Top 10 Child Care Hospitals in 2022

Child

The

Living Healthy

Eat Well, Stay Well Importance of Healthy Eating for Children

Assuring a Hopeful F Africa’s Children

Hospital Trust

Gettherightcare foryourChild

Editor’s Note

Nurturing the Globe!

Lonethatdeservestobenurtured.And,ideating aboutlife,thebestpicktoideateisthevicious circleofbirth,survival,anddeath.

ifeisagift!Agiftthatisadorable,cherishable,and

But,themostcherishingmomentsaretheoneswhenachild isborn,theoneswhens/hestartstocrawlinasafeshelter undertheobservationofparents.

Well!Imaginethehappinessofthosecaregivers(parents) whentheirchildwalksforthefirsttime.

Asadorableasitmaysound,evenasmallbruisecanbe breathtakingforparentsandcanhaveadrasticeffect,even withaslightalterationofcardiovascularinflictionwhenthe sameinfantgoesthroughanyillness.

Asaninfantof5yearsoryounger,theonlymodeof communicationiseitherlaughs,cries,orcountenance.Even

thoughcareprofessionalshavefocusedonparentalcare throughmedicaleducationandenhancedtechnological surveillance,averyimportantsegmentthatspeaksabout post-obstetricconductis Child Care

Withtheadvancementofcarefacilities,medicoshave introducedmultiplewaysthatensureahealthyliving systemforachild,andtherearemanychallengesfacedby parents.Asasolution,ithasbecomeimportantthatchild carefacilitygetshighsignificanceandarebroughtintothe primespotlight.

Understandingtheseintricaciesofchildcareand acknowledgingtheeffortsputbyObstetricians,wecameup withasolution.Ourlatesteditioncelebratesthemost favorableChildCareUnitsandfeaturestheglobalmedicos whoaretransformingthehealthcareworldforthebetter.

Whileyouflipthroughthepages,ensuretoreadthe insightfularticlesopinedbyourIn-houseEditorialTeam.

Ihopeyouhaveaninsightfulread!

-BhushanBhad

Editor-in-Chief

Bansal

& Design Head

Company

AkronChildren’sHospital akronchildrens.org

BayCareHealthSystem baycare.org

Bristol-MyersSquibb Children’sHospital rwjbh.org

HarunRashid VP

HeightsPediatrics heightspediatrics.com

TommyInzina Founder

BarryH.Ostrowsky CEO

HelenDeVos Children’sHospital spectrumhealth.org

KaterinaSilverblatt CEO

LANCETHealthServices www.lancethealthservices.com

TinaFreeseDecker CEO

KidistAmare MDGeneral Practitioner& MedicalMarketer

MedcareHospitals &MedicalCentres medcare.ae

MITERA mitera.gr

Care Top Child HOSPITALS in 2022

OSFHealthcareChildren’s HospitalofIllinois osfhealthcare.org

AndreDaoud CEO

AkronChildren'sHospitalisthelargestpediatric healthcaresysteminNorthernOhio.

BayCareisaleadingnot-for-profithealthcaresystemthat connectsindividualsandfamiliestoawiderangeofservices withthemissionofservingthroughcommunity-owned, healthcareservicesthatsetthestandardforhigh-quality, compassionatecare.

Bristol-MyersSquibbChildren'sHospitalunderthe RWJBarnabasHealthisNewJersey’slargestintegrated healthcaredeliverysystem,providingtreatmentand servicestomorethanthreemillionpatientseachyear.

HeightsPediatricsiscommittedtoprovidingthehighestlevel ofmedicalcaretochildren,tailoredaspertheirneeds, from birththroughadolescence.

SpectrumHealthisanot-for-profithealthsystemthat providescareandcoverage,comprising31,000+team members,14hospitals(includingHelenDeVosChildren’s Hospital),currentlyservingover1millionmembersacross thestateofMichigan.

LANCETHEALTHSERVICESPLC(LHS)isavisionary hospitalmadeupof24prominentandwellrenowned specialistswiththegoalof establishingquality,affordable andaccessiblehealthcareservicesinEthiopia.

Medcare,apremiumhealthcarenetworkthatoperatesoutof theUnitedArabEmirates,isaventureofAsterDM Healthcare,aglobalhealthcaregroupwith317medical establishmentsacross9countries.

VassiliosKelaris VP

Miteraisatelehealthcompanyfocusedonreproductivehealth thatinformsandeducatespatientsabouttheirpregnancy-related risksandoptionsthroughat-homegenetictestingkits, empoweringthemalongtheirfamily-formingjourney

MichaelWells President

OSFHealthCareChildren’sHospitalofIllinoisisa136-bed, full-servicechildren’shospitaltoprovidethehighestlevelof carefornewbornstoyoungadultswithcommonandcomplex medicalconditions.

TheChildren’sHospitalTrust childrenshospitaltrust.org.za

ChantelCooper CEO

TheChildren'sHospitalTrustisanon-profitorganization establishedin1994toraisefundstohelpadvancechild healthcarethroughtheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’s Hospital.

The Children’s Hospital Trust

Assuring a Hopeful Future for Africa’s Children

Our cause is driven by the need to make a difference in the lives of sick and injured children. We are people who work together to save the . We all have alives of children purpose!

Chantel Cooper CEO

The Children's Hospital Trust

Inaworldafflictedbydisasters,diseases,pandemicand warfare,thesignificanceofhealthcarehasbecome immeasurable,becomingevenmoreofanecessity alongwithfood,clothingandshelter

Forchildrenespecially,comprehensiveandquality healthcareisessentialfortheirsurvival,andalsosothey maythriveintotheirfullpotentialandmakeameaningful contributiontosociety.

Thisedition,the Top 10 Child Care Hospitals in 2021, emphasizesthisnecessityandhighlightsthosehealthcare institutionsandorganizationswhostriveceaselesslyto delivercomprehensiveandqualitycaretoourchildren.

AboutTheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’s Hospital

AttheforefrontofspecialistchildhealthcareinSouthern AfricaistheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospital inCapeTown,SouthAfrica.Builtin1956,theHospitalis thelargest,stand-alonetertiaryhospitalinsub-Saharan Africa,dedicatedentirelytochildren,andmanages250,000 patientvisitseachyear.Mostofthesepatientscomefrom poorandvulnerablecommunitiesfromacrossallnine provincesofSouthAfricaandalloverAfrica.

TheHospitalhasactivepaediatricoutreachandsupport programmesfordistrictandprimarycarefacilitiesandis regardedasSouthAfrica’sleadingcentreforpostgraduate specialistpaediatric,medical,andsurgicaltrainingand research.

TheHospitalisfortunatetohavethesupportofThe Children’sHospitalTrust,anon-profitorganization establishedin1994toraisefundstohelpadvancechild healthcarethroughtheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’s Hospital.

WorkinginpartnershipwiththeWesternCapeDepartment ofHealth,UCTDepartmentofPaediatricsandChild Health,andtheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’s Hospitalmanagement,theTrusthasinvestedoverR1 billionsinceinceptiontowardsimprovingpublichealth infrastructure,trainingspecialistpaediatrichealthworkers, andsupportingtheestablishmentofchildpublichealthcare projects.

TheTrustreliesonthebenevolenceofdonorstorealiseits aimsandobjectives.100%ofalldonationsgodirectlyto theHospitalandprioritisedpaediatrichealthcareneedsand

notasinglecentisspentonadministrationcosts.TheTrust hasalongstandingrecordofsoundfinancialadministration andgoodgovernance,butwhilstithasraisedfundsto addressmanypressingneeds,muchhasyettobedone.

TheEpitomeofEmpathyandCare

“AttheChildren’sHospitalTrust,wevalueintegrity, collaboration,accountability,kindnessandbeingdynamic ineverythingwedo,”saysChantelCooper,CEOofthe Children’sHospitalTrust.

ChanteljoinedtheChildren’sHospitalTrustin2013asthe HeadofFundraisingandCommunicationandwas appointedasCEOin2019.Forher,2020wasayearthat helpedherunderstandperspectiveandreinforcedthe importanceofwhytheTrustexistsandthedifferencethey wanttomakeinthelivesofchildren.“Ourcauseisdriven bytheneedtomakeadifferenceinthelivesofsickand injuredchildren.Wearepeoplewhoworktogethertosave thelivesofchildren.Weallhaveapurpose!”shesays.

