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

• Blair and Greg Zaff explore the idea of starting an urban squash program in San Diego, facing initial skepticism due to the lack of a squash base in the city.
• They secure a partnership with the UCSD Price School and find a leader in Renato Paiva, who helps start the program with limited resources.
• The initial challenges of finding a suitable location and building support for the program are detailed, including close calls with potential partners like Hoover High School.
• The eventual success of securing a location at the Jacobs Center for Community Innovation and the construction of a new facility are celebrated, marking a significant milestone for Access Youth Academy.

Building and Growing Access Youth Academy

• The journey from securing the land at the Jacobs Center to raising funds and building the new facility is recounted, highlighting the resilience and determination required.
• Blair and Renato discuss the importance of having a supportive community, including Board members and donors, in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
• The new facility, featuring eight squash courts, classrooms, and community space, is described as a significant achievement for the program.
• The impact of the new facility on the program's growth and the ability to serve more students from diverse backgrounds is emphasized, showcasing the long-term vision and commitment to the program's success.

Reflections on Impact and Legacy

• Blair reflects on the impact of his work at Access Youth Academy, comparing it to his previous roles at Children's Hospital and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
• He emphasizes the importance of impacting lives and creating opportunities for young people, highlighting the program's success in helping students gain access to higher education and successful careers.
• Blair shares his personal satisfaction in seeing the program's graduates thrive and contribute to their communities, reinforcing the program's mission and purpose.
• The conversation concludes with Blair offering advice to the students at Access Youth Academy, encouraging them to adopt a possibility mindset, take roads less traveled, and develop their voice in speaking and writing.

About Access Youth Academy

Access Granted is the official podcast of Access Youth Academy, a social impact organization whose mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst.  We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential.  To Learn more about Access Youth Academy and explore how you can become a game changer, please visit our website.  

https://accessyouthacademy.org/

About Cloudcast Media

As the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "Access Granted" throught its CauseCast platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations.  For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media.  

This episode was produced by high school student Associate Producers Natalie Beltran and Naol Hailemeskel. The episode was engineered / mixed / mastered by Christelle Auzas.