Champions THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
BECAUSE OF YOU, TATUM HAS A
STRONG,
BRAVE HEART
FEBRUARY 2018
Dear Champion for Children, Happy Belated New Year! As I look back on 2017, I’m amazed by the great work we accomplished together. For example: •
Generous support of nursing excellence helped Arkansas Children’s Hospital receive Magnet Recognition, the highest honor in patient care bestowed on only 6% of hospitals in the world.
•
The ACH Clinic in Southwest Li le Rock opened its doors last May, providing primary and specialty care close to home for families in an underserved area of the city.
•
For the first time in history, the Be y A. Lowe MD Award for outstanding service to children was awarded to children. Beebe Junior High School students Tyler Duke and Mason Covington received the award for their invention that will help prevent hot car deaths of infants and toddlers.
•
More than 14,000 gi s from donors like you all over the state helped build Arkansas Children’s Northwest, a new children’s hospital in Springdale that’s now offering clinical, inpatient, surgery and emergency medical services to more than 200,000 children in the region.
Because February is American Heart Month, we’re sharing two “heartwarming” stories with you in this edition of Champions. The cardiology experts at the David M. Clark Heart Center record more than 4,500 patient visits every year and perform nearly 500 surgeries. In fact, in 2017, Arkansas Children’s Hospital was ranked as one of the “Best Children’s Hospitals” for Cardiology and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report. That’s in large part because of you! I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in 2018. Your generosity is inspiring. Thank you for all you’ve done to help reach more children in more ways where they live, learn and play.
Marcy Doderer, FACHE President and CEO Arkansas Children’s CHAMPIONS STAFF: Editor Becky McCauley Contributing Writers Glenn Buercklin, Becky McCauley, Blair Neel Design C. Waynette Traub Photographers Amy Carper, Brandon Markin, Daniel Moody 2
| FE B RUA RY 2018 • CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
Arkansas Children’s Foundation Board of Directors Chair Marcy Doderer, FACHE Vice Chair Charles B. Whiteside III Treasurer Jason LaFrance President Fred Scarborough, CFRE Pat Allen Ritter Arnold Sharon Bale Ginger Blackmon Frances Buchanan Stuart Cobb Steve Davison Kirk Dupps Harry C. Erwin III Kim Fowler Sharilyn Gasaway Robin George Mike Gibson Sonja Yates Hubbard Brandi Joplin Jason LaFrance Sharon Lamb Jim McClelland Mandy Macke Barbara Moore Beverly Morrow Cindy Murphy Jake Nabholz Marshall Ney Terry Quinn Sue Redfield Kate Schaffer Jennifer Schueck Belinda Shults Jennifer Smith Claudia Strange Celia Swanson Emeritus Directors Robert G. Cress Don Edmondson Henry Rogers, MD
*Current as of January 25, 2018
THE DIFFERENCE
YOU MAKE 435,136*
patient encounters at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and ACH clinics (July 2016 – June 2017)
10,000
children statewide receiving dental services through mobile dental clinics and the dental sealant program
200,000
children now have access to pediatric care close to home at Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale
40%
of the state’s general pediatricians enrolled in the Arkansas Children’s Care Network (as of January 2018)
(July 2017–January 2018)
60,046
total emergency department visits at ACH (July 2016–June 2017)
83–90%
of patients attending scheduled appointments at SWLR Community Clinic—compared to other primary care clinics at 70–80% (June–October 2017)
75%
of Arkansas’ birthing hospitals are safe sleep-certified, with help from ACH Injury Prevention Center (as of January 2018)
Thank you for being a champion for children. Your support makes kids better today and healthier tomorrow. *Inpatient, Outpatient and Pharmacy
GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • F E BR UARY 2 0 1 8
|3
CELEBRATING NATIONAL HEART MONTH
brave
heart Your support helps keep Tatum’s heart beating BY GLENN BUERCKLIN
C
hristie Pinney describes her daughter Tatum as a girl with a brave heart. But at Tatum’s four-week checkup, her pediatrician heard a concerning murmur. He immediately referred the family to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Cardiology Clinic. Further testing revealed a congenital heart defect called bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis. This means Tatum’s aortic valve had two flaps to regulate blood flow into and out of the heart, instead of three. “My initial reaction was fear—nobody in our family has heart problems,” says Christie. “A er many conversations with doctors and friends whose kids have had health challenges, we made the decision to have Tatum’s surgery right here in Li le Rock.” Thanks to generous donors like you, Christie’s fear was soon replaced by “peace, comfort and confidence" knowing Tatum was in expert hands at Arkansas Children's Hospital. “We’re so fortunate to have such an amazing hospital right in our back yard,” she says. Before Tatum was born, Christie spent seven years as a volunteer fundraiser for Arkansas Children's. “When I was volunteering, I never dreamed we’d become part of the Arkansas Children’s family,” she says. Christie singles out Arkansas Children’s cardiologist Dr. Paul Sieb as their go-to doctor. “He has been
4
Tatum’s cardiologist since her initial diagnosis,” says Christie. “We’re very thankful for Dr. Sieb. His light shines brightly and we are blessed because of it.” Tatum also has a favorite nurse, Megan, who cared for Tatum a er her first open-heart surgery. “Megan gave us all comfort. She was incredibly knowledgeable, dependable and trustworthy,” Christie continues. Tatum’s repaired heart now allows her to participate in her favorite pastimes, which include gymnastics, volleyball, arts and cra s, and playing outside with her friends. Christie says Tatum envisions a future career in either veterinary medicine or volleyball. “She has such a light that is completely infectious. She is compassionate, competitive and caring,” says Christie. “Imagine riding a roller coaster—most people have their hands holding on tightly in fear. She is the one with her hands high in the air, screaming with joy and excitement!” Asked to sum up the Pinney family’s experience with Tatum’s health challenges, Christie expresses a spiritually resilient approach: "FAITH, NOT FEAR has become our family’s mantra.” That kind of faith is rewarded when donors like you make it possible for Tatum's brave heart to keep beating.