Sharingexcerptsfromherjourney,Chantelsays:

“Mypurposeinlifeistoservethosewhoaremost vulnerable:womenandchildren.Mycareerwasdrivenby mypassiontomakearealdifferenceinthelivesofwomen andchildren.WhenIwas18yearsold,Ivolunteeredforan organizationthatprovidedsupportforwomenwhohad beenraped.Whilevolunteering,Istartedworkingwith womeninruralareasintheEasternCapewherewefound opportunitiestogrowtheirbusinesses.”

“MypassiontosupportwomenledmetoCapeTownwhere IbecameDirectorofRapeCrisisCapeTownwhenIwas27 yearsold.Aftergivingbirthtotwochildren,Imovedtoan organizationcalledStJoseph’sHomeforChronicallyill Children.StJoseph’sisastep-downfacilityfortertiary hospitalsliketheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’s Hospital.ItwasaprofoundmoveformeasIwasableto workwithchildrenwhoinspiredme.”

“ThechildrenatStJoseph’sarefromimpoverished communitiesandsomehavebeenabandonedbyparents whoshouldhavebeentheretoprovidethelove,careand guidancethateverychildneeds.StJoseph’snotonly providedanenvironmentthatprovidedexcellentmedical support,buttheyalsoensuredthatchildrenweretakento theRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospitalfordoctor appointmentsandthattheywereabletoattendschooland playinanenvironmentfilledwithloveandcare.”

,

“OneofthemostvaluablelessonsIlearntisthepowerof love.Youcanofferachildthebesthealthcareintheworld, butwhatachildwantsmostisfortheirparenttolovethem andbebytheirside.ThisisthevalueImostappreciate abouttheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospital. Thishospitalbelievesinchild-centredcareandknowsthat achildhealswhentheirparentorcaregiverisbytheirside –evenduringtheCOVID-19pandemic.Allotherhospitals hadrestrictedaccesstopatients,butthepresenceofa parentisimperativetotheirsickorinjuredchild’shealing.”

OvercomingAdversities

WeaskedChantelaboutthechallengesthattheChildren’s HospitalTrustfacedduringthepandemic.

“TheCOVID-19pandemictaughtourteamthatlifecan changeinablinkofaneyeandthatweneedtobeprepared forallpossibilities.Thepandemichittheworldwithsuch speedandvelocitythatwehadnochoicebuttofindaway tonotonlysailthroughthestorm,butalsofindwaystoget outofthesituationstrongerthanbefore.”

Chantelalsostatesthat2020providedtheChildren’s HospitalTrustwiththeopportunitytolearnextraordinary lessonsthattheywouldnothavenormallyhadthe opportunitytolearnandsomeoftheseinclude:

• Thevalueofdeeplisteningandtheimportanceof demonstratingkindness.

• Workingincollaborationcreatedtheopportunityfor meaningfulimpactforourbeneficiaries.

• Opportunitiesdoexistduringchallengingtimes; positivityexposedtheopportunities.

• Adaptingtochangeduringuncertaintimeshelpedto buildaresilientteam.

“OurTrustteamdemonstratedingenuity,compassion, resilience,commitment,andfortitudeduringaverydifficult time.Asaresult,wesurpassedourgoals,andthisenabled ourorganizationtoreachmorechildrenandfamilies.We aregratefulforthecontributionfromeveryindividual,” addsChantel.

“Walkingthroughthecorridorsofachildren’shospital duringacrisisgivesperspectiveontherealvalueofcare, kindnessandcollaboration.Whilechildrenwerenotthe faceoftheCOVID-19pandemic,theSocialWork Departmentexperiencedfirst-handtheprofoundimpactthe pandemichadonchildren’shealthandwell-being.”

“Unemployment,foodinsecurity,childsafetyandschooling werecommonconcernsformanypatientsandtheirparents whoenteredthedoorsoftheHospital.TheRedCrossWar MemorialChildren’sHospitalvaluespatientandfamilycentredcarewhichincludescareforthewholefamilyfrom aholisticperspective.”

“Inresponsetotheneedsofthefamilies,theTrustsecured fundingtoenablethesocialworkerstoprovideadditional counsellingservicesandmaterialsupportsuchasthe provisionoffood,hygieneandhome-schoolingsuppliesto vulnerablefamilieswhenchildrenweredischargedfromthe Hospital.”

“Inaddition,withgeneroussupportfromdonors,theTrust wasabletosupporttheCOVID-19ResponsePlanwhich helpedenhancethesafetyofstaff,patientsandtheir familiesattheheightofthepandemic.Thepredominantly adult-centredapproachtoCOVID-19hasmeantthatthe impactofthepandemiconSouthAfrica’schildrenwasnot anticipated.”

“Publicandprivatestakeholdershavetheresponsibilityand opportunitytolearnlessonsfromtheCOVID-19pandemic andensurethatthevoicesofchildrenarecentralto decisionsthataffectthemdirectlyandindirectly.Accessto healthcareiscriticaltothefuturehealthofchildreninour country.”

TheVirtueofCompassion

WeaskedChantelwhatadviceshewouldimparttobudding healthcareprofessionals.Shesaid,“Iamfortunatetobe abletomeetinspiringpeopleacrossAfrica.TheChildren’s HospitalTrustraisesfundsforaprojectthatcreatesa

At the Children’s Hospital Trust, we value integrity, collaboration, accountability, kindness and being dynamic in everything we do.

platformforimprovingchildhealthcarethroughoutAfrica. TheAfricanPaediatricFellowshipProgramme(APFP) buildsaspecialistpaediatricclinicalworkforce,research andtrainingcapacityacrossSub-SaharanAfrica.

InitiatedbytheUniversityofCapeTown,inpartnership withtheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospital, APFPprovidesrelevanttrainingforAfricanchildhealth professionalsbyAfrica,inAfrica.Theprojectconfirmsthat Africahas24%oftheglobaldiseaseburdenbutonly3%of theworld’shealthworkers.Critically,thereisfewerthan1 paediatricianper100,000childreninsub-SaharanAfrica comparedto99per100,000intheUSA.Asthesechild healthleadersreturntotheircountries,theyensurethatthey representthevoicesofchildrentoensurethattheyhave accesstohealthcare.

“WecanlearnfromtheseFellowswhoaspiretochange theirsystemsagainstallodds.TheFellowwhostarteda child-focusedcancerunit.TheFellowwhostarteda vaccinationbodythatincludedEastandWestAfrica,asfar toomanychildreninAfricaaredyingfrompreventable diseases.Throughcollaboration,commitmentandsupport, changehappens.Growingchildrenareunique,andtheir needsaredifferenttoadults.Asleaders,weneedtoensure thatallchildrencanaccesshealthcarethatfocusesontheir needs.”

“TheCOVID-19pandemichasdemonstratedthatwe cannotlosesightofwhatchildrenneedastheygrowupto becomeadults;theyarethefuturegeneration.Letususe theselessonsandworktogethertoensurethatwe,as leaders,continuetobuildtheplatformforimprovedchild healthcareforthosewhoneeditthemost,”addsChantel.

RedefiningExcellence

FortheChildren’sHospitalTrust,itisnotaboutawardsand recognition.TheTrusthasinvestedoverR1billionof donatedfundssinceinception,includingthetrainingfor over600healthcareworkersfromSub-SaharanAfrica.

TheTrustraisesfundsfortheupgradeandexpansionofthe Hospital’sbuildings,thepurchaseofstate-of-the-art medicalequipment,newmedicaltreatmentprojectsand fundsthetrainingofmedicalprofessionalsacrossAfrica–ensuringthattheHospitalnotonlyretainsitsworld-class stature,butisabletocontinueprovidinglife-changingand life-savingcareforchildren.

