1. family and parenting
2. children

CHILDTIMES
P r o d uced for F r iends o f Childr en’s M edica l Cent er • 20
07, IIss
ssue
2007,
ue 32
To our readers
Dear Friends,
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of many blessings — among
them the people who make life better for children every day. It is because of
the dedication of our team, including employees, medical staff, volunteers,
philanthropists and community supporters that in August, U.S.News & World
Report ranked Children’s as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the nation.
Your passion for the hospital enables us to care for children like Gerardo
Chavarria III, who you will read about in this issue of ChildTimes. Last year
during Thanksgiving week, the cardiac care team performed a life-saving stent
procedure on Gerardo, the smallest baby to ever undergo this procedure at
Children’s. Gerardo’s family looks forward to another blessed holiday with their
thriving baby boy.
This issue also features a story about the Hightower family, who brought
their son, Jackson, to Children’s seeking an answer to his feeding problems.
While in the Neonatal ICU, specialists discovered Jackson’s problems extended
far beyond his feeding issues. A multidisciplinary team treated Jackson and
now the Hightower family is back at home in Midland, Texas.
Thank you for helping us to make an indelible mark on these young lives, as
we strive to provide the highest quality care in a compassionate, family-centered
environment.
We are grateful for our many supporters, and we
wish you and your family a memorable Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Durovich
President and Chief Executive Officer
Contents
Features
Emergency Department Pharmacists 12
No other children’s healthcare facility has clinical pharmacists in the
Emergency Department. Their workday is a stark contrast from that of
your neighborhood pharmacist.
On the cover
Natalie’s Journey 16
Cancer treatment for Natalie Grubb has led her to a host of patient
care settings. Because Children’s offers a comprehensive array of
specialists, all of her needs are met under one roof.
Mending the Tiniest of Hearts 18
Weighing less than two pounds and only 12 days old, Gerardo
Chavarria III underwent a life saving procedure to correct a congenital
cardiac defect. The Heart Center at Children’s had the expertise to
repair the baby’s heart.
Saving Jackson 20
Jackson Hightower was referred to Children’s for a feeding tube.
When he arrived, neonatologists discovered and treated far more
than the baby’s feeding problems.
Giving Back Inspires Award Honorees 22
This year, Children’s gave the Distinguished Service to Children
Award to Debbie and Ric Scripps and Pam and Ken Sumrow. Both
couples were inspired to give to the hospital based on personal
experiences at Children’s.
Departments
Children’s News 2
Children’s is the nation’s first pediatric hospital to offer information
via Web-enabled cell phones, U.S.News & World Report ranks
Children’s among the nation’s top 30 pediatric hospitals and the
Department of Health & Human Services awards a three-year grant
to Children’s.
Philanthropic News 6
The Sowdens establish an endowment in honor of a family member,
The Children’s Trust hosts the fourth annual Dine Around and the
Chip Moody Classic raises more than $250,000.
Eight-year-old Lillie Rogillio was suffering from an irregular heartbeat, or
arrhythmia (Supraventricular Tachycardia), when her heart nearly failed
altogether. After an unsuccessful attempt to treat her condition with
intravenous medications, Lillie’s cardiologists at Children’s recommended
she undergo a state-of-the-art procedure called cryoablation – using cold
energy instead of heat to destroy the area of the heart where the
arrhythmia was located. The cardiac care team at Children’s is one of the
few groups that performs this innovative technique. Upon receiving
cryoablation, Lillie’s condition improved immediately, allowing the spirited
third-grader to return to school and get back to living life to the fullest.
Established in 1939, the Heart Center at Children’s is one of the oldest
and most respected pediatric cardiac care centers in the United States
and is rated among the top 10 cardiac programs in the nation.
Medical News 24
Children’s launches a Palliative Care Program, the Solid Organ
Transplant space opens with a new clinical director and Translation
Services deploys new technology to help non-English-speaking families.
Volunteer News 26
Having cancer opened grandfather David Current’s eyes to patients’
struggles, Kirk Pouttu introduces a patient to roasted marshmallows
and s’mores, Bradey Bennett racks up 200 volunteer hours in less
than a year and Terry Baxter goes above and beyond to bring crafts
to playrooms.
The physicians who treat patients at Children’s Medical Center Dallas are not employees
or agents of Children’s. They are either (i) independent physicians engaged in the private
practice of medicine who have staff privileges at Children’s; (ii) independent physicians
who are independent contractors and have staff privileges at Children’s; (iii) physicians
who are employed by The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas or
another institution who have staff privileges at Children’s; or (iv) physicians participating
in the care of patients as part of a post-graduate medical education program.
ChildTimes is published quarterly by the Marketing & Public Relations department of
Children’s Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Motor Street, Dallas, Texas, 75235. If you have
comments or questions, please call us at 214-456-5314 or email us at jamie.yeatts@
childrens.com. For more information about Children’s, visit www.childrens.com.
Coaches use injury prevention tools from
Children’s to keep athletes safe
Children’s News
E
ach year more than
47,000 children participate
in sports ranging from
arena football to yoga through
the Plano Sports Authority
(PSA) in Collin County. Keeping
participants safe during practices and competitions is a top
priority to the coaches who
guide these young athletes.
Children’s is helping PSA
coaches do just that. Thanks to
gifts from Kohl’s Cares for
Kids, a community outreach
program from Kohl’s
Department Stores, the hospital has been producing and distributing injury prevention
booklets and clipboards to PSA
since 2002.
These tools are packed with
tips on treating sports-related
injuries and have become valuable resources to the PSA’s
3,600 volunteer coaches. The 32-page booklet features
instructions on how to evaluate minor and serious
injuries, and the dry-erase clipboards have diagrams of
nearly 20 stretches.
Physicians on the medical staff at Children’s who frequently treat patients with sports-related injuries worked
with marketing staff to create the books and clipboards,
which are distributed during
coaches’ meetings and sports
safety fairs held at the PSA
StarCenter.
“We never want to see our
kids get hurt, but when a child
gets injured, the booklets and
clipboards are a fantastic
resource,” said Ness Wadley,
who coaches softball, football
and basketball through PSA.
Kohl’s Department Stores has
contributed more than $1 million
to Children’s with a portion supporting the booklets and clipboards, which are created by
Children’s and updated regularly.
The Injury prevention booklet
from Children’s is packed
with helpful tips on evaluating
sports-related injuries.
The booklet’s color-coded
sections provide details on
emergency injuries, evaluation
and treatment, facial injuries,
heat-related issues and
musculoskeletal injuries.
Children’s Mobile debut is first for a healthcare institution
our child is sick. You want to take your little one to the best children’s hospital in the area, but you have no idea how to
get there. Your GPS (if you have one) can’t tell you what the hours are. You’ve tried dialing 4-1-1, but it rings and rings.
When you finally get through, the operator can’t help you. What do you do?
With Children’s Mobile (www.childrens.com/mobile), just a few clicks on your Web-enabled cell phone, Blackberry or PDA
and you’re on your way. All the information necessary to locate or contact Children’s can be found on the mobile system.
Children’s is the first hospital in the country to offer contact information on the mobile Web, which is free to those who
subscribe to their wireless carrier’s Web services.
Douglas DoNascimento, Web marketing manager at Children’s and the developer of Children’s Mobile,
said as a parent himself, he realized adults with a sick child — in a hurry and under stress — need access to
the most essential healthcare information without sitting at a computer or flipping through the phone book.
“Children’s Mobile is like having the essentials of Children’s contacts and information in the palm of
your hand,” he said.
In addition to main phone numbers, maps and directions with photos of every building, the service provides driving directions from Love Field and DFW airports; and links to nearby lodging, with rates, addresses, telephone numbers, shuttle van information and Medicaid acceptance information. Users can even contact the Gift Shop, Guest Relations or the hospital’s media relations team. The information is specifically
formatted for readability on a mobile communications device.
Children’s is now
The mobile Web system is designed for use on new or older cell phones with either large or small
just a few clicks
screens and is optimized for speed, loading and easy navigation. The service also is offered in Spanish,
away on your
Web-enabled
broadening usability.
mobile phone.
Eventually, the service will help you find a doctor, make appointments and email patients.
Y
2 2007 Issue 3
Nurses recognized at 2007 Nursing
Excellence Award Ceremony
hree Children’s nurses were honored at the 21st annual Nursing Excellence
Awards ceremony, which recognizes nursing professionals who have made a
significant difference to the profession of nursing and to the lives of patients,
peers and the community.
Mary Stowe, vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s, said the
Nursing Excellence Award is a particularly high honor since recipients are nominated by their colleagues.
“The award honors those who have excelled in the art and science of nursing,
a profession with endless possibilities to create and invent new roles,” she said.
T
The 2007 Nursing Excellence Award winners are:
Liz Brantley, an electrophysiology nurse in
Cardiology, was honored with the Registered
Nurse award. Brantley has spent more than a
decade at Children’s while also being an activist
in the community. She has volunteered in the
Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade for
the past 12 years, serves as co-chair for the
annual Heart to Heart fun run and is a member
of the Medical Reserve Corps for greater Dallas.
“During my time at Children’s, I have learned
that excellence is not achieved alone, but it is
attained through a series of experiences in which
others impact lives and refine character,” Brantley
ond family to me.”
Richard Clearfield, LVN in Gastroenterology, checks on Jessica
Woolfolk, 12.
Electrophysiology nurse Liz Brantley
performs a pacemaker evaluation on
Logan Johnson, 5.
said. “Children’s is like a sec-
Richard Clearfield, LVN in Gastroenterology,
earned the Licensed Vocational Nurse award. He
excels in caring for the highest acuity patients and
often is sought by his fellow nurses for clinical
advice and guidance. Clearfield has worked in the
GI unit since 2000 where he played a key role in
the post-op care of the only two bowel transplants
in the hospital’s history.
“Receiving this award is overwhelming,”
Clearfield said. “I feel honored because I am able to
work with some of my best friends every day. It’s a
blessing to be at Children’s.”
Debra Eshelman, advanced nurse practitioner for
the After the Cancer Experience program in the
Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, was honored
with the Advanced Practice Nurse award. Eshelman
joined Children’s in 1993, and she excels in the area
of clinical practice, having received the Children’s
Oncology Group Clinical Practice Innovation Award
for 2005-2006. She also was recognized as one of
Dallas-Fort Worth’s Great 100 Nurses in 2002.
Advanced nurse practitioner
“I am so appreciative for this award,” Eshelman Debra Eshelman discusses college
plans with Albert Young, 18, in the
said. “Children’s provides numerous opportunities,
CCBD outpatient area.
both professionally and personally. I enjoy the
chance to interact with families, impact change and mentor others.”
U.S.News & World Report
ranks Children’s among
the top 30 pediatric
hospitals in the nation
Children’s has been named one of the top 30 pediatric hospitals in the country by U.S.News & World
Report in the magazine’s first stand-alone “America’s
Best Children’s Hospitals” issue, which hit newsstands in August.
Children’s was the only hospital in Dallas — and one
of only two pediatric hospitals in Texas — that
placed in the top 30 of more than 250 children’s
hospitals in the U.S. This is the third time that
Children’s has been included in the 18-year history
of the prestigious list.
“This is a fitting recognition for the physicians and
staff and the care they provide for our patients and
their families each day,” said Christopher J.
Durovich, president and chief executive officer of
Children’s. “It is a privilege for us to be included
among the nation’s best pediatric hospitals.”
To be eligible for the list, a medical facility had to be
classified by the National Association of Children’s
Hospitals and Related Institutions as a freestanding
children’s hospital or as a children’s “hospital within
a hospital” — a large, multidisciplinary pediatric
service within a medical center.
“Since launching our annual rankings of hospitals in
1990, the demand for facilities dedicated to the
unique needs of children has changed dramatically,”
said Avery Comarow, a senior writer with U.S.News
& World Report who has been editor of the
“America’s Best Hospitals” annual rankings since
their inception. “Improving the usefulness and relevance of the rankings in this important specialty has
been a longstanding goal of the magazine.”
The magazine’s previous pediatric hospital rankings
were based on reputation alone. This year’s expanded version is based on a new and improved methodology, which weighed a three-part mix of reputation,
death rate and such care-related factors as volume,
nursing care, advanced technology and recognition
by outside organizations.
