It's About Children - Summer 2005 Issue by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Board of Directors James S. Bush

Chairman Robert Madigan, M.D.

Vice Chairman Robert M. Goodfriend

Secretary/Treasurer Michael Crabtree Dawn Ford Peyton HairstonLewis Harris, M.D. Jeffory Jennings, M.D. Bob Koppel Donald E. Larmee, M.D. Dugan McLaughlin Alvin Nance Dennis Ragsdale J. Finbarr Saunders, Jr. William F. Searle III Bill Terry, M.D. Laurens Tullock Danni Varlan

Medical Staff Lewis Harris, M.D.

Chief of Staff David Nickels, M.D.

Vice Chief of Staff Lise Christensen, M.D.

Secretary

Chiefs of Services John Buchheit, M.D.

Chief of Medicine Alan Anderson, M.D.

Chief of Surgery

Administration Bob Koppel

President Paul Bates

Vice President for Human Resources Joe Childs, M.D.

Vice President for Medical Services Rudy McKinley

Vice President for Operations Jim Pruitt

Vice President for Finance Laura Barnes, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.A.A.,B.C.

Vice President for Patient Care

A quarterly publication of East TennesseeChildren’s Hospital, It’s About Children is designedto inform the East Tennessee community aboutthe hospital and the patients we serve. Children’sHospital is a private, independent, not-for-profitpediatric medical center that has served the EastTennessee region for more than 65 years and iscertified by the state of Tennessee as aComprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

Ellen Liston Director of Community Relations

David Rule Director of Development

Wendy Hames Editor

Neil Crosby Cover/Contributing Photographer

“Because Children are Special…” ...they deserve the best possible health care given ina positive, child/family-centered atmosphere offriendliness, cooperation, and support - regardless ofrace, religion, or ability to pay.”...their medical needs are closely related to theiremotional and informational needs; therefore, thetotal child must be considered in treating any illnessor injury.”...their health care requires family involvement,special understanding, special equipment, andspecially trained personnel who recognize thatchildren are not miniature adults.”...their health care can best be provided by a facilitywith a well-trained medical and hospital staff whoseonly interests and concerns are with the total healthand well-being of infants, children, andadolescents.”

Statement of Philosophy East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

w w w. e t c h . c o m2

Dear East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,

We took our six-day-old daughter, Gracie, to yourhospital in October 2004 not knowing what was wrong withher. The emergency room staff immediately began doing lotsof things to her to ultimately save her life. She was soonmoved to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in criticalcondition. At first, they didn’t know what was wrong withher, but they soon had a diagnosis: a rare disorder calledcitrullinemia.

Everyone who worked with Gracie was wonderful. Weespecially would like to thank Dr. Joe Childs; Dr. KevinBrinkmann; Dr. David Nickels; dietitian Linda Hankins;social worker Cathy Fowler; and nurse Mary Copp. Marywent above and beyond her duties as a nurse. She treatedGracie as if she were her own. Gracie quickly becamereferred to as “Mary’s baby.”

Although at first, things did not look good for our baby,the doctors treated her with every procedure possible. Andwe’re so thankful they did because Gracie is here with us bythe grace of God, and God gave the doctors the knowledgeto treat her.

Gracie was in the hospital for three weeks, and she hassince been hospitalized another three days due tocomplications with her disorder. Gracie will get a livertransplant, we imagine sometime this year. She will havemore hospital visits, and thankfully, we will have Children’sHospital and its great and caring staff to take her to.

Thanks ever so much, Paul and Julie Schommer Loudon

December 29, 2004

Dear Children’s Hospital,

We had the unfortunate circumstance of spendingChristmas Eve day and night at Children’s Hospital withour 18-month-old little girl. We were released about noonon Christmas Day. I want to express my gratitude andappreciation for the staff members who were involved in mydaughter’s care. The most touching thing of all was, duringthe night, one of the nurses brought in about 4 or 5 toys. Iasked her what they were for, and she said, “Santa.” Itbrought tears to my eyes.

My daughter was excited in the morning when she sawthe presents. One present was a Pooh doll, and he helpedme to get her to actually eat some breakfast. We would feed“Pooh,” and then we would feed her. One of the other toyswas a piano that occupied and entertained her while theywere taking her IV out. So not only was it very thoughtfuland provided our daughter with some sort of Christmas,but the gifts also helped us with her care in the morning.

We are very grateful to Children’s Hospital and all itssupporters. You always hope that you won’t need it, but it’sgood to know that it is there when you do, and that there issuch a high quality of care provided.

Thank you. Lisa Knott Knoxville

“Dear Children’s”“Dear Children’s”

ON THE COVER

Bill Williams, anchor emeritus for WBIR-TV channel 10, with Children’s Hospital patient Danielle Gonzales-Garcia. Read Danielle’s story on pages 4-5.

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PHOTO CREDITWe would like to give credit to a photo of Dr. Leonard Brownthat appeared in the Spring 2005edition of It’s About Children. Thephoto was taken by Different LightSolutions.

• New patient stories have been posted on the Web site. These stories feature

teens and children who have faced illness or injury, and the stories tell about

their experiences at Children’s Hospital. These interesting stories can be found

under “A Visit to the Hospital” on the main page of the Web site.

• Virtual visits help parents and kids learn about different departments and

experiences in the hospital. Each “visit” explains in simple terms what may

happen during a real visit to the hospital. You can find the visits in the “A Visit

to the Hospital” section of the Web site.

• “Coming Attractions” showcases upcoming events and fund-raisers that benefit

Children’s Hospital. It also features calendars of classes for the hospital’s Healthy

Kids Community Education Initiative and the Professional Education Calendar.

• Children’s Hospital’s Web site offers the opportunity to make donations online

to benefit the children of this region. This safe, convenient way to make

donations is available through a link on the home page, “Make A Donation.”

Donors can choose the area or program at Children’s Hospital which will

benefit from their donation. All donations are processed through a secure server

and can be made by MasterCard or Visa. The receipt for the donation will

appear on the computer screen after the transaction has been processed, and

another receipt will be sent to the donor’s e-mail address.

• The Children’s Hospital Web site also offers a searchable Physician Directory

to help families find a pediatrician near their home. The directory allows

parents to find a pediatrician by the county in East Tennessee or by the

physician’s name. It also includes the name of the doctor’s pediatric practice;

other physicians associated with the practice; brief biographies of the

physicians; the practice’s address, phone number and fax number; and driving

directions to the office location(s).

by Rupal Mehta, publications specialist

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Children’s Hospital’s Web site, www.etch.com, offers health information,

games for kids, “tours” of hospital departments, newsletters for families and

much more. Here are a few updated features for parents, children and teenagers:

• Children’s E-News is a free newsletter sent monthly to subscribers’ e-mail. The

newsletter includes pediatric health articles and information about upcoming

Children’s Hospital events and fund-raisers. To subscribe to Children’s

E-News, visitors to Children’s Hospital’s Web site should scroll to the bottom

of the home page, fill out the Comment Form, include an e-mail address and

check the box to be added to the e-mail list.

• New Parent eNews is another free newsletter targeted toward expectant

mothers and new parents of children up to two years old. Each e-newsletter

contains information about health, nutrition, learning and development from

the beginning of pregnancy to the toddler stage. The newsletter addresses

pregnancy myths, how to stay healthy during pregnancy, multiple births,

caring for a newborn, immunizations, communicating with and caring for a

new baby, preparing siblings for a new family member, medical conditions

and problems that can affect newborns and more. To subscribe to New Parent

eNews, go to the “Health Library” option on the hospital’s home page and

scroll down to the New Parent eNews icon.