TheTrustreliesondonationsinordertofundtheseneeds. WhenyoudonatetotheTrust,100%ofyourdonationgoes towardsfundingprojectsthatchangechildren’slives(and thelivesofthepeoplewholovethem).Theoperational costsoftheTrustarefundedfromanendowment,soyour generouscontributionsareneverusedtocover administrationcosts.

SinceApril2019,theTrusthasbeenactivelyraisingfunds fortheupgradeandexpansionofthecurrentEmergency Centre.Theprojectisbeingdeliveredintwophases,with phase1completedinOctober2020,andphase2in February2022.Theupgradeandexpansionwillimprove personalisedcareandflowofpatientsandhealthcare professionalsthroughtheextremelybusyfrontlineofthe Hospital.

Allspaceshavebeendesignedwiththecomfortandsafety ofyoungpatientsinmind.Despitethepressuresand inconvenienceofconstructioninprogress,Emergency Centrestaffhavebeencommittedtomaintainingthehigh standardofcareneededtominimisehospitalisationand ensuringthatthechildrenreturnhometotheirfamilies withoutdelay.Sofar,R121millionhasbeenraised,which meansthattheyareonlyR1millionawayfromtheirgoal.

TheAfricanPaediatricFellowshipProgramme(APFP)saw 16Fellowscompletetheirtrainingin2020,bringingthe totalnumberofalumnisincethestartoftheprogrammein 2007,to131.92%ofalumniarestillworkinginAfrica,a testamenttotherobustnessoftheprogramme’sapproaches tobuildingcapacityforAfrica.

TheWeekendWaitingListInitiative(WWLI)hasbeen runningasanannualprojectsince2011.TheInitiativewas establishedtoaddresstheprotractedwaitinglistbyadding anadditionaldayofsurgeries(Saturday)tothehospital’s operatingschedule.Byreducingthelargevolumesof relativelyminorcases,morescopeandflexibilityare providedformorecomplexcasestobeattendedtoduring theweek.

During2020,withmostelectivesurgeriescancelledinthe firsthalfoftheyearduetothepandemic,itwasestimated thatitwilltakeuptotwoyearstocatchuptheadditional surgicalbacklogthesedelayshavecaused.Resumingin July2020,theWWLIwasthereforecentraltothe Hospital’sresponsetotheCOVID-19pandemic.

Our Trust team demonstrated ingenuity, compassion, resilience, commitment, and fortitude during a very .difficult time

“What2020alsobroughttolight,wasfoodinsecurity. Manychildrenwerenotreceivingregularfooddueto COVID-19-relatedjoblossesandongoingpovertyissues. ThroughtheTrustanditsdonors,snackpackswere providedtoparentsandchildrenwhilstwaitingfor appointments,andfoodparcelsandcarepackageswere providedtovulnerablefamiliesupondischarge.Transport fundshavealsobeenprovidedtoensurechildrenareableto attendtreatmentandfollow-upappointments,”Chantel expressed.

CreatingtheSilverLining

TalkingabouthervisionforscalingTheChildren’sHospital Trust’soperationsin2021andbeyond,Chantelsays,“the benefitofadedicatedchildren’shospitalisthatchildren receivespecialisedcarethroughmulti-disciplinaryteams thatfocusonholisticcarewherethechildisseenasmore thanjustanotherpatient.Thefocusisonproviding specialisedcareforthatchildandtheirfamilytoensurethat theycantakecareoftheirchildwhendischargedfromthe careofthehospital.”

“Notallchildrenaresafeintheirfamiliesandthesocial workersworkinpartnershipwiththeclinicalteamtoensure thatthesafetyandtheneedsofthechildrencomefirst. Thereareadultsinachildren’shospitalwhoarereadytobe avoiceforchildrenwhoarenotabletospeakfor themselves.”

“TheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospitalisa tertiaryhospitalthatprovidesinternationallyrecognised specialistcareforchildren.PriortotheCOVID-19 pandemic,therewasanaverageof250,000(twohundred andfiftythousand)patientvisitseveryyearwith45,000 childrencomingthroughtheEmergencyCentre.The Children’sHospitalTrusthasavisiontoensurethatall children,nomatterwheretheywereborn,haveaccessto highquality,accessiblehealthcare.”

“Wearecurrentlyassessingthechildhealthcaresystemto determinewherewecanmakethemostdifferencetoensure thatweachieveourvision.Wearedoingthisthrough collaborationwithvariouspublicandprivatestakeholders whobelieveinthesamevisionforchildhealthcare. Supportingotherhealthfacilitiesincommunitiesthatthe RedCrossWarMemorialHospitalserves,willhelp alleviatethepressureontheHospital.Wewanttoensure thatamotherwhoneedstorushhercriticallyillorinjured childtoanearbyhealthfacilitythatcansavethelifeofher child,isabletodososafelyandquickly.”

“Whilewewerealltryingtomakesenseofwhatwas happening,generousdonorscontinuedtosupportour beneficiaries.Wewouldnotbeabletomakethedifference wedowithouttheloyalsupportfromourdonors.Weare deeplygratefulfortheirbeliefinourcauseandthechange broughtaboutbydonationsisnotonlyvisible,butalsofelt byallstaff,patients,andtheirfamilies,andimpactlivesfor yearstocome.”

“Wethankthemforwalkingthejourneywithus,andeven thoughweareoperatinginadifferentreality,weremain committedtoourpurposeofensuringhighquality, accessiblechildhealthcarethroughsustainablefunding. Everychilddeservesaccesstohealthcaresothattheycan growuptolivetheirdreams.Everylittleonecounts,” concludesChantel.

,,The Children’s Hospital Trust has a vision to ensure that all children, no matter where they were born, have access to high quality, accessible healthcare.

Kidist Amare

Dedicated to the Purpose of Serving the Community

Luckyarethosewhoselifeislargelydrivenby purpose.And,ifonehasfoundhis/hermissionto liveby,chancesarethattheyhavefoundthemapof treasureforalifetime.

Yes!thepathwon’tbeeasy,butknowingwhatonereally wantsalwayskeepthemmotivatedtodoeverythingthat needstobedone.

Inaworldfilledwithaninfinitenumberofpurposes,one thatreallystandsoutisservingsociety Asknownglobally thatnurturinghumanityandservingsociety’sbetterment maynotonlymaketheworldabetterplacebutalsoleadthe globalizedvillageintoaharmoniouscommunity And,there arenumerouswaysandprofessionsthroughwhichan individualcanservesociety.

Oneprofessionthatenablesanindividualtobeatthe serviceofsocietyallthetimeisthehealthcareprofession. Thehealthcareprofessionalsthesedaysareworkingwith theutmostdedicationtohealthecommunityfromallkinds ofdiseasesandkeepthemwellinformedaswell.

Inourquesttofindsuchextraordinaryhealthcare professionalswhoaredrivenbyapurposetobeatthe serviceofpeople,wecameacrossKidistAmare,MD.She iscurrentlyworkingasaGeneralPractitionerand MedicalMarketeratLancetHealthServices

WehadanopportunitytointerviewKidist,whereshespoke allaboutherjourney,purpose,andpassionforhelpingthe communitythroughherprofession.

Let’s know more about Kidist in her own words. Pleaseshedsomelightonyourleadershipjourneyinthe healthcarespace.

Ibelievewecanalladvanceinourcareersifwecan identifyourpurposeandmakethemostofourstrengthsand

weaknesses.Iconsidermyselffortunatetohavediscovered whatI'mpassionateaboutearlierinmycareerpath,andI'm gratefulforenjoyableandfulfillingworkthatallowsmeto helppatientsandmycommunityoverall.

Forme,theleadershipjourneyhasbeenanunexpectedbut life-changingexperiencethathasallowedmetolearnand growinarangeofways.Ithashelpedmeacquirethe variousskillsrequiredtoexecuteprojects,inspireteams andcolleagues,anddrivethehospital’sgrowthandpatient satisfaction.

Priortobeingpromotedtoamarketingmanagerialposition ayearlater,Istartedoutasamemberofthemarketingteam atLancetGeneralHospitalandfocusedlargelyonthe digitalmarketingaspectwhilealsomaintainingmyclinical practiceasageneralpractitioner.Ienjoypreparingmedical poststhathelppromotehealthandraiseawarenessforthe hospital's30,000+Telegramgroupmembersandother socialmediaplatformfollowers.