A detailed description of the methodology can be
found online at the U.S.News & World Report web
site (www.usnews.com).
ChildTimes 3
Children’s News
4 2007 Issue 3
Hospital drives efforts to
spread word about low-cost
health insurance for children
U.S. Department of
Health and Human
Services awards
grant to Children’s
ith school back in full swing, children are passing around the usual
schoolyard germs that cause sore throats, colds and the flu. For the
estimated 99,000 North Texas children who do not have health
insurance, these bugs pose a big problem. With no healthcare coverage, their
parents may not be able to afford to take them to the doctor.
Yet affordable coverage is available to many of these families, although they
may not know about it. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a
jointly funded federal and state partnership, provides health insurance to children of low- to moderate-income families, and Children’s is working to ensure
families are aware of the program.
Through the Children’s Health Insurance Outreach Program, the advocacy
group at Children’s, with the help of volunteers from the community, conducts a
school-based outreach campaign, encouraging parents to apply for healthcare coverage for their children through Medicaid or CHIP offered by the state of Texas.
The campaign targets six school districts — Dallas, Carrollton-Farmers Branch,
Plano, Irving, Richardson and Grand Prairie — which have a combined enrollment of more than 325,000 students. Fifty-seven percent of the students are economically disadvantaged and will most likely qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
“We engage district leadership to integrate health insurance outreach into
daily operations by working with superintendents, school board members, principals and student health services administrators,” said Guwan Jones, Advocacy
manager at Children’s. “We also will work with individual schools within each
district to train staff, including nurses, counselors, community liaisons and PTA
members about CHIP and Medicaid.”
Families learn about the programs through promotional fliers, special events
at schools, newsletter articles and posters promoting CHIP and Medicaid.
During the 2006-07 school year the outreach program distributed nearly
400,000 fliers and more than 19,500 CHIP/Medicaid applications as well as
assisted 1,556 families with
completing the application.
Children’s also is active in
the Dallas Area CHIP
Coalition, which provides
CHIP and Medicaid information to low- to moderateincome families. In February
2007, the group coordinated
an enrollment drive at 16
local Minyard, Carnival and
Sack ’n Save grocery stores.
Through the event, 717 families were assisted with completing applications for 2,008
Lydia Ruiz, community outreach representative,
presents information about the Children’s Health
children.
Insurance Program to Martina Murray, her daughter
Funding for these efforts
Samantha Murray, 15, and nephew Jaime Lozano, 7, at
comes from generous commuBryan Adams High School in Dallas.
nity support, including a
multi-year grant from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and a pledge to
Children’s from the Carnival Foundation, the charitable wing of Minyard Food
Stores, Inc. The money is used to provide personnel and educational materials
to better inform parents about CHIP.
Clinical workers at Children’s who
want to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing have a new
opportunity to do so, thanks to a grant
the hospital received from the Health
Resources and Services Administration,
an agency of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
The three-year grant, funded
annually at $346,892, will support the
Nursing Workforce Diversity Pediatric
Expertise, Education and Retention
with Support Project — a proposal
authored by Sally Carmen, research
manager and principal investigator for
the Nurse Retention, Patient Care
Improvement Project, and Steve Teal,
analyst for the Nursing division.
The PEERS
Project aims to
increase the RN
workforce
through nursing
education
opportunities
for clinical
workers at the
Sally Carmen
hospital, such as
medical assistants, clinical technicians
and licensed vocational nurses from
racial and ethnic minorities or disadvantaged backgrounds. The grant
money will allow Children’s to:
• Prepare qualified employees for
higher education before entry into
an RN or BSN program.
• Advance their learning through onthe-job training and encouragement
to help retain them as employees
and as RN students.
• Support their career advancement
through financial assistance.
The project will enroll 25 non-RNs
and 25 ADNs each year, and it is anticipated that 90 of these participants will
graduate with an RN or BSN degree by
the end of the third project year. This
will improve the health status of the
medically underserved pediatric population at Children’s by providing and
retaining a diverse, culturally competent ADN or BSN workforce.
W
Children’s awarded three
disease-specific certifications
Children’s has been awarded three disease-specific certifications from The
Joint Commission — an honor that
is unprecedented among pediatric
hospitals in the United States.
The three programs at Children’s —
The Diabetes Program, the Dean Foods
LEAN Families Program and the Asthma Management
Program — were awarded the certifications based on a
set of nationally approved clinical guidelines and performance standards.
As an independent, not-for-profit organization, The
Joint Commission is the nation’s predominant standards-setting, accrediting and certifying regulatory body
in healthcare. A Joint Commission program certification
is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality —
reflecting an organization’s commitment to meeting
stringent performance standards.
The Joint Commission’s disease-specific care certification programs recognize outstanding disease management and chronic care services provided by health
plans, service companies and hospitals. Disease management programs help to improve the quality of life
for patients with chronic conditions through education
and self-management, thereby reducing the number of
costly medical complications, such as emergency
department visits and hospitalizations.
As a leader in pediatric healthcare, the innovative disease
management programs at Children’s serve as a model for
hospitals across the nation.
Children’s currently is the only pediatric hospital in the
United States to have a disease-specific certified diabetes program awarded from The Joint Commission.
The Diabetes Education Program has also received the
prestigious American Diabetes Association Education
Recognition Certificate.
The Dean Foods LEAN Families program is the first certified pediatric morbid obesity education program in the
nation. The program teaches children and their families
how to manage their weight through a healthy lifestyle.
The Asthma Management Program is the first certified
program of its kind in Texas and one of only three such
programs in the nation that helps children and their
families deal with the complexities of living with asthma. This innovative program has been awarded its
third consecutive year of certification.
The mission of Children’s is to make life better for
children by implementing innovative care programs
that go beyond, rather than duplicate, what other successful pediatric hospitals provide.
Construction continues at Dallas,
Legacy campuses
Tower III — Dallas campus
Looking down from the Children’s Pavilion Skybridge, Children’s visitors and
staff are enjoying a bird’s eye view of the construction on Tower III on the
Children’s Dallas campus. Every week brings progress — the 10th floor infrastructure is nearing completion and construction crews expect to top out the building
in early November.
Crews are installing the
building’s exterior glass, and
the basic structure for the
tower pedestrian/vehicle
bridge was erected in
September. Construction on
the entire Tower III project
remains on schedule with
completion targeted toward
the end of December 2008.
When completed, the new
tower will house expanded
Construction on Tower IIIB
remains on schedule with
cardiac, surgical, cancer, intensive care
completion targeted for the
and neonatal units.
Legacy campus nearing completion
end of December 2008. When
completed, the new tower
will house expanded cardiac,
surgical, cancer, intensive care
and neonatal units.
As the construction of Children’s Medical Center
Legacy nears completion, workers are meeting the
challenge of the summers’ unusual rain and the late
seasonal heat. The new hospital will open in phases starting in March 2008 and
will grow into a full inpatient facility offering comprehensive care for North
Texas children within 12 months.
One frequent visitor to the construction site at Children’s Legacy is vice president and administrator of Children’s Legacy operations, David G. Biggerstaff.
“Barring weather-related delays, we are just months away from completing our
work on the building that will house Ambulatory Care services,” Biggerstaff said.
“When Children’s Legacy opens, the campus will offer patients and their families’
access to the largest grouping
of pediatric specialists in a
five-county area.”
In 2006, Children’s treated
more than 30,000 patients
from the five-county area north
of Dallas that includes Collin,
Cooke, Denton, Fannin and
Grayson counties. Of these children, more than 6,000 patients
were admitted to the hospital.
It is estimated that by
2010, the growth rate of the
The new ambulatory care
pediatric population of this five-county area will be
building at the Children’s Legacy
nine times the national average. As this population
campus is just months away
from completion. When
grows, parents and caregivers will need access to
Children’s Legacy opens, the
specialized
healthcare that is focused exclusively on
campus will offer patients and
the unique medical needs of children. Children’s
families access to the largest
grouping of pediatric specialists
Legacy is designed to serve these families.
in a five-county area.
ChildTimes 5
Philanthropic News
Hundreds ‘chip in for Children’s’ to raise
more than $250,000
hildren’s celebrated two
decades of putting, driving and chipping at the
20th annual Children’s Medical
Center Chip Moody Classic. The
event raised more than $250,000
to directly benefit the patients
cared for at Children’s. The golf
tournament, presented by
Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network, The Texas Financial
Group — Dallas, was attended by
more than 300 players.
Founded by the legendary
North Texas news anchor Chip
Moody, the event takes on a special meaning. Moody died in 2001,
and it was his own battle with
Hodgkin’s disease that first
opened his eyes to the intense struggle of so many young
patients fighting for their lives. The golf tournament
began as the former WFAA news anchor’s vision for
improving the lives of children suffering from cancer and
C
Jordan Case, Gary Venner, Jim Carter (event co-chair) and Neill
Grossman of Park Place Dealerships.
Tait and Joy Cruse, Holly and Steve Clemons
6 2007 Issue 3
Carol Zellers, Jr. and Children’s chief medical officer Dr. Thomas
Zellers get ready to tee off.
grew to encompass all of the children and families served
by Children’s.
“I have stayed involved due to the effect that Chip
Moody had on me,” said tournament co-chair Bill Dowling.
“He never lost focus for the event’s purpose — to help children get through hard times.”
Dick Terrell, chair emeritus for the tournament, said
Moody was driven to make the event the best it could be
and he would be proud of it today.
“Continuing to build upon and fulfill Chip’s legacy
makes me very satisfied,” said Terrell, also a member of
the Children’s Medical Center Foundation Board of
Trustees. “I know that even after we are all gone, the
tournament and the values that he put in place will
remain, and that makes me incredibly proud.”
Flying high
The Children’s Auction Party, held at the Frontiers of Flight
Museum, kicked off the weekend of events. In its fifth year
as the presenting sponsor, Park Place Dealerships helped to
celebrate the evening filled with a live jazz band, interactive
activities and a live and silent auction.
Throughout the evening, hands raised high as anxious
bidders attempted to win a range of items including exotic
resort and golf excursions with airfare provided by
American Airlines, free high-end car rentals from Park
Place and golf packages at prime courses. More than 250
items of all values lined the silent auction tables.
“People look forward to doing something special for
one of the premium hospitals in the U.S.,” said tournament co-chair Jim Carter. “This provides them with an
excellent opportunity to do so.”
Steadfast commitment
Because of dedicated sponsors, the
tournament weekend continues to
be a success for everyone involved.
Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network, The Texas Financial
Group — Dallas and Park Place
Dealerships remain devoted to
the event.
“The Classic is an event our
firm looks forward to every year
because we consider it one of the
top five golf tournaments in the
city of Dallas,” said Tait Cruse,
managing partner of Northwestern
Mutual. “We believe the tournaBeverly and George Fox celebrate winning
ment has an impact way beyond
their new guitar, autographed by Toby Keith.
golf because it benefits one of the
finest institutions in the U.S. My son, Connor, is a testament to the topnotch care Children’s provides as he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma twoand-a-half years ago. After experiencing Children’s firsthand, it is an honor
to be a part of such a rewarding event.”
“Children’s is important to our community and has a high standard of
excellence for treating children with the best doctors and in state-of-the-art
facilities,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Lexus. “The hospital
has a passion for serving children and Park Place Dealerships supports the
mission of Children’s to provide exceptional healthcare for kids. We hope
our support will benefit families for many generations.”
The difference
Families at Children’s feel the impact from the more than $2 million raised
in the past 20 years from the Children’s Medical Center Chip Moody Classic.
Proceeds are designated to help provide support to families enduring
the physical, emotional and financial hardships of having a seriously ill
child. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit pediatric camps,
Special Services, Palliative Care, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and
construction at Children’s Medical Center Legacy.
“Chip Moody was a dynamic person with a great vision to help support
Children’s,” Jim Carter said. “Much of the reason I have personally invested
my time into the event is to extend the love I have for my own children
to others.”
