Read the Spring 2011 issue of It's About Children Magazine by East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

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Children’s”
September 26, 2010
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Handwritten note
On The Cover:
Shelby Smith of Knoxville
Read her story on pages 4-6.
Board of Directors
Dennis Ragsdale, Chairman • Bill Terry, 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 • Larry Martin • Christopher Miller, M.D. • Steve South
Laurens Tullock • Danni Varlan • Jim Bush, Chair Emeritus
William G. Byrd, M.D., Chair Emeritus • Don Parnell, Chair Emeritus
Medical Staff
Lise Christensen, M.D., Chief of Staff • Mark Cramolini, M.D., Vice Chief of Staff
Lori Patterson, M.D., Secretary
Chiefs of Services
Ken Wicker, M.D., Chief of Medicine
Cameron J. Sears, M.D., Chief of Surgery
Administration
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
It’s About Children Staff
Ellen Liston, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Community Relations
Wendy Hames, APR, Editor • Neil Crosby, Contributing Photographer
2
Children’s Hospital is
a Tobacco-Free and
Smoke-Free Campus
we received from
Scarlett Warringto
n
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 nearly 75 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
www.etch.com

3. Hospital NOTES
Children’s
Medical professionals join
Children’s Hospital staff
welcome the expertise
Children’s Hospital is pleased to
members, who joined
of the following new medical staff
our staff in 2010.
• Laura Asbury, M.D., Pediatrics
Radiology
• Rachel Barker, M.D., Pediatric
ic Dentistry
• Charles Christ, D.D.S., Pediatr
iatric Hematology/Oncology
• John Stephen Corns, D.O., Ped
ic Pathology
• Thomas Eberts, M.D., Pediatr
ics
• Megan Gaddis, M.D., Pediatr
ic Surgery
• Ankush Gosain, M.D., Pediatr
ic Vascular Surgery
• Oscar Grandas, M.D., Pediatr
ic Orthopedics
• Gregory Hoover, M.D., Pediatr
Surgery
• Eric Jensen, M.D., Pediatric
and Pediatric Allergy
• Karthik Krishnan, M.D., Adult
and Immunology
Pediatric Pulmonology
• Michael McCormack, M.D.,
iatrics
• Andrea Meadows, M.D., Ped
ics
• Robin Michaels, M.D., Pediatr
D., Pediatric Hospitalist Service
• Joni Oberlin, M.
Allergy and Immunology
• Erin Rohman, M.D., Pediatric
ic Ophthalmology
• Allyson Schmitt, M.D., Pediatr
ic Emergency Medicine
• Michelle Smoot, M.D., Pediatr
ic Otolaryngology
• Heath Tennyson, M.D., Pediatr
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
Fantasy of
Trees brings
holiday cheer
to Knoxville
Upon entering the 26th annual
Fantasy of Trees November 2428,
guests were immersed into a wor
ld of twinkling snowflakes, brig
ht-colored
decorations and reindeer at play
—all at the Knoxville Conventio
n Center.
This year’s Fantasy of Trees kick
ed off the Knoxville holiday sea
son for
57,600 guests with the theme
“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”
and was
one of the most successful years
in the event’s history.
Fantasy of Trees showcased hun
dreds of designer trees, wreath
s and
decorations, a Gingerbread Vil
lage, children’s activities and ent
ertainment
for the whole family at the Fan
tasy Theatre. Other attractions
included visits
with Santa, carousel rides, holida
y shops and a Babes in Toyland
parade.
More than $351,000 was raised
at Fantasy of Trees; funds are bein
g
used to buy much needed equipm
ent for the Children’s Sleep Me
dicine
Center and the laboratory dep
artment.
The Fantasy of Trees staff wou
ld like to thank the more than
10,500
volunteers who donated thousa
nds of hours throughout 2010
to make
the event such a success. Childr
en’s Hospital extends many tha
nks to all
volunteers and visitors for their
support.
Plans are already underway for the
2011 Fantasy of Trees, which will
feature a theme of “Rockin’ Aro
und the Christmas Tree.” The 201
1 co-chairs are
Todd Heptinstall and Genia Jack
son, and the assistant co-chair is
Janice Davis.
The Fantasy of Trees has created
holiday memories for more tha
n one
million guests and raised more
than $5.7 million for Children’s
Hospital
since it began 26 years ago.
by Claire Quinn and Taylor Gri
ffin, student interns
gertips
ur fin
Health tips at yo
Hospital’s
ownloads
app tops 1,000 d
dropping off one
y ahead of you – first,
You have a crazy da
school, then
other at the elementary
ild at preschool and the
ch
th children
ily before picking up bo
and errands for the fam
work
to remember the
pointments. You have
for different doctor ap
ords, past surgery
and immunizations rec
correct insurance cards
child is taking.
what medications each
ormation and a list of
inf
u need for your
all the information yo
How can you manage
at you need
ital has a solution for wh
health? Children’s Hosp
children’s
ur iPhone or iPad.
the go – an app for yo
to know when you’re on
ore for iPhones,
able now at the App St
This FREE app is avail
Healthcare &
“East TN Kids” in the
and iPads; it is named
00 iPhone/
iPods
. Already, more than 1,0
tion of the App Store
Fitness sec
In addition to
wnloaded the new app.
iPod/iPad users have do
p and directions
l information and a ma
viding general hospita
pro
Children’s Hospital and
on the best way to get to
lets you keep your
where to park, the new app
in one convenient place
children’s medical history
at all times. Use the
– in a device that’s with you
keep information
Children’s Hospital app to
ns, allergies and
about your kids’ medicatio
emergency contacts,
immunizations, as well as
ted, so
erything is password protec
right at your fingertips. Ev
information is secure.
p
hundreds of articles to hel
The new app also features
n of the
tio
ation. The KidsHealth sec
parents with medical inform
neral Health; First Aid
categories: Ge
app includes the following
& Behavior;
ms; Infections; Emotions
& Safety; Medical Proble
Pregnancy &
Nutrition & Fitness; and
Growth & Development;
Newborns.
3

