It's About Children - Summer 2010 Issue by East Tennessee Children's Hospital
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Sarah Seeley-Dick is a 32-year-old pediatrician at Pediatric Clinic, P.C. in West Knoxville, Karns, and Seymour. She has a 4-year-old daughter named Kathryn and a 15-month-old son named Jamison. Sarah enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family. Joel Knapper is a 1-year-old boy who was treated at Children's Hospital for recurrent ear infections and respiratory issues. Though not seriously ill, he has made several visits to Children's Hospital for his medical needs. The Knapper family is thankful for the excellent care and compassion Joel has received from all the staff at Children's Hospital.
![You might think that Children’s Hospital is here for the
sickest of the sick – the children with cancer or heart disease
or babies born prematurely. And you would certainly be right.
But Children’s Hospital also sees children every day with
less serious medical needs. As every parent knows, when it’s
YOUR child, it’s serious, even if it is “technically” not that
serious. Children’s Hospital is here to meet the health care
needs of all of this region’s children, regardless of how big or
small the problem.
Joel Knapper is one of those children who needed
Children’s Hospital for some everyday pediatric health
problems – recurrent ear infections and respiratory issues.
Although he is not seriously ill today, Joel has made quite
a few visits to Children’s Hospital since he was born in late
May 2009.
According to Joel’s mother, Christie Knapper of
Knoxville, Joel developed his first ear infection in
mid-October 2009; it was diagnosed at his 4-month
well-child checkup with his pediatrician, Dr. Robert Barnes
at Knoxville Pediatric Associates.
“He is such a happy and laid back baby; we had no idea
he was even sick,” Christie said. “Soon after clearing up the
initial ear infection with Amoxicillin, he began treatment
for a second ear infection (this time a double) and had an
allergic reaction to the medicine. Over the next few ear
infections, we tried a few additional antibiotics.”
On November 15, Christie and her husband, Wade, took
their baby to the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department,
where he was diagnosed with clostridium difficile, or
antibiotic-associated diarrhea and blood in his stool caused by
the powerful antibiotics he had been on for so many weeks.
During this hospital stay, which lasted until November
18, Joel was treated by the nursing staff; pediatricians from
KPA on rounds at the hospital; and Michael Belmont, M.D.,
pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT or “ear/nose/throat”specialist).
On the morning of November 17, Dr. Belmont completed a
double myringotomy on Joel to drain his ears as well as put
tubes in both ears.
The fluid drained from Joel’s ears during surgery was
tested and came back positive for streptococcus pneumoniae,
a bacterium that sometimes does not respond to the normal
antibiotics used to treat ear infections. Joel continued with
repeated ear infections despite the use of a number of different
antibiotics, accompanied by Ciprodex eardrops that generally
cleared up the ear drainage temporarily.
“At times I felt like he had a permanent pin hole in his
little foot where all you had to do was squeeze to get a sample
for a CBC [blood testing],” Christie said. “Joel continued
to struggle with the antibiotic treatments including tummy
troubles and thrush despite the use of probiotics.”
The pattern continued over the next several months, and
it was, unfortunately, unavoidable for two reasons. One was the
season,because winter is when ear infections are most common.
The other was his young age, because children are most prone
to ear infections during their first few years of life (their
Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of
adults, which allows bacteria and viruses to find their way into
the middle ear more easily).
Joel, who was in a daytime childcare setting while his
Joel
4](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/iacsummer2010-140422100400-phpapp02/85/It-s-About-Children-Summer-2010-Issue-by-East-Tennessee-Children-s-Hospital-4-320.jpg)
![parents worked, began to show signs of respiratory problems
and was diagnosed with bronchiolitis on February 20.
Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory system
caused by an infection that affects the tiny airways, called
the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways
become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making
breathing difficult.
“Over the course of the next week we experienced three ER
visits and three visits to Dr. Barnes before he was admitted
to Children’s Hospital on Friday, February 26,” Christie said.
“All in all that week, he was diagnosed with RSV [the highly
contagious respiratory syncytial virus, a major cause of
respiratory illness in young children], double pneumonia,
pink eye in both eyes and a double ear infection, in addition
to the bronchiolitis.”
With the pneumonia diagnosis, Joel was admitted to
Children’s on February 26 and discharged on February 28.
Since Joel’s release, he has had only one ear infection. “All
fingers and toes are crossed that he is on the road to recovery
with a little help from warm weather on the horizon,”
Christie said.
As spring arrives,Joel is doing well.The Knappers continue
to take Joel to Dr. Belmont for his ears and to Dr. Barnes for
regular care. Along with his doctors, the Knappers made the
decision to remove him from day care and hire a nanny to
hopefully assist in keeping him germ free for a while. “We have
tried our best to keep him in what we now call our ‘bubble’
at home in hopes that he will continue to be illness-free,”
Christie said. “At his one-year well appointment, hopefully we
will decide he is able to go back into daycare.”
Because of so many hospital visits, the Knappers began
to see familiar faces, including Drs. Ryan Redman and John
Carder in the Emergency Department as well as nurses in the
ED and on the Second Floor.
“Each time we continue to be amazed with the care our
son receives,” Christie said. “I was especially impressed and
appreciative of the swift care we received the night of February
23 when we arrived and Joel’s fever was up to 104.3. Specifi-
cally we hold a special place in our heart for the nursing staff
up on the Second Floor, and Alecia, who has been a nurse for
us during both of our inpatient stays.
“During our most recent stay, Joel was uncomfortable and
had come to a point when you laid him down, he knew either
a needle was coming or ‘the Hoover,’ as we jokingly refer to
the powerful nose aspirator. The nursing staff, specifically
Brenda and David, were wonderful in talking to him and
calming him down as they completed their various tasks,”
Christie continued.
“My most heartfelt appreciation goes out to Brandi, the
respiratory therapist who worked tirelessly with Joel all night
long on the Saturday of our most recent visit. He had been on
breathing treatments for a full week every 4 hours, and I truly
believe Brandi’s gentle hand, which kept Joel asleep all night
long while she continued his treatments,was a large contributor
to his recovery.”
Christie noted that staff regularly went the extra mile to
end each conversation with “Is there anything I can get for
you?” She said that simple question really made them feel at
home during stressful and difficult hospital visits.
Even as the first-time parents deal with a rather busy
first year of parenthood and many more than the anticipated
number of doctor and hospital visits, they are thankful that
Joel’s needs are easily treated. “While we feel blessed to have
such a facility and love the staff, we hope to see them outside
of the hospital walls going forward,” Christie said.