Bill Dowling (center), Children’s Medical Center Chip Moody Classic event co-chair,
congratulates (from left) Vic Schmerbeck, Lance Etcheverry, Aaron Kozmetsky and Sam
Dalton on winning the afternoon round on the King’s Course at Gleneagles Country Club
in Plano.
2007 Children’s Medical
Center Chip Moody Classic
Sponsors
PRESENTING GOLF CLASSIC SPONSOR
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network,
The Texas Financial Group — Dallas
PRESENTING AUCTION PARTY SPONSOR
Park Place Dealerships
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS
American Airlines
WFAA-TV, Channel 8
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
Alliance Data
GEICO
Maverick Capital Charities
On the Border
OxyChem
PGA Tour Superstore
PlainsCapital Bank
RBC Dain Rauscher
Rodman Companies
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
ARAMARK Healthcare
AT&T
Austin Commercial
Balfour Beatty Construction
Borden Dairy
Cerner Corporation
Cirro Energy
CompuCom
Egon Zehnder International
FKP Architects, Inc.
Heelys, Inc.
Keith W. Kennedy &
Associates, LLC
Attorneys and Counselors
PageSoutherlandPage
Sprint Nextel
St. Andrews Products
Whole Foods Market/Plano
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
Affiliated Communications, Inc.
Allied Plastic Supply, Inc.
Hammes Company
Harley-Davidson Financial
Services
Sayles | Werbner
Terrace House
Trinity Industries, Inc.
TOURNAMENT FRIENDS
American Food Service
BBJ Linen
Ben E. Keith Beverage
Distributors
Bertrands Inc.
Carol and Tommy Canterbury
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
ClubCorp International
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Curry Printing
Data Business Forms
Department 56 Sales, Inc.
Frito-Lay
Gene and Jerry Jones Family
Foundation
Jack Boles Parking
Judy and Jerry Diamond
Evergreen Alliance Golf
Limited (EAGL)
E-Z-GO
Marriott Casa Magna Resort
Plaza Car Wash
Ralph Lauren
Richard Rogers
Six Flags Over Texas
Sodexho Health Care Services
Southwest Securities, Inc.
Troon Golf
Whataburger
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Special thanks to a caring sponsor that wishes
to remain anonymous.
ChildTimes 7
Philanthropic News
Sowden family establishes foundation
honoring daughter, sister
8 2007 Issue 3
hink big. These words served as the driving force
behind the establishment of the Kimberly Anne
Sowden Memorial Endowment Fund.
Spurred by a love for his
sister and a desire to make
children’s lives better, Kip
Sowden, and his wife, Marinelle,
pledged $250,000 to create the
fund. The Sowden family, including parents Terry and Webb
and sisters Kerry and Crozier,
have high aspirations for the
future and hope to see the
fund’s members and funding
multiply throughout the years.
Kip said that Kimberly’s unwavering faith in Christ continues
to inspire the family today.
“Our sister was an encouragement to all of us,” said Kip,
principal of Realty America
Group. “It is because of her
sheer will and the way in which
she tackled obstacles with the
utmost gusto and success that
Kimberly Anne Sowden
led me to emulate that same
drive.”
Kip has more than 22 years of experience in commercial real estate. He founded Dallas-based Realty America
Group, a full-service boutique firm excelling in the execution of complex real estate transactions and specializing in
real estate brokerage, finance and investment as well as
commercial real estate development.
“Kimberly was extremely bright and independent and
she pushed me to be a better person,” Kip said. “In the
process, that motivation resulted in business success, allowing Marinelle and me to pass some of that good fortune on
to others.”
Born with hydrocephalus, Kimberly received a grim
prognosis. Despite lingering complications, she defied the
odds and lived a full life. Kimberly passed away 18 years
ago at the age of 28 and donated her heart, liver and kidney to three recipients who were given new life. The family
treasures letters of gratitude from them.
“My family received the gift of time with Kimberly
thanks to research and ingenious doctors,” Kerry said. “It
is my prayer that the fund will enable doctors to have the
necessary medicine and supplies to give these patients
more time with their families.”
Initially, the fund will provide support to The Fogelson
Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Center at Children’s. Kip
and Marinelle experienced the center firsthand through the
Community Externship program, a Children’s trustee initiative modeled after an American Medical Association pro-
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gram. It is designed to provide business, legislative and
civic leaders with a glimpse into the daily operations of
pediatric healthcare and the patient care services provided
by Children’s.
“In 2006, The Fogelson Center
at Children’s treated more than
6,000 children and more than
2,000 procedures were performed,” said Hudson Akin, executive vice president of
Development at Children’s.
Kip said the time spent
observing the surgeons correct
facial deformities and give these
children a new chance in life was
amazing.
“It was at that moment I realized we had found the place to
honor my sister,” Kip said. “She
had a profound love for children
and after watching as a child’s
life was dramatically enhanced,
we knew Children’s was the place
to honor Kimberly. I have no
doubt that she is smiling upon all
of us right now.”
Crozier agreed, adding that as
the siblings grew up, “Kimberly was the driving force
behind the special bond our family enjoys today.” Webb
and Terry said they hope
Kimberly’s fund will eventually provide support to various areas at Children’s.
“We’re thinking big,” Kip
said. “We want to create
awareness and organize
fund-raisers so that the fund
thrives and our children’s
great grandchildren are serving as trustees for the
Kimberly Anne Sowden
Memorial Endowment Fund, Crozier, Kip, Kerry, Terry and
Webb Sowden
ultimately making a difference in the lives of hundreds
of children each
year.” To make a
gift and to support
the Kimberly Anne
Sowden Memorial
Endowment Fund
at Children’s
Medical Center
Dallas, visit
www.childrens.com. Kip and Marinelle Sowden
Tom Thumb presents 39th
annual Women’s Auxiliary
Family Night at Six Flags
Make the season magical with cards
featuring patient artwork
Thrilling roller coaster rides mixed with a variety of
entertainment resulted in an evening of fun and fundraising at the 39th annual Family Night at Six Flags. The
Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center hosted
the evening which raised nearly $500,000 for patients at
the hospital. Since its inception, the event’s proceeds
have reached nearly $10 million.
njoy the gift of giving and celebrate healthy lives
for children this year when you send holiday and
all-occasion cards to family, friends and business
associates from the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s
Medical Center card collection.
These expressions of love were crafted by
patients at Children’s. The new Auxiliary card program provides textured
paper stock, red
envelopes, a chance to
proof cards online before
purchase, as well as the
ability to upload a photo
or company logo and
include a personalized
message. You can choose
from six holiday cards,
three all-occasion cards or
honor your loved one with
a contribution card. Each package contains 20 cards
and envelopes for $25 and is now available for purchase online.
All proceeds directly support quality care for the
patients at Children’s. To date, the Women’s
Auxiliary has gifted more than $12 million to
Children’s. To view the entire collection of cards
and place your customized order, visit
www.childrens.com and click on the snowman icon.
“We are very
grateful for the
generosity of the
community in its
support of
Children’s and
Family Night at
Six Flags,” said
Cynthia Looney,
who co-chaired
From left, Kathryn Biggers, 2006-07
the event with
Women's Auxiliary president; Anne
Becky Everett
Fisher, Becky Everett and Cynthia
and Anne Fisher. Looney, co-chairs of the 2007 Family
Night at Six Flags; and the Tom Thumb
“Their contribucharacter participate in the ribbon cutting
tions, along with
ceremony at the front gates of the park.
the involvement
of our wonderful and valued presenting sponsor Tom
Thumb, have allowed the Women’s Auxiliary to spread
the word throughout Dallas/Fort Worth about this exciting, fun-filled event that is tied to a deserving cause.”
Members of the Women’s Auxiliary, along with
Children’s President and Chief Executive Officer
Christopher J. Durovich, the Tom Thumb character and
representatives from Balfour Beatty, Six Flags and Tom
Thumb participated in this year’s ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the evening’s festivities.
During the event, costumed characters strolled through
the park. The co-chairs said the characters play an
important role before the event.
“The most special time to us is the Wednesday night
before Family Night at Six Flags,” co-chairs Becky
Everett, Anne Fisher and Cynthia Looney said. “Every
year Six Flags sends characters to roam the halls at
Children’s, delivering hugs and miniature characters to
the patients. This year Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird visited and they were a hit with the families.”
Thanks to Tom Thumb Food and Pharmacy, Balfour
Beatty and 94.9 FM KLTY, generous long-time sponsors
of the event, everyone counted Family Night at Six Flags
a success. Proceeds help to fulfill the Auxiliary’s $3.1 million wePromise Campaign pledge to fund the Women’s
Auxiliary 12th floor critical care unit at Children’s.
E
Pricing Guide
Holiday cards (20 count)
$25/box
All-Occasion cards (20 count)
$25/box
Contribution card
$10/each
Upload of image for photo
$35/order
Customization of cards
(up to 3 lines of text)
$35/order
Customization of envelope
$35/order
Upload of logo
$50/order
ChildTimes 9
Philanthropic News
‘Topping Out’ celebrates Children’s
Legacy milestone
riends and supporters of Children’s gathered on the
new first floor at the Children’s Medical Center
Legacy campus during the recent Topping Out celebration to commemorate raising nearly $11 million toward
the final goal of $15 million for the hospital.
Christopher J. Durovich, president and chief executive
officer of Children’s, announced a recent addition of more
than $1.4 million from four generous community supporters
including a $500,000 pledge from the Children’s Medical
Center Chip Moody Auction Party and Golf Classic and an
anonymous supporter’s gift of $250,000.
Alliance Data donated $400,000 to the Children’s Legacy
project. Tony Good, vice president of Corporate
Communications at Alliance Data, said last year the company significantly enhanced its partnership with the hospital.
“We think the track record at Children’s is fantastic,”
Good said. “To see the same capabilities, sensitivity and
quality replicated at the Children’s Legacy campus will be
phenomenal.”
Marking its 20th year of business in Collin County,
Darling Homes, operated by brothers Bill, Bob and Steve
Darling, pledged $250,000 to the project. Bill Darling, president of Darling Homes, said he is impressed the hospital
realizes the value in building in the Plano area.
“The first class reputation and brand always has preceded Children’s, and that means a lot to our company,”
Darling said. “Collin County deserves Children’s and it is a
perfect fit for this area. My wife, Joy, and I are excited to
be part of the kickoff event and to be on the ground floor
of the project is a real thrill.”
The Children’s Legacy Steering Committee was recognized among other community leaders for its efforts in
making the new hospital a reality. The new facility will help
in many different ways, including the shorter commute for
area families. At the event, the community was challenged
to help raise the remaining $4 million to complete the
financial campaign before the hospital opens in early 2008.
Michael Dardick, president of Granite Properties and
chair of the Children’s Legacy Steering Committee, said he
gains a lot from being a part of the project.
“Through being a part of the groundwork of Children’s
Legacy, I have realized the miracles that take place because
of this institution,” Dardick said. “I am passionate about
Children’s and the work they do, and we are lucky and
F
excited that the community has rallied around the project
and fully embraced the idea.”
Susie and Lee Waddell, who travel from their home in
Celina to Children’s Dallas for their daughter’s care,
expressed appreciation for the convenience of the new
hospital.
Mackinlee, 11, recounted her experiences at Children’s
for attendees at the Topping Out ceremony.
“When I was 2 months old, doctors at Children’s diagnosed my heart condition and I had open-heart surgery at
age 5,” she said. “I am so happy Plano is getting Children’s.
I already had two checkups at the Ambulatory Care
Pavilion in Legacy and I get to keep the same cardiologist,
Dr. Fixler.”
“Mackinlee is a representation of the thousands of children whose lives will be improved by Children’s Legacy,”
said Hudson Akin, executive vice president of Development
at Children’s. “It is because of the community’s generosity
that we are able to continue our mission to make life better
for children each day.”
Above, Lee, Mackinlee
and Susie Waddell
attend the Topping Out
celebration. Mackinlee
has been a cardiology
patient at Children’s
since she was 2
months old.
At left, John and Marlo
Pulliam stand under
the stars, as the roof
had not yet been
placed on the atrium at
Children’s Legacy.
Radiothon needs your stories
he 2007 Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon will broadcast live from Children’s Dec. 13-15. All funds raised through
the Radiothon will benefit the patients cared for at Children’s.