Inaddition,Iamservingasthesecretaryandassociate directorofthehospital’sCPD(ContinuousProfessional Development)Center.Igenuinelyenjoyengagingwith people,expandingmyknowledge,sharingwhatlittleI know,andeducatingotherswhomightbenefitfromwhatI know

Whatwastheinspirationthatpromptedyoutoventure intothehealthcareniche?

Perceivingtheimpactthatdiseases,ingeneral,and particularlynon-communicablediseasessuchasdiabetes andhypertension,hadonmyfamilyandcommunity inspiredmetoenrollinmedicalschoolandbeginmycareer asahealthprofessional.

I believe we can all advance in our careers if we can identify our purpose and make the most of our strengths and weaknesses.

Kidist Amare General Practitioner & Medical Marketer LANCET Health Services

Butaftercompletingmymedicalschoolstudiesand venturingintothemedicalfieldforpractice,Icametothe realizationthatcaringforindividualpatientsisinsufficient tohaveasignificantimpactonoursociety’swell-being,and thatispromptingmetodevotemoretimetothepublic healthsectorandhealthpromotion.

BeingtheGeneralPractitionerandMedicalMarketerat LancetHealthServices,howdoyouenvisiongrowing yournetworkoperationsintothehealthcareniche?

Ourteamisworkingtirelesslytoprovidecomprehensive specialtyservicestopatientswhoseekourhelpandsupport dayandnight.Intheshorttimeithasbeeninoperation, Lancethasmanagedtogrowfromaspecializedmedical andsurgicalcentertoageneralhospitalandhasexpanded itsservicessignificantly.

Ibelievethisgrowthisowedtothevisionandmissionit carriedfrominceptionandthededicatedstaffthathelpedin realizingthem.Andinordertocontinuegrowing,weintend tocontinueutilizingnaturalstructuralnetworkfeaturesthat necessitateeffectiveinformationtransmissionaswellas socialandprofessionalinteractionwithinandacross networks.

Frominitiatingyourcareerasamedicalinterntoa medicalmarketer,whatwerethechallengesyoufaced, andenlistustheprofessionalhacksthathelpedyou becomethegrandsuccessthatyouaretoday?

Iwasjuststartingmyjourneyofself-discoveryafter completingmyinternship,sothefirstthingwas,ofcourse, confusion.TheonlythingIknewaboutmyselfwasthatI wasaphysicianwhowantedtolearnandgrowasaperson tobecomethebestversionofmyselfandthatIwasleaning towardacareerinpublichealth.So,Ididnotknowwhere tobegin,likemostofus,I’msure.AndwhenIwas unexpectedlypresentedwiththeopportunitytobecomea medicalmarketer,Itookitwithalittlehesitation,notsure whereitwouldleadme.

OneofthechallengesIfacedearlierwasnotknowinghow todevelopandimplementmedicalmarketingstrategies withthelimitedknowledgeIgleanedfromminoronline courses.Butovertime,withthehelpofmyseniors’ guidance,thesharingofexperiences,andconstanttrialand error,myteamandIhavetriedandsucceededin developingthehospital’sbrandandgrowingexponentially.

TheothertwosignificantchallengesIcanidentifyare

a)theoccasionalindecisionbetweenpursuingotherpublic healthinitiativesandcontinuingmyclinicalpractice;and b)theongoingstruggletomaintainsocialandworkbalance asmyworkrequiresextratimeanddedication.Butbecause I'manever-growingandevolvingperson,I’mtakingthe challengesonedayatatime.

The following are some hacks that I can share with all of my medical marketers, healthcare professionals after healthcare leaders.

Dedicationiskey.Devoteyourtime,energy,and resourcesifyouwouldliketoevolveboth professionallyandpersonally

Learnyourtrade.Standoutfromthecrowd.

Askquestionsandkeeplearningwithoutholdingback.

Ÿ

Alwaysfocusonthebiggerpicture.

Joinprofessionalorganizations-asthisprovidesan excellentopportunitytoconnectwithpeoplewhocan providevaluableadviceandendorsementsatcritical pointsinyourcareer

Attendconferencesandevents-astheseofferthe opportunitytominglewithawiderangeofpeers,which canbeapowerfulnetworkingtool.

byofferingphysiciansachancetopracticethelatestand mostinnovativecutting-edgetreatments.

AndletmecitearemarkIpreviouslyfoundontheJames LindInstitutewebsite,whichIthinkcapturesthe advantagesofclinicalresearchperfectly,anditgoes, “Participation in clinical research gives first-hand experience in medical advancement and fulfills the quest for intellectual curiosity, growing research provisions, and supporting career advancements.”

Thisalsohelpsindividualsinthehealthcarenicheadvance theircareersinthesectorwhilegivingthemtheplatformto bringaboutmajorimpactfortheircommunityandpeople aroundtheglobe.

WhenweproceedtohealthcarePR,the“love”for searchingformedicalinformationonlineisoneofthemost significanttrendsthathasemergedalongsidethe exponentialriseofdigitaladoption--thususingthistoan advantagetocommunicatewiththegeneralpublic,health institutionscanbenefitagreatdeal.

Pleasegiveusyourvaluableinputaboutthefutureof thehealthcarenicheforthebuddingenthusiastaspiring toventureintothemedicalniche.

Ÿ

Finally,andmostimportantly,determineyourpassion andpurpose.

Whatwerethelessonsfromyourinitialprofessional yearsthatmadeyourampupyourgrowthcurve?

WhatIbelievehashelpedrampupmygrowthcurveisthe realizationthatisundertakingthechallengesandcontinuing toworkthroughthedifficulttimeswhenIhadlittleor nothingtoshowfortheeffortandtimeIwasputtingin helpedinthecompletionofthetasksIwasworkingon.So, Iwillcontinuetoworkhardandpersistentlybycompleting eachtaskoneatatimeuntilIgetresults.

Asasuccessfulleaderinthehealthcareniche,whatis youropiniononthefutureofmedicalresearchand medicalPR,whichiscurrentlygrabbingtheglobal spotlight?

Ibelievethefutureofmedicinereliesheavilyonclinical research,asitisafactthatresearchbroadensevidencebasedmedicineandalsoleadstopatientcareoptimization

Thehealthcaresectorisonethatisvastanduntouched.I knowithasgivenmeagreatdealofpleasuretodealwith mypatients,treatthem,andseethemgetwell.Atthesame time,ithasmademevulnerable.Ithasledmetoembrace myemotions,developmoreempathyandhumility,and helpedmegetintouchwithmyfeelingsandemotionsas well;ithashelpedmypersonalgrowthsignificantly.

ButlikeIsaid,thehealthsectorisvastandalsoevolving, soforanyonewhoisplanningtoventureintothemedical niche,allIcantellthemisthatit’safieldthatgetsthemto helptheirfamily,friends,community,andtheworldand also,atthesametime,helpsthemtohavemultipleoptions toadvancetheircareers.SoIsay,goahead!Findyour passionandgoforit!

Andfinally,I’dliketoextendhugegratitudetothe Insightcareteamforhavingme.Thisinterviewwas honestlyanexperienceofalifetime.

For me, the leadership journey has been an unexpected but life-changing experience that has allowed me to learn and grow in a range of ways.

in touch.

Subscribe to Insightscare

Magazine in print, & digital on www.insightscare.com

Check

Child Health

Effective Ways toEnsure for BetterLiving

Tbetterlife.Todoso,theyutilizeeverypossible methodpresentedtothem.

hehumanspeciesareconstantlyonaquesttolivea

Itisdemandmorethanachoice.Theyseekgoodhealthfor themselvesandtheirchildrentoo!Whileadultspossessa goodimmunityagainstvirusesandgerms,infantsand childrenaremorelikelytocatchdiseasesthatcanlater provedangerousfortheirhealth.Thiscreatesastressful situationfortheparents.

