It's About Children - Issue 1, 2015 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

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CPR class for parents and teens age 14 and older

Donate to Children’s Hospital

MEDIC blood drive

MAY

JUN.

MAY

TODAY

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building(Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn CPR so you can respond to emergencies in your home.

Supporters like you are the backbone of the hospital, providing the necessary equipment to care for thousands of children each year. Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to learn how you can support Children’s Hospital.

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building(Meschendorf Conference Room)It’s free.Call 865-541-8165 for more information. All blood used at Children’s Hospital is provided through MEDIC. One donation can help up to three people. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and have an ID.

Mark Your Calendar

2 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

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13 Change in leadership

Through it all

Living well

Saying goodbye to Laura Barnes aft er nearly 41 years; welcoming Hella Ewing to Children’s Hospital.

Find out how an experience at Children’s Hospital deeply impacted a young couple who’ll begin their journey as husband and wife this spring.

Meet Elise McDaniel, an energetic young woman who makes being healthy a priority.

It’s About Children is a publication of the Marketing Department at

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.Editor: Paul Parson

Designer: Deborah HostermanCover photo by Michael Dayah

Connect with us:www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

[email protected]

Spotlight209

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Safe Sitter class for children ages 11 to 14

Peyton Manning Golf Classic

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MAY

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9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building(Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn correct babysitting techniques, emergency responses and how to use babysitting as a business.

Morning round begins at 8 a.m.; afternoon round begins at 1:30 p.m.Fox Den Country ClubSponsorship packages range from $500 to $25,000.Call 865-541-8441 or visit www.etch.com/GolfClassic to register for the event or for sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds go toward the purchase of equipment in our Emergency Department.

3Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren


Together…Through it all

Story by E. Andersonand Cassidy Duckett

continued on page 6


Photo by Stephanie Hatcher


As teenagers, Jacob Standridge and Tracey Jaynes spent countless hours at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital while Jacob battled cancer. It was an experience that deeply impacted the young couple who’ll begin their journey as husband and wife this spring. In 2010, Jacob, then a sophomore in high school, was playing baseball when he noticed a pain in his left arm. “I thought it was a pulled muscle, but it got really bad one night,” Jacob said. “My mom took me to our pediatrician who did an X-ray. When he got the results back, he said he’d never seen anything like it in his life. He said it looked like mud.” Doctors diagnosed Jacob with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The 15-year-old immediately began treatment at Children’s Hospital—an hour away from his hometown of Sweetwater, Tenn. It was there that the course of Jacob’s life was changed forever. Though he had a tough fight against cancer, Jacob’s experience at Children’s Hospital is full of memories of those who cared for him and eased his anxiety through humor and compassion. Jacob fondly remembers joking with his doctors, surprising a nurse with a fake snake and even taking part in water-filled syringe wars with his patient care assistant. “My experience with the staff was amazing,” said Jacob, now 20 years old. Jacob’s experience at Children’s Hospital inspired him to pursue a nursing degree at Tennessee Technological University. “I want to become a pediatric oncology nurse and care for children like I was cared for. My experience showed me that you never know what could happen in your life, so I try to live my life to the fullest,” said Jacob, who’s already worked with young patients as a volunteer at Children’s Hospital. Similarly, Jacob’s fiancée, Tracey, is studying to be a child life specialist. The couple had been dating for nearly

Photo by Michael Dayah


Photo by Stephanie Hatcher

two years when Jacob was diagnosed with cancer. “She was there through the whole thing,” Jacob said of Tracey. “And when she saw child life working with me, she was inspired to become a specialist.” As part of her program at Tennessee Tech, Tracey worked as a practicum student with the Child Life Department at Children’s Hospital. “I intentionally applied here because this hospital has the best care for children,” she said. “It’s absolutely amazing how the staff cares about helping their patients.” The couple plans to wed in May 2015 at a barn in Tracey’s hometown of Philadelphia, Tenn. And both hope Children’s Hospital—the place that saved Jacob’s life and made a lifelong impact on both of them—will remain an important part of their future. “This hospital is a huge part of this region,” Jacob said. “I’d recommend a family to the hospital not only because it’s just for children, but for the outstanding care your child receives and for the employees’ love for helping children.”