The CMN Radiothon is a fund-raiser that reaches out into the community to help educate the listening audience about
the high quality and compassionate care that patients receive at their local pediatric hospital.
If you or a loved one received care at Children’s and would like to share your heartwarming experience or thank a special caregiver who touched your life, or if you are an employee with a special story, please call the Office of Development
at 214-456-8360 or send an email to officeofdevelopment@childrens.com.
T
10 2007 Issue 3
A lifetime of giving — Paul P. and
Dorothy H. Middleton leave behind
estate gift to Children’s
The Children’s Trust ‘lets
the good times roll’ at
4th annual Dine Around
aul P. and Dorothy H.
Middleton’s legacies will
continue to endure because
of their giving hearts. For
more than three decades,
the Paul P. and Dorothy H.
Middleton Fund has impacted lives at Children’s. Mr.
Middleton died in 1975, giving $18,000 to establish the
fund as an endowment to
support the general charitaAddyson Owen, 3, represents
ble and educational purposes of Children’s. Over
the patients at Children's
the years, the earnings from the fund have been
whose lives have been
used for vital areas at Children’s such as the Child changed by the Middleton's
generous hearts.
Life, Pastoral Care and Social Work departments.
Beginning in 1986, Mrs. Middleton made generous gifts to the hospital every year, and when she died in February 2007,
Children’s was named as a beneficiary of her estate. Because of her generosity,
$3 million will be added to the fund.
A lifelong commitment such as an estate gift ensures a healthier future for
thousands of children each year. The Bradford Society at Children’s recognizes
those who embrace the mission and work of Children’s by naming the hospital as
a beneficiary in their personal financial and estate plans.
Children’s was created from love for children and a vision for the future. It
began with a handful of people who shared a deep concern for the healthcare
available to children. That vision became reality in 1929, when Tom L. Bradford
Sr. donated $100,000 to build a baby hospital in Dallas. Mr. Bradford never could
have imagined the countless lives his gift would touch, nor could the others who
have given so generously of their resources throughout the years.
Four generations of Bradfords have contributed to the hospital’s development,
and today Children’s is one of the most respected pediatric healthcare facilities in
the country, providing care for thousands of children each year.
The Middleton’s left a legacy of giving, ultimately making a difference in the
lives of children for years to come. For more information about estate gifts, contact the Office of Development at 214-456-5339 or visit www.childrens.com.
Members of The
Children’s Trust
gathered for the
annual Dine Around,
a chance to mingle
and get to know one
another in a relaxed
setting. This year’s
Mardi Gras-themed
event kicked off
with a cocktail
reception at the
home of Capa and
Capa and Jerry Mooty, The
Jerry Mooty before
Children’s Trust Dine Around
approximately 250
reception hosts
people attended
exclusive dinner parties hosted at various members’
homes throughout Dallas.
P
Wills and Bequests
Elise and Dwayne Danner and Rebecca and Victor
Schmerbeck, 2007 social co-chairs for The Children’s
Trust, helped to plan the event.
“We personally enjoy the opportunity to visit with
friends, new and old, in a smaller group setting,” Mr.
Schmerbeck said. “As The Children’s Trust has grown,
we have been very fortunate that members desire to
continue the tradition and are eager to open their
homes for the event.”
The Children’s Trust is an organization of young
professionals and families that represent the next
generation of philanthropic leaders, providing
support to Children’s while learning more about
pediatric healthcare.
For more information about The Children’s Trust, call
the Office of Development at 214-456-8360.
Almost a century has passed since the Dallas Baby Camp came to life. That
small, canvas community now is a 411-bed, state-of-the-art, pediatric hospital — Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
Commitments made by those early pioneers led the way for the Children’s
of today. A simple bequest from you can help build a legacy for the Children’s
of tomorrow.
The charitable bequest provides a way for virtually anyone to express
their specific philanthropic wishes. You may make a bequest in a number of
ways, including:
• A specific dollar amount
• A specific asset or group of assets
• A percentage of the residual value of the estate
Through your will, you can designate whether your gift is to be used for
general purposes or to support a specific area or project.
The generosity of Tom L. Bradford, Sr., began a legacy of giving that continues to this day in the hearts and lives of those who give to support Children’s.
Victor and Rebecca Schmerbeck and Elise and Dwayne
Danner, 2007 social chairs for The Children's Trust
ChildTimes
G
11
Emergency Department clinical pharmacist
Brenda Darling, taking one of many calls
seeking her professional advice during her
shift, leads the only team of pharmacists on
the emergency care team among pediatric
institutions in the U.S.
12 2007 Issue 3
pharmacists
I N T H E EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
ARE UNIQUE TO CHILDREN’S
Pharmacist Brenda Darling is a blur as she darts from one
assignment in the Emergency Department at Children’s to
another. She clocks many miles on an average day, mostly at a
racer’s pace. Darling and her staff are unique to U.S. pediatric
hospitals: No other children’s healthcare institution has clinical
pharmacists on the emergency care team. As the Children’s
Emergency Department Pharmacy team leader, Darling heads
up a staff of six full-time pharmacists who operate 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year.
hey perform many services: Working
alongside the trauma care teams;
educating patients about medications;
taking medication histories from patients and
their families; consulting with nurses and the
medical staff; and double-checking medication
orders for both inpatients and for those children being discharged from the ED or First
Care, the hospital’s urgent care facility.
Being a pharmacist in the ED requires
rapid decision-making and the ability to handle multiple complex tasks — the work day is
quite different from that of the traditional
pharmacist.
“If you’re going to be a pharmacist in the
Emergency Department, you have to be prepared to be out and about and very hands
on,” Darling said. “It either suits you or not
— there’s no halfway.”
The pace is hectic but controlled, and the
T
pharmacists bounce from one emergency situation to another. Sometimes though they slow
down long enough to reassure parents or
guardians that their child is getting the best
treatment available, and to give them a hug
and some tissues.
PHARMACISTS ENSURE FAIL-SAFES FOR
DRUG PROCEDURES
Having a pharmacist on hand at all times of
the day or night ensures a high level of failsafes for the rest of the ED staff. Additionally,
their expertise with pharmaceuticals can be
crucial to providing the most effective treatment for pediatric patients because dosing levels often must be individualized based on age
and weight.
Pharmacists have been in the Children’s
Emergency Department since a pilot program
in 2002, and their role continues to evolve.
ChildTimes 13
BEING A PHARMACIST IN THE ED REQUIRES RAPID DECISION-MAKING AND
THE ABILITY TO HANDLE MULTIPLE COMPLEX TASKS — THE WORK DAY IS
QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE TRADITIONAL PHARMACIST.
In addition to the ED itself, the pharmacy
staff covers the Radiology Department,
where they check contrast agents used for
PET and CT scans as well as sedation medications used in imaging procedures, including MRIs. “We come to Radiology whenever
they call us,” Darling said.
Pharmacists now work closely with medical technologists who perform the imaging
procedures in order to improve the safety
of medication use in Radiology.
The ED pharmacists check the
Radiology medication order forms, verify
patient allergies to medications, look at
the weight of the child who will be under-
going the procedure and check their creatinine levels to see if they are within the
normal range. Pharmacists then doublecheck the dose being ordered and review
the labels. Only then do they sign off on
the procedure, Darling said.
ED PHARMACISTS WEAR MANY HATS
ED pharmacists also are responsible for
prescriptions in the urgent care facility at
Children’s. Darling estimates pharmacists
on her staff double-check and sign off on
approximately 85 prescriptions a day for
ED patients.
Darling additionally oversees the medica-
tions for children being transported to
Children’s from other healthcare facilities.
It is not uncommon for ED pharmacists
to be consulted as a source for Transport
Services, Darling said. “We provide a multitude of invaluable information to them,
when requested, including medication concentration verification and standard serum
drug levels.
“I wear a lot of different hats, as do all
the ED pharmacists,” Darling said. And
while she would like to increase the number of pharmacists in the ED, “this is an
extremely efficient group; we know what
needs to be done and we do it.”
Solid organ transplant pharmacist educator teaches
life-sustaining skills
Hematology-Oncology pharmacy
offers highly specialized services
Registered pharmacist Velvette McBride spends her career preparing children for life
after solid organ transplantation.
On any given day, McBride teaches young patients and their families one-on-one
about the anti-rejection drugs, antibiotics and other medications that will sustain them
for the rest of their lives. Her patients range in age from birth to 18 years.
Living with a transplanted organ is a continual balancing act. Something as simple
as grapefruit juice or tomatoes can change a drug’s potency or action, and could lead
to an adverse event. Because of this, McBride’s teaching is extensive, covering all
aspects of a child’s daily activities after his or her discharge from Children’s.
McBride instructs each child in exactly when and how to take the many drugs
that keep his or her transplanted organ from being rejected by the body:
• Can each medication be taken with food?
• Which foods or beverages are OK and which are off-limits?
• Should a drug be taken before, during or after meals?
• Does the drug need to be refrigerated?
• Does it taste bad? Is there a way to mask that off taste?
• Can the child take over-the-counter medications, vitamins or dietary supplements?
• Does the child need supplements to keep his or her electrolytes balanced?
• What immunizations should they continue to receive?
McBride goes over all of this and more. She also addresses patients’ lifestyle considerations. Can the child be around a sick friend or relative and, if so, how closely?
How should they care for their skin to prevent infections or other damage? If the
patient is a teenager, McBride discusses alcohol and drug use and sexual activity.
McBride also acts as gatekeeper for the child’s prescriptions, ordering all of the necessary medications before the child is discharged and maintaining the list of drugs thereafter for the three local specialty pharmacies that fill the prescriptions.
“With every patient and family interaction that I encounter, I am inspired to find creative ways to meet patient needs,” McBride said. “I appreciate that everyone learns differently, and it’s my responsibility to ensure that everything pertaining to the medications
has been explained on a level that everyone can understand.”
The Hematology-Oncology satellite pharmacy services the
Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders ambulatory care clinic as well as the 22-bed inpatient unit, catering to the drug
therapy needs of patients with cancer and blood disorders.
The need for such specialized pharmacy skills is great.
In 2006, the outpatient clinic had more than 12,000 visits
and the inpatient unit had more than 7,000 admissions.
The pharmacy makes an average of 300 chemotherapy
doses per week to treat those patients.
“We take pride in being an integral part of the team that
helps improve the long- and short-term outlook for patients
who often have a very complicated medical need,” said Max
Koepsell, a clinical oncology pharmacist at Children’s.
The roles of Hematology-Oncology pharmacists
include:
• Reviewing patient treatments.
• Making up the chemotherapy.
• Functioning as a resource to medical staff and nurses.
• Consulting with physicians on drug therapy.
• Educating pharmacy students and new hem-onc nurses.
• Providing patient education.
“Most of the patients we serve are followed for many
years, so we have the opportunity to see the long-term
impact of medical care,” Koepsell said. “The close collaborative relationship we have developed with the physicians, nurses and other Center for Cancer and Blood
Disorders professionals is unique to our specialty. We
work alongside a team of people who respect our input
and trust our counsel,” he added. “We are proud to be
members of such an outstanding team of professionals.”
14 2007 Issue 3
Central pharmacy is lifeblood of Children’s
The Central Pharmacy touches nearly every child who comes to Children’s
by supplying oral solid and liquid drugs, sterile medications, intravenous fluids
and contrast agents. The pharmacy supplies these therapies to a majority of
patients, as well as to Emergency Services and outpatient clinics.
Clinical pharmacists who work in patient care areas are responsible for
the medication management of their patients, reviewing and entering orders
into the pharmacy computer system. These orders are transmitted to the
Central Pharmacy, where the medication labels are printed.
Fourteen pharmacists and 26 pharmacy technicians staffing the Central
Pharmacy verify and fill orders 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using the
most up-to-date computerized equipment and barcoding verification systems. In late 2006, the pharmacy installed a new state-of-the art clean room
to produce sterile IV drugs in the cleanest environment possible.
The Central Pharmacy is critical to the care given at Children’s.
Pharmacists and pharmacy techs provide:
• 2.1 million doses per year, or 9 million pharmaceutical “pieces” annually.