4. Shelby
Parenting is really an adventure, and sometimes quite
a stressful one at that. Some children make it more of an
adventure, and sweet little Shelby Smith of Knoxville is
certainly one of those. For her parents, Millicent and Seth
Smith, Shelby is a tremendous joy who has come a long way
in a short amount of time since her birth in October 2006.
Born three months early in an emergency cesarean section
at UT Medical Center, Shelby weighed two pounds, 11 ounces
and was 14 inches long. Millicent, the Social Studies Supervisor
for grades K-12 for Knox County Schools, had experienced
severe pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and some other
pregnancy complications), which resulted in the need to
deliver Shelby so early for the protection of both mother and
baby. A 100-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at UT Medical Center was just the first of
Shelby’s many experiences with hospitalization
and health care, according to Seth, who is an
Assistant Principal and the Athletic Director
at Carter High School in the Knox County
School System.
Shelby had a few medical problems
identified early on, not all of which were related
to her prematurity. She had a submucous cleft
palate (an opening in the palate on the roof
of her mouth, a birth defect that occurs early
in pregnancy); a congenital heart defect called
patent ductus arteriosis, or PDA (the ductus
arteriosis in the heart is supposed to close on its
own shortly after birth, but it did not in Shelby’s
case); and underdeveloped lungs due to extreme
prematurity. Shelby had a PDA ligation surgery
while in the NICU at UT to correct the heart
defect, so this problem was taken care of early on.
Her other issues, however, took a bit more
time and numerous hospital visits to address.
Throughout it all, Shelby has been under the
primary care of pediatrician John Rochester,
M.D., of Rochester Pediatrics, a Children’s
Hospital- affiliated practice. Dr. Rochester
had been Millicent’s pediatrician during her
childhood, as well.
Shelby’s underdeveloped lungs gave her the
most significant problems during her first few years,
according to her parents. Her first procedure – and
first overnight stay – at Children’s Hospital was a
bronchoscope when she was two years old. Sterling
Simpson, M.D., of Pediatric Pulmonology and
Respiratory Care at Children’s Hospital, performed
the procedure to examine Shelby’s airway. Dr.
Simpson and his colleagues, Drs. John Rogers and
Eduardo Riff, followed Shelby for a few years at their
pediatric pulmonology practice until she outgrew
4
the prematurity-related lung issues. Through their office,
Shelby also received monthly Synagis shots during RSV season
(fall and winter) for the first two years of her life to prevent
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a potentially life-threatening
virus for children such as Shelby with issues of prematurity and
underdeveloped lungs.
Unfortunately and in spite of the many efforts to keep
her healthy, Shelby developed serious cases of other viruses
– both seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”)
in fall 2009, again leading to an overnight stay at Children’s
Hospital. Her lung issues made the flu viruses a greater
concern, but she fully recovered.
Last year Shelby made a pair of significant visits to
Children’s Hospital. In April, pediatric otolaryngologist
(ENT) Mark Ray, M.D., performed a
furlow palatoplasty, a surgical procedure
to correct her cleft palate. Again, she
spent a night at the hospital. A cleft palate
is not life threatening, but it can have
long-term effects on the patient, such
as causing difficulties with feeding and
speech development.
“While that surgery was complicated
and resulted in stitches and quite a bit of
pain initially, it has had a tremendously
positive impact on her speech and
language development,” Millicent said.
“Her recovery was swift and uneventful.
This procedure has had the most positive
impact on her development – we are
elated with the results.”
Shelby and her parents were fortunate
to have the services of Dr. Ray available
when they needed him. Dr. Ray joined
Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and
Neck Surgery, PLLC, in January 2009,
joining Drs. John Little and Michael
Belmont in the practice at Children’s
Hospital.
Dr. Ray’s arrival brought specialized
experience in cleft surgeries to the group
as well as to Children’s Hospital. During
his pediatric otolaryngology fellowship
in Arkansas, Dr. Ray participated in
training that was heavily weighted
toward cleft lip and palate repair. He
was involved in the care of 700-800
cleft patients while he served as
co-director of the cleft team. He
performs cleft lip and cleft palate
surgeries regularly and has established
East Tennessee’s first multidisciplinary
cleft treatment team recognized by the

5. About Me
Name: Shelby Zoe Smith
Age: 4
n Early
School and grade: Preschool at Bearde
ily’s church,
Enrichment Program at the Smith fam
Bearden United Methodist
of humor and
Personality traits: An awesome sense
very independent.
any other word
Words she can say: “Palatoplasty” and
Dr. Ray!
she wants or needs to say, thanks to
!
Favorite color: Pink and purple – equally
Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese
ween “Tangled”
Favorite movie: Right now, a toss-up bet
time, it could
and “Cinderella.” However, at any given
be any princess or Tinker Bell movie.
thing with
Favorite TV show: Disney Channel or any
music, dancing and singing
g by Taylor Swift
Favorite song: “Love Story” or anythin
John and
Favorite game: Hide ’n’ seek with cousins
z at any
Sam Beaty and Bryce Rivers; also a whi
matching game.
ly, Busybodies
Favorite school subject/activity: Assemb
es/games/
(a program of physical activity/exercis
e
gymnastics/ once per week) and any tim
they sing and dance
ses
Likes: Music, singing, dancing and princes
read to others.
What I do for fun: Read and pretend to
lly to cook,
Play “pretend” games in general – especia
tumes. I love
play store and dress up in princess cos
with my daddy.
to go to football and basketball games
music, shows
I love the Vols! I’m an expert at finding
and iPad.
and games on my parents’ iPod Touch
5

6. Shelby
American Cleft Palate Association. He also bonded well with
Shelby. “Shelby is particularly fond of Dr. Ray and his nurse,
April,” Millicent said. “She responds to them quite well.”
As the Smiths sought care for each of Shelby’s problems,
they made careful choices as to the providers who would care
for their daughter. When Shelby needed ear tubes, the Smiths
turned to family friend Dr. Leslie Baker of Greater Knoxville
Ear, Nose & Throat, an otolaryngologist, for her expertise to
perform that surgery.
Dr. Baker determined that Shelby might have the submucous
cleft, and she referred Shelby to Dr. Ray. “She helped us get
the initial appointment and was in communication with Dr.
Ray regarding her concerns with Shelby’s palate and speech,”
Millicent said. “We are so grateful to her for that.”
The Smiths then did some research into Dr. Ray and
his skills/training. “I began looking into Dr. Ray and his
background,” Millicent said. “I was told he is one of the only
doctors – if not the ONLY one – in our area to perform the
furlow palatoplasty. That is a little scary as we really didn’t
have a lot of options should we not be comfortable with him.
I found Dr. Ray has traveled the world helping kids with cleft
palates much more severe than Shelby’s and for those with
little access to proper health care and support, and he has five
children of his own.
“And, when we had our first consultation, I decided to ask
him for myself: ‘Are you good at what you do?’ He was a little
shocked at this question as he said he had never been asked
it before,” Millicent said. “I felt like a doctor should have the
confidence to tell me he thinks he is good. He said, ‘I would
say I’m in the top 10 percent.’”
Millicent also researched the furlow procedure itself, first
performed by Leonard T. Furlow, Jr., M.D., of the University
of Florida in the 1980s. “Dr. Ray gave us statistics regarding
the success of the procedure, which I later corroborated via
my research,” Millicent said. “I think, while there is still room
for improvement as she grows and matures, the prediction of
Shelby’s success has come to fruition.
“After our experience with him, I would say Dr. Ray was
being modest,” Millicent said. “Shelby is thriving and her
speech – and her confidence – are getting better every day.”
Even just hours after Shelby’s surgery, Millicent and Seth
were feeling tremendous confidence in Dr. Ray’s skills in caring
for their daughter.
“When we were in our room the evening after surgery, a
little girl was admitted into the bed next to us,” Millicent said.
“Her family was very anxious as the girl would require surgery
for her condition, and they did not know the doctor. The next
day, when Dr. Ray came in to visit Shelby, the family saw he was
the same doctor who would perform their daughter’s surgery.
“After Dr. Ray left, they
immediately came over to our
side of the room to inquire about
him,” Millicent continued. “After
6
speaking with us, I think they felt much better and more at
ease with him performing the surgery on their daughter. We
recommended him then, even before we could know the longterm results of Shelby’s surgery. His bedside manner, his
forthrightness, his confidence, his knowledge, his expertise – all
those things comforted us and allowed us to comfort another
family.”
In December, the Smiths were back at Children’s Hospital
– this time for their first trip to the Emergency Department.
“Shelby ran into the pantry door in our kitchen and got a
nasty gash on her forehead,” Millicent said. “The ER staff was
amazing and not only took great care with Shelby, but attended
to my needs as well. I was a little shaken, and the staff made
every effort to comfort all of us while giving Shelby the best
possible care. She barely even has a scar from the injury, which
required five stitches!”
The major thing Shelby remembers about her 2010 visits
to Children’s Hospital is her stitches – both the ones she had in
her mouth after the palatoplasty and the ones she had on her
forehead following the pantry door incident. She was “all about”
following the doctors’ orders for taking care of them and
protecting them, Millicent said, adding that Shelby has a definite
dislike for a few other aspects of her health care – notably,
getting shots and having her finger pricked for blood work.
Shelby is very familiar with the hospital and is quite used
to being there. “She knows it is where you go to get better,”
Millicent said. “I do not think she necessarily associates it with
something ‘bad.’ I think that is a testament to the doctors,
nurses and staff who have attended to her on her many visits.
She is very interested in hospitals and has even said on
occasion that she wants to be a doctor, saying that ‘They have
to go to college.’
“She has a doctor’s kit, and she likes to ‘pretend’ to give
shots and put on band-aids,” Millicent continued. “It is funny
– any time she ‘doctors’ any of us adults, we ALWAYS need a
shot! I guess it is her ‘payback.’ ”
The Smiths appreciate the care and attention the entire
family receives whenever they are at Children’s Hospital.
“Even though our trips to Children’s Hospital are usually
under stressful circumstances, we have always had the best
experience. Everyone is helpful, caring and quick to attend
to Shelby’s (and her parents’) needs,” Millicent said. “All the
doctors and nurses take time to answer questions and explain
medications and procedures thoughtfully.”
These days, after four years of parenting adventures for
Seth and Millicent, they are proud to say that Shelby is “doing
fabulously.” At about 37 pounds and 40 inches, she has grown
significantly since her too-early arrival. She is active and loves
to sing, dance, swim and read books. And post-surgery, she is
now able to say anything she wants
to say, including the clinical name
of her cleft palate surgery –
“palatoplasty” – a word over which
many adults would surely stumble.