The Knappers are thankful to live so close to the hospital,
where they have had nothing but positive experiences. “It
takes a special person to work in the medical field and an even
more special person to work with children and their families,”
Christie said. “Having access to such talented and caring health
care professionals is something that can easily be taken for
granted. We would like to say thank you to all of the Children’s
Hospital staff from administrators to medical professionals to
the janitorial staff for all that you do to help our children. We
are so fortunate to have such a facility that is dedicated to the
care of our most precious resource, our children.
“We also recognize that while our son was sick and
required Children’s Hospital’s care, his medical issues were
minor in comparison to those precious children that require
an extended stay at the hospital,” she continued. “Many times
while we were there, other parents would tell us about their
children being at the hospital for many weeks and even months
with very serious illnesses. We thank Children’s Hospital for
the work you do to help these families in the most difficult
of circumstances.”
Joel
6](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/iacsummer2010-140422100400-phpapp02/85/It-s-About-Children-Summer-2010-Issue-by-East-Tennessee-Children-s-Hospital-6-320.jpg)
It's About Children - Summer 2010 Issue by East Tennessee Children's Hospital
- 2. October 28, 2009 Ten days ago, Sarah Jane, my 3-year-old, fell off the kitchen stool and busted her lip. She was then the lucky recipient of six “princess strings” (what a brilliant term for stitches!) She was a real trooper though. She didn’t cry at all and was quite proud of her “strings.” She is now already healed up with hardly any scar at all. My wife Kelly said the whole experience at Children’s was phenomenal. From beginning to end, she said that EVERYONE was fantastic and put both her and Sarah Jane at ease. Just thought you would like to know! Frank Nystrom Knoxville Dear East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, I just wanted to send a note of thanks for theexcellent and compassionate care provided to mydaughter, Eliana Smith, who was hospitalized therefrom Dec. 11-13, 2009. We could not have been morepleased with the kindness and helpfulness of everyonewe encountered – physicians and practitioners, nurses,lab technicians and housekeeping staff alike.I hope and pray that Eliana never has to behospitalized again, but if she does, I am reassured thatwe have such an excellent choice so close to home andthat she had such a positive experience she would notbe afraid to come back.Thank you once again. Greta Smith Maryville Dennis Ragsdale, Chairman • Jeffory Jennings, M.D., Vice Chairman Michael Crabtree, Secretary/Treasurer • Debbie Christiansen, M.D. • Dawn Ford Keith D. Goodwin • Steven Harb • Lewis Harris, M.D. • Dee Haslam A. David Martin • Dugan McLaughlin • Christopher Miller, M.D. • Steve South Bill Terry, M.D. • Laurens Tullock • Danni Varlan • Jim Bush, Chair Emeritus Don Parnell, Chair Emeritus • William G. Byrd, M.D., Chair Emeritus John Buchheit, M.D., Chief of Staff • Lise Christensen, M.D., Vice Chief of Staff Mark Cramolini, M.D., Secretary Lori Patterson, M.D., Chief of Medicine Cameron J. Sears, M.D., Chief of Surgery Keith D. Goodwin, President/CEO • Bruce Anderson, Vice President for Legal Services & General Counsel • Laura Barnes, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.A.A., B.C., Vice President for Patient Care • Joe Childs, M.D., Vice President for Medical Services Zane Goodrich, CPA, Vice President for Finance & CFO • Rudy McKinley, Vice President for Operations • Sue Wilburn, Vice President for Human Resources Ellen Liston, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Community Relations Wendy Hames, APR, Editor • David Rule, Director of Development Neil Crosby & Wade Payne, Contributing Photographers www.etch.com Board of Directors Medical Staff Chiefs of Services Administration It’s About Children Staff “Dear Children’s” A quarterly publication of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, It’s About Children is designed to inform the East Tennessee community about the hospital and the patients we serve. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s vision is Leading the Way to Healthy Children. Children’s Hospital is a private, independent, not- for-profit pediatric medical center that has served the East Tennessee region for more than 70 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center. “Because Children are Special…” …they deserve the best possible health care given in a positive, family-centered atmosphere of friendliness, cooperation and support -- regardless of race, religion or ability to pay.” …their medical needs are closely related to their emotional and informational needs; therefore, the total child must be considered in treating any illness or injury.” …their health care requires family involvement, special understanding, special equipment and specially trained personnel who recognize that children are not miniature adults.” …their health care can best be provided by a facility with a well-trained medical and hospital staff whose only interests and concerns are with the total health and well-being of infants, children and adolescents. Statement of Philosophy East Tennessee Children’s Hospital March 10, 2010 Just wanted to say that our stay in the ICU has been so much better because of the excellent, professional care from our nurse, Bill. His knowledge of subject, along with compassion and care, work together to make us feel informed and comforted.Thank you for keeping good nurses on staff! Karen Peebles Knoxville 2
- 3. Children’s Hospital NOTES Alice Kampas named Physician Assistant of the Year After serving almost eight years at Children’s Hospital,Alice Kampas recently received the 2009 Physician Assistant of the Year Award.She accepted the honor at the annual Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants conference in Gatlinburg on October 5.Kampas’co-workers and individuals outside the hospital nominated her by writing recommendation letters to the TAPA on her behalf. Children’s Hospital congratulates Alice on receiving this outstanding honor and commends her dedication to providing exceptional care for patients. Hospital,itssecondhighesttotalever. Theseproceedspurchasedtwo Millennium Gamma Camera Systems for the Nuclear Medicine area in the Children’s Hospital Radiology Department. Over its 25 year history, Fantasy of Trees has raised more than $5.3 million for Children’s Hospital. The 2010 Co-Chairs are Jody Cusick and Todd Heptinstall, and the Assistant Co-Chair is Jenia Jackson. Formoreinformationonhowtovolunteerfor the 2010 event or to be a sponsor, contact the Children’sHospital Volunteer Services Department at (865) 541-8385 ore-mail fot@etch.com. byTaylor Griffin, student intern Fantasy of Trees sure to provide a “Holly Jolly Christmas”After a successful 2009 Fantasy of Trees, planning of the 2010 event is already underway. The theme for its 26th year will be“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” An East Tennessee holiday tradition since 1985,this year’s Fantasyof Trees will feature reindeer at play and whimsical decorations in modern colors,including lime green and bright red. New shops and children’s activities will be offered at this event alongside many old favorites. The holiday season is a time of giving, and in its 25th year, the Fantasy of Trees was not forgotten. Thanks to the support from thousands of visitors and volunteers, the 2009 Fantasy of Trees raised $348,354 for Children’s Shoney’s KidCare ID program set for August 27-29 A parent’s number one concern is his or her child’s safety. To help parents keep their children as safe as possible,Shoney’s Restaurants and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are teaming up for the program’s 15th year to sponsor three KidCare ID events in East Tennessee. The KidCare ID program provides an opportunity for parents to obtain photo identification of their children that can be used if one of their children were to go missing. A KidCare ID can dramatically speed up the process of finding a missing child.At the events,parents can also have their children fingerprinted by the Knoxville Police Department.All services are provided free of charge. Representatives from Children’s Hospital,Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area and the Knoxville Police Department will also be at these events to provide additional information on children’s safety. Working with Shoney’s Restaurants,co-sponsors include Children’s Hospital,Star 102.1 radio,WVLT-TV 8/Volunteer TV,the Knoxville News Sentinel, the Knoxville Police Department and Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area. The KidCare event times and locations are as follows: Friday,August 27,1-7 p.m.at Knoxville Center Mall (Knoxville) Saturday,August 28,11 a.m.-5 p.m.at WestTown Mall (Knoxville) Sunday,August 29,12-6 p.m.at Foothills Mall (Maryville) For more information,contact Annie LaLonde at Shoney’s at (865) 690-6331. byTaylor Griffin, student intern 3