Parenthoodchoicesaremadeevenbeforethebirthofthe child.Thedecisionofwaystoraisethem,disciplinethem, andfeedthemcomeswithavarietyofoptionsthatmakes parenthoodstrenuous.Thesedecisionsrequirestatisticsof themethodsandsomeseriousthinkingtoensurethebetter safetyofthechild.Parentsoftenmakemistakesinthe confusionaboutthemethodstoraisetheirwardshealthily andeffectively

But,howhealthcarediscoveriesandmedicalpracticesare easingtheproblemsandcomingupwitheffectivewaysto ensurechildhealthforbetterliving

So, what could be the promising ways to corroborate that?

Let's move forward to find out.

HABITSEMPOWERTHECHILDREN

Goodhabitsforgethewaytoagoodlife.Children,from theirchildhood,mustbetaughteffectivehabitstogain accesstohealthyliving.Makingthemlearnfromanearly agehasprovedtobeprofitableinensuringbetterhealthfor theirpresentandfuture.

Oneofthetrouble-freewaystoeducateachildtoimprove his/herbehaviorisbyenablingthemtolearnwaysto healthyhygienelikehowtowashhandsattentivelytokeep pathogenicinfectionsaway.

Hence,teachingthechildrentowashtheirhandsafter playingoutside,blowingtheirnoses,andusingthetoiletsis essential.

Thesewayssafeguardthechildrenfromfallingsickand prohibitsthemfromspreadingdiseasesacrossthe surrounding.

KEEPAWAYFROMTHESUN

Sunlightisanessentialfactorformankindtosurvive,butit mightbetroublesomeforchildren.Knownfortheir adorableandplayfulnature,kidslovetoplayoutsideinthe summerandgetexposedtoalotofsunlight.

Asintheinfantagegroup,excessiveexposurecanproveto beacausalagentforillhealth.And,understandingthe importanceofphysicalactivity,thehealthcarecommunity diddigdeepandresearchedtheimpactofsunlight exposure.Studieshaveshownthatultraviolet(UV)rays possessthepowertodamagetheskinandboostthechances ofdevelopingskincancerinthelaterstagesoflife.Itis recommendedforinfantsnottocomeindirectcontactwith sunlight,asrecommendedbymedicos.Thechildrenshould bekeptintheshade.

Moreover,theuseofhatsandclothesthatarelightin weightcanactasashieldtoprotectthechild.Childrenare boundtooverheatquicklyincomparisonwithadults.Signs ofdehydrationshouldalwaysbelookedoutfor.

BEINGACTIVEISEFFECTIVE

Sincethedaychildrenwereintroducedtothedigitalworld, theyareconsistentlybecomingaslavetoit.Theyloveto watchmovies,tvshowsandseekpleasureinplayingonline games.Thisroutineisleadingthechildrentobecome inattentiveandinactive.Thisgeneratesawayfordiseases todivein.Focusontheimportanceofthephysicalhealthof thechildrenshouldbeapriority.Attheminimum,routinely, onehourofphysicalactivityisrequiredtomaintainproper health.

Propermedicalguidancecanhelpparentsencouragetheir offspringtoparticipateinactivitiesthatintensifytheir breathingandheartrate.Moreover,indulginginexercises thatenhancethestrengthoftheirbonesandmuscles. Basketball,badminton,swimming,etc.canbeagood sourcesofenjoymentandhealth.

FOODISTHEULTIMATESOURCE

Theenlargedvarietyoffoodoftenleavesparentspuzzled aboutchoosingthecorrectfoodfortheirchildren.Parents sometimesmakemistakesinprovidingsuitablefood.The dietarychoicesforthechildrenaffectthekid'sdietary routineinthelaterstageofgrowthasanadolescentand alsoasanadult.Agoodhabitininfancycanmakemiracles happen!

Anunstabledietleadsthewaytoharmfuldiseases. Attentionmustbepaidtothetypeoffoodthechildrenare introducedto,asthewrongtypeoffoodcancausediseases relatedtoheart,obesity,anddiabetes.Expertsadvise selectingthesourcesoffoodthatprovidetheabsolute amountofnutritionthatisrequiredfortheirward.Some examplesofsuchfruitsarefruitsandvegetables,whole grains,freshfish,andpoultry

DIVINGTOWARDTHEEND

Betterhealthandlivingforthechildrenaredesiresthat demandanampleamountofefforttobemade.Peopleneed tobeconsciousofthechoicestheymakeforthebetterment ofthekids.Massesarebeingresponsiblethesedaysandare takingeffectivemeasuresforthesafetyofthechildren whileensuringtheadaptionofrefinedhabitsencompassing theirfuture.

Jessica Co-owner

MovementGuild

BodyMassage FiveBenefitsof foraHealthyLifestyle

Massageismostoftenassociatedwitharelaxing spaservice.However,justasthereareseveral typesofyogaorphysicaltherapystyles,

massagetherapyvariesamongpractitioners.Assuch, bodyworkcanhavemanybenefitsandisagreatwayto supportahealthylifestyle.Thisisespeciallytrueforthose thattreatsofttissuetherapynotasaluxurybutasan essentialpartofself-care.Recoverystrategieshavebecome morecommonplacerecently.Theyincludeanythingfrom yogatovibrationgunstoheatorcoldtreatments.

AbouttheAuthor

Jessicaisaregisteredyogateacher,alicensed massagetherapist,andCo-ownerofThe MovementGuild.TMGisaChicago-basedsmall businessthatoersoneononephysicaltherapy, chiropracticcare,personaltraining,andmassage andmobilitytherapy.

Sheoerscustomizedmanualandmovement therapytoprivateclientsandteachesspecialized yogaandkinstretch™(mobility)classes.Shealso providescontinuededucationcoursestoyoga teachersthatreplaceconventionalanatomyand memorizationwithmodernmovementeducation andfoundationaljointmechanics.

Jessicaholdscertificationsinfunctionalrange conditioning,kinstretch,integrativemovement systems,cranio-sacraltherapy,functional movementtaping,RockTapebladesandmyofascial cupping.

Theirgoalistoacceleratethenaturalhealingprocessesour body’scellsundergoaftervigorousexerciseorphysical demands.Massageispossiblyoneofthemostpowerful recoverytoolsbecauseitcanaccomplishmanyrecovery goalsinonesession.

1.Relaxation:

Higheranxietylevelstendtolowerpainthresholds.Or,said differently,themorestressedoutyouarethemoreintense yourpainmightfeeltoyou.Loweringyourstresslevelscan mitigateperceivedpain.Amassageisapowerfultoolthat usesmindfultouchtosoothethefightorflightbranchof yournervoussystemandhelpsstimulateitscounterpart:the restandrestoresbranch.Inarelaxedstate,wesleepbetter, retainmoreinformation,healfaster,andusuallyreporta decreaseinpainsymptoms.

2.ReducesMuscleSoreness:

Regulartissueworkcanhelpreducemusclesoreness. DOMSordelayedonsetmusclesorenessiswhatmost peopleexperience24-48hoursafterachallengingworkout orphysicalactivity.Massagepromotesfluidexchangein yourtissue.Yourtissue,includingmuscles,reliesonthis movementoffluidtoexchangenutrientsfortoxinsand deliveroxygentodepletedtissuecells.Basically,massage canhelpyourecoverfastersoyoucangetbacktoyour activelifestyle.Challengingexperiencedependspartlyon howmuchindependencetissuelayershave.

3.IncreasesBodyAwareness: Yourskinisyourlargestorgan.Asembryos,ourbrainand skinevolvefromthesamecellsandcanbeconsidered continuationsofeachother.Youcanthinkofyourskinas yourbrainturnedinsideoutandyourbrainasyourskin

turnedoutsidein.Inputtoyourskin,e.g.,throughmassage, stimulatesyourbrain.Morespecifically,yourbrainhasa mapofeverypartofyourbodysoinputtoeachregionof skincanincreaseyourbrain’sawarenessofthatregion.The moreawareyourbrainisofyourbody,thebetteritcan judgewhereyouareinspaceandwhereyourbodypartsare relativetoeachother Thisispivotalformovement coordinationandeveninjuryprevention.

