THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
MARCH/APRIL 2021
ANGELS
AT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S Your generosity champions children through Arkansas Children’s world-class team of nurses.
Your Generous Gifts Dear Champion for Children, Every year at Arkansas Children’s, we celebrate the professionalism, dedication and compassion of our world-class team of nurses during National Nurses Week, held in early May. In this issue of Champions, you’ll learn how your support champions children through the excellence of the nursing team at Arkansas Children’s. Because of you, Arkansas Children’s continues to invest in programs and top talent that elevate our nurses to best-in-class. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst great challenges this past year, nurses at Arkansas Children’s have gone above and beyond to provide the best care to patients and families. Turn to pages 4–5 to read how these selfless healthcare heroes are an integral part of every child’s care at Arkansas Children’s. On pages 6–7 , you’ll learn about li le Dean Grubbs, who was born with a congenital birth defect. His mom, Alicia, remembers how the nurses at Arkansas Children's became like family during Dean’s long stay as a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit. Because of you, Arkansas Children's became a “home away from home” for the Grubbs family. Then, on pages 8–9, you’ll meet 6-year-old Mia McCormack and her mom, Camille. Mia fought a frightening disease with the compassionate support of the nurses and her entire Arkansas Children’s care team. This can only happen because of you. And finally, Doris and Greg Williams celebrate their “lifelong connection” to Arkansas Children’s through a special gi that will help ensure Arkansas Children’s will be here for children and families for generations to come. Your generous gi s impact lives every day. Because of you, Arkansas Children’s champions children by making them be er today and healthier tomorrow— thank you!
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 Barbara Moore Beverly Morrow Cindy Murphy Marshall Ney Lynn Parker Terry Quinn Sue Redfield Kate Schaffer
Fred Scarborough, CFRE President, Arkansas Children’s Foundation Chief Communications Officer & Development Officer, Arkansas Children’s Executive Vice President, Arkansas Children’s
Jennifer Schueck Michael Shelby Belinda Shults* Isaac Smith Claudia Strange Celia Swanson Joe Tucker Emeritus Director
CHAMPIONS STAFF: Editor Becky McCauley Writers Becky McCauley, Blair Neel, Kyran Pittman Designer C. Waynette Traub Photographers Beth Hall, Daniel Moody, Jason Poss, Dero Sanford 2
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Henry Rogers, MD *Executive Committee Current as of March 1, 2021
You Champion Nursing Excellence Your generous support helps provide a team of dedicated, compassionate nurses at Arkansas Children’s through the Versant New Graduate RN Residency and Fellowship programs.
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ecause of your generosity, nurses at Arkansas Children’s now participate in the Versant New Graduate RN Residency and Fellowship programs— leading to higher employee satisfaction and be er patient outcomes. With your support, Arkansas Children’s adopted the Versant New Graduate RN Residency program in 2014. The 18-week education and training course is designed to transition newly graduated nurses into competent, confident practitioners. All new nurses hired at Arkansas Children’s participate in the program. The Versant program prepares Arkansas Children’s nurses to practice at a higher level and tackle daily challenges through classroom time; hands-on unit time with a trained preceptor, or mentor; and performance support tools. Because of your generosity, an additional program called the Versant Fellowship was added in 2017 for seasoned nurses who are new to the Arkansas Children’s team. Since this program began, more than 100 nurses have participated.
Because of you, Arkansas Children's nurses champion children to make them better today and healthier tomorrow.
4,900
$
COST FOR ONE NURSE to participate in the Versant program
491
VERSANT RN RESIDENCY graduates since 2014
136 91% 60%
VERSANT FELLOWSHIP participants since 2017
OF VERSANT NURSES hired in the past year are still working at Arkansas Children’s OF VERSANT GRADUATES have trained to act as a preceptor, or mentor, for new nurses
If you would like to support nursing excellence at Arkansas Children’s, please make your gift in the enclosed envelope, visit giving.archildrens.org or call (800) 880-7491. Thank you for championing children through our nurses! GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • M A RC H /A PR I L 2 0 2 1
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Professionalism. Dedication. Compassion. National Nurses Week—established to recognize the outstanding contributions of nurses—begins May 6. Because of you, the team of world-class nurses at Arkansas Children’s provides expert pediatric care to patients and families.