- 4. You might think that Children’s Hospital is here for the sickest of the sick – the children with cancer or heart disease or babies born prematurely. And you would certainly be right. But Children’s Hospital also sees children every day with less serious medical needs. As every parent knows, when it’s YOUR child, it’s serious, even if it is “technically” not that serious. Children’s Hospital is here to meet the health care needs of all of this region’s children, regardless of how big or small the problem. Joel Knapper is one of those children who needed Children’s Hospital for some everyday pediatric health problems – recurrent ear infections and respiratory issues. Although he is not seriously ill today, Joel has made quite a few visits to Children’s Hospital since he was born in late May 2009. According to Joel’s mother, Christie Knapper of Knoxville, Joel developed his first ear infection in mid-October 2009; it was diagnosed at his 4-month well-child checkup with his pediatrician, Dr. Robert Barnes at Knoxville Pediatric Associates. “He is such a happy and laid back baby; we had no idea he was even sick,” Christie said. “Soon after clearing up the initial ear infection with Amoxicillin, he began treatment for a second ear infection (this time a double) and had an allergic reaction to the medicine. Over the next few ear infections, we tried a few additional antibiotics.” On November 15, Christie and her husband, Wade, took their baby to the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, where he was diagnosed with clostridium difficile, or antibiotic-associated diarrhea and blood in his stool caused by the powerful antibiotics he had been on for so many weeks. During this hospital stay, which lasted until November 18, Joel was treated by the nursing staff; pediatricians from KPA on rounds at the hospital; and Michael Belmont, M.D., pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT or “ear/nose/throat”specialist). On the morning of November 17, Dr. Belmont completed a double myringotomy on Joel to drain his ears as well as put tubes in both ears. The fluid drained from Joel’s ears during surgery was tested and came back positive for streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that sometimes does not respond to the normal antibiotics used to treat ear infections. Joel continued with repeated ear infections despite the use of a number of different antibiotics, accompanied by Ciprodex eardrops that generally cleared up the ear drainage temporarily. “At times I felt like he had a permanent pin hole in his little foot where all you had to do was squeeze to get a sample for a CBC [blood testing],” Christie said. “Joel continued to struggle with the antibiotic treatments including tummy troubles and thrush despite the use of probiotics.” The pattern continued over the next several months, and it was, unfortunately, unavoidable for two reasons. One was the season,because winter is when ear infections are most common. The other was his young age, because children are most prone to ear infections during their first few years of life (their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults, which allows bacteria and viruses to find their way into the middle ear more easily). Joel, who was in a daytime childcare setting while his Joel 4
- 5. a lil’ about Joel Name: Joel Garrison Knapper Age: Turns 1 on May 24, 2010 Personality traits: Joel is such a happy baby. Even on his sick days he still found a smile to share. Words he can say: DaDa, MaMa, BaBa Favorite color: Red Favorite movie: Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Favorite TV show: Wheel of Fortune Likes: his four-legged “sister,” Gibson (the family dog) Dislikes: sweet peas What I do for fun: crawl 5
- 6. parents worked, began to show signs of respiratory problems and was diagnosed with bronchiolitis on February 20. Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory system caused by an infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making breathing difficult. “Over the course of the next week we experienced three ER visits and three visits to Dr. Barnes before he was admitted to Children’s Hospital on Friday, February 26,” Christie said. “All in all that week, he was diagnosed with RSV [the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus, a major cause of respiratory illness in young children], double pneumonia, pink eye in both eyes and a double ear infection, in addition to the bronchiolitis.” With the pneumonia diagnosis, Joel was admitted to Children’s on February 26 and discharged on February 28. Since Joel’s release, he has had only one ear infection. “All fingers and toes are crossed that he is on the road to recovery with a little help from warm weather on the horizon,” Christie said. As spring arrives,Joel is doing well.The Knappers continue to take Joel to Dr. Belmont for his ears and to Dr. Barnes for regular care. Along with his doctors, the Knappers made the decision to remove him from day care and hire a nanny to hopefully assist in keeping him germ free for a while. “We have tried our best to keep him in what we now call our ‘bubble’ at home in hopes that he will continue to be illness-free,” Christie said. “At his one-year well appointment, hopefully we will decide he is able to go back into daycare.” Because of so many hospital visits, the Knappers began to see familiar faces, including Drs. Ryan Redman and John Carder in the Emergency Department as well as nurses in the ED and on the Second Floor. “Each time we continue to be amazed with the care our son receives,” Christie said. “I was especially impressed and appreciative of the swift care we received the night of February 23 when we arrived and Joel’s fever was up to 104.3. Specifi- cally we hold a special place in our heart for the nursing staff up on the Second Floor, and Alecia, who has been a nurse for us during both of our inpatient stays. “During our most recent stay, Joel was uncomfortable and had come to a point when you laid him down, he knew either a needle was coming or ‘the Hoover,’ as we jokingly refer to the powerful nose aspirator. The nursing staff, specifically Brenda and David, were wonderful in talking to him and calming him down as they completed their various tasks,” Christie continued. “My most heartfelt appreciation goes out to Brandi, the respiratory therapist who worked tirelessly with Joel all night long on the Saturday of our most recent visit. He had been on breathing treatments for a full week every 4 hours, and I truly believe Brandi’s gentle hand, which kept Joel asleep all night long while she continued his treatments,was a large contributor to his recovery.” Christie noted that staff regularly went the extra mile to end each conversation with “Is there anything I can get for you?” She said that simple question really made them feel at home during stressful and difficult hospital visits. Even as the first-time parents deal with a rather busy first year of parenthood and many more than the anticipated number of doctor and hospital visits, they are thankful that Joel’s needs are easily treated. “While we feel blessed to have such a facility and love the staff, we hope to see them outside of the hospital walls going forward,” Christie said. The Knappers are thankful to live so close to the hospital, where they have had nothing but positive experiences. “It takes a special person to work in the medical field and an even more special person to work with children and their families,” Christie said. “Having access to such talented and caring health care professionals is something that can easily be taken for granted. We would like to say thank you to all of the Children’s Hospital staff from administrators to medical professionals to the janitorial staff for all that you do to help our children. We are so fortunate to have such a facility that is dedicated to the care of our most precious resource, our children. “We also recognize that while our son was sick and required Children’s Hospital’s care, his medical issues were minor in comparison to those precious children that require an extended stay at the hospital,” she continued. “Many times while we were there, other parents would tell us about their children being at the hospital for many weeks and even months with very serious illnesses. We thank Children’s Hospital for the work you do to help these families in the most difficult of circumstances.” Joel 6
