee Turchi, medical director of The Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, has been named Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year 2017 by the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.Read moreCourtesy of St. Christophers Hospital for Children

Renee M. Turchi of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children of Philadelphia has been named Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year 2017 by the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Turchi serves as medical director of St. Christopher's Center for Children With Special Health Care Needs. She is also director of the Pennsylvania Medical Home Initiative, an effort to ensure cohesive, comprehensive care for children with special health needs.

Turchi said she was humbled to be selected for the honor, and expressed appreciation to the children who are her patients and their caretakers.

"I thank the patients and families who trust me with their children. It's a tremendous privilege," said Turchi, who is also St. Christopher's chief of general pediatrics. "I feel like in my career, they've been my best teachers, and they are inspiration for what I do."

The peer-nominated award is given annually to a pediatrician who exemplifies the ideals of the profession through clinical work, teaching, and mentoring of young physicians, as well as child advocacy.

"Dr. Renee Turchi is all one should expect in a pediatrician," said Mary M. Moran, St. Christopher's pediatrician in chief. "She is brilliant, compassionate, and selfless, and provides the highest quality of care to her patients and their families. She is an inspiration to us all."

Turchi has also worked with colleagues statewide to improve the care of children with fetal alcohol syndrome, in foster and kinship care, and with mental health conditions.

Daniel R. Taylor, St. Christopher's director of community pediatrics and child advocacy, was named 2016 pediatrician of the year. The Philadelphia hospital is the first institution in Pennsylvania to have back-to-back winners, a hospital spokeswoman noted.

Turchi, 46, is a faculty member of the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health and the College of Medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania. The honor was announced March 2.