• KidsHealth offers physician-reviewed health and safety articles for parents,

kids and teens. This site offers searchable, kid-focused topics, such as “Why

Do Feet Stink?” and “The Facts About Broken Bones.” Written in simple

terms, these articles explain to children almost any health topic they might

have questions about. KidsHealth also offers interactive games and activities

that teach them how their bodies work. The articles and games can be found

under the “Health Library” section.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WEB SITE OFFERS NEW INFORMATION, FEATURES

FFaannttaassyy ooff TTrreeeess nnaammeess ccoo--cchhaaiirrss,, sseettss tthheemmeeV

“We Know Where Santa Lives” will be the festive holiday theme for this fall’s 21st annual Fantasy of

Trees. Co-chairs Becky Vanzant and Linda Redmond and assistant co-chair Stephanie Jeffreys are busy

planning this year’s event, set for November 23-27 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Thousands of volunteers will contribute more than 140,000 hours of their time throughout

2005 to make this year’s Fantasy of Trees a reality for families from throughout East Tennessee.

This year’s event will celebrate the arrival of St. Nick and the holiday season with whimsical

decorations, sparkling designer-decorated holiday trees, a village of gingerbread houses, continuous live

entertainment in the Fantasy Theater, holiday gift shops, and dozens of children’s activities, including

visits with Santa and hands-on holiday crafts.

Special events include the Babes in Toyland parade, a nightly tree lighting and an activity just for

seniors: Santa’s Senior Stroll.

Proceeds from the 2004 Fantasy of Trees totaled more than $302,000, and the event hosted 53,238

visitors. The funds raised from the event were used to benefit Children’s Hospital’s Open Door

Endowment Fund, which ensures medical care can be provided to any child in need, regardless of their

parents’ ability to pay for services. In 20 years, the Fantasy of Trees has raised more than $3.6 million for

Children’s Hospital.

For more information about the 2005 Fantasy of Trees, contact the Children’s Hospital Volunteer

Services and Resources Department at (865) 541-8385 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

by Haylee Reynolds, student intern

Pictured at right are the 2005 Fantasy of Trees chairs, (left to right), co-chair Becky Vanzant,

co-chair Linda Redmond and assistant co-chair Stephanie Jeffreys.

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Once at home, Danielle began to lose weight, andat two months of age, her parents brought her to theEmergency Department at Children’s Hospital. Again,an upcoming visit to the hospital was frightening forDanielle’s parents due to the language barrier. Theywere afraid they would once again encounter asituation like when she was born. They were worriedthey would not be able to understand what was wrongwith their sick child.

“I was very nervous going into the ER,” Mariasaid. “But everyone was very nice and helpful. It was abig boost to our morale that, through interpretationservices at Children’s Hospital, we were in control andknew what was happening to our child.”

After a nine-day stay at Children’s Hospital due toan infection and because she wasn’t gaining weightproperly, Danielle was discharged and began to gainweight normally. She was given a high calorie formulato assist with weight gain and was referred to theChildren’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center for speech,occupational and physical therapies. Through therapy,Danielle is learning various developmental skills, suchas crawling, and is increasing muscle strength.

She completed three months of speech therapy toassist with her ability to drink from a bottle. Physicaland occupational therapy are still ongoing throughChildren’s Hospital’s Home Health Care to continueworking on gross motor and fine motor skills. Danielle’sphysical therapy focuses on walking and crawling, whileher occupational therapy works with her fine motorskills such as gripping, holding items and followingobjects with her eyes. According to her parents,Danielle is catching up with her motor skills, but thereare still concerns as to what degree of brain injury shemay have received due to the lack of oxygen at birth.

It is known that Danielle has cerebral palsy, acondition that can cause mild to moderatedevelopmental delays. She will require ongoing therapyto assist with motor and development skills. Long-termeffects are not known, although it is expected that shewill always have some development problems.

Danielle continues to visit Children’s Hospital andvarious Children’s Hospital subspecialists. Thesespecialists follow her speech and language development,motor development, seizures and possible feedingproblems. Each hospital or physician visit requires aninterpreter to be present or available on the phone.

“Children’s Hospital was the place where wereceived all kinds of help,” Maria said. Having a sickchild is stressful enough, but not being able tounderstand what is happening to that child canmultiply that stress level significantly. Maria added,“Children’s Hospital has made me feel comfortablewith my child’s care.”

by Seth Linkous, Associate Director for Public Relations

DANIELLEDANIELLE

The birth of a child is a joyousoccasion. Even when a newborn hasunique health needs and concernbecomes mixed with that initial joy,the arrival of a baby is a time ofcelebration.

But imagine that complications with a birth orhealth problems for the newborn are unexplained.Imagine a baby being separated from her motherimmediately after birth with no explanation to theparents. What if repeated questions about the baby'shealth are met with silence, which leads to fear andisolation and many more questions?

This may sound like a scene from a movie or asituation that happened to a family decades ago. Itactually happened in East Tennessee in 2004 because of two words: language barrier. The family in thissituation speaks Spanish as their primary language, butfew of the health care professionals at the institutionwhere their baby was born spoke Spanish and littletranslation service was available.

Now ten months old, Danielle Gonzalez-Garciawas born at a local hospital via an emergency Cesareansection (C-section) after her parents, Maria andGuillermo, went to the emergency room suspectingsomething was wrong with their baby.

“I did not feel my baby moving. I knewsomething was wrong,” said Maria speaking throughinterpreter Jose Nazario. “Once we got to the hospital,all I understood was a nurse saying, ‘We are going toopen you up and save your baby.’”

Maria’s baby had abrupted, which means theplacenta had torn away from the lining of her uterus.This usually happens at the time of birth, but notbefore. Maria’s baby was in distress, deprived of oxygenand much needed life support from the umbilical cord,which had also torn away.

After an emergency C-section, the baby, whom thecouple named Danielle, had to be resuscitated. She wasseverely oxygen deprived and was immediately taken toan intensive care unit, where she stayed for nearly twoweeks. After the birth, Maria had a hard timerecovering from the anesthesia that she received duringthe C-section and did not see her daughter for threedays. During these three days, the parents’ anxiety leveland worries increased. They often wondered what waswrong with their baby, and their questions often wentunanswered or with little explanation due to thelanguage barrier.

“I didn’t understand what was going on with mybaby. I just wanted to take her home,” Maria said. “Iknew that I could take care of her there.”

During Danielle’s days in the intensive care unit,she developed seizures and was initially unresponsive tostimulations. These problems can be linked to the lackof oxygen that her brain received prior to her birth.The baby’s condition improved a great deal, and Mariaeventually was taught how to care for and feed hernewborn. After two weeks in the hospital, the familywent home to Lenoir City. Danielle’s brain activity wasslow but improving, and her seizures were kept incheck with medication.

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Nazario, “These face-to-face interpretations are donewith Spanish-speaking families who may require specialattention to details in health care situations such assurgeries, health care classes, prescription instructions,rehabilitation therapies, use of health care equipment,diagnostics and laboratory and test results.”

To fill this demand for precise communicationbetween Hispanic families and its medical staff,Children’s Hospital currently contracts withLightHouse Interpreters, Inc. The interpretation serviceprovides face-to-face and telephone interpretations forspecific situations with Spanish-speaking patients in all areas of the hospital, Home Health Care and theRehabilitation Center. With the interpretation serviceprovided, the growing population of Hispanic familiesin the area (like the family featured here) can have abetter understanding of their children’s medicaltreatment.

“Interpretation services are critical. The need hasincreased significantly, and without it, we would not beproviding the quality of care that Children’s Hospital

strives to give to every patient,” Schneider said.Telephone interpretations are primarily used to

pass on information to families. Information in thesecalls includes pre-surgery instructions, generalinformation for patients, laboratory results andappointments. In the 2003-2004 fiscal year, languageinterpreters provided 538 telephone interpretations,compared to only 21 such calls at the hospital in the1998-1999 fiscal year.

Parents of non-English speaking patients oftencome to their doctors not knowing if they will be able

to fully understand what is happening to their child. “Even though they may try to understand,

50 percent of all the health care information notprovided in their native language is not fully understood.But people should see the satisfied faces of thesefamilies when an interpreter lets them know in theirnative language that all of their needs while visiting the hospital will be met,” Nazario said.

Understanding their child’s diagnosis andtreatment puts a family in a position to provide thebest health care when the child is discharged from thehospital and has to be cared for at home. Being giveninformation allows families to understand the details oftheir child’s treatment and be more comfortableproviding care.