- 7. Pediatrician Profiles Sarah Seeley-Dick, D.O. Age – 32 Family – Husband, Justen Dick; daughter Kathryn “Katie” Dick (4) and son Jamison Dick (15 months) Name of Pediatric Practice – Pediatric Clinic, P.C. – West Knoxville, Karns and Seymour Personal Interests – outdoor activities, spending time with my family, gardening, quilting/sewing, child advocacy and helping children realize their personal potential Academic Background/Prior Experience B.S. – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2001 D.O. – Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Ky., 2006 Internship and Residency – T.C.Thompson Children’s Hospital, Chattanooga. Internship: 2006-2007, Residency: 2007-2009 Additional Experience – CNA training as a teenager, caring for geriatric patients for 10 years total as a CNA PCT, “tech” in pediatric E.R. at T.C.Thompson Children’s Hospital and Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga for three years Why Pediatrics? Where else can you have all the best things there are in medicine – interesting cases, smiles, hugs and participation in the development of successful children, teens and young adults? Children are the innocents, and I view myself as their protector, teacher and cheerleader. Greatest Influences – Parents and family. My mom is a general practice physician, and I’m the second oldest of nine children. Pediatricians I worked with in Peds ED before medical school. Dr. Jennette Martin, my mentor who recently “retired.” Philosophy – “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Take a problem apart into manageable pieces and slowly but surely work toward your goal. Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician – Seeing children get better and return to normal life after severe illness; dramatic behavior changes in a 3-year-old after a discussion on discipline techniques with the parent; a child squealing my name in the hallway and running to give me a hug; inspiring children to live healthier lifestyles. Richard E. Poehlein, M.D. Age – 65 Name of Pediatric Practice – Westbrook Medical Center, Knoxville Personal Interests – photography, my two dogs and going to Hilton Head Academic Background/Prior Experience – B.A. – University of Tennessee at Martin, 1966 M.D. – University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, 1970 Internship and Residency – UT/City of Memphis Hospitals; internship for one year, residency for two years Why Pediatrics? When I was in medical school, the pediatric faculty members were unusually practical, patient and easy going. I just decided I wanted to be like them. Greatest Influences – My family, my teachers during residency and, of course, all my patients. Philosophy – I always listen to the mother. Many times the mother has a sense of something being wrong that I don’t have. Many times she turns out to be right. Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician – The times that former patients of mine told me they had been accepted into medical school and that I had been an influence in their decision. 7
- 8. The best way to minimize the impact of injuries in children is prevention, and when organizations in the community join forces to educate and affect the public, this can be accomplished to a greater level. In July 2008, Children’s Hospital became lead organization of Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area.The local Safe Kids coalition is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global organization with a mission to keep children safe by teaching them and their caregivers about injury prevention. Why is this important? Because accidental injury is a leading cause of death of children ages 14 and younger. Statistics from Safe Kids Worldwide also show that children from economically disadvantaged families have a higher rate of accidental injury, and children living in rural areas have a higher injury death rate than children in the population as a whole (source: Safe Kids Worldwide Coalition Resource Manual).This shows the importance of educating all children and families in the East Tennessee region about injury prevention, but especially children in lower- income households and in rural settings. Until two years ago, Safe Kids was under the Knox County Health Department as its lead organization, which limited the coalition’s reach to only Knox County. In its new “home” at Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids has been able to extend and expand its reach and programming Leading the Way Safe Kids efforts to the primary 16-county area across East Tennessee served by Children’s Hospital. With this spread, the organization is able to make an even bigger impact with its programs and has reached tens of thousands of area children in just under two years. Two of Safe Kids initiatives, child passenger safety and bike safety, have certainly made an impact on injury prevention for countless children throughout East Tennessee. Thirty-four bike safety events and programs took place in 16 counties in 2009, personally affecting more than 32,000 children. Ongoing car seat checkpoints have been established in two counties, Anderson and Sevier, and dozens of individuals have been trained as “official” technicians to check car seats properly. Besides the expansion of Safe Kids outside of Knox County, the coalition has also added many new programs since the transition to Children’s Hospital. In July 2008, “Spot the Tot” debuted at Safety City; in this program, children get a hands-on experience in the many dangers of playing around cars, in driveways and on streets. One of the key messages of the “Spot the Tot” program is to remind parents and adult caregivers that safety begins with them. By teaching children simple prevention measures and helping them create habit forming safety guidelines, Safe Kids is helping children to have the best chance at enjoying every day – especially in their own driveways. Children’s Hospital’s vision statement is “Leading the Way to Healthy Children.” In this series in It’s About Children, we are sharing with our readers some of the many ways we are “Leading the Way.” We are highlighting outstanding practices by Children’s Hospital departments – things that are, although quite commonplace at our pediatric medical center, actually rather unique. This series showcases the exceptional work done at Children’s Hospital and demonstrates how the hospital is a great place to work. 8