• 140,000-plus doses for Emergency Services every year.
• 55,000 to 75,000 drugs repackaged and barcoded each month.
• 15,000 sterile syringes filled per week by the Intellifill Robot “Bubba”.
• 900 to1,000 suspensions, ointments and capsules compounded
per month.
• 200 Omnicell drug supply cabinets stocked twice daily.
Central Pharmacy’s goal is to send every oral or IV dose of a drug in a
“ready to administer” fashion that promotes patient safety.
“Most of the doses are sent to the nursing or respiratory care providers
ready to go,” said operations manager and pharmacist Alan Lorenzen. “The
bar codes on every dose help verify the Five Rights. We want to get patients
home and back to their own beds.”
The Five Rights of Medication Administration are: right patient;
right time and frequency of dosing; right dose; right route of delivery;
and right drug.
“If you’re going to
be a pharmacist
in the Emergency
Department, you
have to be prepared
to be out and about
and very hands on,”
Darling said. “It
either suits you
or not — there’s
no halfway.”
ChildTimes 15
Natalie Grubb arrives at
Children’s in September
2005 and is diagnosed with
acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Natalie receives pediatric cancer
treatment and once stabilized, is transferred from the Emergency Department
to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Natalie develops pancreatitis
and diabetes as side effects
from one of her cancer drugs,
and is cared for by pediatric
endocrinologists and gastroenterologists at Children’s.
atalie Grubb arrived at Children’s
in September 2005 very weak,
with swelling throughout her body
and a high fever. In fact, the 16-year-old’s
organs were failing.
She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a fast-growing cancer of the
blood in which the body produces too many
immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts. The lymphoblasts squeeze out
the production of normal white blood cells,
red blood cells and platelets. Natalie’s first
stop at Children’s was the Emergency
Department, where she was met by a team
of doctors and nurses who specialize in
treating pediatric cancer.
Treating cancer is complicated — even
more so when the patient is a child. Drugs
and dosages must be closely monitored and
adjusted. Side effects of chemotherapy are
frequent. The potential cascade of negative
consequences from cancer treatment may
have an even more profound impact on a
child’s health than the original diagnosis.
“There were specialists there for every
part of her body,” said Jennifer Grubb,
Natalie’s mother.
Once stabilized, Natalie was transferred
from the Emergency Department to the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. A chaplain
from Pastoral Care counseled Mrs. Grubb
that Natalie should have last rites, but she
refused. “I just knew it wasn’t her time
yet,” she said. “God had something else in
mind for her.”
N
NATALIE’S
journey
Natalie Grubb’s journey through nearly two years of cancer
treatment at Children’s has taken the Plano teenager
through at least a dozen patient care settings, from the
Emergency Department to Ophthalmology, from the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to Child Life. Because
Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialists,
nurses and therapists, all of Natalie’s needs could be met
under one roof.
16 2007 Issue 3
THE CASCADE BEGINS
Natalie was moved to the 10th floor inpatient Hematology-Oncology unit for continued treatment, where doctors discovered
that side effects from one of the cancer
drugs she was taking were causing pancreatitis — an inflammation of her pancreas.
The pancreatitis led to Natalie’s blood sugar
becoming so high that she developed diabetes, which brought her into contact with
the Endocrinology department and led to a
return trip to the Pediatric ICU.
Surgery was considered, but her
chances were not deemed positive. “That
was the low point for me,” said Danny
Grubb, Natalie’s father.
With the help of the dedicated medical
After weeks of recovery in a hospital
bed, Natalie has to re-learn how to walk
and receives care from Occupational
Therapy and Physical Therapy.
staff at Children’s, Natalie pulled through —
again. But after weeks of recovery in a hospital bed, Natalie had to re-learn how to walk.
For that, she was treated by Occupational
Therapy and Physical Therapy specialists.
MORE DEPARTMENTS GET INVOLVED
Since her arrival, and as the circumstances
of her treatment have changed, Natalie has
received care from a growing number of clinical departments at Children’s over the
course of many months, including:
• A gynecological consult after another bad
drug reaction.
• Dialysis in Nephrology for her damaged
kidneys.
• Radiation therapy in Radiology in addition
to chemotherapy.
• An EKG in Cardiology to check for damage to her heart.
Natalie receives care from a number of
clinical departments at Children’s, including: Gynecology, Nephrology, Radiology,
Cardiology, Child Life, Ophthalmology and
Ear, Nose and Throat specialists.
• Two studies with Research on the effects
of new drug therapies.
• Visits with therapists from Child Life for
post-traumatic stress.
• Precautionary visits with Ophthalmology
and Ear, Nose and Throat specialists.
THE HEALING CONTINUES
“Children’s has some of the most amazing
doctors and nurses,” Mrs. Grubb said.
“Natalie’s illness was so fast-paced that we
barely had any time to react before we
moved on to the next crisis. As parents,
sometimes we’re so exhausted by what’s happening that we’re not even nice to the staff.
But the nurses talk to you; they speak softly
and get you through the process.”
Natalie is currently receiving outpatient
treatment at the Center for Cancer and Blood
Disorders at Children’s. She knows the pre-
Natalie is currently receiving outpatient
treatment at the Center for Cancer and
Blood Disorders. Her treatment will be
finished Jan. 13, 2008.
cise day when her treatment will be finished:
“I will be done exactly on Jan. 13, 2008.”
With her prognosis improving, Natalie
has begun moving on with her life. She is
learning to drive and started her last two
years of high school in August at Plano East
High School. Because she missed so much
school, including most of her freshman year
and part of her sophomore year, Natalie was
eligible for tutoring. She worked so hard to
catch up that she actually is ahead of the
credits she needs to graduate.
Natalie said she would like to parlay her
interest in science into a career in cancer
research or as a surgeon.
“Everything happens for a reason,”
Natalie said. “You really have no idea what’s
important in life until something like this
happens. Now, I’m more mature. I know
what really matters.”
Natalie Grubb presented
these portraits to her
favorite physician, Dr.
Robert Bash, in the Center
for Cancer and Blood
Disorders on one of her
treatment visits. Dr. Bash is
a pediatric/hematologyoncology specialist at
Children’s and an associate
professor of Pediatrics at
UT Southwestern.
mending
the tiniest
of hearts
Operation performed on
El Paso baby a first for
Children’s heart team
18 2007 Issue 3
A
ALINA DAVILA COUNTS HER BLESSINGS, AMONG THEM THE HEALTHY
HEART OF HER 11-MONTH-OLD SON.
Last year during Thanksgiving week, Gerardo
Chavarria III underwent a life-saving interventional catheterization procedure at Children’s.
Weighing just over two pounds and only
12 days old at the time of the procedure,
Gerardo was in no condition for a major surgery. But, tiny babies with congenital cardiac
defects like Gerardo would suffer debilitating
effects or die without intervention.
The Heart Center at Children’s, equipped
with a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and
a team of critical care experts, has the proficiency needed to care for the smallest babies.
“In order to successfully operate on the
smallest babies, the right mindset is as important as technological advances,” said Dr.
Joseph Forbess, chief of Cardiothoracic
Surgery at Children’s. “To increase Gerardo’s
chances for survival, we utilized an unconventional approach, tailor-made just for him.”
Dr. Forbess holds the Pogue
Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Cardiac
Surgery Research and is an associate professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UT
Southwestern.
Gerardo was born in El Paso, severely premature and weighing less than two pounds.
Because of initial respiratory problems, intubation and ventilation were necessary.
“It was a very scary time because, like
most parents, I never imagined delivering a
sick baby,” Davila said.
Shortly after birth, Dr. John Plowden,
director of the Children’s Heart Center in El
Paso, performed an echocardiogram confirming the diagnosis of a patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, a congenital cardiac defect.
Gerardo’s vessel that connects the pulmonary
artery with the aorta had failed to close at
birth. After Gerardo’s PDA was successfully
ligated, he rested in the Neonatal ICU at Del
Sol Medical Center. Within a few days, however, Gerardo developed a critical coarctation —
a narrowing of the aorta in the same area as
the PDA.
Dr. Plowden consulted with Dr. Forbess,
and on Nov. 18, Gerardo was airlifted to
Children’s.
Opposite page: Dr. Kristine Guleserian,
surgical director of Pediatric Cardiac
Transplantation at Children’s, and Dr.
Joseph Forbess, chief of Cardiothoracic
Surgery at Children’s, operate on
Gerardo’s heart.
Far left: Gerardo Chavarria III is all smiles
a few months after his final procedure.
At left: Dr. Thomas Zellers, chief medical
officer and pediatric interventional
cardiologist at Children’s, and Dr. Vivian
Dimas, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Children’s, discuss Gerardo’s case.
TINY HEART, BIG PROCEDURE
Shortly after arriving at Children’s, Gerardo’s
condition began to decline. An echocardiogram
confirmed a severe narrowing of the aorta. Dr.
Forbess considered a variety of options, and
after consultation with the interventional cardiac catheterization team, it was ultimately
decided that a stent could be placed to relieve
the obstruction and stabilize Gerardo.
The team’s flexible thinking led them to
use a stent designed to relieve blockages in
tiny coronary arteries which was more suitable
for a baby Gerardo’s size. The approach would
give Gerardo time to grow before going back in
to surgically repair the aorta.
This would be a first for the heart team ---the smallest baby ever to undergo the stent
procedure at Children’s.
Tears streamed down Davila’s face as she
listened to Dr. Vivian Dimas, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Children’s and assistant professor of Pediatrics at UT
Southwestern, explain the plan. After a thorough explanation Davila gave the physicians
the go-ahead, and they set to work for the procedure that would save Gerardo’s life.
Gerardo was prepped and administered
anesthesia before Dr. Dimas and Dr. Thomas
Zellers, chief medical officer and interventional
cardiologist at Children’s and professor of
Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, began the procedure to fix his fragile heart.
Because of his size, Gerardo presented
many challenges. The team relied on landmarks from an X-ray instead of being able to
check the position with a confirmatory
angiogram, a catheter-based test that provides
detailed images of the heart and blood vessels.
In exchange of the typical supplies, a smaller
and shorter balloon and a different stent were
needed to avoid interference with other vessels.
But even with the right equipment, a
special plan was required for the stent insertion. Normally, a balloon and stent are placed
by going up the vessel in the leg artery, but in
Gerardo’s case, this would risk severe damage
to his artery. After discussing the safest route,
the team decided to access the neck artery
leading to the brain.
Traveling down the vessel required everyone
to be in sync. One physician stood at the head
and placed the stent while the other was positioned in the middle, inflating the balloon and
stent and controlling the catheter.
“It was very challenging but rewarding at the
same time,” Dr. Zellers said. “Overall, this was a
classic example of a team approach to a difficult
problem utilizing everyone’s unique talents to
accomplish the goal.”
They carefully proceeded with one concern
on their minds --- blood loss, a significant risk
for a baby this small. But, with years of experience in performing balloon dilation of abnormal
aortic valves utilizing this approach, they successfully completed the stent deployment in less
than 10 minutes. Gerardo was transported to
the Cardiovascular ICU in good condition with a
minimal amount of blood loss.
Dr. Dimas couldn’t wait to update Davila.
As she heard the words, “He’s going to be OK,”
Davila wept again, but this time they were
tears of joy.
“We were all thrilled with the outcome,” Dr.
Dimas said. “The next day Gerardo’s tests came
back normal and at that point, we felt good
about everything.”
SWEET SUCCESS
After recovering, Gerardo spent time at home,
where he grew to nearly 12 pounds. Dr. Plowden
continued Gerardo’s care in El Paso, and performed an echocardiogram, which determined he
was outgrowing the stent. Dr. Plowden alerted
Dr. Forbess who agreed it was time for the
definitive surgical repair.
Davila and Gerardo made the 570-mile trek
to Dallas in May. In the pre-surgical area,
Davila rocked Gerardo to sleep, her confidence
in the team at Children’s never wavering.
“When I searched for the best hospital, I
was told that Children’s was the one we needed,” Davila said. “Throughout the process, doctors eased my anxiety by using drawings.”