BY BECKY MCCAULEY
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urses have always been a crucial part of a patient’s care team at Arkansas Children’s. They impact safety, patient satisfaction and, most importantly, health outcomes for the children at Arkansas Children’s. But throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the nurses at Arkansas Children’s have displayed an unprecedented level of professionalism, dedication and compassion to those they serve, both inside and outside the walls of Arkansas Children’s. In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, Arkansas Children's nurses traveled to New York City to help care for COVID-19 patients. At home in Arkansas, they cared for adult trauma patients at Arkansas Children’s, leaving adult hospitals free to care for COVID-19 patients. In so many ways, our nurses are an inspiration to the entire Arkansas Children’s family— our supporters, volunteers and team.
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The Best of the Best
Transforming Nursing Culture
Nurses at Arkansas Children’s are the best of the best. With your support, Arkansas Children’s is commi ed to offering programs and initiatives that champion the health of the children in our state by preparing our nurses to provide the best care available, no ma er what. Now, more than ever, your generous investment in Arkansas Children’s leads to be er patient outcomes, increased patient safety and higher family satisfaction through the excellence of our nurses.
Five years ago, Arkansas Children’s set out to transform our nursing culture by increasing the support of the team of 1,500 nurses to enhance the care they provide to children and families. Because of your generous gi s, Arkansas Children’s has achieved incredible progress in advancing nursing excellence through three strategies: elevating nursing education, recruiting and retaining top nursing talent, and achieving and sustaining Magnet Recognition.
Your support champions children and
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Elevating Nursing Education Arkansas Children’s provided certification scholarships, testing assistance or preparatory materials to more than 400 nurses from 2014– 2019. Today, 73 percent of Arkansas Children’s nurses hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or higher. And 50 percent of Arkansas Children's nurses have achieved specialty certification versus a goal of 34 percent. These certifications validate a nurse’s qualifications and knowledge on specialties such as pediatrics and oncology.
Recruiting and Retaining Talented New Nurses With your generous support, Arkansas Children’s recruits and retains top nursing talent through the Versant New Graduate RN Residency program (read about the Versant program on page 3). Versant is an 18-week education and training program designed to transition new nurses from students to safe, competent professionals. To date, nearly 500 nurses have completed the program at Arkansas Children’s.
Achieving and Maintaining Magnet Recognition Arkansas Children’s achieved Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2017, establishing Arkansas Children’s among the top 7 percent of hospitals worldwide that have earned this prestigious recognition. This can only happen because of donors like you.
families through nursing excellence at Arkansas Children’s! GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • M A RC H /A PR I L 2 0 2 1
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FEELS LIKE HOME
With your support, nurses at Arkansas Children’s help provide a home away from home for a Northwest Arkansas family. BY KYRAN PITTMAN
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licia and Cody Grubbs of Faye eville weren’t expecting scary news at their baby’s 20-week anatomy scan. But what they learned would change their lives forever. Their unborn son, Dean, was suffering from a congenital defect of the abdominal wall that allows a baby’s organs, covered with a sac, to stick outside the belly through the belly bu on. Immediately a er birth, Dean would need expert, life-saving care at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Alicia and Cody traveled back and forth to Li le Rock for the remainder of the pregnancy so she could be closely monitored by a specialist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dean was born at UAMS and immediately transferred to ACH. Home Away from Home at ACH At just 1 day old, Dean had his first surgery at ACH. Seven days later, the newborn had a second surgery to repair his belly. Dean’s allergies to dairy and soy made it difficult for him to keep formula down, and he was spi ing up several times a day. A nasogastric (NG) tube and a central line were placed into Dean’s body so he could receive the vitamins and nutrients he needed to grow. A month later, the Grubbs’ tiny baby had a third surgery to remove an obstruction in his bowel.
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“We made friends with our nurses. I love them. The care they provided made it so much easier. Arkansas Children’s Hospital began to feel like home.” Alicia Grubbs, Dean’s mom
DEAN GRUBBS AGE 5 FAYETTEVILLE “Superman” Dean Grubbs with a sculpture located on the outdoor dining terrace on the grounds of Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Alicia and Cody did not want to leave their new son’s bedside, so Alicia le her job to stay in Li le Rock full time. For 177 days, she remained with Dean in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and Cody drove from their home in Faye eville to Li le Rock on the weekends to be with his family. “We made friends with our nurses in the NICU,” says Alicia. “I love them. The care they provided made it so much easier. ACH began to feel like home.” Walking Through Every Hope and Fear A er Dean was discharged from ACH, Alicia made the drive to Li le Rock every month for two years for Dean’s follow-up care. And, with the central line in place, any time Dean ran a low-grade fever he had to be rushed to ACH for tests to ensure he didn’t have a life-threatening infection. The family was heading to Li le Rock as o en as every other week for vomiting or other possible infections, sometimes making the trip in the middle of the night. “One night Dean had a fever and was vomiting, and our APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) stayed on a er her shi ended to check on him and me,” recalls Alicia. “She told me we would figure out a plan and it would be okay. Those connections with our nurses made
it so much easier to walk through every hope and fear. Someone talking to you and taking the time to show you it’s going to be okay meant the world.” Care Close to Home at Arkansas Children’s Northwest Because of Dean’s feeding tube, he a ended feeding therapy at the ACH Clinic in Lowell. And when Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) opened in early 2018 in Springdale, Dean and his family were able to access even more care close to home. In addition to feeding therapy and regular gastroenterology appointments, Dean has needed an inpatient stay and an Emergency Department visit at ACNW. “To have a pediatric emergency room in Northwest Arkansas has been wonderful,” says Alicia. “Ninety percent of the time he would have had to be admi ed at ACH, but now he can be seen right here at ACNW.” A Happy Boy...Because of You Because of you, Dean is a happy, precocious 5-year-old. He started kindergarten this year and loves to read and draw—and eat! Dean no longer needs the central line to help him eat, but he still needs the NG tube to provide supplemental nutrition to his diet. Thanks to you, Dean is well on his way to a healthier tomorrow!