- 9. Another new program is the Cub Scout Automotive Safety Patch, added in September 2008. Safe Kids Buckle Up and Chevrolet teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to teach Cub Scouts and their parents and caregivers about safety in and around vehicles. The hands-on educational activities conducted by local Safe Kids Coalitions at Chevrolet dealerships are designed to educated families with children ages 7-10 about being safe inside and outside of moving and parked vehicles. After the Scouts successfully complete all of the educational stations during the 60-90 minute program, they receive their Automotive Safety Patch. Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area has also addressed the need for injury prevention in the Hispanic community. Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area partnered with the Lisa Ross Women’s and Birthing Center in Knoxville to offer a prenatal course on child passenger safety. The majority of Safe Kids materials are available in English and Spanish. In addition to these new projects, Safe Kids gives special attention to children who have been underserved with injury prevention messages and who are considered “at risk”; this is a Safe Kids Worldwide initiative that the local coalition has truly embraced. In March, Safe Kids participated in Willowbrook Elementary School’s “Bears on the Move” program, a week- long event that teaches students about health and safety. Located in Anderson County, Willowbrook Elementary is a Title I school and considered one of the most “at-risk” schools in East Tennessee. Safe Kids representatives taught the 200 attendees about child passenger safety, measuring each student’s height to make sure each child met the requirements to ride in a passenger seat without a booster seat. More than 30 students did not reach the recommended height requirement of 4’9”(a Tennessee state law) and needed booster seats; Safe Kids provided each of these children with a seat to take home. One little boy who would be receiving a booster seat said, “You really did bring me a seat to keep me safe!” Thanks to Safe Kids and the generous supporters from throughout East Tennessee who support the coalition with grants and contributions, these 30+ children are now riding safely in their family vehicles. Susan Cook, Coordinator for Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area, says it is moments like these that make her realize the power of information and one-on-one interaction with children in preventing injuries. “The staff and students at Willowbrook were so appreciative of the booster seats,” Cook said. “The staff said it really showed where Safe Kids’ and Children’s Hospital’s commitment lies – with children. And our actions by being at events like these show that we truly look to our vision statement of ‘Leading the Way to Healthy Children’on a daily basis.” She added that feedback from events like this also make her see the impact of her Safe Kids role. “The opportunity I have every day when I am working with Safe Kids events and programs truly helps make a difference, and that is so powerful to me,” Cook said. “What job could be better than that?” to Healthy Children 9
- 10. What’s New at Have fun and learn at Water Safety event June 9 Acute and Emergency Care Pediatrics conference set Kids, summer and the water – they just go together during summer vacation. Children’s Hospital, along with Kohl’s, Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area, Knoxville Pediatric Associates and Dollywood’s Splash Country, will be reminding everyone of one important safety lesson again this summer when school is out – no one can ever take a vacation from water safety. A major media campaign will remind parents/caregivers and children of important water safety tips, and a fun event at Dollywood’s Splash Country will offer a way for families to learn about water safety together. The water safety and awareness program will travel to Pigeon Forge on Wednesday, June 9, for a special water safety day at Dollywood’s Splash Country, where water safety is a priority. The event will feature a rescue demonstration by the water park’s award-winning lifeguards, information on CPR and how to be prepared for an emergency from Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital will host the 9th annual Update on Acute & Emergency Care Pediatrics conference at Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel & Waterpark Resort in Sevierville on October 1-2. Sponsors include the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.tnaap.org) and Tennessee Emergency Medical Services for Children (www.tnemsc. org).Co-sponsors are T.C.Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga; LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis; and Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. The conference will feature three tracks: Hospital/Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Office and Pre-Hospital/Field.Topics will include pediatric stroke, pre-hospital pain control, office emergencies, SIDS, non-trauma surgical emergencies, nitrous and sedation, and much more. The 2010 conference will take place at the exciting Wilderness at the Smokies Resort, which features Tennessee’s largest year-round waterpark and is just 30 miles from Knoxville. Special resort rates for conference participants include lower rates for early arrivals on Thursday or for guests staying after the conference’s Saturday activities end.The stay includes passes for four guests to the resort’s waterpark. a listing from Kohl’s of essential items to include in a home safety kit, water safety tips from Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area, additional water safety information from the City of Pigeon Forge Police and Fire Department and Knoxville Pediatric Associates,and opportunities to win great prizes with a special “splash pass”available inside the gate. Visitors will find water safety booths open at the water park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., where representatives from Safe Kids and Children’s Hospital will have water safety tips and visitors can answer water-safety questions to get their “splash pass”punched for prizes. There is no extra charge for the water safety program, but an admission ticket to Dollywood’s Splash Country is required for admittance; for ticket information, call (800) DOLLYWOOD or visit www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com. The event brochure will be posted on the Children’s Hospital website at www.etch.com/confaecp.cfm as soon as it is available. If you have questions, please contact the Children’s Hospital Education Department at (865) 541-8618 or send an email to learning@etch.com. The Children’s Hospital Volunteers presented a $50,000 gift from Gift Shop proceeds to the hospital in January. Children’s Hospital will use the funds as follows: $15,000 – Capital Budget 2009/10 Equipment $15,000 – Children’s Miracle Network Telethon $8,536 – fortheChildLifeDepartmentforthein-housemoviesystem $5,000 – for the Education Department for an audio response system $3,000 – Children’s Art Program $1,000 – Annual gift to Child Life for toys and other items for playrooms $1,000 – Pastoral Care Fund $964 – Social Work Special Needs Fund $500 – Annual gift to Rehabilitation Center for toys/books The Volunteer Leadership Council and the Children’s Hospital Volunteers are dedicated to the support of various projects,departments and activities.The volunteer leadership for 2010 includes Chair, David Haun;Vice-Chair, Debbie Roberts; and Secretary, Jackie Smith. Volunteers give gift to hospital, install new leaders 10
- 11. What’s New at CoverKids reopens enrollment CoverKids program officials announced in late February that the program has begun accepting new enrollment applications, effective March 1. Between November 30, 2009, and February 28, 2010, the program for uninsured Tennessee children was at its budgeted capacity and could not accept new enrollments. “When we opened CoverKids in 2007, we said we would always operate within our financial means and manage enrollment accordingly,” said Bob Duncan, who oversees CoverKids as director of the Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination. The governor’s current budget proposal included $13.1 million in new state money for CoverKids, which would result in $41.5 million of additional federal funding. Combined, the two funding sources will support increased CoverKids enrollment. CoverKids is a federally and state funded health plan through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides • The program is open to children ages 18 years and under.There are no pre-existing condition exclusions for children with already-diagnosed special needs or medical conditions. • Applicants to the CoverKids program will first be screened for TennCare eligibility or access to other state-sponsored insurance options. • CoverKids has no monthly premium for families with household incomes up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Participants pay a co-pay for certain services;the co-pay amount depends on income. • Access to other health insurance coverage does NOT affect eligibility (if a family has access to insurance through a parent’s job but the coverage is not affordable,the child is eligible for CoverKids). • Coverage is offered for 12 months. After that, families must re-verify their children’s eligibility. • Children must live in a household with income under 250% of the federal poverty level (example: for a family of four, this would be $55,125). Buy-in is available for children in households with Facts about CoverKids comprehensive health and dental