Dr. Forbess and Dr. Kristine Guleserian,
surgical director of Pediatric Cardiac
Transplantation at Children’s and assistant professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UT
Southwestern, began the last phase of
Gerardo’s journey to complete healing. Gerardo
lay in the Operating Room again, and once his
left chest was opened, they cautiously began
the stent removal.
“Our biggest concern was to safely get the
stent out avoiding too much tissue destruction,” Dr. Forbess said. “We needed to mend
the aorta together without any narrowing. We
were able to patch the area near the stent
with arterial tissue that usually supplies the
left arm.”
All went as planned. Dr. Forbess said
Gerardo will not likely require further heart
surgery.
FINALLY HOME
After a week of recovery, Dr. Forbess
declared Gerardo to be in excellent condition
and sent him home. Today his development
is progressing normally in every aspect.
“Gerardo’s journey since birth has been
remarkable; the end result is precisely what
we were working toward,” Dr. Forbess said. “I
foresee him leading a healthy, active life.”
Davila couldn’t be happier and looks forward to another memorable Thanksgiving
with the biggest blessing of all — her thriving
baby boy.
ChildTimes 19
hen Jennifer and Chris Hightower
learned that their newborn son,
Jackson, had a rare chromosomal
disorder, they were distraught. A genetic test
showed that Jackson, who was born nine
weeks early, has Emanuel Syndrome, a rare
disorder that can cause cleft palate, gastrointestinal problems and a host of other physiological defects.
Shortly after his birth, the Hightowers’
most immediate concern was Jackson’s feeding.
Dr. Sanjay Patel, the neonatologist treating
Jackson in Odessa, Texas, near the Hightowers’
hometown of Midland, worried that the baby’s
cleft palate made it difficult for him to swallow.
Dr. Patel referred the Hightowers to the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s for
what they thought would be a two-day trip to
determine whether Jackson needed a feeding
tube. The neonatologists at Children’s soon
realized Jackson had more pressing problems.
“I don’t think there was a specialist we
didn’t see,” Mrs. Hightower said.
W
saving
JACKSON
The Hightowers brought
their infant son to Children’s
for a feeding tube. When
they arrived at the hospital’s
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,
specialists uncovered — and
treated — far more than
Jackson’s feeding problems.
20 2007 Issue 3
SPECIALIST SUPPORT
Access to so many pediatric specialists is
not easy to come by. It took a team of caregivers with a wide range of expertise —
something the Neonatal ICU at Children’s is
uniquely positioned to provide to the most
critically ill newborns.
“We have a high level of subspecialist support to respond to all needs, so if we find an
abnormality in a child, we can respond and
provide the very best outcomes,” said Dr.
Rashmin Savani, chief of Neonatal-Perinatal
Medicine at Children’s and professor of
Pediatrics at UT Southwestern.
A multidisciplinary team treated a number
of Jackson’s conditions. First, the Speech
Therapy team confirmed that Jackson’s sucking and swallowing functions were not coordinated enough to tolerate an orthodontic plate,
which would have covered the cleft palate and
allowed him to feed through the mouth.
Instead, he would need surgery for a gastrostomy tube, which is inserted into the stomach
through the skin to facilitate feedings.
But Jackson’s heart wasn’t strong
enough for surgery. An echocardiogram
revealed that the valve connecting Jackson’s
heart to his lungs was severely narrowed.
Dr. Vivian Dimas, a cardiologist at
Children’s and assistant professor of
Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, dilated
Jackson’s cardiopulmonary valve with a tiny
balloon. With the valve opened, Jackson’s
heart was ready for surgery.
But his intestines were not. During an
upper GI exam, doctors found Jackson’s
bowels were rotated inside his abdomen. If
left untreated, the condition could have
been fatal. Dr. Stephen Megison, chief of
Trauma Services and professor of Pediatric
Surgery at UT Southwestern, operated on
Jackson to repair his intestines and insert
the feeding tube.
During Jackson’s hospitalization, doctors
noticed his blood pressure was high. An
ultrasound of Jackson’s kidneys showed that
they were not functioning correctly, causing
his blood pressure to rise and putting him at
risk for a stroke. Dr. Mouin Seikaly, a
nephrologist at Children’s and professor of
Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, prescribed a
medication to lower Jackson’s blood pressure.
Later, a brain scan revealed that the
connection between the left and right sides
of the baby’s brain was abnormal. While
this didn’t require surgery, doctors counseled the Hightowers about Jackson’s neurological function.
FAMILY-CENTERED CARE
Having a newborn is stressful for any parents. But having a baby with a virtually
unheard of syndrome and not knowing all the
potential problems is “such a roller coaster of
emotions,” Mrs. Hightower said.
The Hightowers found a supportive surrogate family at Children’s. As pediatric specialists treated their newborn son, they also were
keenly focused on meeting the family’s emotional needs.
The Hightowers first witnessed this while
Dr. Dimas was determining the best way to
treat Jackson’s narrowed cardiopulmonary
valve. The balloon used to open up the valve
is critical — a balloon that’s too small may not
fully open the valve, while a balloon that’s too
large could cause the valve to leak. Dr. Dimas,
a mother, chose a smaller-size balloon.
“Dr. Dimas told us she had a moment
where she asked herself, ‘Would I use a larger
balloon on my own child?’ And she said, ‘no,’”
Mrs. Hightower said. “When a doctor says
that, you know her heart is really in it.”
The neonatal team involved Mr. Hightower
in their morning rounds while they discussed
Jackson’s status. Engaging with the team
allowed him to better understand what was
going on with his son. “They were taking
care of my son like a parent would,” Mr.
Hightower said. “It wasn’t like they were only
doing their job.”
Caregivers also were concerned about
Abigail, the Hightowers’ 3-year-old daughter
who had not yet met her little brother. “We
told Abigail that Jackson is in the hospital and
he’s getting better,” Mr. Hightower said. “But
that’s hard for a 3-year-old to visualize.”
Kelly Kinamore, a child life specialist at
Children’s, helped the Hightowers make footprints of Jackson’s feet. They sent the prints to
Abigail, who hung them on a wall in her room
— right next to a photo of her brother.
“This is the only way to compassionately
take care of people,” Dr. Savani said. “They’re
going through so much, and we can help
them navigate that with the least amount of
turbulence and the most amount of concern
and compassion.”
FORMING RELATIONSHIPS
With Jackson’s most critical needs resolved,
the Hightowers returned to Midland.
Although Jackson will need ongoing treatment, doctors in his hometown will care for
him as he grows.
Dr. Savani stays in touch with not only
the Hightowers but also with the neonatologist who referred the family to Children’s.
The open lines of communication ensure
that if Jackson requires care beyond the
scope of what is available in Midland-Odessa,
Children’s is ready to treat him.
“Jackson is the most influential person
in my life — and he can’t even talk,” Mr.
Hightower said. “The staff at the hospital
kept him going. I honestly think that if we
hadn’t gone to Children’s, Jackson wouldn’t
be here with us.”
Dozens of caregivers from a variety of departments treated Jackson Hightower during his stay
in the Neonatal ICU at Children’s. Back row, from
left: Megan Hall, clinical dietician; Crista E.
Wetherington, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychology; Jean
Dubois, Respiratory Care; Dr. Mambarath Jaleel,
Neonatology; Dr. Prameela Karimi (with arms
crossed), Neonatology; Robin Breitzka, Pharm.D.,
clinical pharmacist; Dr. Rashmin Savani (center,
with hands clasped), Neonatology; Ceilia Austin,
RN, case manager; Stephanie Matthews, RNC,
MSN, NNP, Neonatology; Aimee Dunnam, RN,
MSN, CNNP, advanced practice service manager;
Elisabeth Lee, clinical dietician; Kelly Kinnamore,
child life specialist; Ronda Hefton, RN, MBA,
Neonatology/Fetal Heart Program Manager;
Beverly Kearnan, RN. Front row, from left:
Kathryn Blackman, Occupational Therapy; Dr.
Mouin Seikaly, Nephrology; Lorie Malone, MS,
CCC-SLP, Speech Pathology; Stacy Vaca, LMSW,
clinical social worker.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s poised for growth
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s is only a sign of things to come. In 2009, the hospital will
welcome a larger Neonatal ICU in Tower III, phase II. Leading the growth effort is Dr. Rashmin Savani, chief
of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Children’s, professor of Pediatrics and chief of the Division of NeonatalPerinatal Medicine at UT Southwestern.
“This is a huge undertaking, and we have full commitment from UT Southwestern, Parkland and Children’s to
collaborate and integrate a neonatal program,” Dr. Savani said.
The vision is for a program that will provide neonatal care under one division, so that doctors at Children’s,
Parkland and UT Southwestern will follow a standard protocol throughout the campus. Children’s already draws
on the expertise from the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at UT Southwestern, which has extended its
physician coverage with 12 neonatologists to the Neonatal ICU at Children’s. Supporting these physicians is a
team of neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacy support.
Plans are also under way to establish the Crystal Charity Ball Family Support Center, a state-of-the-art facility
inside the new Neonatal ICU that will address the social and emotional needs of newborns’ families. The mission
of the center, established by a generous gift from the Crystal Charity Ball, is to provide space and support for
parents, siblings and other family members to lead as normal a life as possible within the Neonatal ICU and to
provide hands-on training to parents in preparation for bringing their newborns home.
A PASSION FOR
SHAPING LIVES,
GIVING BACK INSPIRES
AWARD HONOREES
Many different roads lead volunteers to
Children’s. For two couples, Debbie and Ric
Scripps and Pam and Ken Sumrow, the journey
to serving at Children’s began with personal
experiences of their own. The couples were
recently honored with the Distinguished Service
to Children Award, which has been presented
annually to those whose visionary service to
children sets them apart from their peers.
22 2007 Issue 3
T
he volunteer leadership at Children’s is a top-notch, passionate
group,” said Dan Chapman, chairman of the Children’s Medical
Center Foundation Board of Trustees. “The work these two couples have
accomplished is proof that one family can impact lives in a big way.”
INVESTING IN FUTURES
Mr. and Mrs. Scripps have shaped the lives of children
for years, inspiring others to make a difference. The
hope they bring to Children’s stems from their experience at Minneapolis-St. Paul Children’s Hospital when
their youngest son, Andy, was treated in the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
“When we moved to Dallas, volunteering at
Children’s was first on my list and it quickly became a
passion,” Mrs. Scripps said. “The week I spent with
Children’s patients at Camp John
Marc cemented my dedication, and
I decided then that I will volunteer
at the hospital until I can’t walk
anymore.”
Their steadfast commitment to
Children’s began in 1987, and in
2002, the couple pledged $1 million
to the wePromise Campaign for
Children’s Dallas to help support
renovation and construction. Their
generosity helped establish a dedicated Neonatal ICU,
fund the purchase of new radiology equipment and create an endowment fund in support of Child Life.
The duo also has tirelessly given through active leadership roles. Mrs. Scripps has been a mainstay on a
number of the hospital’s governing boards and committees for more than 20 years. Mr. Scripps was appointed
to the Children’s Board of Trustees in 2001, and serves
on several task force initiatives at the hospital.
“We are proudest of the fact that Children’s is
striving to be preeminent,” Mr. Scripps said. “After
26 years at the hospital, we have found that everyone
involved is one big family working together, all for the
interest of children.”
Opposite page, Christopher J. Durovich, center, president and
chief executive officer of Children’s, congratulates Ken and Pam
Sumrow and Debbie and Ric Scripps, recipients of the 2007
Distinguished Service to Children Award. For two decades, the
families have been affiliated with Children’s through philanthropy
and service.
FAMILY TIES
A united family is something Mr. and Mrs. Sumrow
know well. Their strong devotion to one another was evident during the biggest fight of their lives — cancer.
Mr. and Mrs. Sumrow experienced Children’s firsthand nearly 20 years ago after their son, Clint, was
diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at age 5. Although
Clint was considered free of cancer a year later, the
Sumrows’ dedication to Children’s remains today.
“While Clint was receiving
final treatments, I read a
brochure about the creative ways
people had given back to
Children’s,” said Mr. Sumrow,
tennis director at High Point
Tennis Center.