To support Dean’s fundraising efforts on behalf of Arkansas Children’s, visit support.archildrens.org/SuperheroDean. GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • M A RC H /A PR I L 2 0 2 1
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Enveloped with
Because of your generous support, 3-year-old Mia McCormack and her mom, Camille, received compassionate care from an expert team of nurses. BY BECKY MCCAULEY
Top: Mia and her mom, Camille, celebrate Mia’s successful fight against cancer with a hug. This is possible only because of you. Bottom: Mia in 2018, undergoing treatment for cancer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
MIA MCCORMACK 6 YEARS OLD LITTLE ROCK 8
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hen Camille McCormack’s 3-year-old daughter, Mia, said, “Mama, we need to go to the hospital and find out what’s wrong with me,” Camille knew something was very wrong. Mia, who is typically a happy child who loves to sing and dance, began doubling over with pain in her stomach. A er several visits to Mia’s primary care doctor who treated her for acid reflux and gastritis, Camille knew it was time to get answers. A trip to the Emergency Department (ED) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) changed their lives forever.
A Devastating Diagnosis Mia’s ED doctor ordered an x-ray and a CT scan. Camille says, “The technicians took a lot of pictures. Then they said they were going to show the doctor and took a long time coming back. It was then that I knew.” Camille’s precious daughter had cancer. “The first impression I have of ACH is when I was told about Mia’s diagnosis. The doctor stood with me, held me and cried with me. I know how busy doctors are, and that she could take a moment and empathize with me is one of the many reasons why I chose ACH for Mia’s treatment.” Unfortunately, Camille has had a lot of experience with cancer, or “the C word,” as she calls it. She’s lost many family members to the C word in recent years, including both parents, her grandmother and both her parents-in-law. Camille, who is a therapist, says, “I don’t use the word ‘cancer’ with Mia. She was with our family members during their illnesses and knows they passed away. I don’t want her to relate herself with what happened to them.” Camille also uses other words for this terrible disease. “Mia is very bright. Very articulate. She’s even asked me directly if she has cancer. I usually answer her, ‘Some people call it that. I like to call it a ‘mass’ or ‘tumor,’” she says. Mia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called ganglia neuroblastoma, which are tumors that
form in young nerve cells. It was described to Camille as being shaped like a hot dog bun, and was located in Mia’s abdomen between her liver and adrenal gland. Mia received chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, and had her stem cells harvested. Her treatment plan included multiple rounds of chemo, surgery to remove the remaining mass, radiation treatments to kill any remaining cancer cells, stem cell reinfusion to give Mia her healthy cells back, and immunotherapy. A Lot of Angels Although this was an extremely difficult, scary time for Camille, she’s thrilled with the treatment Mia received. “Our social worker was amazing. And the nurses…it’s like God opened up heaven and let a lot of angels loose. Just walking onto the Hematology/Oncology unit, you could feel their warmth.” The Child Life and Education department was also an important part of Mia’s treatment. According to Camille, Mia suffered from night terrors during her first two weeks at ACH. Child Life referred her to the artists-in-residence and music therapy programs, both of which helped Mia cope with her fear and anxiety. Camille wanted to share Mia’s story to show her gratitude to both the hospital and people like you who made it possible. “I would do anything for ACH. Mia’s room in the hospital was so colorful and homey—it wasn’t cold and sterile. Thanks to donors like you who support ACH, the li le details were taken care of so we could focus on the big details. I didn’t always get physical rest, but I had peace of mind.” Mia participates in the Ambassador program at ACH. Ambassadors and their families share their stories, help raise funds and represent Arkansas Children’s at fundraising events around the state. Camille points out that Mia was never reluctant to come to ACH. “That meant a lot,” she says. “To have a place where she felt comfortable during that terrible time. She could push her li le IV pole down the hallway, and the nurses and staff were always smiling. We were enveloped with love at ACH.”