Nazario said, “These families usually leaveChildren’s Hospital with satisfaction on their faces,appreciating all the time, patience and services receivedfrom the medical staff and interpretation services.”

Children’s Hospital has also arranged for Spanishtranslation of many of the hospital’s written

documents. SharingInformation brochures areeducational brochures thatinstruct patient families abouta variety of health relatedtopics. There are currently 39Spanish brochures available,with seven more in the processof being translated. Othertranslated documents includeadmitting forms, the parkingpolicy, consent forms requiringparental signatures, cafeteriamenus and information sheetsabout the hospital.

Other areas of the hospitalwith direct patient contactsuch as Social Work, ChildLife and Pastoral Care alsohave many of their commonlyused documents translated intoSpanish.

For languages other thanSpanish, Children’s Hospital

uses Language Line, Inc., a 24-hour telephoneinterpretation service with interpreters available in 148languages. For the deaf and hearing-impaired, thehospital contracts with the Knox Area CommunicationCenter for the Deaf to provide on-site sign languageinterpretation at all times.

by Rupal Mehta, publications specialist

When a child is ill and in the hospital, parentsneed to understand what is happening at all times - notonly for themselves but also to help their child. Butsometimes, a parent cannot understand a child’sdiagnosis because of a language barrier. In thissituation, Children’s Hospital’s staff turns to itsinterpretation services to ensure parents understandeverything they need to know about the child’s medicalcondition.

Children’s Hospital’s philosophy provides allpatients and families with an equal opportunity forcommunication when medical services are provided.Since Spanish is the most common non-Englishlanguage spoken in East Tennessee, Children’s Hospitalaccommodates that growing section of the patientpopulation with Spanish-speaking interpreters like JoseNazario, CEO of LightHouse Interpreters andTranslators, Inc., who has been working withChildren’s Hospital for more than two years.

“The quality and access to health care providedto a minority group by any hospital or clinic cannot beinferior to service given toa non-minority, English-speaking group,” Nazariosays. “To access vital, life-saving health care services,non-English-speakingindividuals need to be able to communicatewith doctors and nurses,and Children’s Hospitalprovides these translationservices free of charge toall families noted withLimited EnglishProficiency.”

Children’s Hospital’sinterpretation services arecoordinated through theSocial Work Department.According to BeverlySchneider, Director ofSocial Work, “In 1997,Children’s Hospital realizedthat eight percent of ourpatient population spoke Spanish, and with research,we discovered nearly 13 percent of East Tennesseeresidents identified Spanish as their primary language.Since that time, the number of Spanish-speakingpatients and families at Children’s Hospital has steadilyincreased.”

In 1998, Children’s Hospital established a contractfor on-site Spanish interpretation and had 24 patientvisits requiring the service that year. The numberjumped to 221 patients needing 510 interpretationsessions for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. According to

INTERPRETATION SERVICESAT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Danielle Gonzalez-Garcia with her parents, Maria and Guillermo, and interpreter Jose Nazario.

ALEXANDRA P. EIDELWEIN, M.D.

M.D. — Federal University of Santa Maria School of Medicine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1988-1993Residency (Pediatrics) — The University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1994-1996Fellowship (Pediatric Gastroenterology) — The University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1996 Transitional year internship, Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., 1998Residency (Pediatrics) — Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, Calif., 1999-2002Fellowship (Pediatric Gastroenterology) — Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., 2002-2005Family — Husband, Marcelo Fiszman, M.D., Ph.D.; daughter, Gabrielle (4)Interests — sports, going to movies and out to dinner

When she was in her early teens, Alexandra P. Eidelwein, M.D., decided she wanted to go to medical school. Hermind was set after her sister gave birth to a premature infant who spent a long time in the hospital. Dr. Eidelwein and herfamily visited the baby daily, and it was through that personal experience that she was closely exposed to the medicalprofession.

“I became really interested in medicine at that time. And I have always loved kids, so there was never any doubt that Iwould work with children,” she said.

Dr. Eidelwein began her medical training in her native Brazil. While in Sao Paulo, she worked with some excellentgastroenterologists who were her professors and became her mentors. “This is the time when you are drawn to a specialty,”she said, explaining that her experience with those physicians guided her toward her pursuit of a specialty in pediatricgastroenterology. “There are so many nutrition problems in Brazil, so I was especially interested in that aspect of thespecialty,” she added.

She also likes the fact that pediatric gastroenterology deals with many common diseases that can affect children, suchas constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, nutrition problems and chronic abdominal pain, but also includes some of themore interesting and complicated aspects of a specialty, including more serious health issues, such as chronic liver diseaseand inflammatory bowel disease. Besides the clinical aspects of the specialty, becoming a pediatric gastroenterologist allowsthe physician to perform interesting procedures such as upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, esophageal dilations andendoscopic gastrostomies.

“A lot of children experience chronic abdominal pain, which can affect school life. To care for these children withongoing problems, we need to get very involved with the family as well as with the child, and this can be very rewarding,”she said.

While many tests can be run to find the cause of chronic abdominal pain, sometimes the cause is elusive. In thesemore complicated cases, a multidisciplinary approach with the family and other specialists is often required.

Dr. Eidelwein’s major area of interest within her specialty is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She did her research atJohns Hopkins on this subject and is especially interested in treating children with this chronic condition.

In addition to the diseases and problems already mentioned, pediatric gastroenterologists also treat children with celiacdisease. Symptoms may include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, as well as problems such asmalnutrition, nausea and vomiting. Children with celiac disease are restricted to a gluten-free diet, which improves theirsymptoms and nutritional status.

The field of pediatric gastroenterology is benefiting from a great deal of current research in several areas, such as IBD.Newer medications and testing methods are aiding in diagnosis and treatment of these problems. Dr. Eidelwein finds theresearch interesting and makes an effort to stay up-to-date on the latest information to best help her patients.

For Dr. Eidelwein, the greatest challenge of pediatric gastroenterology is dealing with children with chronic liverdisease. She explains, “Occasionally, a liver transplant is necessary to save the child. Children who have transplants needcareful and close monitoring to prevent infections and other complications. Part of being a good physician is not onlytreating a disease, but also caring for the patients and their families.”

Dr. Eidelwein and her family will move from Baltimore to Knoxville this summer, and she will join the pediatricgastroenterology practice of Youhanna Al-Tawil, M.D., and Clarissa Cuevas, M.D., at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Eidelweinwas introduced to Dr. Al-Tawil through one of her professors at Johns Hopkins and was pleased to learn of the opening inhis practice.

“We were looking for a smaller city with good schools,” she said in explaining the family’s interest in moving toKnoxville. “Johns Hopkins is an excellent place for medical training, but because it’s located in a larger city, we have longcommutes to work, which are difficult with a small child.”

She added that after several busy years of medical training, she and her husband are looking forward to being able toenjoy Knoxville’s movie theaters, restaurants and sports opportunities, favorite activities for which they have had limitedtime in recent years.

Working in concert with Drs. Al-Tawil and Cuevas, Dr. Eidelwein will help provide care for an ever-increasingnumber of East Tennessee’s children seeking care at Children’s Hospital.

Physician sets career goal in early teens

Subspecialist Profiles

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MIHAIL M. SUBTIRELU, M.D.

M.D. (combined undergraduate and graduate program) – Faculty of General Medicine, “Carol Davila” Universityof Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, 1980-86Internship (rotating internship) – Colentina Clinical Hospital, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Bucharest, 1986-89Residency (pediatrics) – Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine ofYeshiva University, Bronx, N.Y., 1999-2002Fellowship (pediatric nephrology) – The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ofYeshiva University, 2002-05Other – served as a research assistant at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, N.Y., 1998-99Family – wife, Marielisa Rincon, M.D.; daughters Maria Andrea (3) and Ana Maria (1)Personal interests – sports, outdoor activities (walking and fishing), reading, classical music

Mihail M. Subtirelu, M.D., had an interest in caring for children early in his medical career. “Children are wonderful. Theyalways manage to smile,” he said. “It is a tremendous challenge and responsibility to treat children. They have their whole lives in frontof them, and the way they are treated will impact them in so many ways. You can make a remarkable difference in a child’s life.”

