THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
JACOB’S
SPECIAL GIFT Your generous support of the Arkansas Children's Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow gives kids like 3-year-old Jacob the gift of a healthier tomorrow.
JULY/AUGUST 2021
Your Generous Gifts Dear Champion for Children, In this issue of Champions, we’re celebrating the difference your support has made through the Arkansas Children’s Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow. For the past six-and-a-half years, your gi s have fueled tremendous change in healthcare for the children of Arkansas and beyond. Because of you, Arkansas Children’s is well on its way to providing easy access to expert pediatric care for every child in our state. Three-year-old Jacob Trucks is one these kids. On pages 4–5, you’ll read about how this li le guy has fought for his life since the day he was born. But Jacob— because of your generosity—recently received an incredible gi from his mom, Holly, and the kidney team at Arkansas Children’s. This story of love, hope and resilience will warm your heart like nothing else. Turn to pages 6–7 to read exciting news for children living in Jefferson County and South Arkansas! Your donations have helped Arkansas Children’s take one more step in our mission to make all children in Arkansas be er today and healthier tomorrow. On pages 8–9, you’ll find more details about the Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow. You'll learn how your hard-earned dollars have changed the landscape of pediatric healthcare throughout the entire state, helping Arkansas Children’s reach more kids in more ways where they live, learn and play. And finally, on pages 10–11, you’ll meet the Klines. Mike and Anne e Kline have made a commitment to the children of Pine Bluff with generous philanthropic giving through the Kline Family Foundation. Their investment will give children and families in their community easier access to expert pediatric care for generations to come. Arkansas ranks 39th of the 50 states in child health and well-being, and changing the future of children’s health in Arkansas takes all of us. Every gi you make— large or small—ma ers to the patients and families served at Arkansas Children’s. Thank you for being a true champion for all children in our state!
Arkansas Children’s Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jason LaFrance* Vice Chair Jake Nabholz* Treasurer Charles B. Whiteside III* President Fred Scarborough, CFRE* Ritter Arnold Sharon Bale Nancy Benton Ginger Blackmon Frances Buchanan Stuart Cobb Steve Davison Marcy Doderer, FACHE* Harry C. Erwin III* Kim Fowler Sharilyn Gasaway* Robin George* Sonja Yates Hubbard Brandi Joplin Mandy Macke Jim McClelland Trisha Montague Barbara Moore Beverly Morrow Cindy Murphy Marshall Ney Lynn Parker Terry Quinn Sue Redfield Kate Schaffer Jennifer Schueck Michael Shelby
Fred Scarborough, CFRE President, Arkansas Children’s Foundation Chief Communications Officer & Development Officer, Arkansas Children’s Executive Vice President, Arkansas Children’s
Belinda Shults* Isaac Smith Claudia Strange Celia Swanson Joe Tucker Emeritus Director
CHAMPIONS STAFF:
Henry Rogers, MD
Editor Becky McCauley Writers Becky McCauley, Kyran Pittman
*Executive Committee
Designer C. Waynette Traub
Current as of July 1, 2021
Photographers Katie Childs, Beth Hall, Lazer Lee Photography, Dero Sanford, Tonia Breeding Photography
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• CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
THE IMPACT OF
YOUR
GIFTS
W
ith your support, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Pine Bluff Clinic opened on July 19 to help reach more children in more ways where they live, learn and play— especially those living in Jefferson County and Southeast Arkansas. Many children in the region don’t have easy access to well-child care or a medical home. And the infant mortality rate is staggering. But, with your help, Arkansas Children’s will one day provide access to expert pediatric care for every child in the state. The new clinic requires a $17.5 million investment to cover construction and operating costs for the first five years. “While we’ve made incredible progress toward the $17.5 million investment, we need every Arkansan to consider how they, too, can support the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic and help deliver care close to home to children in this community,” says Fred Scarborough, president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation.