Drawing from this inspiration,
Mr. and Mrs. Sumrow created
the idea to host a junior tennis
tournament, asking players to
Tina and Duffy Oyster
seek pledges with all of the procelebrate the 2007
Distinguished Service to ceeds going to Children’s. Since
Children Award recipithen, the Children Helping
ents at the Belo
Children Junior Singles Tennis
Mansion.
Tournament has raised more
than $2 million for vital pediatric clinical research and
treatment programs designed to fight pediatric cancer.
In addition to furthering cancer research efforts, proceeds support the Center for Cancer and Blood
Disorders and the After the Cancer Experience program
at Children’s.
“These two couples have nurtured and strengthened
the hospital through their passion, commitment and philanthropy,” said Christopher J. Durovich, president and
chief executive officer of Children’s. “They have built on
the strong foundation that was started 94 years ago by
the enterprising and courageous group of nurses on the
front lawn of Parkland hospital. Our honorees understand and place a value on the importance of our
future, as their hearts have aligned with the hearts of
those we serve.”
ChildTimes 23
Palliative Care service
enhances quality of care
for sickest patients
hen a family learns that its child has a life-threatening or lifelimiting illness, the care that it receives has a dramatic
impact on their lives.
“How we help and treat these children and their families is hugely
important,” said Dr. Bob Bash, an oncologist at the Center for Cancer
and Blood Disorders at Children’s and associate professor of Pediatrics at
UT Southwestern.
To ensure that Children’s delivers the best care to such patients and
their families, the hospital in 2006 launched the Palliative Care Program.
Dr. Bash, who also serves as the medical director for the program, is one
of several caregivers on the team. Registered nurses Kaye Schmidt and
Michelle Pinker serve as the program’s nursing director and program
manager, respectively.
In general, palliative care focuses on the comfort and management of
symptoms, as well as the emotional, social and spiritual needs of families
with children who have life-limiting or chronic conditions. At Children’s,
the Palliative Care Program is a consultative service. When an attending
physician believes that a patient and his or her family may benefit from
the service, he writes for a consult from the Palliative Care Program.
After reviewing the patient’s history, Palliative Care requests a family
care conference with the child’s family and other caregivers involved in
his or her treatment. This includes the primary attending medical team
and any other disciplines involved in the child’s care, such as social work,
child life, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, psychiatry, pastoral care
or other disciplines. This collaborative approach is important so that all
caregivers understand the family’s needs and wishes for the child’s care
plan, and so the care
delivered across all disciplines is consistent.
“We don’t replace
the child’s primary
medical team,” Pinker
said. “We’re here only
as a consultative service.” The Palliative Care
team also may educate
the family about comfort measures, decisionmaking, and discuss
end-of-life concerns and
From left, Kaye Schmidt, Dr. discharge options. If a family needs help workRobert Bash and Michelle
ing with a home healthcare company or insurPinker make up the Palliative
ance provider, the Palliative Care team can
Care team at Children’s.
assist. “We’re an advocate for the child and
Palliative Care focuses on
the comfort, emotional and
family,” Pinker said.
spiritual needs of families
The Palliative Care Program not only
with children who have lifelimiting or chronic conditions. improves the quality of care for children and
families, but it may also reduce unnecessary
costs related to treatments, length of stay, unplanned emergency room
visits and admissions. In addition to coordinating care for children with a
life-limiting illness, Palliative Care may also be called on to help families
when a child dies as a result of sudden trauma.
Medical News
W
24 2007 Issue 3
Solid Organ Transplant
clinical space opens
with new director
In August, Children’s dedicated a new,
centralized clinical and administrative space
on the main hospital’s second floor for the
Solid Organ Transplant Program. The program now includes heart, kidney, liver and
intestinal transplant services along with the
resources to care for children whose medical condition may require the transplantation of more than one organ.
Dean Henderson, administrative director of the program, is proud of the hospital’s commitment to this highly specialized
area of care.
“Children’s recognizes that a transplant
affects the entire family; we’re committed
to providing all our pediatric patients and
their families the support they need
before, during and after a transplant procedure,” he said. “Our program elevates the
quality of pediatric transplant services available in the Dallas area.”
In 2006, Children’s became the first
pediatric hospital in the nation to combine
its solid organ transplant programs into one
division. The comprehensive program
offers patients the services of a multidisciplinary team — from surgeons to
nutritionists to financial counselors — that
are all experts in the highly specialized
world of transplant care.
In addition to the core team, the
transplant program will use all of the available medical resources that Children’s has
to offer. With the proximity of other local
hospitals, the program also offers a unique
continuum of care — as the child grows
to adulthood, Children’s assists patients in
transitioning to qualified adult healthcare
programs that provide experienced
transplant care.
From left, Solid Organ Transplant Program
director Dean Henderson, Dr. Mouin Seikaly
and program manager Cynthia Crawford cut
the ribbon for the program’s new clinical and
administrative space Aug. 17.
Children’s uses video tool
to offer translations for
English-limited families
For families who do not speak English, talking to
nurses and doctors about their child’s illness can be
challenging. To bridge the communication gap,
Children’s recently introduced a new high-tech tool
called MARTTI (My Accessible Real-Time Trusted
Interpreter) to several departments at Children’s.
MARTTI provides two-way digital video/audio communication, allowing a patient family to hear, see and
talk to a remote interpreter live via a wireless computer connection. Each unit has a 17-inch LCD
screen, webcam and microphones. The units are
either mounted on a pedestal with wheels for portability, or set on a desktop.
By clicking a button, a caregiver can connect with an
operator from The Language Access Network —
the company that developed MARTTI — and explain
which language is needed. A TLAN operator then
transfers the call to an interpreter. Interpreters for
150 languages, including American Sign Language,
are available.
“Families appreciate that face-to-face interaction,”
said Meagan Gaither, a nurse in Emergency Services
who uses MARTII on a daily basis. When a 7-yearold patient and her mother, both of whom are deaf,
came to
Children’s,
Gaither used
MARTTI to connect them to an
American Sign
Language translator. “The mother
was so apprecia- From left, Linda Balcioglu of
theTranslation Services department,
tive she teared
up,” Gaither said. and nurse Tonya Bowen demonstrate the MARTII portable unit,
Since the devices which allows patient families to hear,
see and talk to a live interpreter.
were deployed in
May in Emergency Services and on floors B4 and B6,
Children’s has placed more than 700 calls through
MARTTI. Before the units were deployed, caregivers
needing an interpreter had to request a translator
through Translation Services or use the language line,
which provides interpretation over the telephone.
A major benefit of the service is that MARTTI allows
patients and interpreters to see one another. “Studies
indicate that anywhere from 65 to 80 percent of
communication is done through body language,” said
Edgardo Garcia, director of Translation Services.
“This is where the communication takes place.”
Children’s Infant Pulmonary Lab testing
device first in North Texas
From left, Pulmonary
ith only 38 Infant Pulmonary Laboratory
Laboratory respiratory
(IPL) testing devices available in the world
therapists Paul Klemm and
and only one in North Texas — located at Children’s William Ruiz run tests on
the new Infant Pulmonary
— the hospital once again is the one that parents
Laboratory (IPL) device.
turn to when their child needs the best of care.
Only 38 IPL testing devices
Children’s is the only hospital in North Texas to
exist in the world, and
Children’s is the only hospital
have an IPL testing machine that can measure the
in North Texas to have one.
function of an infant’s lungs. The IPL provides the
most accurate, advanced pediatric pulmonary function testing available — no matter how tiny the patient’s lungs.
Early detection of poor lung function in patients 3 years or younger means
doctors can provide earlier medical intervention in the treatment of respiratory
illnesses, thus avoiding permanent damage to growing tissue. The IPL device
allows the medical staff at Children’s to determine how severely lung function
is impaired and provides the critical information that doctors need to develop
treatment plans. The IPL at Children’s is so highly regarded as a diagnostic
testing aid that it has been chosen by the North American Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation for use in a national infant lung function study.
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Children’s offers comprehensive pulmonary function testing for children of all ages; more than 1,200 procedures a
month are performed for patients with health issues related to lung function.
The new IPL testing device is part of the recent renovation and expansion of
the testing lab that was made possible through a generous gift by the Pogue
Foundation.
How important is it for children to have this kind of testing available?
More than 3,000 inpatient hospitalizations and more than 6,000 Emergency
Center visits at Children’s are attributed to pulmonary disease-related causes.
There are also thousands of outpatient visits each year for conditions ranging
from chronic lung disease due to premature birth, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Beginning in early 2008, Children’s Ambulatory Pavilion in Legacy will
open a Pulmonary Function Lab which will also have an Infant Pulmonary
Laboratory testing device — bringing a total of two IPL devices available exclusively at Children’s.
W
ChildTimes 25
Volunteer shares connection
with patients
avid Current’s first interaction with Children’s was as a concerned grandparent, helping his granddaughter fight an infection
during her hospital stay in the mid-1990s. Since that time,
Current — an asset manager for an air conditioning, heating and plumbing company by trade — has become a volunteer who has amassed more
than 1,000 hours of service.
“I love it,” Current said. “I wish I was up here even more. If I could,
I would work here 60 hours a week.”
His adoration of the Children’s staff is extremely evident and is only
surpassed by his intense desire to do more for the hospital. Ask all those
who come into contact with him — from clinicians and staff to patients
and their families — and they will attest to the same.
Until November, Current was volunteering two nights a week, usually
as a sitter or a volunteer in one of the playrooms. But it was about that
time when doctors diagnosed him with colon cancer, and Current was
forced to take a seven-month leave of absence from his volunteer duties.
That time away from Children’s, Current said, was more painful
than any chemotherapy treatment he received. Most of all, Current
said he missed the interactions he had with cancer patients — the
same ones whom he can now relate to on a more personal level given
his recent experiences.
“I had to carry a little pump with me for six months, much like
what a lot of these kids have to do when they’re receiving cancer
treatments,” Current said. “If I could have been here, I could tell
them, ‘Hey, look at me. I’m going through the same thing. Don’t
worry, we’ll both be just fine.’”
Current’s optimism is a beacon of hope for so many. He has since
returned to volunteering at Children’s and vows to be back in full swing
before too long.
“David wanted to jump right back to what he was doing before, but I
wanted him to start back slowly,” volunteer
coordinator Rebecca McBride said. “He’s
just waiting for the word from me.”
Current promises to share his story
with anyone who asks. This gives him a
special connection with the children that
separates him from other volunteers.
Having cancer has opened his eyes to
the struggles that patients at Children’s
endure on a daily basis. It has allowed him
to be more sympathetic and understanding
of their needs while, at the same time,
strengthening his resolve to help others at
the hospital in any capacity he can.
Current’s motivation to return is to be a
clown in the annual Neiman Marcus
David Current
Adolphus Children’s Parade in December.
“It bothers me sometimes if I see
sick children, but I like to make them laugh and make them forget
what’s going on,” Current said. “It is the least I can do, and I
wouldn’t trade it for anything. And most times, I think I get more
out of it than the children.”
Volunteer News
D
26 2007 Issue 3
Kirk Pouttu
Dad never misses
Saturday volunteer hours
Kirk Pouttu never misses Saturday morning
volunteer hours at Children’s. Pouttu, a sitter from 9 a.m. to noon, said at the end of
his shift he always feels like saying to the
volunteer coordinators: “How much do I
owe you guys for this?”
Working as a sitter anywhere he’s
needed, Pouttu said he was drawn to volunteer after his daughter, Ellen, was a
patient at Children’s in HematologyOncology. That proved to be the catalyst
for his decision to volunteer.
“I think we were fat, dumb and happy
[before Ellen’s illness],” Pouttu said. “It really
thrust us into the currents of life. When that
happened, I decided it was OK to swim.”
Pouttu’s most memorable day was
spent with a boy who was watching a
movie of kids around a campfire roasting
marshmallows. He told Pouttu he’d never
had a marshmallow. Rallying to the cause,
the volunteer called Food Services, getting
them to agree to roast some marshmallows and deliver them. When the boy
asked if they could make S’Mores, Pouttu
added graham crackers to the delivery
order. He and the young patient then
wheeled down to the hospital’s Children’s
Corner gift shop where they bought a
chocolate bar and proceeded with the
recipe.