A native of Romania, Dr. Subtirelu completed his early medical education and first practiced there. He obtained a generalmedical degree and practiced as a primary care physician in Minzalesti, Romania, for several years, treating patients of all ages.For physicians in Romania, there were not options available at that time for specialty training.

In the late 1990s he decided to pursue his interest in pediatrics and completed a pediatrics residency at the Bronx-LebanonHospital Center in Bronx, N.Y. During a nephrology rotation, while completing his pediatric residency, he found his calling inwhat he describes as “a very logical specialty.”

Nephrology is a medical specialty, not a surgical one, and it deals primarily with the kidneys. Patients who need kidneysurgery would generally see a urologist, while a nephrologist provides non-surgical care to patients with kidney problems.

The kidneys perform important functions in the body, such as the management of fluids and electrolyte balance. Commonreasons for a nephrologist to be consulted include proteinuria (the presence of protein in the urine) and hematuria (the presenceof blood in the urine). To diagnose kidney disease, the nephrologist needs to perform a kidney biopsy. Kidney diseases may causeloss of kidney function, resulting in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. Children who need a kidney transplant willreceive pre- and post-operative care from a nephrologist.

Young patients may have hypertension (high blood pressure); commonly in children, the hypertension is “secondary” to akidney problem. Sometimes patients of any age have “white coat hypertension,” or blood pressure that is elevated in the doctor’soffice but normal at other times. It can be difficult to determine if a patient is simply experiencing white coat hypertension or ifhe or she actually has elevated blood pressure on an ongoing basis.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure have greatly improved care. Ambulatory blood pressuremonitoring is a relatively new technology that is helping physicians such as nephrologists make the distinction more easily. Withambulatory monitoring, a patient wears a blood pressure cuff for 24 hours; the cuff inflates and deflates automatically at specificintervals (usually every 15 or 30 minutes) and is attached to a small electronic monitoring device that records each blood pressuremeasurement. This gives physicians a much more accurate view of the patient’s blood pressure. “It’s an excellent tool,” he said.“It’s very simple, yet it yields beneficial results.”

According to Dr. Subtirelu, another improvement in care comes from genetic testing. For example, focal segmentalglomerulosclerosis is a serious kidney disease found more frequently in children over the last decade; recently genetic mutationsassociated with this disease have been discovered, and some of these mutations can now be tested for in patients. “Knowing if adisease has a genetic basis is of great help in management and prognosis,” he said.

Yet another improvement in care is related to clinical research. “More medications are being tested in children, and this isresulting in more clear guidelines for their use,” Dr. Subtirelu said. One of the most important clinical trials in the treatment offocal segmental glomerulosclerosis is just starting for children and young adults. This trial will help determine the effect ofdifferent therapies on kidney function and side effects associated with these treatments.

Challenges of his profession relate to the care of both acutely and chronically ill children, Dr. Subtirelu said: “Themanagement of an acutely ill child with kidney failure is challenging because the child cannot survive without kidney function. Itis important to quickly find the problem and treat it correctly.” For the patient with chronic kidney disease, the challenge is toprovide ongoing care over many years, offering the patient the best chance at a healthy, fruitful life.

Understandably, the biggest challenge comes when a child cannot be treated. “Sometimes, with today’s medical knowledge, wejust cannot win over the disease,” he said. “That’s more of a challenge for me, to live with the fact that we just can’t save some kids.”

Dr. Subtirelu and his family will move to East Tennessee this summer, and he will begin his practice here at that time. “EastTennessee is a great place to live and work and to make a home for your family,” he said. “We really like it. We’re ready for life ina smaller city.”

He is looking forward to beginning his work at Children’s Hospital, because it is an established facility serving an entireregion, not just the city. Dr. Subtirelu says, “It will be a great challenge, and I am looking forward to it.”

Pediatric nephrologist to join hospital staff

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Child Life. If you’ve never been a patient or astaff member at a children’s hospital, you may notfind any special significance in these two simplewords put together. But if you have ever had anexperience at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,you know how valuable and necessary those twowords are to our patients, their families and the staffat the hospital.

For example, a visitor in the hospital mightwalk by a patient room and hear a child’s laughter orgo past the playrooms on the inpatient floors andsee a group of children painting pictures together.These scenes may cause the visitor some confusion,because they are in a hospital, after all. But at achildren’s hospital with a Child Life staff, thesesituations are completely normal.

The members of the Child Life Department atChildren’s Hospital connect with patients every day.By spending quality time with patients, Child Lifespecialists allow children to be children, letting them

play and learn throughout their stay at the hospital.These interactions with patients also help theCertified Child Life Specialists, assistants, internsand volunteers learn about each child’s fears andallow them to help with each child’s concerns.

Child Life staff and volunteers help children bechildren while they are patients in the Second andThird Floor inpatient medical units, the PediatricIntensive Care Unit, the Outpatient Clinics or the

Emergency Department. The Child Life staff treatsthe “total child” by finding a way to relate to eachindividual patient at his or her age level and bymaking the hospital experience as positive as possiblefor the entire family.

Here’s a look at a few “typical” interactions thestaff of Child Life has with the patients at Children’sHospital every day:1. Michael and Jarod Strunk and German

Rodriguez leave their patient rooms to go to thethird floor playroom to paint pictures withChild Life Specialists Kristin Wells and JulieHead. Child Life Specialists use this paintingtime to let patients be creative and expressthemselves through artwork. During craft time,Child Life specialists can get a better idea ofwhat children’s fears and concerns are aboutbeing in the hospital.2. Wells engages in “medical play” with patients

Pamela Venkova and Peyton Newman. Sheshows the children how IVs are put in andhow to clean the dolls’ skin with alcoholwipes beforehand, similar to what a nursedoes before placing a patient IV. Wells showsthe children when you “wash, wash, wash”the doll’s skin, it gets clean! This medical playhelps Pamela and Peyton understand theprocess of getting an IV.

3. Now that Peyton knows what an IV is, he hasmuch less fear about having one put in by hisnurse, Julie Leonard. To help him cope with theprocedure, Wells distracts Peyton with fun toysand conversation during the placement of the IV.

4. Summer Dean is on her way to radiology, andKristin Wells is telling the child details abouther upcoming test. Wells explains the test willnot hurt and promises that afterward the two ofthem will get to paint together in the playroom.Wells calms any fears that Summer may haveand helps her feel more comfortable about theprocedure she will have.

5. Child Life provides children with a variety ofopportunities to play and learn during theirhospitalizations. In her room, Heather Woodbyplays a board game with Wells. They laughtogether about how Heather wins the gameevery time. This time together having fun andlaughing gets Heather’s mind off being in ahospital room and makes her feel morecomfortable.

6. Claire Aikens, a Child Life student intern, makesfour-month-old A’Blessin Ramsey smile bylaughing, talking and playing with her. ChildLife’s services are not just for older patients; thehospital’s youngest patients often need cheeringup, too. Child Life interns are given a hands-onlearning experience in the hospital setting, helpingto prepare them for a career in Child Life.

7. Older patients sometimes have more difficultypassing the time during their hospitalization.Julie Head keeps Noah Griffin company in hisroom, and they engage in a very competitivegame of chess. It is important for the Child Lifestaff to talk to older patients, not just abouttheir illness or injury but also about things thatare important to them. Child Life’s main goalwith adolescents is to help them feel morecomfortable in the hospital and let them knowthey have someone to talk to if needed.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

CHILDLIFECHILDLIFE

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Shannon McBride plays withKimberly West and her sister,Abigail, while they wait forKimberly to be treated. Theinteraction with McBride helpsdistract the girls while they arein the Emergency Department,helping the children and thefamily to cope during their visit.