The ACH Pine Bluff Clinic is critical to Arkansas Children’s plan to provide easy access to pediatric care for all children in Arkansas:
14,500 12,000 10,250 750 81% 9 4
CHILDREN AGES 0–17 LIVING in Jefferson County VISITS PROJECTED IN THE FIRST YEAR of the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic SQUARE FEET of clinic space will serve the children of Jefferson County and South Arkansas Approximate number of BABIES BORN AT JEFFERSON REGIONAL each year of school-aged children in Jefferson County RECEIVE FREE AND REDUCED-COST LUNCHES* DEATHS PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS in Jefferson County** in 10 children in Jefferson County LIVE IN POVERTY***
*AR Dept. of Education **Centers for Disease Control (2014-2019) ***Arkansas Dept of Health
The ACH Pine Bluff Clinic needs your help to provide expert pediatric care to children in Jefferson County and South Arkansas. Please mail your gift in the enclosed envelope, visit giving.archildrens.org or call (800) 880-7491. GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • J U LY/AUGUS T 2 0 2 1
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A MOTHER’S
Gift
Because of your generosity, a White Hall family celebrates the gift of life for their son. BY BECKY MCCAULEY
A
t birth, 3-year-old Jacob Trucks had a less than five percent chance of survival. But li le Jacob is a fighter. And your generous support helps him keep on fighting. Right a er Jacob was born, he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and chronic lung disease, both caused by a rare condition called prune belly syndrome—three very big burdens for such a tiny baby. Jacob’s kidneys were too small and did not function. And prune belly syndrome means Jacob was born without abdominal muscles, causing the skin on his stomach to look wrinkly. This condition o en results in babies being stillborn. Jacob was immediately flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) where he was admi ed into the neonatal intensive care unit. For the next five months, Jacob was sedated and had a tube down his throat to help him breathe. He fought for his life every day through a long list of additional diagnoses and complications. Then, a week before Jacob was released from ACH, he had surgery to remove both of his non-functioning kidneys.
JACOB GOES HOME Finally, in August 2018, the day came…Jacob’s parents, Holly, a kindergarten teacher in White Hall, and Chris, a ca le farmer, were able to take their baby home to their 4
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four other children for the first time. But it wouldn’t be like most homecomings for new babies. At ACH, Jacob was fi ed with a bu on and tube that would allow him to receive nutrition, fluids and medicine directly into his stomach. A catheter was surgically placed in his abdomen to serve as an access point for the removal of waste and toxins from his tiny body through dialysis. Prior to Jacob’s release, Holly and Chris underwent days of training at ACH to prepare them to care for their baby boy at home. For the next two years, Jacob was hooked to a dialysis machine at home for 10 to 14 hours every single day through the catheter in his
• CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
JACOB TRUCKS AGE 3 WHITE HALL At birth, 3-year-old Jacob Trucks of White Hall had a five percent chance of survival. But because of you and his mom, Holly, Jacob received the gift of a new life at Arkansas Children’s.
A GIFT FOR JACOB
abdomen. This machine cleaned Jacob’s blood, doing the work of his kidneys. Without these dialysis treatments, Jacob would die. In addition to his long dialysis treatments, this tough li le guy endured injections, therapies, bi-weekly trips to ACH for lab work, and up to 14 daily medications. “When we were finally able to bring Jacob home, we learned a whole new way of life,” says Holly. Through it all, Jacob was closely monitored by his surgeon and kidney team, as well as the neurology; cardiology; ear, nose and throat; dental; ophthalmology and genetics teams at ACH. This life-saving work is only possible with your help. “We are so lucky to have ACH right here in Arkansas,” says Holly. “The whole team knows how to take care of Jacob. They truly are a team. The nurses, the dieticians, the pharmacists...everybody. They all know our family and they all know Jacob. “We have walked with our kidney team for three years…they are top-notch,” continues Holly. “There’s not one person on the kidney floor who doesn’t know Jacob’s name. And when they know you and your child, you learn to trust them that much more.”