Story by E. AndersonPhotos by Michael Dayah

continued on page 10

Taking charge.Living well.Elise McDaniel makes being healthy a priority.


Still, Elise remained physically active—participating on a swim team and taking several dance classes. When she continued to gain weight, Chris addressed the problem with Elizabeth Wirthwein, M.D., Elise’s pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Wirthwein had been treating Elise since she was 8 years old for hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Though this condition, often referred to as underactive thyroid, can lead to weight gain, Chris discovered that wasn’t entirely the case with Elise. “I thought it was something having to do with her Down syndrome. But really, it was that we weren’t limiting what she was eating,” she said. The discovery was eye-opening for Chris, who never had to watch her weight. Her husband, Lee, and Elise’s younger brother, Cole, both maintain healthy weights as well. “I wasn’t necessarily serving my family diet meals, but I tried to serve healthy food to my family,” she said. In 2012, Elise’s weight hit an all-time high of 134 pounds, a signifi cant amount for her small, 4-foot-10-inch frame to handle. She was often winded and made her parents take breaks even on short walks around the neighborhood. Chris decided to take action. With the help of her mom, Elise began cutting carbohydrates and limiting portions. She continued being

continued from page 9

Elise McDaniel is full of energy—rarely sitting still. Most days you’ll fi nd the 17-year-old shaving seconds off her freestyle time at swim team practice. Or perfecting her tango in ballroom dance class. Or riding a tandem bicycle with her father, Lee. But having the energy to do the things she loves wasn’t always easy for Elise. Though always physically active, it wasn’t until Elise combined that with smart food choices that she was able to take charge of her health—ultimately improving her quality of life.

Born at just 4 pounds, 1 ounce, Elise spent the beginning of her life in the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Elise’s low birth weight—typical for babies with Down syndrome—required her to stay in the NICU for nine days. “The nurses, especially, were so kind, patient and compassionate when we were learning to care for our fi rstborn,” said Elise’s mother, Chris. “Elise was so teeny. I couldn’t even imagine her ever getting big.” But as Elise grew, so did her appetite—and her love of unhealthy foods. Pasta, biscuits with honey and pancakes were among her favorites. “By the time she was 10, she’d started to gain weight, and by 12 she’d gotten a lot bigger,” Chris said.


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physically active—like swimming several days a week. The weight began to fall off. And soon Elise was making her health a priority. “She really took ownership of this,” Chris said. “She knew what she could and couldn’t have. She plans ahead. She’d ask me what we were having for dinner, and if it was something with carbs, she’d have a diet lunch. I never wanted to be the one pointing fi ngers at her. Now I don’t really have to say anything to her. She’s the one who regulates it.” Six months after she’d began her weight-loss journey, Elise had an appointment with Dr. Wirthwein. The Knoxville teenager had lost nearly 20 pounds. “I remember the nurse weighed her and did a double take,” Chris said. “And Dr. Wirthwein was so excited. She’s really been a cheerleader for Elise.” In the 10 years that Dr. Wirthwein has been affi liated with Children’s Hospital, she’s seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity. But patients like Elise give her hope for other children she treats, she said. “It’s just so great to see her living a healthy lifestyle and making changes. You want that for all your patients, so to see someone be so successful is really rewarding,” she said. People with Down syndrome often have a slower metabolism, Dr. Wirthwein said. And with hypothyroidism, Elise’s immune system actually attacks her thyroid, which

manufactures the hormones that help control metabolism and growth. “She’s had a lot more health battles than most people, so her success is even more of an inspiration,” Dr. Wirthwein said. Elise has lost a total of 30 pounds. Her energy is better. And instead of pasta and biscuits, she now counts broccoli, asparagus and tomato soup among her favorite foods. She no longer has to take breaks when walking the family dog, Bingo, and her weight loss has allowed her entire family to be more active together. Elise recently shared her weight-loss story in a speech at her 4-H Club. “She’d tear up when she was talking. It’s such a personal thing, and she gets really emotional when she talks about it,” Chris said. “I’m just so proud of her.” Chris, too, gets emotional when thinking about how far her daughter has come. She remembers Elise’s junior cotillion dance, a few months after her daughter began losing weight. “She had this long black gown on, and she looked stunning,” Chris said. “She just looked happy and healthy.”


Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to learn about programs at Children’s

Hospital that can help your child achieve a healthy weight.


Key points:Caring for Elise

Pediatric pulmonology As a child, Elise was treated for reactive airway disease—an asthma-like narrowing of the airways that can cause wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Pediatric otolaryngologyElise had her tonsils and adenoids removed when she was 6 years old. As a young teenager, she also underwent auditory processing testing at the request of her speech pathologist.

Pediatric endocrinologySince age 8, Elise has been treated for hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.

Pediatric dentistryWhen she was 10, Elise had several baby teeth extracted.

Elise McDaniel has been a patient at Children’s Hospital since birth.

The care Elise has received at Children’s Hospital includes:

Pictured:Laura Barnes (left)Hella Ewing (right)


Change in leadership

When Laura Barnes retires this year, she’ll take with her the memories of the thousands of patients who’ve left their handprints on her heart. And in turn, Barnes will leave a legacy for hundreds of Children’s Hospital staff members who’ve been inspired by her dedication. For nearly 41 years, Barnes has demonstrated an unrivaled passion and commitment for the patients at Children’s Hospital. In her journey from nurse to chief nursing offi cer and vice president for patient care services, Barnes helped create many programs focused on child health and well-being, including the Child Life Department and the Childhood Obesity Coalition. “Children’s Hospital has a special place in my heart,” Barnes said. “It’s been an amazing time here fi lled with wonderful people and unique experiences I’ll never forget. Each person I’ve met—whether a patient or employee—has left a lasting impression on my life.” Barnes passes the leadership torch for nursing and patient care services to Hella Ewing, who had a similar role at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Ewing also served as project director for the Florida Division of eQHealth Solutions and executive director for the Women’s and Children Hospital in Pensacola, Fla. “I’m so excited to be joining the staff at Children’s Hospital. I believe it takes a special person to work at a pediatric hospital, and I’m looking forward to meeting the wonderful people at Children’s Hospital who combine clinical care with loving hearts,” Ewing said. Ewing will oversee the nursing staff at the hospital in addition to areas such as the Social Work and Interpretive Services Department, Pastoral Care Department and the Rehabilitation Center.

News

Th e 30th annual Fantasy of Trees was a record-breaking event, with more than 60,500 people in attendance and more than $360,000 raised for Children’s Hospital. Th anks to attendees like you, we will be able to purchase a new OPMI Pentero microscope, which provides neurosurgeons with clearer and more powerful magnifi cation during surgery. Th is year’s Fantasy of Trees featured children’s activities, gift shops, appearances by Santa Claus and 273 Christmas trees—many of which were designed and donated by local businesses, schools and community

organizations. Major sponsors were Cumulus Broadcasting, Delta Dental, Emerson Process Management, Knoxville News Sentinel, Regal Entertainment Group, Regions Bank, Shoney’s, Th e William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, WBIR-TV and volunteers from Children’s Hospital.

Your Dollars at Work

A fantasy comes true


Many local businesses and community members like you helped make the holidays brighter for our patients and their families.

TEDDY BEARS: Hoping to brighten the days of children in the hospital with a hug from a furry friend, 9-year-old Emilie Gregg collected 644 teddy bears for Children’s Hospital patients. Emilie knows firsthand the power of a stuffed bear while in the hospital; she’s been treated here for the past five years for a rare blood disorder.