4.AddressesScarTissue:

Scarsarearesultofyournervoussystem’sresponseto tissuedamage.Whetherfromaninjuryorsurgery,scar tissuehealswoundsandservesitspurpose.However,scar tissuefibers,unlike“normal”tissuefibers,aredisorganized. Thiscreatestwoproblems.Ononehand,thistissuecannot functionaswellasundamagedtissueanddoesnotyieldas welltostretchorcompressionwhichisnecessaryforyour muscles(anditsconnectivetissue)tofunctionefficiently

Secondly,thisdisorganizedtissueprovidesablurrier pictureonyourbrainmap.Thismakesitsothatyourbrain cannotactivatethatareaaswellorasquicklyasother muscularregions.Concertedandfrequentscartissue (especiallywhenstartedsoonafteraninjuryorsurgery) workcanhelpdampenthiseffectandmaintaingoodtissue health.

5.IncreasesRangeofMotion:

Massagepromotesbloodflowtomuscletissue.This increaseincirculationalonecanallowyoutomovefurther atjointslikehipsandshoulders.(Pain-free)Massagealso positivelyaffectsyourbrain’sawarenessofyourtissue whichessentiallymakesyoufeelsafe.Yourbrainisalways unconsciouslyscanningforthreats.Ifyouhaveeverbeen startled,youknowwhatitfeelslikewhenyourmuscles reflexivelygetstiff.Similarly,stressandanxietycan contributeto“stiffness”onanunconsciouslevel.Massage canhelpbringonastateofcalmwhichcanoftenhelpyou movemorefreely

OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

ProvidingComprehensivePediatricCare

Asonemightassumethatworkinginthepediatrics departmentofhealthcareiseasyandwonderful, butitisn’talwayslikethat.Despitethepatient populationbeingallchildren,thereareseveralchallenges thatpediatriciansfacewhileworkinginachildren’s healthcareunit.Thesechallengesrangefrommanagingthe familymemberstodealingwithemotionaltrauma.

OSFHealthCareChildren’sHospitalofIllinoisisan organizationsituatedinPeoria,ILthatunderstandsthese criticalchallengesfacedbythepediatricsdepartment.Asa premierchildren’shospital,itaddressesallthesechallenges andtakescareofthespiritual,emotional,andphysical needsofthepediatricpatients.

Withanarmyofcompassionatehealthcareprofessionals, thehospitalisspearheadedbyMichaelWells,the PresidentofOSFHealthCareChildren’sHospitalof Illinois.

Inthefollowinginterview,Michaelexpresseshowthe hospitalhasbeendeliveringthehighestqualityof healthcareservicessinceitsinception.

PleasebriefouraudienceaboutOSFHealthCare,its values,anditsMission.

OSFHealthCareChildren’sHospitalofIllinoisisa136bed,full-servicechildren’shospital.Withmorethan140 specialistsrepresentingmorethan40subspecialties,we providethehighestlevelofcarefornewbornstoyoung adultswithcommonandcomplexmedicalconditions.

OurMissionistoservewiththegreatestcareandloveina communitythatcelebratesthegiftoflife.Ourvisionat

OSFChildren'sHospitalistoleadpediatrichealththrough clinicalexcellence,innovation,research,education,and family-focusedcare.Ourcorevaluesarejustice, compassion,teamwork,integrity,employeewellbeing, supportiveworkenvironment,trust,stewardship,and leadership.

Whatisyouropinionontheimpactofthecurrent pandemicontheglobalhealthcaresector,andwhat challengesdidyourorganizationfaceduringthe pandemicandsubsequentlockdowns?

Relativetotheadultpopulation,theimpactoftheCOVID19pandemiconpediatricpatientshasbeenlessseverein termsofsymptoms,theneedforhigh-endinpatientcare, anddeath.Asaresult,wedidnotexperiencethesevere surgeofCOVIDpatientsinourchildren'shospitaland relatedimpactonbedandventilatorcapacity,nordidwe experiencethenegativetollontheworkforcethattheadult hospitalsexperienced.

However,thereareafewareasthathavesignificantly impactedourorganization.First,earlyinthepandemic,

Ourmissionis toservewiththe greatestcareandlove inacommunitythat celebratesthegift oflife.

electiveproceduresweresuspended,andthepublicwas advisedtoconsideralternativestovisitingemergency departments.Asaresult,oursurgicalvolumesand emergencydepartmentvisitsdroppedtoabout50%of typicalvolumes.

Inadditiontoconcernsaboutthepotentiallynegativehealth impactofdelayedproceduresandpostponedemergency departmentvisitsforthoseinneed,thesuddenanddrastic dropinpatientvolumecreatedasignificantgapinrevenue andchallengeinmanagingstaffingthatrequiredsome furloughsandredistributionofpediatricstafftootherroles.

Second,duringthelockdownandsubsequentmonthswith significantprecautionsinplace,wesawanoveralldecrease inthetypesofissuesthatmostcommonlyresultinchildren utilizingthehealthcaresystem;primarilyinfectiousillness, injuriesresultingfromrecreationalactivities,sports,and motorvehicleaccidentsaswellasroutinevisitsto physiciansforback-to-schoolphysicalsandroutinefollow upforchronicconditions.

Compassionate Leader

Pediatricvolumeswereslowertorecoverthaninadult healthcare,onlyseeingareturntopre-pandemicvolumesin thepastfewmonths.Inaddition,alongwithmostother children'shospitalsacrossthenation,wecontinuetoseean increaseinbehavioralhealthconcerns.Wecanassumethat thestressofthepandemiccontributedtoanincreasein depression,anxiety,andothermentalhealthissues.

Theresulthasbeenahighernumberofchildreninthe hospitalformedicalreasonswithco-occurringmental healthissues.Theneedhasfaroutpacedtheavailabilityof medical,psychiatrichospitals.Asaresult,patientsarein ourchildren'shospital,sometimesforlongperiodsafter theirmedicalissuesareresolved,waitingforaninpatient bedatapsychiatrichospital.

Finally,andonamorepositivenote,duringthepandemic, wedeployednewdigitaltacticstoensurepatientscould receivecaresafely,suchastelephoneandtelevideomedical visits.Atonepoint,nearlyhalfofallvisitsweredonevia

MichaelWellsbeganhiscareerasa LicensedClinicalProfessional Counselorprovidingmentalhealth counselingtochildrenandfamilies. Soonafterbeginningpractice,hispath shiftedtonon-profitadministration. HehasbeenwithOSFHealthCare Children'sHospitalofIllinoissince 2005andhasservedinvarious leadershiproles,includingprogram andbusinessdevelopment, system-widequalityimprovement, strategicplanning,and,immediately priortobecomingpresident;heserved asvicepresidentofoperations.Wells hasservedaspresidentsince2019.

MichaelWells President OSFHealthCareChildren’s HospitalofIllinois

televideo,enablingustoimproveoursystemsand processestosupportvirtualcare.

Withconstantdevelopmentinmedicaltechnologies,in youropinion,whatcouldbethefutureofchildcare services?

Medicaltechnologyisadvancingmorerapidlythanatany timeinhistory.OSFChildren'sHospitalofIllinoisrecently developedaninnovationdiscoverylabthroughwhichwe scanthemarkettoidentifyandtestinnovativeproductsto improvethewaywedelivercare.

Twoexamplesaretheadoptionofavirtualrealityplatform toallowsurgeonstointeractwith3-Dimagesoftheheart andotherorganstohelpplansurgicalinterventionanda newproductweareexploringforuseinpost-acutecarethat allowsforremotemonitoringofpatientvitalsfrom anywhere.

Inadditiontotheadoptionofnewtechnology,nodoubtthe useoftelevideowillcontinuetoimproveandbeutilizedas ameansofconvenientaccesstocare.Wearelikelytosee furtheradvancementsinmedicalimagingandtreatment,

suchascardiacandneurologicalimagingandprocedures thatcanbedoneviaacatheterasopposedtoinvasive surgery Theseadvanceswillcontinuetodrivetheshiftof carefrominpatienttooutpatientsettings.

