Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Children's Hospital Of Orange County Finalize Merger

SAN DIEGO, CA — Children's Hospital of Orange County and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego announced a merger Wednesday, creating a new combined health care system called Rady Children's Health.

The merger went through a process requiring approval by the California Office of the Attorney General, community hearings, and other regulatory hurdles. The merger was finalized on Dec. 31, 2024.

CHOC and Rady Children's announced intentions to merge in December 2023 with the goal of "creating one of the nation's most advanced pediatric healthcare systems," according to Rady Children's Health.

Dr. Patrick A. Frias, who was appointed president and CEO of Rady Children's in 2018, and Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, who has served as the president and CEO of CHOC since 1997, will serve as co-CEOs of Rady Children's Health.

"Our shared vision puts children and their families first," Frias said. "Our goal is to ensure families have access to the very best practitioners, treatments and technology available in pediatric medicine."

Rady Children's Health is comprised of three hospitals — CHOC Hospital in Orange, CHOC at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego — and a growing network of primary and specialty care centers spanning six counties.

Each hospital will maintain separate medical staff, local governing boards and onsite leadership. Patients should not expect any disruption of services or access to resources, according to Rady Children's Health.

The health care system will also continue to work with the University of California and its medical schools at UC Irvine and UC San Diego to advance pediatric research, training and education.