7. Pediatrician Profiles
Andrea
Meadows,
M.D.
John W.
Wilkinson,
M.D.,
F.A.A.P.
Age: 36
Family: Wife, Sabrina;
daughters Ali (3) and Bella (2)
Age: 32
Family: Husband, Tom Meadows
Name of Pediatric Practice:
LaFollette Pediatric Clinic; Lafollette, Tenn.
Personal Interests:
Running, cycling and cooking.
Academic Background/Prior Experience:
B.S. – Marshall University, Huntington, W.V., 2000
M.D. – Marshall University, 2004
Internship and Residency:
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
Internship: 2004-05; Residency: 2005-07
Name of Pediatric Practice:
Knoxville Pediatric Associates, Weisgarber office
Personal Interests: Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with
my family, playing with my two lovely girls and laughing with my
beautiful wife. When time permits, I enjoy running, playing and
watching basketball, reading, golf and football.
Academic Background/Prior Experience:
B.A. – Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky., 1996
M.D. – Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis,
Ind., 2000
Internship and Residency: University of Tennessee College of
Medicine, Memphis. Internship: 2000-01; Residency: 2001-03
Additional Experience: Private practice at Hamblen
Pediatric Associates, Morristown, 2003-10
Additional Experience: Private practice at Lexington
Clinic in Kentucky, 2007-10
Why Pediatrics? As a child, I realized the impact a physician
can have in the life of a child. I also remember aspiring to be in
a position to have that same positive influence. Naturally, this led
me into medicine and pediatrics.
Why Pediatrics? I chose pediatrics because during my
clerkship, I enjoyed going to work every day and realized
that I was disappointed when the clerkship was over.
I knew that working with kids every day would mean
I would always enjoy work.
Philosphy: My greatest responsibility as a pediatrician is to provide
quality medical care with a foundation in evidence-based medicine,
preventive care and the ultimate goal of equipping my patients
with the ability to make appropriate lifestyle choices so they can
enjoy a healthy adult life.
Greatest Influences: My parents, who instilled a
wonderful work ethic in me; and Dr. Ratcliff, my
childhood pediatrician and instructor in medical school.
Greatest Influences: The many physicians I have been privileged to
know – my own childhood pediatrician, the attending physician I
worked for in school and residency, my mentors and my colleagues
– throughout my life have helped mold me into the pediatrician I
am today.
Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician: Moments when
a child or parent says “Thank you. You have really made
a difference in our life.”
Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician: I have been blessed to enjoy
many proud moments in my career. But I think the small things
patients do – the pictures they draw or color for me, the Christmas
cards they send, the school pictures they give every year, the hugs I
receive at the end of an office visit – are the things I treasure most.
7

8. Leading The Way
Children’s Hospital 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.” Outstanding practices by Children’s Hospital departments
are highlighted – 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.
Children’s Hospital promotes breastfeeding to make newborns healthier
Children’s Hospital’s position on breastfeeding has
always been that it is one of the most important things a
new mother can do for her baby. Now, more than ever before,
research shows that breastfeeding provides babies with
protection from many medical complications including ear
infections, gastrointestinal infections, severe lower respiratory
infections and necrotizing enterocolitis (a condition affecting the
intestines of premature infants). Breastfeeding also is associated
with lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome, childhood
obesity, type 2 diabetes and leukemia in babies. Mothers also
benefit from breastfeeding, because it reduces their risk for
type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Hospitals across Tennessee have incorporated this critical
knowledge into a push for mothers to breastfeed and, in turn,
reduce infant mortality (death) and morbidity (illness and
disease) rates.
The importance of breastfeeding is being heavily stressed to
mothers at Children’s Hospital, especially in the Haslam Family
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and during transport of
babies to the NICU. New mothers are given written materials and
are educated verbally at the time of transport from the hospital
where their baby was born to the Children’s Hospital NICU.
Mothers who are not able to provide breast milk have the
option of their baby being given donated breast milk from the
WakeMed Mother’s Milk Bank in Raleigh, N.C., to supply the
baby with the protection and benefits of breastfeeding.
The state of Tennessee has one of the highest infant
mortality and morbidity rates in the country. After the governor’s
office provided a grant to help improve the health of children in
Tennessee, a group of key stakeholders involved in infant care set a
goal of urging breast milk use to improve infant outcomes. Children’s
Hospital, along with The Regional Medical Center at Memphis,
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Parkridge
East Hospital in Chattanooga, were the four initial participants
in the planning and implementation of these best practices in a
collaboration through the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality
Care (TIPQC).
This quality improvement initiative has proven successful and
has now begun in additional hospitals with NICUs throughout
Tennessee. (See page 14 for more on TIPQC.)
“Breastmilk can be considered a baby’s first immunization by
helping build a stronger immune system and providing immune
benefits for infants,” said LeAnne Gibbs, Children’s Hospital
lactation consultant. “All of the evidence concurs that this is also
the best nutrition for infants.”
8
A newborn is
transported
to Children’s
Hospital for care
in the Haslam
Family Neonatal
Intensive Care
Unit.
In addition to teaching new mothers about the benefits of
breastfeeding, Children’s Hospital is taking the initiative to promote
breastfeeding to the community through framed educational posters
given to obstetricians’ offices in the hospital’s 16-county service
area, as well as through outreach education programs.
“This collaboration seeks to improve outcomes for infants by
using evidence-based best practices,” Gibbs said. “Based on all the
valuable research available, we know that providing infants with
breast milk for their nutrition and immune system gives them the
best start to life. We are fortunate to be a part of this statewide
effort and to have the support we need from our staff, physicians
and administration to increase the use of breast milk in our NICU.”
by Taylor Griffin, student intern