| FE B RUA RY 2018 • CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
CHANGING CHILDREN’S HEALTH Union County family contributes $3 million to expand dental health outreach and education
BY BECKY MCCAULEY
T
he Brown Family of El Dorado recently made a generous gi of $3 million to Arkansas Children’s in memory of their beloved matriarch, Joyce B. Brown. This gi will help expand dental outreach and education in South Arkansas, focusing on Union County. Mrs. Brown was a native and lifelong resident of El Dorado. “Joyce provided the foundation upon which our close-knit family was built,” said members of the Brown Family. “She placed great value on family and provided a loving home for her husband, children and grandchildren. It is through her example that the Brown Family wishes to honor her love for children and family.” The Brown Family wants to help provide pediatric care close to home in a way that makes sense for their community, and they are passionate about improving overall health for kids in Union County. Their gi supporting dental outreach programs in Union County will help do just that. The child poverty rate in Arkansas is one of the highest in the country. Unfortunately, families with limited resources o en lack quick, easy access to pediatric dental care. “El Dorado residents have a longstanding commitment to investing in their community and pu ing children first,” said Robert R. Brown Jr. “I’m honored to continue this tradition by partnering with Arkansas Children’s to promote a healthier future for the more than 10,000 children who live in our county.”
Make a gift to education and outreach programs at Arkansas Children’s. Use the envelope provided or visit giving.archildrens.org to make a gift today!
GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • F E BR UARY 2 0 1 8
|5
21 Acts of Kindness Thanks to you, teen celebrates new heart in extraordinary way
BY BLAIR NEEL
T
hirteen-year-old Lauren Reynolds has an extraordinary heart. In fact, she’s had three hearts, thanks to your generous support and her team at the David M. Clark Heart Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In her young life, the Sheridan teen has undergone five open heart surgeries—including two heart transplants—and 24 cardiac catheterizations, or “heart caths.” “Before Lauren, we never thought about the need for a heart center for children,” says Jeannie Reynolds, Lauren’s mother. “We never dreamed of it. Until you’ve been there, you don’t think about it.” When Lauren was just 8 days old, the family’s world turned upside down. Their local pediatrician was worried about Lauren and sent the family to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. By the time they got to the Emergency Department, Lauren was in cardiac shock. Within a few short hours, the Reynolds’ precious newborn was diagnosed with hypoplastic le heart
6
syndrome (HLHS), a condition in which the le side of the heart doesn’t form correctly. She had her first surgery at 4 weeks old. When she was 6 months old, her doctors found another serious heart defect. This time, they weren’t sure she would live. But Lauren was a fighter, and at 15 months old, she was able to have the second of three surgeries that children with HLHS need. It took her two months at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to recover. Because her heart was weak, Lauren was small for her age and always had blue lips and fingernails, but she thrived until she was 8 years old. Lauren’s heart then began to fail. She was put on the heart transplant list and a er a scary five days on a heart/ lung bypass machine, she received her first heart transplant. “She had been so sick for so long,” Jeannie says. “Once she got her strength back , she did gymnastics and played soccer—all the things she wanted to do but had never been able to try.”
| FE B RUA RY 2018 • CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL HEART MONTH
On her 11th birthday, Lauren underwent On October 21, 2013, Lauren celebrated her second heart transplant at Arkansas the one-year anniversary of her Children’s Hospital. transplant in an extraordinary way: Her experience has given her a passion 21 random acts of kindness to honor for spreading organ donation awareness. the day she received her new heart. She’s wri en le ers to her heart donors’ She visited residents in a nursing home, families and prays paid for a stranger’s “It is impossible to know for them constantly. lunch, took balloons and the impact Arkansas “We celebrate them candy to patients in the Children’s can have on every year on her cardiovascular intensive a child’s life unless you’ve anniversary, even her care unit and more. first donor,” says her “She’s really the lived it,” says Jeannie. mom. “That’s very coolest kid and has "But the things the important to her.” the best heart,” says doctors and nurses Since her last Jeannie. “She never do every day—it’s transplant, Lauren’s feels sorry for herself. unparalleled.” heart has given her Even when she’s in parents a few more the hospital and feels terrible and the steroids have taken a toll, scares. But generous gi s from donors like you give her family hope for a she finds a way to get through it.” healthier tomorrow. Two years a er Lauren’s first “In Lauren’s life there’s been eight transplant, the doctors found extensive times they didn’t think she would coronary artery disease—her body was survive,” says Jeannie. “Because of rejecting her new heart. She was at high Lauren's strength and the talent of her risk of having a massive heart a ack. heart team at ACH, she is still here. For the second time in her young life, Lauren needed a heart transplant. We are eternally grateful.”
GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • F E BR UARY 2 0 1 8
|7
“The entire ACH staff was always friendly and welcoming. They took care of us, and always made us feel at home.” ~ ANNE MARIE SANDS GRATEFUL PARENT OF KAYLYNN
YOUR GIFT MATTERS
BE A CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN You can help children like Kaylynn get better today and be healthier tomorrow. A gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to Arkansas Children’s makes a huge difference in the life of a sick child.
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!
Use the enclosed envelope, visit giving.archildrens.org or call 800-880-7491.