All of the surgeries, dialysis treatments, injections, blood work and therapies Jacob endured since birth had one goal—to keep him alive long enough to receive the gi of a new life through kidney donation. And in March 2021, Holly and Chris’ dream came true. Jacob would get a kidney. Miraculously…Holly’s kidney was a match! On March 2, 2021, Holly became a living donor for her li le boy. She had surgery to remove her le kidney at a hospital in Li le Rock, while across town at ACH, her young son was waiting to receive her gi . “Surgery day was very emotional,” recalls Holly. “I wanted to be with Jacob at ACH—it was the first time I hadn’t been with him when he was inpatient. But I also knew he was in good hands.” Jacob spent 21 days at ACH a er his transplant, and his mom says the kidney has worked perfectly since the minute it was “hooked up.” Five months later, mother and son are both thriving. Jacob will take anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life, and he will continue to visit ACH for care throughout his childhood. This is only possible because of you. The Trucks family is so grateful for your support of Arkansas Children’s, no ma er how much you’re able to give. “We have a kidney-shaped pillow that somebody donated, signed by Jacob’s transplant team,” Holly says through tears. “That kidney pillow cost maybe $5. But Jacob will always have those signatures on that pillow because somebody gave. I’m ecstatic for the million-dollar donations that help build buildings. But the kidney pillow, to my family, means just as much.”
Because of you, Jacob is better today and will be healthier tomorrow! GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • J U LY/AUGUS T 2 0 2 1
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Care for
Arkansas’ Children Because of you, new Arkansas Children’s clinic in association with Jefferson Regional will provide access to expert pediatric care for children in South Arkansas. BY BECKY MCCAULEY
A
rkansas Children’s mission is to champion all children in Arkansas by making them be er today and healthier tomorrow. With your support, the opening on July 19 of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Pine Bluff Clinic in association with Jefferson Regional changed the lives of children and families in Jefferson County and South Arkansas. “As the region’s trusted healthcare provider, Jefferson Regional is thrilled to partner with Arkansas Children’s to expand access to pediatric care right here on our campus,” says Brian Thomas, president and CEO of Jefferson Regional. “Our organization is commi ed to ensuring children in South Arkansas have access to the right care when and where they need it.”
Reaching More Children in More Ways The city of Pine Bluff serves as a gateway to South Arkansas and beyond. Arkansas Children’s statewide reach depends on providing pediatric heathcare services in communities, like Pine Bluff, that serve as regional hubs as well addressing the lack of medical home options for many children around the state. Programs like mobile dental vans stationed throughout Arkansas; clinics in Jonesboro, Southwest Li le Rock and Pine Bluff; and the ACH Nursery Alliance, which partners Arkansas Children’s with nurseries in five hospitals throughout the state; are just a few of the many ways Arkansas Children’s is working to provide access to expert pediatric care for every child in Arkansas. “Arkansas Children’s has made a commitment to the kids of Arkansas to bring care as close to home as possible—in fact, within a 60-mile radius of every child in Arkansas,” says Marcy Doderer, FACHE, president and CEO of Arkansas Children’s. “This new clinic helps us deliver on that commitment in the Pine Bluff region.”
Visit giving.archildrens.org, call (800) 880-7491 or use the 6
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• CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
Caring for Underserved Children in Jefferson County and South Arkansas Because of your generous support of Arkansas Children’s, the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic: • Contains 10,250 square feet of clinic space with 14 exam rooms to replace aging facilities; • Allows for the recruitment of pediatricians to assume the roles of local pediatricians close to retirement; • Provides care for the approximately 750 babies born at Jefferson Regional each year through the ACH Nursery Alliance; • And reaches more children in South Arkansas and the Delta region. There are 14,500 children ages 0–17 living in Jefferson County—four in 10 of whom live in poverty—and 81 percent of school-aged children in the county receive free and reduced-cost lunches. The clinic is staffed with three general pediatricians, an advanced practice nurse and support staff to provide care for these children and others during an estimated 12,000 visits in the first year alone.
Care Close to Home With care close to home at the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic, families will experience fewer travel and financial barriers to pediatric healthcare and will have increased access to community resources and health education. And more children will have a “medical home,” which means children who previously had no well-child care or developmental screenings will now have access to these services, which are critical for their health and well-being. “By building the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Pine Bluff Clinic, we can create a medical home in the Pine Bluff region,” says Marcy. “Parents have told us that easy access, a medical home, care close to home and a relationship with a pediatrician are the things they need to ensure their child has the best chance of being healthy.”