9. Coordinator, hospital receive Safe Kids USA awards
As coordinator for Safe Kids of the Greater Knox
Area, Susan Cook is often found around the community
promoting injury prevention by fitting bike helmets on
children and teaching the importance of using proper safety
equipment or teaching parents/caregivers about ways to keep
their children safe around water, fire and poisonous materials.
She also is often at car seat checkpoints throughout East
Tennessee teaching parents and caregivers the appropriate
way to install a car seat and the best practices in regard to
child passenger safety. When Susan is not out in the
community, she spends her time at Children’s Hospital in
the Community Relations Department working on grants
and other educational efforts to prevent unintentional injuries
in children. It comes as no surprise, then, to announce that
Cook has been chosen as the 2010 Safe Kids USA Local
Coordinator of the Year.
This award is given to the one person out of more than 600
coordinators nationwide “best exemplifying the spirit, drive and
integrity of advancing child safety,” and it is one of the highest
honors given by Safe Kids. Cook has been exceeding these standards
since the summer of 2008 when Children’s Hospital became the
lead organization for Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area.
By taking on this partnership, Children’s Hospital was given an
opportunity to extend Safe Kids’ reach to the entire East Tennessee
region served by the hospital. Since 2008, Children’s Hospital has
supported Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area in participating
in health and safety fairs, car seat checkpoints, bike fairs, safety
seminars and classes for parents and caregivers, and media awareness
campaigns. Because of these efforts, Children’s Hospital was named
the 2010 Safe Kids USA Outstanding Lead Organization. This
award is another one of the honors given each year and is presented to
a lead organization that puts forth extraordinary efforts for that year.
“I feel honored to have been chosen as the Safe Kids USA
Coordinator of the Year, but it would not have been possible without
the support of our great partners and such a great lead organization,”
Cook said.
Since winning the award in October, Cook has been working
to secure additional grants to help Safe Kids of the Greater Knox
Area and Children’s Hospital in promoting fire, bike and helmet
safety. For the first time ever, a pedestrian safety grant was awarded
to this Safe Kids coalition and will be used to promote safe walking
and to recognize issues in the community that could be dangerous
to pedestrians through photos taken by students. This grant should
help promote injury prevention and changes in behavior for the East
Tennessee region.
Cook assists at car seat checkpoints monthly in four of the
16 counties served by Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area. These
checkpoints are a free community service for any parent with
children who are required by law to be in a child passenger restraint
Safe Kids Coordina
tor Susan Cook exam
ines a car seat to be
is correctly installe
sure
d.
it
system. Cook and other certified car seat technicians test the
installation of the car seat and ensure the seat is installed properly.
The remaining 12 counties served by this Safe Kids coalition have
at least one car seat checkpoint each year.
Safe Kids USA is one of 19 Safe Kids Worldwide member
countries that promote the prevention of unintentional childhood
injury. The death rate for unintentional injuries in children ages 14
and under has declined by a significant 45 percent in the 22 years
since Safe Kids was created.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
9

10. What’s New at
Telethon 2011 Wrap-Up
When the telephones stopped ringing and volunteers wrote down
the final donations at 11:30 p.m. on January 30, it was obvious the 29th
annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Telethon was another
success. Kicking off 2011 with a bang, the annual telethon raised more
than $1.15 million through individual pledges and corporate donations.
This Knoxville tradition has lasted for nearly three decades, thanks to the
many donors and sponsors that contribute yearly.
The telethon took place Sunday, January 30 from 3-11:30 p.m.,
live on WBIR-TV Channel 10. The broadcast was filled with check
presentations from donors; coverage of hospital activities; local
personalities urging viewers to make a pledge; and inspiring stories
of children who have been or are currently patients of Children’s
Hospital (see additional photos, page 20).
A variety of new and sophisticated medical equipment will be
purchased with the funds raised from this year’s telethon. This equipment
not only ensures that all patients will continue to receive high-quality
care at Children’s Hospital but also keeps the hospital on the cutting
edge of the newest pediatric medical technology while helping continue
“Leading the Way to Healthy Children.”
Children’s Hospital was one of only 22 hospitals to participate in
the first telethon in 1983 and is a charter member of the Children’s
Miracle Network Hospitals. Since the telethon’s inception, more than
$33 million has been raised for the hospital, and community support
has grown substantially.
Children’s Hospital would like to thank everyone who was involved
in the telethon this year, including corporate sponsors Ace Hardware,
The Butterfly Fund, Carmike Theatres, Center Stage, Children’s
Hospital Volunteers, Children’s Hospital Committee for the Future,
Dairy Queen, Dance Marathon Council (UT, Knoxville), Kiwanis Clubs,
Food Lion, Fred’s Discount Stores, Golden Corral, Great Clips, IHOP,
Journal Broadcast Group for the Star 102.1 Radiothon, Kroger, Love’s
Travel Stops and Country Stores, Marriott Business Services, Baseball
for Babies Tournament, Phi Mu sorority (UT, Knoxville), Phonathons,
Re/Max Realty and Josh the Dog, Rite Aid, Security Finance, Tri
Delta sorority (UT, Knoxville), USA Gymnastics, Walmart, Walmart
SuperCenters and Sam’s Clubs.
Special thanks to WBIR-TV Channel 10 and the many volunteers
for their decades of support in helping this area’s children stay healthy.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
Lobby and waiting area renovation complete
Children’s Hospital’s main and lower lobbies are brand
new, thanks to an extensive $1 million makeover and expansion,
with $500,000 of the funding from a donation from the Regal
Foundation (part of the Regal Entertainment Group).
Construction began at the end of May 2010, and the project
is receiving final touches now.
The main waiting area features a water wall and a new roof
with three 6-foot skylights. Due to the enclosure of the former
atrium, the waiting area is now twice its previous size and can
seat nearly 60 people comfortably in movie-theater style chairs
(the chairs are fixed, non-folding, for safety). In addition, a fifth
registration station has been constructed to help during busy
registration times.
Two play areas in the waiting section will help keep children
entertained, and a new coffee shop offers beverages for families
waiting to be seen. Other changes include a Family Restroom
10
with a full changing table and a lactation room for nursing
mothers and their infants.
The lower main lobby received a much needed makeover
and now features design changes with bright colored walls and
floors, larger than life-size photos of children, and a display case
for art exhibits.
Due to be completed in late February, these renovations
will provide a waiting space in a comforting atmosphere for
patients and their families.
Regal’s donation, which totaled $750,000, also provided an
expansion to the Pre-Operative Holding and Family Waiting
Areas in Surgical Services. There is now a bigger space for
families and patients to stay together up until a few moments
before surgery.
For more information about this project, visit www.etch.com.
by Claire Quinn, student intern