SANTA COPS: Through the generosity of the 134th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron’s Santa Cops program, 79 patients at Children’s Hospital were surprised with holiday gifts. The annual event provided toys to children who spent the holiday season in the hospital.

PETS: Thanks to local shoppers, more than 4,000 cats and dogs have new homes. The stuffed pets, Lucky the Cat and Chance the Dog, were purchased by shoppers at Knoxville PetSmart stores and donated to Children’s Hospital. Children in the hospital and those visiting for appointments received one of these stuffed friends.

TINY TREES: Patients at Children’s Hospital received a special holiday treat, thanks to 160 3-foot Christmas trees that were placed in their rooms. Volunteers from various organizations, including the Monroe County Sheriff ’s Office, church groups and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts troops, purchased, decorated and donated the trees—many with a specific theme such as superheroes and cartoon characters.

Holiday highlights


A reason to smile Th anks to a $250,000 donation from Delta Dental of Tennessee, Children’s Hospital will be able to enhance the dental care we provide to thousands of children each year. Th e donation will enable us to install new equipment and create a pediatric dental care area in our new surgery center. Most of the dental procedures done by Children’s Hospital involve young patients who have serious dental problems.


Playing for children From the comfort of their own homes, 290 participants—58 more than in 2013—played video games, board games and more to raise $15,207 for Children’s Hospital through the Extra Life event. Gamers like Nicholas Bashore—better known as Avialence in the video gaming world—played their favorite games with a purpose. Bashore, who has a devoted following through both YouTube and Twitch.tv, hosted a 24-hour live stream of the event and raised $535. Funds raised will help purchase medical equipment for our patients.


For our courageous patients Jewelry Television donated $25,000 to enable Children’s Hospital to begin a Beads of Courage program. Through Beads of Courage, children with cancer and other serious illnesses receive colorful beads that symbolize their treatment milestones. Each of our patients has a story to tell—and these beads allow them to tell their stories in unique ways. Each bead marks a triumph or tough fight. Thanks to Jewelry Television, this program will be provided free of charge to all eligible patients.


Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildrento watch our Beads of Courage

celebration, featuring UT football players.


Volunteer spirit Children’s Hospital volunteers scored a game-winning touchdown during the recent University of Tennessee football season. Volunteers raised $48,245 for Children’s Hospital by manning the hospital’s employee garage and adjacent lots during UT home football games. Charging $10 to $20 per car based on parking area, volunteers directed as many as 650 vehicles to parking per game. Our Security Department monitored the parking areas for safety.

Great way to raise money Great Clips stylists had a hair-raising time helping Children’s Hospital at the 95th annual Tennessee Valley Fair in September. As part of Hair at the Fair, dozens of stylists provided hundreds of free haircuts to fairgoers in exchange for donations to Children’s Hospital. Th e event raised $4,704, which will be used to purchase pediatric medical equipment for the hospital.


Much-needed equipment Th e St. Baldrick’s Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Children’s Hospital to allow us to purchase a cardiac monitor and install oxygen/suction equipment in the 11 exam rooms in our Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Currently, a patient who needs oxygen or suction during a clinic visit is treated using a portable cart that’s shared among exam rooms, which can be dangerous for cancer patients who have a decreased immune system. Th e addition of the equipment to the clinic rooms will greatly enhance the capabilities of our staff to care for our patients without compromising their immunity.

Special services for families

New York Life Insurance Co. awarded Children’s Hospital a $25,000 grant to establish food pantries to provide free and nutritious food options to patients and their families as needed during their hospitalization—like when our cafeteria or other restaurants are closed. Th e grant will also provide a slushy machine for each patient fl oor and the Emergency Department; cool treats oft en have soothing eff ects for children in the hospital. Th is grant was made possible through the support of Tim Mahoney, a New York Life employee and member of the Children’s Hospital Committee for the Future.


Nothing puts a smile on aNothing puts a smile on a child’s face quicker than getting a gift— child’s face quicker than getting a gift

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It's About Children - Issue 1, 2015 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Healthcare