Scan the QR code with your phone to view a video about the new ACH Pine Bluff Clinic.
enclosed envelope to make a gift supporting the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic. GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • J U LY/AUGUS T 2 0 2 1
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YOU
Your support of the Arkansas Children’s Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow moves the needle on child health in Arkansas. Because of you, children in Arkansas and beyond are be er today and will be healthier tomorrow—for generations to come. Arkansas Children’s six-and-a-half-year, $250 million Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow ended June 30. Your generous support since January 2015 helped Arkansas Children’s raise $274.9 million to invest in child health in Arkansas—thank you! Nearly 100,00 donors from all 75 Arkansas counties and all 50 states gave outright gi s, as well as future gi s such as leaving Arkansas Children’s in their estate plans. From enhancing clinical excellence and patient care, expanding services throughout the state and forming strong community partnerships, your investment in Arkansas Children’s is an investment in our children’s future.
By most national measures of child health and well-being, children in Arkansas are among the least healthy. In fact, Arkansas ranks 39th of the 50 states. While Arkansas Children’s has provided care to critically ill and injured children for more than a century, our work together is not complete until Arkansas is the healthiest, safest place to be a child. With your support, Arkansas Children’s is focused on our mission of championing children by making them be er today and healthier tomorrow.
39th
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF ARKANSAS 8
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• CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
Arkansas Children’s has made many advancements because of your support of the Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow: The opening of Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW). ACNW is the region’s first and only pediatric hospital, serving the more than 200,000 children living in Northwest Arkansas. ACNW sees more than 38,000 outpatient visits and more than 26,000 emergency department visits each year. The opening of the David M. Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children. The Clark Center, on the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) campus, is dedicated to the care and treatment of neglected and abused children and their families. It provides a safe place for children to receive medical, psychological and social health services under one roof. The renovation of the ACH Jonesboro Clinic. The clinic, now known as the ACH Kim and Chris Fowler Center, doubled in size to deliver more specialty care close to home to kids in Northeast Arkansas.
The formation of the ACH Nursery Alliance. This partnership was created to share best practices and advance neonatal care in nurseries statewide for the purpose of improving Arkansas’ infant mortality rate, which is second-highest in the nation. In addition to ACH, Nursery alliance members include Ashley County Medical Center, CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs, Conway Regional Health System, Jefferson Regional and Medical Center of South Arkansas. The recent opening of the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic in association with Jefferson Regional. The new 10,250-square-foot clinic opened July 19 on the campus of Jefferson Regional to deliver right-sized pediatric care, like well-child care, developmental screenings and immunizations, to children living in Jefferson County and Southeast Arkansas.
Tenacious Tori
Your generous support of the Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow makes a difference in the lives of kids like Tori. Tori Johnson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer at just 9 months old. She was flown to ACH where she had life-saving surgery to remove the tumor. Her treatment also included six months of chemotherapy treatments, three stem cell transplants and six weeks of radiation. Today, Tori is in remission and shows no signs of cancer. She’s an energetic first grader who is a wonderful spokesperson for ACNW and a huge Arkansas Razorbacks fan! Because of you, Tori receives follow-up care with specialists close to home at ACNW, saving her family countless hours of travel and missed work and school. Thank you for supporting kids like Tori!