11. What’s New at
Children’s Hospital now offers a non-invasive,
virtually painless treatment for chest deformities
You remember the teenage years … the braces, growth spurts,
ever changing groups of friends and feeling, oh, so uncomfortable
in your own body.
Then imagine being a teen diagnosed with a “deformity”- a
protrusion of the chest or a chest that is sunken. Chest deformities
are caused by an abnormal growth of the rib cartilages. The abnormal
growth pushes the sternum either inward (toward the spine) or outward
(away from the chest plane). Until last year, patients with a protruding
chest, also known as Pectus carinatum or pigeon chest, were referred to
other children’s hospitals in cities like Cincinnati or Nashville for bracing or
extensive surgery. But now, pigeon chest can be treated at East Tennessee
Children’s Hospital with a completely non-invasive, virtually painless brace.
Pigeon chest makes up about 5 percent of all chest wall deformities.
Symptoms include pain, abnormal heartbeat, decreased exercise
tolerance, a negative self image and often a hunched posture in an effort
to hide the chest deformity. The cause of pigeon chest is unknown but
usually starts in the early teenage years around ages 10-12 and becomes
worse during growth spurts. Chest deformities occur in approximately
four people in every 1,000 and are more common in boys.
Dr. Carlos Angel, pediatric surgeon at Children’s Hospital and
managing partner of East Tennessee Pediatric Surgery Group,
investigated the T-Joe Bracing System as a way to correct pigeon chest
with a custom-fit brace. Dr. Angel contacted Joe Porcello, creator of the
T-Joe Bracing System, and requested his services at Children’s Hospital.
The T-Joe Bracing System is used nationally and internationally to
correct from the mildest to the most severe cases of pigeon chest without
surgery. The child is fit with a custom brace that fits flush with the skin.
The bracing program only takes about 8-12 months to complete, and
the child must wear the brace 24 hours a day. The brace is inconspicuous
and barely visible under clothing. The brace does not disrupt the child’s
lifestyle, and the child can practice almost any sport or do any physical
activity while wearing the brace.
“Most children do not complain of any discomfort from the
bracing system, and the outcomes are excellent,” Dr. Angel said.
Porcello visits Children’s Hospital every two months to fit new
braces, evaluate established patients and make adjustments to their
braces. Pigeon chest does not often reoccur, but if it does, the child will
continue to wear the brace for compression only during certain hours of
the day, similar to a retainer in the mouth after orthodontic procedures.
Porcello is also an athletic trainer, so the brace not only corrects pigeon
chest but also improves posture and strengthens core muscles. The T-Joe
Bracing System is also used to correct ribs that protrude, a condition
called costal arches or flared ribs.
Dr. Angel and his partner, Dr. Eric Jensen, also treat patients with
sunken chests, known as Pectus excavatum or funnel chest, which makes
up 90 percent of all chest wall deformities. Funnel chest is marked by
pain, abnormal heartbeat, decreased exercise tolerance and low selfesteem. Drs. Angel and Jensen perform a minimally invasive technique
to repair funnel chest; a curved steel bar is inserted under the sternum
Left: Carlos Angel, M.D.,
pediatric surgeon
Below: Joe Porcello with Children’s
Hospital patient Jacob John Hay
through two small lateral incisions. The bar causes the cartilage to
reshape, and the bar stays in place for a minimum of two years. The bar
is not visible from the outside, and physical activity is not restricted
except in the first three months after the procedure.
Children’s Hospital is always looking for ways to evolve and
improve its medical care. With the addition of the T-Joe Bracing
System to the treatments that Children’s Hospital offers, many patients’
lives are improved. Now, not only is surgery avoided, but children are
also able to continue everyday activities with minimal discomfort.
by Hayley Martin, Public Relations Specialist
11

12. What’s New at
Henley Bridge closed for 24-30 months
Getting to Children’s Hospital
from south of the city of Knoxville may
be a bit more difficult for the next two to
three years. The Tennessee Department of
Transportation closed the Henley Bridge
in Knoxville on January 3 for an estimated
24-30 months for an extensive bridge
rehabilitation project.
TDOT contractor Britton Bridge,
LLC, will carefully dismantle the bridge
down to the concrete arches, which will be salvaged. An estimated 24,000
tons of concrete and 800 tons of steel will be recycled as crews remove it
from the structure. Work is expected to take place six days a week for
10-12 hours each day.
TDOT staff are closely monitoring the official detour route from
Chapman Highway to Moody Avenue to James White Parkway. TDOT
is also working with the City of Knoxville to monitor alternate routes.
“We realize that this is a new traffic pattern, and we evaluate
signalization, pavement markings and signage to help the motorist to
adjust to the detour around the Henley Bridge,” TDOT Region One
Director Steve Borden said. “We ask that drivers pay close attention to the
signs and remain patient while travelers learn the new traffic pattern.”
Meanwhile, detour maps and Henley brochures are available at the
Henley Bridge Community Center at 220 East Blount Avenue, Monday
through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (865) 577-6988.
For more information, detour maps and video of the project (via cameras
on top of Neyland Stadium and Mercy Riverside, formerly known as
Baptist Hospital), visit www.tn.gov/henley or follow the project at
twitter.com/HenleyBridge.
The official detour
es White
will utilize Jam
oody
Parkway and M
Avenue.
Chapma
Highway n
will
NOT close
.
Access bet
ween
Moody A
venue an
d
Blount A
venue wil
l
be mainta
ined.
Family Advisory Council gives hospital support and guidance
As the end of its second year approaches, the Children’s
Hospital Family Advisory Council has reviewed its first two
years’ progress and is refocusing on goals for the future. Five new
members were added to the council last fall, and five more will
be added this spring.
The Family Advisory Council was created in 2008 to bridge
the gap between families and Children’s Hospital staff in patient
care. The council gives patient families a voice in determining
the programs and policies that affect their children’s care at the
hospital.
Some of the council’s accomplishments in the past year
included providing input and support for the new Tobacco-
Free Policy that went into effect on January 1. The council
also helped with the “No Surprises” initiative to keep patient
families informed about medical procedures and billing
information before they arrive at the hospital.
Looking to the future, council members are filming
“Family Stories” to be used for training new employees and
12
physicians beginning in March. Council members will also
provide input for parking garage improvements to make
parking easier for families in case of an emergency.
Several Children’s Hospital staff members provide support
for the 14-member Family Advisory Council: Laura Barnes,
Vice President for Patient Care Services; Dr. Joe Childs, Vice
President of Medical Services; Keith Goodwin, Children’s
Hospital President/CEO; and Mary Pegler, Director of Child
Life.
Among its many objectives, the Family Advisory Council
aims to provide input for hospital facility planning and
development, support hospital departments by offering
feedback and advice for various projects, provide oversight
for other hospital-related family committees and councils, and
educate parents and staff members on a variety of topics.
The Family Advisory Council welcomes comments, ideas
and suggestions. If you would like more information about
the council or want to get involved, visit Children’s Hospital’s
website at www.etch.com.
by Claire Quinn, student intern