11. Tiffany Reid is in good spiritsduring her stay in the PediatricIntensive Care Unit. She is making a beadednecklace with Child Life intern JessicaBurkhart. The Child Life staff knows how ahospitalization can have a negative emotionaleffect on a child and his or her family, and theydo whatever they can to relieve the stress thatcan be associated with being in an intensive caresituation.

by Rupal Mehta, publications specialist

8. In the clinic’s waiting room, Child Life internAngela Collins creates a craft project with JaimeJohnson, who is waiting for her sister’streatment to be completed. Not only doesChild Life staff help patients, but they also helptheir families. Child Life’s work is an integralpart of the hospital’s focus on child-familycentered care, which is a philosophy thatfocuses on treating families and helps them be apart of the patient’s recovery by being a sourceof strength, support and comfort for thepatient. Collins helps ease Jaime’s fears andconcerns by explaining what procedures aregoing to happen to her sister.

9. Eight-year-old Madison Craddok is getting herblood drawn at the rheumatology clinic bynurse Lindsay Wheeler. Child Life SpecialistAmanda Wilson talks to Madison about herpets to keep her mind off of the procedure.After the blood is drawn, Wilson stays withMadison to work on arts and crafts while shewaits for her doctor.

10. In the Emergency Department, Child Life hasdeveloped various pain management techniquesfor patients while they wait to be seen by adoctor. Child Life specialists know there areways to relieve a child’s pain in addition tomedication. Certified Child Life Specialist

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Dermatologist Sophia J. Hendrick, M.D., wassuccessful in completing the 2004 examination forcertification as a Pediatric Dermatologist. She was among88 dermatologists nationwide and the only one in EastTennessee to pass the first-ever certification examinationoffered by the American Board of Dermatology. Twodermatologists in Nashville also were certified, for a totalof only three physicians in the Tennessee who are boardcertified in pediatric dermatology.

Dr. Hendrick is in private practice withDermatology Specialists, P.L.L.C., in Knoxville. She also consults on dermatology cases with inpatients atChildren’s Hospital and directs the Children’s HospitalDermatology Clinic, which meets monthly in theOutpatient Clinics department.

Although she just recently received the subspecialtycertification, Dr. Hendrick has had an interest inpediatric dermatology since her final year of medicalschool, when she completed a rotation in thesubspecialty. Her interest in pediatric dermatologycontinued during residency, and she has been a memberof the Society for Pediatric Dermatology since 1986.

“There was no fellowship offered anywhere inpediatric dermatology at that time, so I completed a

general dermatology residency,”she said. “But I let people knowthat I liked working withchildren.”

In private practice and onthe Medical Staff at Children’sHospital since 1987, Dr.Hendrick has always treatedchildren and adults and, likemost dermatologists, she willcontinue to treat both agegroups.

For the past five years, Dr.Hendrick has seen patients in theChildren’s Hospital DermatologyClinic, a specialty outpatientclinic for children with lesscommon skin conditions. About15-18 patients are scheduled for

each monthly clinic session. “All dermatologists seepatients with acne and warts,” she explained. “The clinicis for stubborn cases of such conditions as eczema andpsoriasis or for rarely seen syndromes.”

Dr. Hendrick examines children who come to theclinic, and they can have other related services, such asblood work, provided at the same time. This and otheroutpatient clinics are provided for patients with specificconditions to streamline the appointment process byoffering all the needed services in one place, at one time.These clinics are beneficial for the patients andconvenient for their families.

Children who are regularly seen in some ofChildren’s other clinics also occasionally make visits tothe Dermatology Clinic. For example, an oncologypatient may have a mole that needs to be checked or arash caused by chemotherapy. A diabetic child with arash that typically is treated with prednisone (an oralsteroid) may be examined by Dr. Hendrick for othertreatment options, because diabetics should avoid steroidsif possible.

In addition, Dr. Hendrick also collaborates with thehospital’s Rheumatology Clinic, which sees children withrheumatoid arthritis.

As a member of the Medical Staff at Children’sHospital, Dr. Hendrick also consults on inpatient caseswhere a dermatologist is needed. These cases are mostoften severe eczema complicated by infection in childrenyounger than four years. Other common cases includeallergic reactions to medication, and these cases can bechallenging. “Sometimes the child has an illness thoughtto be a bacterial infection, so the child is given anantibiotic,” she said. “Then the child develops a rash, so we have to determine whether the rash was caused by the illness or by the antibiotic.”

Newborns in the NICU with birthmarks or otherskin conditions also may need a dermatology consult. In the NICU, she might be asked to examine suchconditions as hemangiomas, moles, port wine stains or some rare blistering diseases.

While Dr. Hendrick’s recent certification as apediatric dermatologist will not change her practice, it is a great indicator of her knowledge of pediatricdermatology and of her dedication to providing the best care possible to the children of this region.

Children’s Hospital’s $31.8 million constructionproject is in the final stages of completion.

What was once a parking lot on the corner of ClinchAvenue and 20th Street has been transformed into aseven-story addition to Children’s Hospital, allowing forthe expansion of many areas. The PICU, Surgery/PostAnesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) and new areas onthe Second, Third and Fourth floors, including patientrooms and expanded play areas, are now operational.

In April several more projects and renovations werefinished, with the remaining renovations starting in May.

The expansion of the NICU from 36 to 44 beds isscheduled for completion in May. This project alsoincludes the addition of two rooms for parents to stay inwith their baby before discharge, called “rooming-inrooms.”

The cafeteria became operational again in April, andthe kitchen, projected for completion in May, is addingnew cooler, freezer and storage areas.

The Second and Third floors each are adding 20renovated private rooms in May. An additional six privaterooms on these floors will be completed by earlySeptember.

The expansion of the Radiology Department beginsin May and will be finished in August.

Outpatient Surgery will expand from 16 to 27rooms beginning in May. Four rooms are already finishedand in use, with the completion of the additional roomsscheduled for September.

The three-year project should be completed on time,and all renovations and construction will be completed inSeptember. When the entire project is complete, thehospital will feature 95 private patient rooms with fullbaths, and the number of beds in the hospital willincrease from 122 to 152.

by Haylee Reynolds, student intern

Dr. Sophia J. Hendrick examines a rash on the face of one of herpatients, Alexander Schafer, at the Dermatology Clinic.

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Construction on schedule, almost complete

Local dermatologist certified inpediatric subspecialty

Children’s News...

The new surgery waiting room.

A new private room in the PICU.

SOPHIA J. HENDRICK, M.D.

B.A. (Chemistry) – Vanderbilt University, 1976M.D. – University of Texas Medical School, Houston, 1982Internship – St. Joseph’s Hospital, Houston, 1983-84Residency (Dermatology) – University of Texas MedicalBranch, Galveston, 1984-87Other – Board certified in dermatology, 1987; boardcertified in pediatric dermatology, 2004Family – Husband, Lee Hendrick; daughters Robyn(23), Kelly (15) and Julie (13)Interests – singing in her church choir, photography

Since September 2001, Children’s Hospital hascollaborated with Knoxville’s other hospitals in the EastTennessee Healthcare Recruiters Group (ETHRG). The goal of the group, composed of nurses, allied health professionalsand human resources specialists, is to recruit qualified nursesand other health care professionals to the East Tennessee regionand to promote health care professions to young people as acareer choice.

With the assistance of Coordinated Healthcare Services(an established outside agency), Baptist Health System of EastTennessee, Blount Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health,Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Health System and theUniversity of Tennessee Medical Center have collaborated toshowcase the quality of life this region has to offer to healthcare professionals.

Lisa Osterman, R.N., Employment Manager at Children’s

Children’s Hospital participates in nationwide nursing recruitment effort

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10 AMAZING KIDS RECOGNIZED BY WBIR-TV 10, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Hospital, said, “The group’s mission is ‘to develop strategiesthrough a collaborative effort with area health care systems topromote the eastern Tennessee region as a desirable workingand living environment and to support the development of astrong workforce pipeline.’” ETHRG follows this mission bypromoting the benefits of a health care career in East Tennesseeto experienced health care professionals, health care professionstudents and youth.

