Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy and his co-host Michael Castro interview Blair Sadler, very beloved in our Access family, sharing his journey from New York City to becoming a leader in healthcare and education. He discussed his early life, education at Amherst College, and his transition to law and medicine. Blair highlighted his collaboration with his brother, Fred, on legal and ethical issues in medicine. He detailed the founding of Access Youth Academy, an urban squash program in San Diego, and its challenges, including securing funding and facilities. Sadler emphasized the importance of resilience, mentorship, and impacting lives through education and sports. He also promoted his book, "(P)LUCK," co-authored with his brother.

Blair Sadler's Early Life and Education

• Blair Sadler shares his birth in 1941 in New York City and his upbringing in Allentown, Pennsylvania, highlighting his parents' influence on intellectual curiosity and learning.
• Blair recounts his early exposure to music, nature, and sports, including his mother's involvement in music and his father's interest in science and nature.
• He describes his academic journey, starting from public schools, attending Amherst College, and his involvement in squash, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over competition.
• Blair's experience at Amherst, including his transition from tennis to squash and his rise to the varsity team, is detailed, showcasing his passion for the sport.

Transition to Law School and Early Career

• Blair discusses his decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his continued involvement in squash, highlighting the transition from hardball to softball squash.
• He shares his experience teaching tennis in summer programs, emphasizing the importance of communication and dealing with challenging students.
• Blair recounts a memorable teaching experience at Stanton Junior High School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he had to clean a broken glass-covered court and teach basic tennis skills to diverse students.
• The emotional impact of his teaching experience and his love for working with kids are highlighted, setting the stage for his future in education and mentorship.

Collaboration with His Brother and Early Professional Success

• Blair and his brother Fred collaborate on a legal and ethical study of the Good Samaritan problem, presenting their findings at Mass General Hospital.
• They receive mentorship and encouragement from Anthony Amsterdam at Penn Law School, leading to their pursuit of their idea despite their lack of experience.
• Blair and Fred secure a position with the US Public Health Service, working on organ donation and transplantation laws, which are widely adopted by states.
• Their work at Yale and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is highlighted, showcasing their ability to create and implement significant health care programs.

Transition to Scripps Clinic and Children's Hospital

• Blair joins Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, as Vice President, Director of Hospital, and later becomes President and CEO of Children's Hospital.
• He emphasizes the importance of providing healthcare to all children, regardless of their ability to pay, and his role in expanding the hospital's services.
• Blair's involvement in the renaming of Children's Hospital to Rady Children's Hospital is discussed, highlighting the impact of a major donor, Ernest Rady.
• His transition from hospital management to healthcare leadership is framed as a natural progression of his commitment to helping children and improving healthcare systems.

Founding of Access Youth Academy