13. What’s New at
Knoxville recreation centers host art projects for Art of Healing program
In an effort to brighten the halls and walls of Children’s Hospital
for the “Art of Healing” program, Knoxville Arts & Fine Crafts Center
conducted three art projects for children at recreation centers around
Knoxville in 2010. These projects resulted in an outlet of expression for
the children creating the art at the recreation centers, as well as colorful
artwork for patients at Children’s Hospital to enjoy.
The latest art project took place at the Cal Johnson Recreation
Center and was led by Knoxville Arts & Fine Crafts Center Director
Cathy Maples, who spent an afternoon with the children creating
watercolor paintings of things enjoyed in nature. Rainbows and
sunflowers were just a few of the creative paintings that resulted from
the theme. Once the paintings were finished, they were matted and
given to Children’s Hospital to display on patient floors.
“This project was developed to be a fun and rewarding experience
for the recreation center children,” said Elise Murphy, art specialist at
Knoxville Arts & Fine Crafts Center. “It provided them with a chance
to express themselves while knowing that their finished pieces would not
be their own, but rather would go to the hospital to be placed on display
and brighten the halls of the public areas and patient floors.”
The artwork created by the children at the recreation centers will
soon be seen throughout the hospital, where it will serve to inspire and
encourage children their own age who are going through a potentially
difficult time.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
e
Children participat
e art
in one of th
classes last fall at
the Cal Johnson
Recreation Center.
Children’s Hospital, UT Medical Center
collaborate for enhanced pediatric care
Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Medical
Center have entered into a collaboration involving the provision of
nurse staffing for the UT Medical Center pediatric intensive care unit
(PICU). Beginning January 15, this unit (which provides Level I
pediatric trauma care as well as advanced care for pediatric patients
undergoing heart surgery and/or renal transplants) is now staffed by
intensive care nurses from Children’s Hospital. The collaboration
assures patients requiring intensive care at either hospital will continue
to receive the very best care possible.
Under this management agreement, the PICU at UT Medical
Center will be staffed by Children’s Hospital nursing employees.
Physician staffing remains the same, as the hospitals have long allowed
doctors to have privileges at both facilities. Allied health professionals,
including audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
pharmacists, registered dietitians and care management associates, will
remain employees of UT Medical Center.
The organizational shift for the nursing staff allows the flexibility
for registered nurses and nursing assistants to move between Children’s
Hospital and UT Medical Center, depending on the patient care needs
at either/both institutions. The model is expected to result in more
consistent nursing coverage and the ability to “flex” up and down as
patient demands change.
This collaboration reflects an ongoing commitment by both UT
Medical Center and Children’s Hospital to work together to assure the
continued advancement of the highest quality of care for the children
of our region. As the only comprehensive regional pediatric center in
East Tennessee, Children’s Hospital serves as the safety net provider for
pediatric care. As the region’s only Level I trauma center, UT Medical
Center provides essential support for children suffering from trauma as
well as serving as the home for both pediatric heart surgery and renal
transplantation.
“As an intensive care unit physician who has provided care in
both hospitals for 10 years, I see this nursing collaboration agreement
providing the opportunity to enhance the care of critically ill or injured
children in our region,” said Dr. Joe Childs, Vice President for Medical
Services at Children’s Hospital. “Trauma needs are high at UT Medical
Center during the warmer months, and critical illnesses increase during
the fall and winter at Children’s Hospital. This system allows the experts
in pediatric critical care nursing from both institutions to combine
into one coordinated team, with the ability to flex to the area with the
highest demands.”
The new agreement does not have an impact on neonatal intensive
care, as both hospitals will continue to independently operate their
Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Additionally through the agreement,
the care for general pediatric cases currently at UT Medical Center
will now be shifted to Children’s Hospital.
13

14. What’s New at
TIPQC and Children’s Hospital focus on
reducing Tennessee’s infant mortality rate
The perinatal period, or the time right before and after the birth of
a child, is a critical part of a baby’s life. It is during this time that a variety
of conditions can arise and eventually lead to one of the many diseases
that can cause the death of a newborn.
The state of Tennessee has one of the highest rates of infant
mortality nationwide, and when compared to other states, Tennessee is
ranked 45 out of 50. That’s why the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal
Quality Care (TIPQC) was created just a few years ago—to focus
exclusively on improving health outcomes for mothers and infants
throughout the state by uniting hospitals in a perinatal quality
collaborative designed to improve birth outcomes and implement
performance improvement initiatives.
The stakeholders that have united to form this collaborative include
25 of 27 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) statewide. With
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as a participating hospital, this
collaboration set goals that include decreasing the chances of infant
death and sickness by promoting practices that decrease the risk of
Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) and by
promoting breastfeeding.
Children’s Hospital was the lead hospital in the TIPQC’s CLABSI
project, which focuses on the elimination of CLABSI in participating
NICUs. Beginning in 2010, this project was piloted by Children’s
Hospital as well as Jackson-Madison County General Hospital,
Johnson City Medical Center, TC Thompson Children’s Hospital in
Chattanooga and the TIPQC team. This effort proved to be successful
within its first year by decreasing CLABSI occurrences at Children’s
Hospital from 20 to three.
Through this initiative, breastfeeding was identified as an extremely
necessary activity to provide immunization to babies during the later
part of the perinatal stage as well. Not only does breast milk offer more
immunity from diseases to babies, but it also plays a significant role in
reducing infant morbidity (illness and disease) rates.
Children’s Hospital became a pilot organization in promoting
breastfeeding to new mothers through TIPQC and joined with other
hospitals throughout Tennessee in this initiative. There are now 16
participating hospitals, with the objective of “decreasing the rate of
non-human milk feeding infants 50 percent by December 2011.” (See
related story on page 8).
Children’s Hospital’s participation in these efforts puts its mission
of “Leading the Way to Healthy Children” into action and has a great
deal of support from its staff members. “The staff at Children’s Hospital
takes this very seriously,” said Sheri Smith, Children’s Hospital Nursing
Director for Critical Care Services. “We have a culture of safety, and
saving lives is behind the passion of everything we do.”
Other states with perinatal quality care initiatives include Ohio,
California, North Carolina and Wisconsin. For more information about
the TIPQC, visit www.tipqc.org.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
Hospital properties now tobacco-free
Children’s Hospital and its affiliate offices are now officially
tobacco-free and smoke-free campuses as of January 1. The
hospital banned indoor smoking many years ago; this change
extends the ban to all outdoor areas of the hospital’s properties,
as well. The hospital’s properties include the main campus on
Clinch Avenue in Knoxville as well as the Children’s Hospital
Rehabilitation Center, Children’s Hospital Home Health Care,
Children’s West Surgery Center and physician offices managed
by the hospital.
Children’s Hospital joined the Knoxville area’s other
hospitals and hospital systems – the University of Tennessee
Medical Center, Blount Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health
and Mercy Health Partners – to make this change at the start of
14
the new year. Under the tobacco-free policy, Children’s Hospital
employees are not permitted to use tobacco of any kind during
their shift, even off-site. This is to ensure the smell of smoke is
not present on staff clothing, as even the scent of tobacco smoke
can be bothersome to sensitive patients, guests and other
employees. Family and visitors to Children’s Hospital are not
able to use tobacco products on the hospital’s campus or affiliate
sites but may leave the properties if they wish to smoke or use
other tobacco products.
New campus signage in English and Spanish on all the
hospital’s properties reflects the policy change, and smoking
cessation resources are available to guests who desire such
information; in addition, guests can now purchase nicotine
replacement therapy gum in the hospital’s Gift Shop. Free
smoking cessation counseling is available for interested hospital
staff through the Employee Health and Wellness office.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Tennessee has the sixth highest percentage of smokers in the
United States and the 14th highest percentage of smokeless
tobacco product users. Tobacco-related diseases cause more than
443,000 deaths every year in America, making it the leading
cause of preventable death in the United States. Tobacco also
costs the United States more than $193 billion each year due to
health care costs and lost productivity while at work. In 2008,
45 percent of hospitals in the United States were tobacco-free.