Maynardville - This teenager was instrumental in theestablishment of Union County as a Community of Promisefor the America’s Promise effort. Lynsey also was chairpersonof the Toys for Tots campaign in Union County, raisingenough funds to provide Christmas presents for more than210 disadvantaged children. She is a graduate of theLeadership Union County Youth Program and serves on theboard of directors of Keep Union County Beautiful and theUnion County Business and Professional Association.

9. Kyle Thornton, age 15, Clinton High School, Clinton -Born with spina bifida, this teenager is an invaluablemember of the Hawks Helping Others Service-LearningAcademy, is active at Cedar Hill Baptist Church and hasbeen involved with his middle and high school footballteams. Projects Kyle has worked on include ridding yardsof garbage, reading to local children, helping withorganizing the Tsunami Relief Festival in Oak Ridge,feeding the homeless at the Salvation Army, helping kidsfind Easter eggs at a local hunt and volunteering to sort anddistribute food for families this past Thanksgiving.

10.Charissa Vannatter, age 15, homebound student inRussellville - This teenager keeps a giving spirit and apositive attitude despite having had leukemia. Combiningher loves of cooking and helping others, Charissa assists infood preparation and meal distribution for MATS inMorristown. She is active with her church youth group, hasraised money for the American Cancer Society during theRelay for Life event and has collected and distributed teddybears for the patients at Children’s Hospital.

Each of the 10 Amazing Kids’ stories was featured on“Live at 5” on WBIR-TV in April.

Applications for next year’s 10 Amazing Kids will beaccepted beginning in December. Watch WBIR-TV for moreinformation on the 2006 selection process.

In the fall of 2003, Children’s Hospital and WBIR-TV 10created the 10 Amazing Kids program to recognize childrenfrom throughout East Tennessee who have done something outof the ordinary—whether through extraordinary volunteerwork, amazing talent or impressive service to their community.

“We were looking for outstanding youngsters who haddone something amazing: overcome an incredible physical oremotional situation, demonstrated outstanding talent andachievement through their art, or exhibited a passion forhelping to make life better for others,” said Jeff Lee, WBIR’sGeneral Manager.

In December 2004, announcements on WBIR-TV askedviewers to nominate a child who had done somethingexceptional. Dozens of entries were received, and the selectionprocess was extremely difficult. The 2005 10 Amazing Kids are: 1. Jessica Andrews, age 18, West High School, Knoxville -

Born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 13months, Jessica volunteers at the Elder Day Care Center inOak Ridge and at the Kiwanis’ Fresh Air Camp, where sheencourages younger children with disabilities. This senior isa peer tutor and works with special ed students at her highschool, coordinates a newsletter project for a housingauthority, and has been the top cookie and nut seller fortwo years as a Senior Girl Scout. Jessica is also Tennessee’sfastest electric wheelchair racer for the last three years.

2. Madalyn Carpenter, age 9, Eagleton Elementary, Maryville- This third grader donated her hair to Locks of Love and isgrowing it out again to help other children with cancer.She has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relayfor Life, has raised money for the American HeartAssociation by jumping rope and currently is selling rubberbracelets to raise money for tsunami victims in Asia. Anoutstanding student, she is also active in her church and insports and has played piano at area nursing homes.

3. Noah Farmer, age 7, Christenberry Elementary School,Knoxville - When Noah learned the Salvation Army was inneed of bell ringers last holiday season, he asked his momto let him help and was a bell ringer for several weeks.Noah used his allowance to buy boxes of food for needyfamilies, explaining that no one should be hungry, andhelped his mom adopt and then deliver Christmas gifts to a

family in crisis. With future plans to be a veterinarian, he isplanning to volunteer at a local animal shelter.

4. Taber Gable, age 13, Bearden Middle School, Knoxville -Taber volunteers regularly at the Joy of Music School,which offers music lessons to disadvantaged children. Taberhelps promote the program by playing his owncompositions and displaying his musical abilities. He is alsoan excellent student, assists other students with their studiesand “helps make this school a better place,” one of histeachers said. His mentor in the Big Brother program callsTaber a source of guidance and influence to him.

5. Miranda Harmon, age 11, Rush Strong School, StrawberryPlains - After reading a story about a girl at a homelessshelter, this fifth-grader made a difference for hercommunity by spearheading a Coats for the Cold drive ather school. Miranda coordinated the effort, with over 400coats being collected for distribution by the Knox AreaRescue Ministries. She also served as a peer tutor, offeringencouragement to fellow students having trouble withschoolwork or personal dilemmas.

6. Nicholas Hyder, age 10, Dogwood Elementary School,Knoxville - His service as a special education peer coachand tutor in school is what sets him apart from otherstudents. Nick serves as a positive role model to thestudents he coaches, who look up to him and aspire to bemore like him, as well as to students in the regulareducation program, who have become more tolerant ofthose in the special programs. Nick is part of the SafetyPatrol and active in the Manners Club, DARE program,Peace Police and 4-H.

7. Matthew “Joe” LeSage, age 16, Farragut High School,Knoxville - This teenager first learned about the needs ofSecond Harvest Food Bank when its executive director spoketo his third grade class. Joe started by saving his milk moneyand each year has added to his efforts to help combat hungerin East Tennessee. Joe started a program called “Hams forthe Hungry” several years ago to provide Easter meals toalmost 15,000 hungry families. In the first five years of thisprogram, over $58,000 has been raised. Joe is also active inhis church and school and is an excellent student.

8. Lynsey Smith, age 18, Union County High School,

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Estate Planning...Because your children are special ... a will is vital

IncludeChildren’s Hospitalin your estate plans.Join the ABC Club.

For more information,call (865) 541-8441.

Please send the free brochure titled “Personal Information Record”

Name______________________________ Address__________________________________________

City___________________________ State_______ Zip_____________ Phone#(______)___________

r Please call me at the above phone number for a free confidential consultation concerning planned giving.

r Please send me more information about deferred giving.

r I have already included Children’s Hospital in my estate plan in the following way:

__________________________________________________________________________

r Please send me information about the ABC Club.

Children’s Hospital Development Office (865) 541-8441

“If something happened to both of us, Mom wouldget the kids, wouldn’t she?”

Your state’s plan for taking care of your children(and for distributing all that you have accumulatedduring your lifetime) may not match up well with whatyou and your spouse would plan to do.

As hard as our lawmakers work and as wellintentioned as they may be, have you ever disagreed withlaws that they pass? As much as we respect our judges,have you ever questioned their decisions?

If you fail to make a will, you are allowing thelegislature (via the laws they have written) and the courts(via their interpretation of those laws) to determine thecustody of your minor children, should such anunfortunate need ever arise.

If you were choosing the person to care for yourchildren, you would probably look at many differentfactors. • Who raises their children the way you are raising

yours? • Who has religious beliefs that are closest to yours? • Who has a large enough home?

Since the shortage of health care workers is reaching acritical level, the group initially focused on young people tohelp build a new generation of health care professionals.ETHRG has participated in Knox County’s “Schooled forSuccess,” Blount County’s 8th grade career fair, Kids U,Amazing Healthcare Career Expo and the Girl Scout LeadersConference. ETHRG estimates it has reached more than 7,500eighth graders though its efforts.

The group has also developed a packet for adolescentsthat highlights the top 10 careers in health care, including adescription of each career, salary information and a list ofschools in the area that offer specific health care programs.Members of the group also visit local high schools as in-classspeakers and for career fairs, reaching more than 800 highschool students.

To collectively recruit health care workers and nursingstudents, the group attends the National Student NursesAssociation Annual Conferences and nearby state studentorganization efforts. The group also attends monthly meetingsfor the Tennessee Society of Healthcare Human Resources and

Record,” send your name and address to us via the reply form below. Or you may e-mail David Rule,Director of Development, at [email protected] or TeresaGoddard, CFRE, Senior Development Officer, [email protected]. You may also reach us by phone at (865) 541-8441.

health care careers and living and working in East Tennessee. Italso provides links to each hospital in the group, which allowseach visitor to receive information about the individualfacilities.

The newest feature of the Web site is an interactivesection for youth and students, developed using the TennesseeDepartment of Education Curriculum Standards. “Wepartnered with a curriculum specialist from Knox CountySchools with the goal of having local teachers use the Web siteas a teaching tool for their health, science and wellness classes,”Osterman said.