coverage to children in families who do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private health insurance. Tennessee families earning less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($55,125 per year for a family of four) qualify for CoverKids and pay no monthly premium for the plan. Income-based co-pays are required for most services, though preventive care, including well-child visits, teeth cleanings and vision screenings are fully covered. Families may apply online at www.CoverKids.com or by calling (866) 620-8864. CoverKids is a program of CoverTennessee,Governor Phil Bredesen’s initiative to address the health care needs of Tennessee’s uninsured. higher income (the buy-in premium is currently $230 per month per child). • Children must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens and must be Tennessee residents. • Children must have been without insurance for three months (this is waived for newborns up to four months of age and for children moving to CoverKids from TennCare or from another state’s SCHIP program). • Maternity care (medical treatment or physician visits related to the pregnancy or the health of the unborn child) is available for pregnant women who meet other eligibility criteria, from the date of application until 60 days following the baby’s birth. • CoverKids provides comprehensive health insurance with an emphasis on preventive health services and coverage for physician services, hospitals, prescriptions, mental health/substance abuse, dental, vision and more. CoverKids has an emphasis on services children need most, well-baby and well-child visits, and age-appropriate required immunizations. Construction for the $750,000 remodel and expansion of the Children’s Hospital main lobby and part of surgical services -- made possible by Regal Entertainment Group -- is scheduled to begin in May. In an effort to enhance Children’s Hospital’s facilities and continue to provide top notch care for patients, the remodel will include an expansion of the main lobby, as well as a more spacious pre-operative holding and family waiting area in surgery. As the need for pediatric medical services grows in the area, Children’s Hospital Hospital renovations update wants to accommodate patients and their families as well as possible and make their stay a comfortable one. If all goes as planned,construction should be complete by January 2011. For more details about the renovation, visit the hospital’s Web site at www.etch.com/lobbyren.cfm. by Hillary Adams, student intern 11
- 12. safe deposit box. Consider attaching a letter to the will indicating any wishes you may have for a funeral and the location of cemetery lots and information about any prepaid funeral arrangements you have made. 4. Choose an executor; it is especially important to determine which of your relatives or friends is wise and honest enough to serve as Executor of your estate. This is the person whom the court will hold accountable for carrying out your wishes as listed in your will. You and your spouse should spend some time with your executor to discuss your wishes and make certain they will agree to serve. 5. Write all of this information down. You can use one of Children’s Hospital’s free planning booklets titled “Personal Records”; we explain how to get one below. 6. Select an attorney. Choose someone who has experience in estate planning and feel free to discuss fees in advance. Make an appointment, and follow through by mailing the attorney a copy of your information well in advance.The attorney will appreciate dealing with a well-prepared client and will probably be pleased that you and your spouse have already agreed on matters such as custody of minor children and selection of an executor. Your local Bar Association can give you a list of qualified lawyers if you aren’t personally acquainted with any attorneys specializing in this area. 7. After your will is finalized, sign it, give a copy to the executor and keep the original(s) in your safe deposit box. Then sit back and enjoy the security and satisfaction that comes from knowing you have made the arrangements necessary to prevent needless expense and minimize family strife after you are gone. Making your will is one of the most important activities you will ever undertake. Your will is the legal document that records all of your final wishes. Making your will need not be a difficult or unpleasant process, but it is very important and is a great kindness to your family. You can significantly reduce the stress your family will experience when you pass away simply by leaving a properly executed will that clearly expresses your wishes. People have many excuses for not planning. Some express concern over paying a lawyer to prepare their will.This should be the furthest thing from your mind; the dollars you spend on professional fees for a properly prepared will are truly miniscule compared to the expense and heartache of failing to plan. By preparing a will, you are telling those you leave behind who should care for your minor children and how to dispose of all you have accumulated during your entire lifetime. Putting your instructions in a valid will eliminates speculation about your intentions. You can save time and money by focusing your efforts and “doing your homework” before visiting with your attorney. 1. Sit down with your spouse and have that all-important discussion about who should raise your children if you should both perish in a common accident. Then both of you should meet with the people you select to make certain they will agree to accept this important responsibility. Choose an alternate in case your first choice is deceased or unable to take your children. Specify who is to manage the money you are leaving for your children’s benefit. Do you want those who have custody of your children to oversee funds? Do they manage their own finances ably? Do they have financial expertise or would you prefer a separate individual or a trust company to handle that responsibility? 2. Pull together a listing of the people to whom you will give your belongings: list their name, current address and phone number and their relationship to you – son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson or granddaughter, neighbor, friend. List what you would like them to have and be specific. And you could also put signed labels on physical items, such as “This mirror goes to Cousin Kay.” 3. List all of your assets: house, land, securities, retirement plans, IRA, jewelry, art, collectible items, bank accounts, vehicles and other personal property. Make a list of your favorite charities and how you wish to help each of them. List the location of your Estate Planning The foundation of your estate plan: your will For more information on wills and estate planning, including a copy of our free planning booklet, “Personal Records,” call or email: David Rule, Director of Development, dsrule@etch.com, (865) 541-8172 Teresa Goddard, CFRE, Senior Development Officer, tgoddard@etch.com, (865) 541-8466 Joe Brandenburg, Major Gifts Officer, jwbrandenburg@etch.com, (865) 541-8467 12
- 13. Mark 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. Baseball for Babies What better way is there to spend a summer weekend than by supporting Children’s Hospital at a baseball game? This year’s Baseball for Babies tournament – formerly known as the Nancy Hayes Memorial Baseball Tournament – will take place June 4-6. Games will be played at Caswell Park, Loudon Ballpark, Knox County Sportspark, Grace Christian Academy and Karns High School ball fields.The tournament is open to teams 8U to 16U. Proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital’s Telethon Fund. For registration information, please contact Lenny Hayes at (865) 441-1367. Top Chefs of Knoxville Knoxville’s finest chefs will compete for the title of “Top Chef” on Saturday, June 19, from 6-11 p.m. at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.The event, hosted by Cityview magazine, is open to the public and will include live entertainment, a silent auction and other fun activities. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital. For ticket information, contact Kim Olin at (865) 690-3000. Camp Cure For children with diabetes, learning how to manage and live with their disease can be difficult. Camp Cure offers children ages 5-12 with diabetes a chance to learn how to live a healthy life, while enjoying a fun camping experience.The camp’s philosophy promises that campers will gain knowledge and develop confidence and independence in caring for their diabetes. This year,Camp Cure will take place July 12-16 from 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Karns Community Youth Center. Each day, campers will participate in fun activities such as swimming, arts and crafts and sports games. On Friday, July 10, campers and their families are invited to participate in WATE Channel 6 Family Day. The cost is $10 per child,and registration forms must be submitted by June 19 to attend. For more information, contact the camp’s director, Cathy Van Ostrand, at (865) 541-8281 or cvanostrand@etch.com. Donald M. Gally Summer Camp The Donald M. Gally Summer Camp, sponsored by Children’s Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center, offers children with special needs a chance to attend a summer camp complete with swimming, singing, arts and crafts, and games, all in small group settings.The activities, which are developed by special education, physical therapy and nursing staff,are designed to help campers build social and physical skills. The day camp takes place at the Kiwanis Club Fresh Air Camp, and two sessions are offered. Session I, for campers ages 5-10, takes place July 12-16 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Session II, for campers ages 11-18, takes place July 19-22 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and July 23 from 8:30 a.m.-noon.There is no cost to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Deidre Seiber at (865) 690-8961. Camp Eagle’s Nest Most children love playing messy games, enjoying the summer sunshine and spending time with friends. Camp Eagle’s Nest, located at Camp Wesley Woods in Townsend, gives Hematology/Oncology Clinic patients an opportunity to do these things in a fun – but safe – summer camp environment. Campers also get a chance to interact with their camp counselors, who are nurses and other clinical staff from Children’s Hospital.This year’s Camp Eagle’s Nest will take place August 1-5 and is open to all Hematology/Oncology Clinic patients who have approval from their doctors to attend. “We try to make Camp Eagle’s Nest a vacation away from cancer treatment,” Rick Callaway, Director of Pastoral Care, said. “It is our goal to give each camper as normal a camping experience as possible.” Campers can expect to participate in many fun activities, including canoeing, repelling, swimming and horseback riding. For more information, please contact Rick Callaway at (865) 541-8476. Bowen Engineering Charity Golf Tournament Golfers are invited to play 18 holes at the third annual Bowen Engineering Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Children’s Hospital.The tournament will take place at Gettysvue Country Club on Monday, September 27, beginning at 9 a.m. Participants will receive refreshments, a chance to win prizes and a meal following the tournament. For registration or sponsorship information, contact Thomas Lawlor at (865) 293-4042 or tlawlor@bowenengineering.com. by Hillary Adams, student intern Calendar of Events 13
- 14. Q&A Part 2 of 4 Obesity and Children: What Parents Should Understand Why are so many children today overweight or obese? Many factors are involved, from out-of-control portion sizes and eating on the go to sedentary lifestyles and parental uncertainty about what children should weigh. If you’re worried that your child or teen may be overweight, make an appointment with your doctor, who can assess eating and activity habits and make suggestions on how to make positive changes.The doctor may also decide to screen for some of the medical conditions that can be associated with obesity. Depending on your child’s body mass index (BMI), age and health, the doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian for additional advice and, possibly, may recommend a comprehensive weight management program such as the Weight Management Clinic offered at Children’s Hospital. Overweight and obese children are at risk for developing medical problems that affect their present and future health and quality of life, including: • high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood lipid levels, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes • bone and joint problems • shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult and may aggravate the symptoms or increase the chances of developing asthma • restless or disordered sleep patterns,such as obstructive sleep apnea • tendency to mature earlier (overweight children may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should act as old as they look, not as old as they are; overweight girls may have irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood) • liver and gall bladder disease • depression A number of factors contribute to becoming overweight.Genetics, lifestyle habits or a combination of both may be involved. In some instances, endocrine problems, genetic syndromes and medications can be associated with excessive weight gain. Much of what we eat is quick and easy — from fat-laden fast Few issues are closer to our hearts or more crucial to our future than the health of children. As an abundance of children’s health issues hit the media spotlight last year, it was a challenge for many parents to keep track of them all or determine which matter most. From financial turmoil to immunization challenges, 2009 turned out to be a year of reflection and reaction. In 2010, Children’s Hospital is highlighting 10 important children’s health issues to watch. Each issue of It’s About Children this year will focus on two or three topics.This Top 10 list is not meant to be comprehensive, nor does it suggest that other health issues aren’t also important. But we think these 10 subjects will have a lasting impact on children’s health well into the future. food to microwave and prepackaged meals. Daily schedules are so packed that there is little time to prepare healthier meals or to squeeze in some exercise. Portion sizes, in the home and out, have grown greatly. In addition, now more than ever, life is sedentary — children spend more time playing with electronic devices, from computers to handheld video game systems,than actively playing outside.Television is also a major culprit.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends limiting the time children over 2 years of age spend in front of a screen to no more than 1-2 hours a day.The AAP also discourages any screen time for children younger than 2 years. Many children don’t get enough physical activity. Although physical education (PE) in schools can help children get up and moving, more and more schools are eliminating PE programs or cutting down the time spent on fitness-building activities. Current guidelines recommend that children over 2 years of age get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. The key to keeping children of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family approach. Make healthy eating and exercise a family affair. Get your children involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals, and take them along when you go grocery shopping so they can learn how to make good food choices. Avoid falling into these common food/eating behavior traps: • Don’t reward children for good behavior or try to stop bad behavior with sweets or treats. Come up with other solutions to modify their behavior. • Don’t maintain a clean-plate policy. Be aware of children’s hunger cues. Even babies who turn away from the bottle or breast send signals that they are full. If children are satisfied, don’t force them to continue eating. Reinforce the idea that they should only eat when they are hungry. • Don’t talk about “bad foods” or eliminate all sweets and favorite snacks from children’s diets. Children may rebel and overeat these forbidden foods outside the home or sneak them in on their own. Most of all, let your children know you love them — no matter what their weight — and that you want to help them be happy and healthy. Food Allergies According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), up to 6 percent of children in the United States under age 3 have food allergies.They are less common in adults, but overall, food allergies affect nearly 11 million people in the United States. With a food allergy, the body reacts as though that particular food product is harmful. As a result, the body’s immune system (which fights infection and disease) creates antibodies to fight the food allergen, (the substance in the food that triggers the allergy.) The next time a person encounters that food by touching or eating it or inhaling its particles, the body releases chemicals, 10for‘10 14