Finally,treatmentadvancesareresultinginahigher survivalrateamongchildrenwithchronic,complex illnesses.Moreandmore,childrenwithcomplexcongenital illnessesarethriving.Astheybecomeadults,theyrequire thecareofsubspecialistswhospecializeincaringforadults withcongenitalillnesses.

Asaresult,atOSFChildren'sHospital,weareexpanding ouradultcongenitalprogramsaswellastransitional programssothatchildrenandfamiliesexperienceasmooth transitionfrompediatrictoadultcare.

Asanestablishedleader,whatwouldbeyouradviceto thebuddinghealthcareprofessionalsaspiringtoventure intothechildcareniche?

Whileleadershipinhealthcareinandofitselfisrewarding, thereisnoworkmorerewardingthanthatwhichmakesa differenceinthelifeofachild.Inchildren'shealthcare,we

havetheopportunitytohelpchangethetrajectoryoflifeby helpingchildrenatanystageofhealthorillnesslivebeyond limits.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourorganization’s operationsin2022andbeyond?

Wewillleverageresourcesandexpertisetorespondtotwo strongtrendsinpediatrichealthcare.Thefirstistheshift frominpatientcareincommunityhospitalstochildren's hospitals.Weareuniqueinthatthereisnootherhospital withina3-hourradiusthatprovidesthelevelofcomplex careforchildrenthatwedo.

Weplantoleveragethatexpertisetosupportcarecloseto homewheresafeandappropriateandexpandprogramsto easetheburdenforfamiliesthatneedtotraveltothe children'shospitalforinpatientstaysorprocedures.We providetelevideoconsultationtoadozencommunity hospitalemergencydepartmentsandholdoutpatient specialtyclinicsin15communities.Weplantoexpandboth strategies.

Thesecondtrendistheshiftfrominpatienttooutpatient care.Tostrengthenthequalityofcareaswellasreferral channelsacrossthecontinuumofcare,wearedeploying strategiestoformalizepartnershipswithpediatricians acrossthestateofIllinoistoprovidemedicaleducation, informalphysiciantophysicianconsultation,patient navigation,andestablishbestpracticecareguidelinesfor commonchildhoodconditionssuchasAsthma.

Whatisyouropinionontheadoptionofmodern technologiessuchasAIandMLinthehealthcarespace?

Therearealotofopportunitiesandmuchtobelearned abouttheeffectiveimplementationofartificialintelligence andmachinelearninginhealthcare.Ourindustryhasbeen slowertoadoptAIandMLthanotherindustries.Someof thatmaybeduetotheemphasisonclinicalintuitioninthe treatmentofillnessaswellasthechallengeswithkeeping upwithchangingprotocolsandbestpracticesinAIsupportedclinicaldecision-making.

AtOSFChildren'sHospitalofIllinois,wehavebegunwork inthisareawithsuccessthroughtheimplementationofAI regardingpredictiveanalyticsrelatedtoreducingthelength

ofhospitalstaysandreadmissions.Thereisagrowingbody ofevidencetosupporttheimplementationofAIandMLin developingeffectivealgorithmstoimprovepatient engagementandadherencetotreatmentforlong-term, chronicissues.Thisissomethingwehavebeguntoexplore, especiallyrelatedtosocialdeterminantsofhealth.

Finally,thereseemstobegrowingevidenceandinterestin theincorporationofAIandMLintogenomicmedicine.We havehadverypositiveexperiencesinourNICUwiththe useofgenomicsequencingtosupportdiagnosisandtofully informparentsinmakingdecisionsregardingcare.Itseems likeanaturalprogressiontoincorporateAIintothisprocess foreffectivelyplanningtreatmentinsettingsliketheNICU andeveninothersettingssuchascancercare.

ExhibitingBrilliance

State-designatedLevelIPediatricTraumaCenter–the highestlevelofcareavailable.

Thefirststate-designatedPediatricCriticalCare Hospital.

Provenworld-classoutcomesintheNICUasamember oftheVermontOxfordNetwork.

MostcomprehensivedownstatePerinatalCenter(postbirthcare).

LevelIVNICU-thehighestlevelofcareavailable.The NICUalsooffersaSmallBabyUnit–oneofthefirstin Illinois–caringforbabiesbornbefore30weeks gestation.

HometotheonlyPediatricDiabetesResourceCenter andCongenitalHeartCenterindownstateIllinois.

CaresformorechildreninIllinoisthananyhospital betweenSt.LouisandChicago,with7,000admissions, 2,500new-borndeliveries,and18,000emergency departmentvisitsannually

Rankedoneofthemosttechnologicallyadvanced children'shospitalsintheworldbyTopMaster'sin HealthCareAdministration.

OSFHealthCareChildren’sHospitalofIllinoiswas recognizedamongthetopthreechildren'shospitalsin Illinoisandamongthetop25intheMidwestregionfor 2021-2022byU.S.News&WorldReport.

OSFHealthCareChildren'sHospitalofIllinoisisoneof thefirsttenclinicalresearchcenterstojointheASH ResearchCollaborativeCellDiseaseClinicalTrials Network.

EatWell,StayWell

ImportanceHealthyEating for

HHumansconsiderchildhoodtobethemostcrucial partofitsexistence.Fromthetimeaninfantis bornuntilittakesasteptowardadulthood,the childiskeptunderintensivecare.Theneedsofthechildfor theirbettermentareneverneglected.

Withintensivecare,foodhasbeenanultimatesourceinthe upliftmentofthehealthofachild.Therightamountand correctchoiceoffoodkeepachildhealthyandpossessthe bestnutritionwithinthebody,butchildrentendtolike outsidefoodanddonotholdthecapacitytounderstand what'sgoodandbadforthem.

Thisuncertaintyhasbecomeoneofthemajorconcerns whiletakingcareofachild.Thereisanactiveneedtobe consciousoftheeatinghabitsofchildrenbecausewrong

choicesmayleavethedooropenforhazardousdiseases. Also, healthy eating has its own set of benefits.

Hop on to find out KEEPSDISEASESATTHEBAY

Consumptionofunhealthyfoodisthemostsignificant causethatinvitesdiseases.Foodthatdoesnotprovidethe properamountofnutritiontothebodymustbeavoidedto haveahealthylifestyleforthechildren.Theseimproper foodchoices,lateron,turnintoillhealthinadulthoodand laterstagesoflife.Diseasesrelatedtoheart,obesity,and cancercanbesomeexamples.

However,optingforthecorrecttypeoffoodcaneliminate alltheserisksandhelpinmaintainingahealthybodywhich directlyleadstoahealthylifestyleforthechild.

MENTALSTABILITY

Ahealthydietnotonlyprovidesthebettermentofthebody butalsoensurestoboostinmentalhealth.Studieshave shownthatchildren'smentalhealthisrelatedtothefood choicestheymake.Thereisalowerriskformental disorderssuchasanxietyanddepressionifthedietaryhabit ofthechildispotentiallyrichinvitaminsandminerals.The optionofhighvitaminfooddiminishesthechancesof mentalillnessinthefuture.Ithelpsthekidstoperform easilyandhaveagoodfocusintheireducational institutions.Fish,eggsandtheiryolk,peanutbutter,etc., canbeagoodsourceofnutrition.

RIGIDIMMUNITY

AftertheworldhasbeenimpactedbytheCOVID-19virus, themasseshaveunderstoodtheconceptofimmunity A strongerimmunesystemleavesnoplacefordiseasesto enterthebody,whichmeansfewerriskforchildrentocatch infectionslikecoldandflu.Toavoidthesesituations,good nutritiousfoodisthesolution.Freshfruitsandvegetables areagoodsourceofimmunityforchildren.Keepingthisin mind,in2017,someresearchersassociatedhighvegetable andfruitconsumptionwithashrunkenriskof rhinoconjunctivitis,whichleadstonasalsymptoms, eczema,conjunction,andredeyes.Theyalsofoundoutthat thesetypesofconditionsweremainlycausedbythe consumptionofburgers.