Visit Mia’s fundraising page at support.archildrens.org/MiasMercy. Thank you for giving kids like Mia a healther tomorrow! GIVING.ARCHILDRENS.ORG • CHAMPIONS • M A RC H /A PR I L 2 0 2 1
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WHY I GIVE
Leaving a
Legacy Central Arkansas couple helps ensure the future of Arkansas Children’s through an estate gift. BY BLAIR NEEL
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hen Doris Williams started her first job as a pediatric physical therapist, she didn’t know the lifelong impact it would have on her and her husband, Greg. It was 1984, and she went to work at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). During Doris’ first week at ACH, one of her assignments was to complete a range-ofmotion test on a premature infant...an infant so tiny, Doris could hold the baby in one hand. And she can still picture the sweet face and remember the name of her first patient who passed away from cancer. The entire experience—from the inspiring children and families to the incredible teamwork and mentorship—informed the rest of her career, Doris says, even a er she moved on to other jobs. “I was able to witness the strength and resilience of the children with whom I worked,” says Doris. “All children are different and special in their personalities; my job taught me how to work with this and especially how to interact with family members of the child.”
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Doris and Greg Williams have left a legacy of giving to Arkansas Children’s through their estate plans. The Impact of Philanthropy The experience also made an impression on Greg. He recalls visiting Doris at work and seeing the impact philanthropy could have on children’s health. He was in awe of the Gerald Hamra Memorial Pool, a therapy pool with a hydraulic li that raises and lowers the pool’s floor—allowing patients with wheelchairs or special physical needs to enter and exit more easily. The pool, made possible by philanthropy and still in use today, was the first of its kind to be installed in a children’s hospital.
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The Williams grandchildren: Andrew, 2, and baby James.
Please consider your own legacy gift to ensure Arkansas Children’s is here for children and families for generations to come. To learn more about including Arkansas Children’s in your estate plans, call (800) 880-7491.
“The Hamras were great benefactors to Arkansas Children’s,” says Greg. “The therapy pool is so impactful and innovative. It allows kids with physical disabilities to get into the water and feel free.” A er their early introduction to the hospital, the Conway couple’s story with Arkansas Children’s continued with Greg’s career at Nabholz. Today, Greg leads as CEO and chairman of the board and, in May 2021, will celebrate 30 years with the construction and commercial contracting company. Over the decades, he has witnessed the incredible generosity of the entire Nabholz family and company, especially their phenomenal support of Arkansas Children’s. “Bob Nabholz had the incredible foresight to establish the Nabholz Charitable Foundation in 1987,” says Greg. In recent years, Nabholz has given generously to enhance nursing excellence at Arkansas Children’s, a pursuit that launched a nursing residency program and helped the hospital achieve Magnet Recognition—awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to hospitals that satisfy a set of criteria designed to measure the strength and quality of their nursing team. Only 7 percent of hospitals worldwide have earned Magnet Recognition. “I think about our crews and how personal it is to them,” Greg says of Nabholz’s partnership with and philanthropic support of Arkansas Children’s. “They get really emotional about the kids, too. They feel part of that family.”
A Safety Net Doris and Greg raised their three daughters, now grown, in Arkansas and feel fortunate they never needed to call on the experts at Arkansas Children’s. “We know how important it was that we had Arkansas Children’s as a safety net,” says Greg. “If our children ever needed their help, the talented doctors and nurses at Arkansas Children’s were available, as they are to all Arkansas children. That safety net was only there because other families before us decided to give when they could.” Through the years, Greg and Doris realized the mission of Arkansas Children’s aligned with their family’s values. “One of our fundamental beliefs is that every child has potential, and every human life has value,” says Doris. “Excellent, accessible healthcare is vital for all children to reach their full potential.” A Lifelong Connection to Arkansas Children’s This lifelong connection to championing children has led Greg and Doris to leave their legacy at Arkansas Children’s by generously including the pediatric health system in their estate plans. “Now that we are able to do our part, we hope our estate gi will help save or improve the lives of children,” says Greg. “You never know how contributing may change the life of someone and hopefully that will be passed on. An estate gi to Arkansas Children’s is a gi to a child and their family now, as well as to future generations.”
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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 or call (800) 880-7491.