“The group plans to increase its visibility regionally andnationally by attending four major conferences a year,continuing its current youth outreach programs, promoting thegroup’s Web site to youth and health care professionals andstudents and expanding our program to include allied healthprofessions that have current or anticipated shortages in thefuture,” Osterman said.

By Rupal Mehta, publications specialist

• Who is in good health? • Who would treat them the way you would? • Who would take them to baseball games, ballet

lessons, soccer practices or all their otherimportant activities?Perhaps your parents, your spouse’s parents, a

married brother or sister or a close friend would bebest suited to raise your children. Would you reallywant them in court fighting over custody of yourchildren because you failed to plan?

Do you have enough life insurance and otherassets to support your children until they are grown,educated and on their own? Perhaps you would wantthe people who are raising your children to also be incharge of the funds you would leave for their support.But you might prefer to have a separate individual ora trust company manage the money for them.

However you answered the questions above, aproperly prepared will is the only way to assure that yourwishes are carried out.

For more information on wills and estate planning,including a copy of our booklet, “Personal Information

the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives. In the future,the recruitment group plans to increase visibility to regionaland national health care professionals by advertising thebenefits of life in East Tennessee in professional journals.

Through conferences and meetings, the group estimates ithas reached 20,000 experienced registered nurses and 17,000nursing students. To encourage people to consider a career withthe hospitals that make up the ETHRG, they emphasize thenatural beauty and resources of the East Tennessee region, thelower cost of living compared to cities of comparable size andthe lack of a state income tax at this time.

“We also allow health care professionals and students toknow there are positions available in large, moderate andsmaller sized institutions. They have the option of choosingfrom a variety of hospitals including large, multi-systemorganizations, regional trauma centers, leading cardiac facilitiesand not-for-profit hospitals,” Osterman said.

The most exciting addition to the group’s efforts is theETHRG Web site, www.EastTNhealthcareers.com, which wentlive in October 2004. The Web site includes information on

Children’s Hospital nursing recruitment effort (continued)

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CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONS DAYChildren’s Hospital invites individuals

throughout East Tennessee to participate inChildren’s Champions Day, June 3, as part of theChildren’s Miracle Network Telethon weekend.Anyone can show support for Children’s Hospital by purchasing and wearing the 2005 telethon T-shirt that day.

The telethon T-shirts were designed by KarenSwinehart, Janie Lundin-Ledgerwood, C.J. Issacand Charles Hanrote, students from the Universityof Tennessee’s college of design. The shirts display

the artwork shown here on the back. The shirtscan be purchased through the Children’s HospitalDevelopment Department. For more information,call (865) 541-8441.

TENNESSEE RIVER 600Water enthusiasts from all over East Tennessee

can take their personal watercrafts on a seven-day,600-mile excursion down the Tennessee River tobenefit four Children’s Miracle Network hospitalsand the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Thetrip will start July 23 at Knoxville’s VolunteerLanding and end July 30 at Pickwick Landingnear Memphis. Participants will collect donationsfor the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals alongthe route, including East Tennessee Children’sHospital. Last year’s trek raised more than$22,000 for the five charitable organizations.

BOOMSDAY

This Labor Day holiday, like many of itspredecessors, will again host a Tennessee tradition.The Star 102.1 Boomsday, sponsored by JournalBroadcast Group, bids summer goodbye andwelcomes fall with an extravaganza of colorfulfireworks and music on Sunday, September 4 atthe Knoxville Riverfront. Star 102.1 Boomsdaybenefits Children’s Hospital, which receives aportion of the proceeds from soft drink and watersales at the event. The free event starts at noon,with the fireworks show as the grand finale at 9p.m. The finale’s musical soundtrack can be heardon the four Journal Broadcast Group stations:Star 102.1, The Point 93.1, Hot 104.5 and TheTicket 1040 AM, and the show will be broadcaston WBIR-TV Channel10. Star 102.1 Boomsdaydraws more than 250,000people annually and wasnamed one of the Top 20Events in the Southeastfor September by theSoutheast TourismSociety.

UPCOMING EVENTS TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’SMark your calendars now for several upcoming events to entertain families and benefit Children’s Hospital.

Thanks to the generous people of East Tennessee who host and participate in these events, Children’s Hospital can continue to provide the best pediatric health care to the children of this region.

DATES TO

REMEMBERUpcoming events to benefit

Children’s Hospital

JuneChampions Day

June 3Children’s Miracle Network Telethon

June 4-5

JulyTennessee River 600

July 23-30

AugustSons of Thunder Motorcycle Fun Ride

August 13 Karaoke in the Park

August 20

SeptemberStar 102.1 Boomsday

September 4

For more information about any of these events, call (865) 541-8441

or visit our Web site at www.etch.comand click on “Coming Attractions.”

CALENDAR of EVENTS

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QQ :: What are some safety precautions parentsneed to be aware of concerning pedestrian safetyand their children?

AA :: Parents should never let children cross streetsuntil the child demonstrates traffic skills and goodjudgment. Adult supervision is required until aboutage 10. Also, parents need to require children tocarry flashlights and wear reflective material at night,dawn and dusk. Parents need to use common senseto ensure their children are playing in safe areas clearof traffic dangers.

QQ :: When biking in the park or to the pool or lake, what should parents model for theirchildren?

AA :: Parents should always keep safety on thebrain — this means wear a helmet! Make surehelmets are properly fitted, centered on the top ofthe head and always strapped and buckled. A helmetshould be snug and not rock back and forth or sideto side. And, just like a pedestrian, bicyclists shouldalways obey traffic signals and lights. Look back andyield to traffic coming from behind before turningleft. Teach and use appropriate hand signals to alertcars as to the cyclist’s intended actions. Many parentsthink helmets are only for children, but safety doesn’tend when children reach a certain age. Helmets havebeen proven effective in preventing injuries in adultaccidents, too.

Wear the right safety gear in addition to ahelmet. For skating and skateboarding, childrenshould wear properly fitting kneepads, elbow padsand wrist guards. Parents should also ensure theirchild’s bicycle is an appropriate size with securereflectors, working brakes, smoothly shifting gearsand tires that are secured tightly and properlyinflated.

In conjunction with the SAFE KIDS Coalitionof the Greater Knox Area, Children’s Hospitalreminds all adults caring for children that safetyapplies to everyone — including themselves. Thisyear’s national SAFE KIDS campaign for SAFEKIDS Week in May is “Follow the Leader, SafetyStarts With You,” and it urges parents to take thetime to set a positive example for their childrenwhen it comes to safety. Children see their parents asrole models, and they should be just that — a rolemodel in every aspect of life, including safety. It’s assimple as making sure everyone in a car has aseatbelt on or ensuring that everyone is wearing a lifejacket when boating.

“Parents need to lead by example — it’s the‘golden rule’ of safety,” said Frances Craig, M.D.,emergency medicine physician at Children’sHospital. “Not only will this keep the whole familysafe, but it also will instill strong safety habits forchildren.”

Safety messages should be continually taught.For instance, if a family is planning a day at the poolor lake, safety begins before the family leaves thedriveway. After arriving at the pool or lake, thatfamily may need to walk or bicycle along a busystreet or sidewalk to reach the destination. Oncethere, water safety continues to ensure everyone iskept injury free. And these practices should thenrepeat until a family safely returns home.

Some of the most common injuries occur whenthe simplest safety precautions could have beenmade. According to Dr. Craig, in the situation listedabove, parents have the opportunity to teach andmodel many safety messages during a single outing.

QQ :: When getting into a car for an outing, whatdo parents need to teach their children?

AA :: It is important that parents set the example in putting on a seatbelt and telling children theyshould always be properly restrained. Also, teachchildren not to play around cars and never to ride in the bed of a pickup truck.

QQ :: What responsibilities do parents have whenit comes to child-passenger safety?