MAINTAININGBODYWEIGHT

Theidealweightofeachpersonvariesfromeachother. Maintainingtheperfectweightisataskthatrequires dedication.Forkeepingthechildrenwithintheir recommendedweightrange,nutritiousfoodlendsitselfto havingtheappetiteofthechildincontrol.Themedical sectordulynotedthisissueandcameupwithananalysis thatshowedchildren'sdietarychangesintheyearsof preschool.Therewasamassiveinclineinsugarintakeof thechildren,whichcontinueduntiladolescence.Atthe growingage,intakeoflow-nutrientfoodhasbeenlinked withproblemssuchasobesity.Ratherthanfocusingon increasingthechild'sweight,theconsciousnessofeating therightfoodshouldbethecorrectchoice.

HEALTHYGROWTH

Inthemiddleoftheirgrowingage,theintakeoffoodthatis highinnutritioninchildrenhasbeenthefuelforthe efficientdevelopmentoftheirbody Achild'sbodyrequires asufficientquantityofvitaminDandcalciumforhealthy andstrongbones.Daily,ataverage,1,000milligramsof calciumisrecommendedforchildrenagedbetween4to8, andtheagegroupof9to18requiresanincreasedamount of1,300milligrams.Nutritiousfoodistheapplicable sourcefortheserequirements.Low-fatdairyproducts providetheperfectquantityforbettergrowth.Moreover, salmonanddarkleafygreenvegetablesalsocontain calcium.

THEFINALWORDS

Thehealthcareindustryisadvancingineveryaspectof providingthebestsolutionsforabetterlife,fromaninfant totheold.Researchhasbeenconductedfromtimetotime tolookforproblems,andeffortsaremadetocomeupwith solutionsinashortspan.Dietarychoiceshaveplayeda vitalroleinkeepingachildhealthy,physicallyand mentallytoo!

Physicalandmentalhealthbothhaveanimportantaspectin theearlyyearsoflife.Noneofthesecouldbeneglectedfor abetterfuture.Awarenesscampaignsarebeingheldbythe healthcareindustrytoensuretheirvisionofbetterhealthto reachoutintheworld.

The Role of Children’s Mental Health Fathers in

By- Rajeev Thakur

Mentalhealthhasgainedsuddenprominenceafter itbecamethebiggestfalloutoftheCOVID-19 pandemicandthesubsequentlockdown, especiallyamongstchildren&adolescents,whohavebeen shuttereddownamidstthegrowingvirusspread.Theyhave beenunabletoaccessanessentialsocialsafetynetasthey werepreventedfromlearning,playing,interminglingwith friends,andmovingoutdoors.Childrenalsosufferedfrom unimaginablegrief&traumaoverthelossofnearones.The severityofthementalhealthchallengeshasthepotential thatcanleadtodisability,disease,death,orcause impairmentleadingtoanxietyanddepression.

Mentalhealth,especiallyinchildren,impactstheirabilityto succeedinschool,college,atwork,andinsociety Their overallhealth,acombinationofphysicalandmentalhealth, affectshowtheythink,feelandactontheinsideand outside.Itisafactthatmentalhealthisimportant throughoutchildhood—fromtheprenatalstagethroughthe transitionintoadulthood.

Inthepast,achild’sdevelopmentalstagehadbeen consideredamother’sresponsibility,asreinforcedby AbrahamLincoln,whosaid, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” Inthefieldofpsychology, too,amother'sinfluenceonachild'smentalhealthhasbeen givenprominence,butoverthelastfewyears,therehas beenasignificantshiftinourculturearoundfamily structureandparentingroles.Psychologicalstudies& researchhaveconfirmedthehugeinfluencethatfathers haveonthementalhealthoftheirchildren.Evidence suggeststhatresponsibleandinvolvedfathering,starting

fromtheprenatalperiodintoadolescence,hashugepositive effectsonthewell-beingofchildrenrightuptoadulthood.

Highlevelsoffatherinvolvementarecorrelatedwithhigher levelsofsociability,confidence,andself-controlin children.Childrenwithinvolvedfathersarelesslikelyto actoutinschoolorengageinriskybehaviorsin adolescence.Fathersprovideapositivemalerolemodelfor theirchildrenandhelptopromotebetterbehaviors.Asa result,childrenwithmoreinvolvedfatherstendtohave fewerbehavioralandimpulsecontrolproblems,longer attentionspans,andahigherlevelofsociability.Studies havealsoshownahugeimpactofgoodfatheringon cognitiveability,educationalachievement,psychological well-being&socialbehaviorofchildren.

Oneofthemostimportantinfluencesafathercanhaveon childrenisindirect,throughthequalityofhisrelationship withthemotheroftheirchildren.Afatherwhohasagood relationshipwiththemotheroftheirchildrenismorelikely tobeinvolvedandtospendtimewiththeirchildrenandto havechildrenwhoarepsychologicallyandemotionally healthier Thequalityoftherelationshipaffectsthe parentingbehaviorofbothparents,whoarelikelytobe moreresponsive,affectionate,andconfidentwiththeir infants;moreself-controlledindealingwithdefiant toddlers;andbetterconfidantsforteenagersseekingadvice andemotionalsupport.Parentswhoshowtheiraffectionfor eachotheropenlyinfrontoftheirchildrenprovideagreater feelingofsecurityandclosenesstothechildren.

Fatherswhotreatthemothersoftheirchildrenwithrespect anddealwithconflictwithintherelationshipinanadultand

Author

Rajeev Thakur Director

Search

Ltd.

Rajeev is the Founder and Director of Grassik Search Pvt Ltd, one of India's nest Executive Search rms, which he established in 1993. Amongst the pioneers of the executive search industry, he is a respected career coach, guide, and mentor who has helped people transition careers successfully across industries & roles. An expert change and innovation driver, he has been instrumental in making GRASSIK the most relevant and successful search rm in the country today.

appropriatemanneraremorelikelytohaveboyswho understandhowtheyaretotreatwomenandarelesslikely toactinanaggressivefashiontowardfemales.Girlswith involved,respectfulfathersseehowtheyshouldexpect mentotreatthemandarelesslikelytobecomeinvolvedin violentorunhealthyrelationships.Incontrast,researchhas shownthathusbandswhodisplayanger,showcontemptfor, orwhostonewalltheirwivesaremorelikelytohave childrenwhoareanxious,withdrawn,orantisocial.

Ontheflipside,afathercancausegreatharmtochildren throughmaltreatmentwhichcouldprimarilybeanyoneof thefollowing:

Ÿ Physicalabuselikepunching,beating,kicking,biting, orshakingachild.

Ÿ Sexualabuselikeanysexualcontactwithachild,the simulationofsuchconductwithachild,orexposinga childtosexuallyexplicitmaterialorconduct.

Ÿ Childneglect,whichisafailuretoprovideforachild's basicneedslikehealthcare,food,clothing,adult supervision,education,andnurturing.

Ÿ Psychologicalmaltreatment,whichcouldberidiculing, terrorizing,corrupting,ordenyingaffectiontoachild.

Thesearethemainfactorsemanatingfrombrokenhomes, stepfathers,unemployedfathers,orfatherswhoareunder substanceabuseorsufferingfromdepression.Theabuse andneglectofchildrencanhaveprofoundlynegative consequencesforthesocial,psychological,andphysical healthofchildren,e.g.,depression,lowself-esteem, antisocialbehavior,juveniledelinquency,adultcriminal behavior,suicidaltendencies,promiscuity,aggression,and difficultyindealingwithothers.

Theimportanceofeffectivefatheringonthemental wellness&healthofchildrencannotbeundermined. Fortunately,mostfatherstodayhaverealizedthisfact& despitewhattheydo,theyhavestartedfocussingon buildingaclose-knitrelationshipwiththeirchildrenright fromchildhoodtoadulthood.Theirmaincontributionas partofco-parentingistoplayakeyroleinnurturing children,discipliningthemappropriately,servingasaguide totheoutsideworld,protecting&providingforthem& beingarolemodel.Childrenareknowntobeimpacted morebywhattheyseeratherthanwhattheyaretold, puttingtheonusofappropriatebehavioronafatherto creatementallyhealthy,kind&responsiblehumanbeings whowillfollowintheirfather'sfootstepstocreatethenext generationofmentallystrongchildrenthatwillcontribute positivelytothesociety.