- 15. Upcoming community education classes CPR Certification Course Dates: June 7, July 19, August 23, September 13, October 18, November 8 and December 6 Time: 6-10 p.m. This certification course teaches the American Heart Association chain of survival -- from when to call 911 to how to effectively administer CPR to an infant, child or adult.This course is designed for anyone who may be expected to respond to emergencies at home or in the workplace. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Following the course, participants will receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver certification card.This course is $25 per person. Safe Sitter Dates: May 22, June 5, June 26, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 28, October 9, October 16, November 6 and December 11 Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch is provided) Safe Sitter is a national organization that teaches young adolescents safe and nurturing babysitting techniques and the rescue skills needed to respond appropriately to medical emergencies. Instructors are certified through Safe Sitter nationally. Participants must be ages 11-14.This course is $25 per person. Class size is limited, so preregistration is required. All classes are offered in the Koppel Plaza at Children’s Hospital unless otherwise noted. For more information, 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 by WBIR-TV Channel 10 and Chick-Fil-A, is a community education initiative of the hospital’s Community Relations Department to help parents keep their children healthy. Content edited and abridged from the KidsHealth section of www.etch.com. © 2010 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Used under license. including one called histamine, to “protect” itself.These chemicals trigger allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system. These eight common allergens account for 90 percent of all reactions in children: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts (such as walnuts and cashews), fish and shellfish (such as shrimp). Food allergy reactions can vary from person to person and can occur within a few minutes or up to a few hours after contact with the food. Reactions can affect any of the four following areas of the body: • skin: itchy red bumps (hives); eczema; redness and swelling of the face or extremities; itching and swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth (skin reactions are the most common type of reaction) • gastrointestinal tract: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea • respiratory tract: runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath • cardiovascular system: lightheadedness or fainting A serious allergic reaction with widespread effects on the body is known as anaphylaxis.This sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction involves two or more of the body areas listed above. In addition, there also can be swelling of the airway, serious difficulty with breathing, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness and in some cases, even death. If you suspect that your child might have a food allergy, contact your doctor.To diagnose an allergy, the doctor will likely ask about your child’s symptoms, how often the reaction occurs, the time it takes between eating a particular food and the start of the first symptoms and whether any family members have allergies or conditions like eczema and asthma. The doctor will look for any other conditions that could cause the symptoms. For example, if your child seems to have diarrhea after drinking milk, the doctor may check to see if lactose intolerance could be the cause rather than a food allergy. Celiac disease — a condition in which a person cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat and certain other grains — also can mimic the symptoms of food allergies. If the doctor suspects a food allergy, you will likely be referred to an allergy specialist, who will ask more questions, perform a physical exam and probably perform tests to help make a diagnosis. After diagnosing your child with a food allergy, the allergist will help you create a treatment plan. No medication can cure food allergies, so treatment usually means avoiding the allergen and all the foods that contain it. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with food labels so you can avoid the allergen. Since 2006, a new food labeling law has made this a little easier. Makers of packaged foods are required to clearly state, in or near the ingredient lists, whether the product contains milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or soy. Medications can treat both minor and severe symptoms. Antihistamines might be used to treat symptoms such as hives, runny nose, or abdominal pain associated with an allergic reaction. If your child wheezes or has asthma flares (also called attacks) as the result of a food allergy, the doctor will likely recommend that a bronchodilator such as albuterol (which can be inhaled from a handheld pump device) be taken right away to reduce breathing difficulties. If your child experiences an allergy-triggered asthma attack, it is important to consider also giving epinephrine and seek emergency medical treatment immediately, in case the asthma symptoms are part of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is often used to treat severe allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis. If your child has severe food allergies, your allergist will want you to have two epinephrine autoinjectors (commonly called EpiPens) on hand at all times in case of a life-threatening reaction. This will mean keeping epinephrine in your home, briefcase or purse, and at relatives’ homes and your child’s day care or school. You and your child’s allergist should work together to develop a written food allergy emergency action plan to give to the school, childcare provider, and any other caregivers. 15
- 16. The 18th annual “Center Stage” concert benefitting Children’s Hospital on April 17 was a night that will not soon be forgotten. Underwriters, Patrons, Benefactors and Corporate Supporters attending the event at the Knoxville Convention Center enjoyed an exciting performance by ’80s pop band Air Supply as well as cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dancing. Air Supply was a mainstay on the pop charts for more than a decade beginning with the release of their album Lost in Love; its title track was the fastest selling single in the world in 1980 and also contained the mega-hits “All Out of Love” and “Every Woman in the World.” Air Supply released seven top-five singles consecutively, and combined with their other singles have sold more than 10 million copies.Their albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever and The Greatest Hits have sold more than 20 million copies. Air Supply has recorded together for the past 35 years and has a new album coming out in 2010. Chairpersons Bob and Wendy Goodfriend were inspired to create this celebrity gala in 1993 as a way to give back to Children’s Hospital after their son was hospitalized after a diving accident. More than $2 million in net proceeds has been collected since Center Stage’s inception. The Underwriters of Center Stage this year were Pilot Corporation and the Goodfriend Foundation, and all proceeds benefitted the Goody’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital appreciates its many supporters and would like to give a special thanks to Kaye Goodfriend, Holly Lawson, Dana Headden and Gail Reed for their work on the planning committee; all the Patron, Benefactor and Corporate Sponsors; guests; volunteers; and all those who continually support Children’s Hospital’s mission. by Taylor Griffin, student intern 2018ClinchAve.•P.O.Box15010 Knoxville,Tennessee37901-5010 Wealwaystrytostaycurrentwithfriendsofthehospital. Ifforanyreasonyoushouldreceiveaduplicateissueor needtoupdateyouraddress,pleasenotifythehospitalat (865)541-8257orwhames@etch.com NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT433 KNOXVILLE,TN Entertainment in large “supply” at 18th annual Center Stage