AA :: Parents should always make sure their childrenare properly restrained in an appropriate seat,whether a car seat, a booster seat, or simply usingthe lap and shoulder belt. Infants should be rearfacing until they are one year of age and weigh atleast 20 pounds. Any child one year of age to fouryears of age should ride in a forward facing childsafety seat. Be sure to read the manufacturer’sinstructions and visit a car seat checkpoint to makesure the seat is properly installed. And any child agefour through eight and weighing more than 40pounds should ride in a belt-positioning boosterseat. Make sure to position the lap and shoulderbelts safely across the thighs and the collarbone.Belts should not cross the neck or the soft tissue ofthe stomach; this will lead to injury if a family isinvolved in a motor vehicle crash.

QQ :: When walking along a street, what actionsshould parents model to keep their children safe?

AA :: Parents need to teach their children at a veryyoung age to look left, right and left again beforecrossing the street. Cross when clear and keeplooking both ways while crossing. Parents shouldalso teach and obey traffic signals and signs andalways cross at a crosswalk when available. Neverenter the street from behind parked cars, bushes orshrubs. Teach children to never run into the streetwithout stopping at the curb, even if chasing a ball,a family pet or for any other reason.

FFOOLLLLOOWW TTHHEE LLEEAADDEERR,, SSAAFFEETTYY SSTTAARRTTSS WWIITTHH PPAARREENNTTSS

We’ve all seen it — children securely belted in a car seat and the parent drivingunrestrained; a child wearing a life jacket and no flotation device on the parent; or a bicycle ride in the park with only the smallest of bikers wearing helmets.

Upcoming Community Education Classes

MAKING HEALTHY CHOICESLocation: Children’s Hospital Koppel Plaza

Time: 7 p.m. Dates: May 16, June 23, July 19 and August 10

Because food habits often are family-centered, it isimportant to recognize unhealthy habits and take steps to

correct them. A registered dietitian will discuss how tomake appropriate healthy food choices, provide substitutes

for foods that promote weight gain and suggest methods forincreasing daily activity. This course is free.

SAFE SITTERLocation: Children’s Hospital Koppel Plaza

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Dates: May 14, August 20, September 10

Location: Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, SeviervilleTime: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dates: May 21, August 27, September 17Safe Sitter is a national organization that teaches young

adolescents safe and nurturing babysitting techniques andthe rescue skills needed to respond appropriately to medical

emergencies. Instructors are certified through Safe Sitternationally. Participants must be ages 11-14. This course is

$18 per person.

INFANT AND CHILD CPRLocation: Children’s Hospital Koppel Plaza

Time: 6:30 p.m.Dates: May 23, June 20, July 18, August 22

Location: Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, SeviervilleTime: 6:30 p.m.

Dates: May 16, June 13, July 11, August 1 This class will teach caregivers cardiopulmonary

resuscitation and choking maneuvers for children ages eight and younger. This class also gives general home safety

advice and tips. This course is $18 per person.

Class size is limited, so pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for any of these classes or to receive our free Healthy Kids parenting

newsletter, call (865) 541-8262.

Announcements about upcoming classes can be seen on WBIR-TV 10 and heard on area radio stations. Or visit our Web site at www.etch.com and click on

“Healthy Kids Education and News.”

Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Kids Campaign, sponsored byWBIR-TV 10 and Chick-Fil-A, is a community education

initiative of the hospital’s Community RelationsDepartment to help parents keep their children healthy.

Just like a pedestrian, a cyclist should incorporate reflective material intoclothing, especially at dusk and dawn or when the weather is bad. Use bothlights and reflectors on bicycles.

One other note: A common mistake parents make is to buy bigger bikesfor their kids to “grow into.” However, it is important to buy a bike that isappropriate for the child’s size at the time he or she will be riding it. It can bedifficult — and therefore unsafe — to ride the wrong size bike.

QQ :: Once a family reaches the pool or lake, what should parents teachtheir children about safety when swimming or around water?

AA :: Parents should always set rules around any body of water. For instance,children should only swim in designated safe areas of rivers, lakes and oceansand should always swim with a buddy. Parents should make sure theirchildren can swim and that their children have taken swim lessons through areputable organization, such as the American Red Cross, local YMCA or thedepartment of parks and recreation. Before anyone jumps into the water,make sure his or her flotation device is properly fitted and fastened and is anapproved flotation device (water-wings and inner tubes are not acceptableflotation devices). Never dive into a river or lake; diving should only bepracticed in pools where the depth is clearly marked.

QQ :: While children are swimming, what should parents be doing?

AA :: Parents should always be watching the water. Children drown without asound, and it only takes a few seconds for a child to go under water. Parentsshould learn CPR and be prepared for an emergency. Often, parents get toocomfortable around water and leave their children unsupervised for a fewseconds. In the time it takes a parent to go across a room to get a towel (lessthan a minute), a child could be submerged. In the time it takes for a parentto answer the phone (2-4 minutes), a child could lose consciousness; and inthe time it takes to answer the door and sign for a package (6-8 minutes), achild could have permanent brain damage. While children are in the water,someone needs to be the “water watcher.” Be sure to designate this job tosomeone and make sure this person is trained and knows how to respondappropriately in an emergency.

“We always want children to play and enjoy life, but having the entirefamily practice safe habits can keep anyone from getting hurt while they areplaying,” Dr. Craig said. “Building these safe habits now will allow children toplay, have fun and stay safe every day.”

For more child safety tips, visit Children’s Hospital’s Web site atwww.etch.com or contact the Children’s Hospital Community RelationsDepartment at (865) 541-8165. For more information on National SAFEKIDS Week, visit the National SAFE KIDS Campaign Web site atwww.safekids.org.

Compiled by Seth Linkous, Associate Director for Public Relations15

Francis Craig, M.D., emergency medicine physician.

Children’s Hospital2018 Clinch Ave. • P.O. Box 15010Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010

We always try to stay current with friends of the hospital.If for any reason you should receive a duplicate issue,please notify the hospital at (865) 541-8257.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PA I DPERMIT 433

KNOXVILLE, TN

As the 23rd annual Children’s MiracleNetwork telethon to benefit Children’s Hospitalapproaches, exciting additions are in store forviewers.

All three area radio groups -- CitadelCommunications, Journal Broadcast Group andSouth Central Radio Group -- and the Dollywoodentertainment park are working with telethonorganizers to put together entertainmentprogramming that will air along with theinspirational stories of patients who have beenhelped by Children’s Hospital.

In addition, this year’s telethon offers viewersthe convenience of donating to Children’s Hospitalonline during the broadcast. Those watching thebroadcast on WBIR-TV can log on to www.etch.comand click on “Make A Donation” on the left sideof the home page to make their contribution.

Last year, the CMN broadcast raised morethan $2.1 million for Children’s Hospital duringthe 22nd annual telethon. This total represents thetremendous generosity of the people of EastTennessee and their continued commitment toChildren’s Hospital as the institution continuallyworks to improve its services and facilities to betterserve this area’s children.

The success of this year’s Children’s MiracleNetwork telethon is crucial in helping Children’sHospital grow to better serve the children of EastTennessee. Funds raised at the telethon will beused to purchase new and sophisticated medicalequipment for various hospital departments,including the NICU, Surgery, Emergency

Department, Home Health Care and inpatientunits. For details of what the telethon funds willpurchase, visit our Web site at www.etch.com.

Viewers can invest in the future of thousandsof East Tennessee’s children by supporting the2005 Children’s Miracle Network broadcast onWBIR-TV Channel 10 on Saturday, June 4, andSunday, June 5, live from Children’s Hospital.Support from the community through the telethonhelps ensure each child who comes to Children’sHospital, now and in the future, is able to receivethe care he or she needs.

Children’s Hospital is a charter member of theChildren’s Miracle Network. In 1983, the hospitalparticipated in the first telethon that raised$95,487 in East Tennessee, all of which remainedat Children’s Hospital for the direct benefit of itspatients.

For more information about the Children’sMiracle Network broadcast or if you would like tovolunteer at the telethon, please call (865) 541-8441.

by Haylee Reynolds, student intern

Building a Healthy Tomorrow 2005 CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK TELETHON IS JUNE 4-5