Carolyn Simma, weekend volunteer
services coordinator, said his visits always
are appreciated.
“The kids love him,” she said. “Kirk
never misses his volunteer work here. He’s
just a great guy.”
Thursdays with Bennett bring smiles
to patients, families and employees
n any given Thursday, you can find Bradey Bennett in one of three
places at Children’s: the Aikman End Zone, the Krissi Holman Family
Resource Library & Children’s Collection or just outside the hospital’s main
entrance enjoying his lunch — usually two ham-and-cheese sandwiches — on
the bench in front of the playground. No matter where you find him,
though, people around him are smiling.
That’s precisely what he loves most about volunteering at Children’s —
putting smiles on kids’ faces while he’s here. But adults in Bennett’s vicinity, including volunteers, hospital employees and patient family members,
usually are smiling, too, thanks to his sense of humor and affable nature.
The adolescent patients he interacts with during his morning shift in the
Aikman End Zone are only slightly younger than Bennett was when he was
a patient at another area hospital 17 years ago. He spent three months in a
coma after sustaining a closed-head injury in a car accident during his freshman year at Southern Methodist University.
Nearly two decades later, after earning an economics degree and completing two years of law school at SMU, Bennett decided to volunteer.
“I realized how much the good Lord has done for me, and I just felt like
I needed to give something back,” Bennett said.
He chose to volunteer at Children’s because of Dr. Dale Swift, a pediatric
neurosurgeon on the medical staff at Children’s who operated on Bennett in
the mid-1990s.
“He was kind enough to perform an operation on me, and that’s why I
chose Children’s.” Bennett said that among all the physicians who treated
him after his accident, Dr. Swift was perhaps the most optimistic doctor he
had met.
Since he started volunteering, Bennett already has contributed more
than 200 hours — more than double the amount volunteers are asked to
give in one year. Whether he’s playing foosball in the Aikman End Zone,
helping patients in the library or waving at other employees in the hospital,
he does it in a heartfelt manner that puts others at ease.
“He’s funny and upbeat, friendly, very warm and personable,” said
Barbara Green, manager of Volunteer Services. “He is just a wonderful
asset to us.”
O
Baxter pulls strings to work
at Children’s
Terry Baxter often leaves Children’s dusted in glitter. The
shimmer is evidence of the hour and a half she spends most
Monday nights volunteering in the C4 playroom at
Children’s.
“If you ever have a bored child, pull out the glitter,” she
said. “You can’t go wrong with glitter.”
It’s unlikely that any of the children Baxter interacts with at
Children’s are bored because she goes out of her way to
make sure patients are entertained with crafts, coloring
books or games.
“Terry brings in coloring pages, little foam cut-outs that have
adhesive on one side, or supplies
to make doorknob hangers for
the kids’ rooms,” said Rebecca
McBride, evening volunteer coordinator. “We don’t ask volunteers
to bring anything but themselves,
so the fact that she brings in
crafts is special.”
Baxter has been volunteering at
Children’s for four years through
Junior League, an organization of
women committed to volunTerry Baxter
teerism. Although Junior League
chapters usually give volunteers a new assignment each year,
Baxter has pulled strings to make sure she stays at Children’s.
This year, the computerized process that randomly assigns
Junior League volunteers to different positions in the
Dallas area assigned Baxter to an opening outside of
Children’s. Baxter called the Junior League chairperson
and asked to be reassigned to the hospital. “It’s not that I
don’t want to volunteer anywhere else,” she said. “It’s just
that I love Children’s.”
Despite a career as a legal assistant for a busy Dallas-based
law firm, which sometimes has her putting in 9- to 11-hour
days, Baxter makes a point to clear her schedule on volunteer nights — even if that means going back to the office
after her shift at Children’s. In fact, Baxter’s boss makes
sure she leaves the office on time. “He has actually told
clients, ‘I’m sorry, but she volunteers at Children’s on
Monday nights, and she needs to leave,’” Baxter said.
If she knows she won’t be able to make a Monday shift, she
tries to make it up on another night during the week.
“I feel like this is a job, and they rely on me,” Baxter said. “I
believe in Children’s, and the more I’m here and see how
everything revolves around making these children better,
the more I love it.
“It’s not hard to volunteer for something that you feel so
strongly toward.”
Bradey Bennett
ChildTimes 27
OUR LEADERSHIP
Children’s Medical Center Dallas is a not-for-profit pediatric hospital governed by a community volunteer board jointly appointed by Children’s Health Services of Texas, Baylor Health Care System
and Texas Health Resources. Children’s is affiliated with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and is UT Southwestern’s primary pediatric teaching hospital. Children’s
is accredited by The Joint Commission and approved by the Council of Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association. Children’s also is accredited by a variety of educational programs in related healthcare fields. Children’s is a member of the American Hospital Association, the Texas Hospital Association, the Children’s Hospital
Association of Texas, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions and the Council of Teaching Hospitals.
Children’s Medical
Center of Dallas
Board of Directors
DIRECTORS
Chairman
John L. Adams
Tom Baker
William Blase
Robert Chereck
Michael Dardick
Christopher J. Durovich
Sandra Estess
Kathleen Gibson
Richard Knight, Jr.
J. Marc Myers
Elaine Nelson
Marcia Page
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Joel Allison
M. Douglas Baker, M.D.
David W. Biegler
Michael Brown, M.D.
Dan Chapman
Robert Foglia, M.D.
Douglas Hawthorne
Zora Rogers, M.D.
Thomas Zellers, M.D.
INVITED GUESTS
Ron Anderson, M.D.
George Lister, M.D.
Willis Maddrey, M.D.
Gifford Touchstone
Kern Wildenthal, M.D., PhD.
ASSOCIATES BOARD
Peter Altabef
Robert M. Farrell
Lois Finkelman
Monte E. Ford
Joyce Houlihan
Thomas Leppert
William A. McWhirter
Albert Niemi, Ph.D.
Richard L. Rogers
Marcos Ronquillo
Paul Sadler
John Field Scovell
Florence Shapiro
Patrick B. Shelby
Director of Surgical Services
Robert Foglia, M.D.
Senior Directors
Clara C. Bahner
Jolynn Hanson
Mazie Jamison
Nancy Templin
MEDICAL STAFF OFFICERS
Immediate Past President
William A. Scott, M.D., M.S.
President
Michael E. Brown, M.D.
President-Elect
Zora R. Rogers, M.D.
Surgical Representative at Large 2007-2009
David Weakley, M.D.
Medical Representative at Large 2007-2009
Joe Neely, M.D.
Surgical Representative at Large 2006-2007
Steven Leonard, M.D.
Medical Representative at Large 2006-2007
Angela Mihalic, M.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
Pam Okada, M.D.
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman
Thomas Zellers, M.D.
Douglas Baker, M.D.
Michael Brown, M.D.
Zora Rodgers, M.D.
Robert Foglia, M.D.
Pam Okada, M.D.
Joe Neely, M.D.
Steven Leonard, M.D.
George Lister, M.D.
Angela Mihalic, M.D.
David Weakley, M.D.
William A. Scott, M.D., M.S.
Paul Sheeran, M.D.
Beverly Rogers, M.D.
Nancy K. Rollins, M.D.
Carolyn Wilson, D.D.S.
Executive Vice President of Development
T.W. Hudson Akin
MEDICAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Christopher J. Durovich
Roy Heyne, M.D.
Douglas G. Hock
Mary Stowe, RN, MSN
Ryan McElroy, M.D.
Amy Fowler, M.D.
Lauren Gore, M.D.
Senior Vice Presidents
Ray R. Dziesinski
Julio Pérez Fontán, M.D.
James W. Herring
Douglas G. Hock
Patricia U. Winning
ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBERS
James W. Herring
Anne E. Long, RN, JD
Fiona Howard Levy, M.D.
Anne Roberts, CPCS, CPMSM
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
President and CEO
Christopher J. Durovich
Vice Presidents
Pamela Arora
David G. Biggerstaff
Christopher J. Dougherty
Brett Daniel Lee
Fiona Howard Levy, M.D.
Anne E. Long, RN, JD
Elizabeth Field MacKay
Karen Meador, M.D.
Louis C. Saksen
Chief Nursing Officer
Mary Stowe, RN, MSN
Chief Medical Officer
Thomas Zellers, M.D.
Director of Medical Services
M. Douglas Baker, M.D.
28 2007 Issue 3
Children’s Health
Services of Texas
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Gene H. Bishop
Lloyd Bowles, Sr.
Rawles Fulgham
Theodore P. Votteler, M.D.
Joel T. Williams, III
DIRECTORS
Chairman
David W. Biegler
John L. Adams
Paul Bass
Ann Goddard Corrigan
Christopher J. Durovich
Sandra Estess
Randi Halsell
Richard Knight, Jr.
P. Mike McCullough
Connie O’Neill
Debbie Scripps
Barbara Stuart
Gifford Touchstone
Darrell W. Wootton
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Dan Chapman
Joel T. Williams, III
Thomas Zellers, M.D.
Children’s Medical
Center Foundation
Board of Trustees
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
James J. Farnsworth
H. Grady Jordan, Sr.
Sarah M. Seay
TRUSTEES
Chairman
Dan Chapman
Marilyn Augur
Martha Lou Beaird
Samuel J. Beard
David Beuerlein
Sheila Beuerlein
Cordelia Boone
Charles (Chet) Boortz
Lloyd S. Bowles, Jr.
Lloyd S. Bowles, Sr.
Kitty Boyle
Ben Brooks
Kathy Brooks
Susan E. Brown
Barbara Mallory Caraway
Bill Carter
Ann Goddard Corrigan
Marie Crowe
R. Brooks Cullum, Jr.
Sissy Cullum
Scott Dabney
Jon Dahlander
Ann Delatour
David H. Eisenberg
Sandra Estess
Lance Etcheverry
Susan Farris
Steve Folsom
Gerald J. Ford
Kandace Garvey
Kenn George
Linda Gibbons
James B. Goodson
Leslie Greco
Steven Gruber
Cindy M. Gummer
Todd Hagemeier
Randi Halsell
Juli Harrison
Susan Hoag
Denny Holman
Ward Hunt
Gene Jones
Ken Klaveness
Richard Knight, Jr.
Tracey Kozmetsky
C.S. Lee
Anne Logan
Dale Hawkins Long
George Mason
Karen Matthews
Albert McClendon
Jill McClung
P. Mike McCullough
Ben David McDavid, Jr.
Kimberly McDavid
Gail McDonald
John P. McNamara
Melanie Medanich
Jerry M. Meyer
Harold Montgomery
Vikki Moody
Dian Moore
Ginny Moore
H. Leslie Moore, M.D.
Robert Morgan, D.D.S.
Randall Muck
John B. Muns
Burk Murchison
Jan Myers
Hisashi Nikaidoh, M.D.
Crickett Rollins Olmsted
Frank O’Neil
Stephen C. Owen
Teresa Parravano
Chris Patrick
Pamela Dealey Petty
John T. Pickens
Claude Prestidge, M.D.
Deborah Price, Au.D.
Debbie Raynor
Ann Duckett Reed
Raymond Reed, Ph.D.
Richard L. Rogers
Steven M. Rudner
Mardie Schoellkopf
Betty Schultz
John Field Scovell
Debbie Scripps
Ric Scripps
John R. Sears, Jr.
Mary Louise Sinclair
Frank Sloan
Sandra Snyder
Robert C. Stegall
Sally Seay Stout
Barbara Stuart
Smokey Swenson
Michael Tanner
Burton Tansky
Betty Terrell
Richard (Dick) Terrell
John P. Thompson, Jr.
Gifford Touchstone
Suzy Welfelt
Jimmy Westcott
Joel T. Williams, III
Sue Wills
Tracy Wolstencroft
Laura M. Woodall
Darrell W. Wootton
Sharon Worrell
Terry Worrell
Donald Zale
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
David W. Biegler
Kathryn Biggers
Christopher J. Durovich
Cindy McGeogh
Nancy Monning
Connie O’Neill
Rosalyn Parker
Jill & Chris Willis
Robin Ziegler
Foundation Executive Committee
Nonprofit Org.
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