CHILDREN’S CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW! GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • J U LY/AUGUS T 2 0 2 1
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WHY I GIVE C O M M U N I T Y
PRIDE
Pine Bluff couple’s generous gift helps continue expert pediatric care in Jefferson County and Southeast Arkansas. BY BECKY MCCAULEY
M
ike and Anne e Kline have deep ties to and an abiding affection for their hometown of Pine Bluff. And the Kline Family Foundation’s generous giving to the new Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Pine Bluff Clinic in association with Jefferson Regional will help ensure expert pediatric care is available for generations to come. Pine Bluff, which lies approximately 50 miles southeast of Li le Rock, is a community of about 43,000 residents that serves as a gateway to Southeast Arkansas and as a hub for the region. While excellent healthcare is available at Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff, easy access to expert pediatric healthcare for many children in the region has recently been more difficult to come by as pediatricians in Pine Bluff have begun to retire. This changed on July 19 with the opening of the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic on the campus of Jefferson Regional. The Klines are pleased all children in their region will continue to have easy access to well-child care, developmental screenings and immunizations. 10
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“The ACH Pine Bluff Clinic is going to help everybody—kids who can’t afford care and kids who can afford care,” says Anne e. “Jefferson Regional treats everybody who walks through the doors, regardless of the family’s ability to pay, and Arkansas Children’s is the same way. This clinic is going to change children’s lives.” The clinic features a bright, airy lobby and 14 exam rooms. Kid-savvy colors make it a fun, welcoming place for children and their families. And touches like the interactive digital gaming system in the lobby will provide distraction and play for patients and their siblings. The hands-off gaming system is named in honor of the Kline Family Foundation in recognition of their generosity. The Klines and several family members were able to tour the new space in June. “The clinic is impressive,” says Mike. “It’s got a happy feeling about it…it’s not a sad place. I can’t wait to see it in action.” DEEP TIES Anne e’s connection to the Pine Bluff community began in the 1950s when she moved to the area with
• CHAMPIONS • BETTER TODAY. HEALTHIER TOMORROW.
her family. In 1959, her father began a successful construction company, The Strong Company. In 1964, he added to the family business by starting Strong Manufacturing. A er graduating from Pine Bluff High School and obtaining her accounting degree from the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Anne e returned to Pine Bluff. Mike grew up in Aberdeen, Mississippi, one of seven children, and a ended Itawamba Junior College. Mike followed Anne e to Pine Bluff and, in 1972, they were married. Mike and Anne e raised their children in Pine Bluff. Their oldest, Michael III, and his wife, Merry, live in Li le Rock and share two children, Mick, 15, and Luke, 12. Their son, Kris, lives in Pine Bluff with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Alex, 11, Rosalie, 7, and Walker, who just turned 6. Mike spent many years as general manager of Strong Manufacturing. Then, in 1995, the couple purchased the company from Anne e’s father. During the recession of 2008–2009, Mike and Anne e added a partsmanufacturing component to the
“The ACH Pine Bluff Clinic is going to help everybody—kids who can't afford care and kids who can afford care.” —Annette Kline
business. Mike recently semi-retired, and Anne e still acts as accountant, while son Kris is set to take over when Mike fully retires. Anne e shows her love for the Pine Bluff community through her dedication to causes that directly impact people living in Jefferson County and the Delta region. She recently le the Jefferson Regional Board of Directors a er 16 years of service, has helped raise funds for Southeast Arkansas College and the local arts museum, and currently serves on the board of directors of a local bank. Mike serves his community as president of one of the levee districts that help control flooding in the area. A PARTNERSHIP FOR KIDS Anne e and Mike are both excited about the collaboration between Jefferson Regional and Arkansas Children’s, and what the addition of the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic to the excellent healthcare already available at Jefferson Regional could mean for their community. “I have a real so spot in my heart for children who have medical issues,”
Mike and Annette Kline give back to the Pine Bluff community through their generous support of the ACH Pine Bluff Clinic in association with Jefferson Regional. Mike, Annette, grandson Walker, son Kris and daughter-in-law Jennifer toured the new clinic prior to its opening on July 19. says Mike. “This is one way we can help make their lives be er.” “We’re very happy Arkansas Children’s has come to Pine Bluff,” adds Anne e. “They could have picked any other place. I’m so happy
about this partnership between Jefferson Regional and Arkansas Children’s. It’s going to be good for the children in this region.”
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HELP ME HEALTHIER HAVE A
TOMORROW
JOIN US TODAY. Make your gift to champion children like Kendryck. Your gift of $25, $50 or more to Arkansas Children’s will help kids like Kendryck get better today and be healthier tomorrow. Visit giving.archildrens.org, call (800) 880-7491 or send your gift in the enclosed envelope.