15. What’s New at
Graduate Nurse Orientation Program
helps prepare new nurses for their careers
Children’s Hospital is making significant efforts to recruit and retain
the brightest nursing school graduates in the region.
The recruitment of nursing students begins during their junior year
of nursing school. Usually about 150 – 200 nursing students apply to be
externs, and only a small group of the best-qualified students are selected.
Each nurse is paired with a veteran member of the nursing staff to learn
basic patient care and observe advanced skills. The externs spend four
weeks on each of the Children’s Hospital inpatient floors and spend one
day each in the Emergency Department, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit,
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Outpatient Surgery and Clinics.
As nursing students near the end of their studies, Children’s
Hospital conducts peer interviews to choose the best candidates to hire
upon graduation from nursing school. Graduate nurses who accept offers
are required to go through an extensive orientation. Nurses assigned to
medical units receive 12 weeks of orientation, while critical care nurses
complete a 16-week orientation.
“My orientation at Children’s Hospital prepared me for my career
as a nurse,” said Josh Picquet, 2007 graduate nurse. “First time, real-world
nursing experiences for entry-level nurses can be extremely intimidating
and often discourage new nurses to continue their career path. Children’s
Hospital has a deep commitment to the development of the new nurse,
and new graduate nurses are given special attention and comprehensive
instruction. Children’s Hospital clearly understands the effect nurse
development has on patient care quality.”
s
New graduate nurse
closely with
work
experienced nurse
t
colleagues throughou
entation.
their ori
During the first week of orientation, Children’s Hospital hosts
a breakfast for graduate nurses and the nurse colleagues who will orient
them. The event is intended to help start a relationship between the
graduates and experienced nurses. “Institutional research has shown that
a graduate nurse’s success depends on establishing positive relationships
with coworkers, so every step is taken to ensure that graduate nurses
feel comfortable and part of the Children’s Hospital family,” said Karen
Burchfield, RN Staff Educator.
During orientation, graduate nurses choose a mentor who will
provide guidance and support during their first year at the hospital. The
mentor/graduate nurse relationship also helps the new graduate make
connections to the team of nurses in their assigned work area. “The
orientation program is unique in that it also creates a social atmosphere
that they can’t teach in nursing school. Children’s Hospital makes it
abundantly clear what teamwork looks like and why it works,” said
Marshay James, 2009 graduate nurse.
Colleagues are required to attend a two-day course which teaches
how to successfully encourage, instruct and support their new counterparts.
Colleagues also complete a weekly progress report on each graduate nurse,
which is monitored by the graduate nurse coordinator. The coordinator is
available at all times for meetings with graduates, nurse managers, directors
and colleagues to monitor the graduates’ progress and address any problems
or issues that arise. Nurse managers also complete a progress report on each
graduate nurse they supervise. The report assesses retention risks, tardiness,
absentee problems, skill deficiencies and medication calculation errors.
The progress report helps identify and correct problems early to ensure the
success of the graduate.
Six months after graduate nurses are hired, Children’s Hospital
hosts a retention conference for graduates as well as nurse managers
and unit educators. All graduates are surveyed to determine what topics
and skills they have mastered and which ones they need to improve
upon. The topics that need improvement are presented at the one-day
retention workshop. After graduate nurses have been at the hospital
for one year, they attend a second retention workshop and complete a
follow-up needs assessment survey. Based on the results of the survey,
the Children’s Hospital Education Department makes changes to their
orientation curriculum so that the next class of graduate nurses benefits
from the insight provided by the survey results.
Since the graduate nurse program began, Children’s Hospital has
seen improvement in the retention of quality nurses. “We pride ourselves
on being the main regional training site of pediatric nurses. It is crucial
that new graduates engage in our pediatric nursing vision and philosophy
within the first year, or we run the risk of losing them,” said Lorisa
Williams, Director of Education. “The national turnover rate for nurses
within the first year of employment is 35 - 60 percent. Children’s
Hospital consistently has a turnover rate less than 30 percent.”
The Education Department continues to improve the graduate
nurse program to ensure Children’s Hospital retains the very best
candidates for the demanding world of pediatric nursing.
by Hayley Martin, Public Relations Specialist
15

16. Planned giving
Growing up during the Great
Depression in rural East Tennessee,
Leon Arms remembers how challenging
it was for many families to make ends
meet. Although times were tough, Mr.
Arms says his childhood days were filled
with many happy moments, including
the summers he spent playing baseball
on youth leagues in his hometown of
Maynardville.
His carefree days of youth suddenly
changed in 1937, when the then-13-yearold boy fell from a horse and fractured
his spine. At first, Mr. Arms said he
didn’t think he was seriously injured.
However, over the next several months,
his friends and family began to notice a
distinctive limp in his gait. A neighbor
had heard about a new children’s hospital
in Knoxville and suggested he go there for treatment. Doctors at the
hospital discovered that although Mr. Arms’ fracture had healed, his
injury had led to the development of scoliosis, an abnormal curvature
of the spine. He needed to wear a brace to correct the curved spine.
Although his back has never returned to normal, Mr. Arms says
he has always been grateful for the care he received at Children’s
Hospital. Now, 74 years later, Mr. Arms says he still remembers how
well he and his family were treated at the hospital.
“My family had no money to pay for my treatment, but the
hospital took care of me anyway,” said Mr. Arms. “I never forgot that.”
A retired businessman, Mr. Arms donates money to the hospital
every year and has included the hospital in his estate plans.
“My grandfather used to tell me that when someone does
something nice for you, you have an obligation to do something nice
for them,” Mr. Arms said. “I wanted to give something back to help
the children at Children’s Hospital. Even when I was younger, my
family didn’t have a lot of money but we always helped out any way
we could.”
Mr. Arms remembers what Children’s
Hospital was like when it first opened in
the late 1930s, and he has seen it expand to
become the large medical center it is today.
“Children’s Hospital has helped so
many children over the years, and I am
grateful for all they were able to do for me
when I needed them,” he said. “I’ve lived a
good life because of them.”
A charitable bequest as a part of your
estate plans is an easy way to support the
mission of Children’s Hospital. Plus, you
have the flexibility to adjust your plans as
your circumstances change.
There are several ways to make a
bequest that provides for your family or
loved ones while also supporting Children’s
Hospital in the future. You may consider a
specific bequest (a designated item such as
a home to your closest heirs), a general bequest (a sum of money that
would come out of your estate), a contingent bequest (a bequest made
on the condition that a certain event occurs before the distribution is
made), or a residual bequest (all the “rest, residue and remainder” of
an estate after all other bequests, debts and taxes have been paid).
Your estate planning attorney or financial advisor will be able to
devise a plan that will help you achieve your goals. If you would like to
remember Children’s Hospital in your will, please contact us to obtain
the official language you can share with your estate planning advisor.
We can’t say thank you enough to all the generous supporters
who have helped advance the hospital’s healing mission. We realize
many of you have remembered Children’s Hospital in your estate
plans, and for many different reasons, have chosen not to reveal your
intentions to us. To this visionary group of friends, we express our
sincere gratitude. If you decide to share your intentions with us, we
would love the opportunity to say thanks in person. Of course, we also
promise to respect your desire to remain anonymous if you so choose.
Please contact the Development Department at (865) 541-8441
if you need assistance or further information.
Children’s Hospital license plates add flair to any car
Purchasing a Children’s Hospital
license plate is one of the easiest ways to
help Children’s Hospital.
The Children’s Hospital specialty
plate, often seen on cars throughout
the Knoxville area, was approved by the
Tennessee legislature in 2002 and designed
by artists from Morris Creative Group in
Knoxville. More than $98,000 has been
raised for the hospital through sales of the plates since that time.
These funds support the hospital’s Faith Fund endowment, which
helps Children’s Hospital provide the important services of Child
Life, Pastoral Care and Social Work for patients and their families.
16
To keep these specialty plates on the
road, at least 1,000 must be in circulation at
all times. The cost of a plate is $35 in addition
to each county’s renewal fee, with the hospital
receiving nearly $16 dollars from each plate
sold. To purchase a plate, go to your local
County Clerk’s office, take in your registration
and old license plate, and ask for the specialty
plate.
If you have questions about the specialty license plate, contact
your local County Clerk’s office or the hospital’s Development
Department at (865) 541-8441.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern

17. Calendar of Events
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.
Star 102.1 Radiothon
Don’t forget to “tune
in for the children” during
the 10th annual Star 102.1
Radiothon on March 24-25
at West Town Mall.
The station’s morning
personalities, Mark & Kim
and Frank, will broadcast live
from the mall both days from
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Listeners can
call in and make a financial
pledge to support Children’s Hospital. Last year the event raised
more than $209,000 for Children’s Hospital Home Health Care and
the hospital’s CarePages service. Since its start in 2002, the Star 102.1
Radiothon has raised more than $1.4 million for Children’s Hospital.
Cutest Little Baby Face
Parents, grandparents, friends and shoppers have the chance to
pick the cutest baby in Knoxville in May at West Town Mall. Children
will have their photographs taken by professional photographers
from Images By Design Studios in Knoxville on April 30 and May 1.
Photographs will be posted at West Town Mall for voting on May 14.
Children ages 6 and younger are eligible to participate; registration
for the event is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The fee includes a
5x7 portrait of the participating child, a T-shirt and a goody bag.
A $1 donation to Children’s Hospital counts as 100 votes. The
child with the most votes is named the winner and will be announced
on May 14 during the “Baby Face Parade.” The Knoxville “Cutest
Little Baby Face” contest is sponsored by Tellico Village Kiwanis.
Last year Knoxville’s first-ever “Cutest Little Baby Face” contest
raised more than $11,000 for Children’s Hospital.
Contestants may pre-register by completing a registration form
online at http://cutestbabyknox.com/registration.aspx. For questions,
call Alexis Niceley with the Children’s Hospital Development office
at (865) 541-8745.
Baseball for Babies
The ninth annual
Baseball for Babies
tournament will take
place June 2-5 at various
Knoxville-area baseball
parks. The Hayes family
of New Market sponsors
the yearly baseball
tournament in memory of their daughter, Nancy Hayes, a former
patient who passed away in the hospital’s Haslam Family Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
Last year’s event raised more than $22,500 for Children’s Hospital.
For more information, contact Lenny Hayes at (865) 441-1367.
by Claire Quinn, student intern
Huey Lewis and the News to bring
“Heart of Rock and Roll” to Children’s
With 13 Top Ten Hits, 11 album releases, a Grammy Award
for Best Music Video and an Academy Award nomination, Huey
Lewis and the News has brought “The Power of Love” to audiences
for more than 30 years. On April 9, they will bring their talents to
the Knoxville Convention Center for the 19th annual Center Stage,
a dinner and concert benefit for Children’s Hospital.
Huey Lewis and the News has been performing for more than
three decades since they were formed by combining two rival Bay
Area bands in 1979. They have sold more than 20 million records
worldwide and have had many Top Ten Hits, including “Stuck With
You,” “Workin’ For A Livin” and “Heart of Rock & Roll.”
Huey Lewis and the News perform 60-70 concerts a year.
Their song, “The Power of Love,” earned them an Academy Award
nomination in 1986 and the No. 1 slot on Billboard’s singles chart.
That song, along with “Back In Time,” was written and performed by
them for the popular film Back To The Future.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will kick off Center Stage, followed
by dinner and Huey Lewis and the News’ performance. A dance band
will perform after the concert to wrap up the evening.
Patron, Benefactor and Corporate Supporter tables are
available at $10,000, $6,000 and $3,000, respectively. Each table
seats 10 guests. If space allows, individual tickets will be sold for
$300 each. To purchase tables or tickets, call the Children’s Hospital
Development Department at (865) 541-8441.
by Taylor Griffin, student intern
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18. Q&A
Safe at Home: Household items to
watch for to keep your children poison-free
Each day in the United States, nearly 400 children are treated
in a hospital emergency department as a result of being poisoned. In
most cases, these poisonings are accidental and preventable. Children
are naturally curious, and when they see a parent using something
such as a household cleaner or cosmetics, they may copy the behavior.
Children may think some poisons are good things to eat, drink or
play with, or they may confuse products with things to eat or drink.
Spring cleaning is right around the corner, so now is a great time to
re-check cabinet locks and safe storage places for potentially hazardous substances in your home.
Q:
A:
What common household items could be poisonous
for my child?
Many household items used every day may pose a hazard to your
child. Some of the most common include drain cleaner, oven cleaner,
toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, dishwasher detergent, furniture polish
and rust remover. The substance cadmium is used in manufacturing
batteries, dyes, glasses and ceramics, and it is dangerous if ingested by
small children. Miniature button batteries that are used in watches,
calculators and hearing aids can cause poisoning and internal burns if
ingested by your child. Remember to keep all batteries, house cleaners
and other poisonous liquids in a locked area that is high enough so a
child cannot reach it.
Q:
A:
Why shouldn’t I reuse a food or drink container to store
medication or a cleaning product?
Children can be easily confused by a container that they
recognize as one that stores food or drink. Make sure you keep
medicines, pesticides and even detergents in their original containers.
Never put poisonous or toxic products in unlabeled containers;
this helps avoid accidentally mixing up what is edible and what is
dangerous. Examples of look-alike toxic liquids and drinks are blue
window cleaner and blue fruit-flavored drinks or pine cleaner and
apple juice. Explain to your child the dangers of these substances
that look similar, and teach your child to ask an adult before they eat
or drink anything they are unsure of.
Q:
A:
Where should I keep medicines and other dangerous
substances?
Once children are mobile, it is easy for them to get into
dangerous substances in kitchen and bathroom cabinets or under
sinks. To prevent accidental poisonings, store all hazardous items
in areas that are well above a child’s normal reach, including closet
shelves, overhead cabinets and storage containers with locks on them.
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If dangerous items must be stored in reach of a child, install safety
latches or locks on lower drawers and cabinets. Remember that some
children are able to open child-resistant bottles, so these need to be
locked away in a safe, elevated place as well.
Q:
A:
What should be locked up in my garage that might poison
a child?
Many items stored in your garage are hazardous if consumed
by an adult or child. The most common of these are gasoline, motor
oil, kerosene, windshield washer fluid, pesticides, anti-freeze,
fertilizers, paint remover and lighter fluids. If consumed, any of
these substances can cause serious injury or death. Toxic substances
should be kept in a locked cabinet in a hard-to-reach area. Remember
to put these items away as soon as the adult is finished using them
so that toxic substances aren’t left within a child’s reach. Residue can
linger on a child’s toy for days, so clear all children’s toys from the
garage when using dangerous liquids.

19. Q:
A:
Is it safe to carry medications and other items in my purse?
Q:
I have heard I should never tell my child that medication is
candy. Why?
Cosmetics, medications, vitamins and other personal care
items found in your purse are potentially hazardous. A tube of bright
red lipstick or a bottle of coated pills may look like candy to a baby
but can cause severe illness if swallowed. Avoid letting a child go
through your purse if you carry pain relievers such as acetaminophen
(Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), because these are poisonous when
taken in large doses.
To keep hazardous substances away from small hands, move
purses, luggage and grocery bags to a hard-to-reach area for children
or store your purse on a high shelf. Unpack anything potentially
dangerous from your grocery bag before you leave the area.
A:
Nearly half of all child poisonings involve medicine. Even if
you’re trying to get a reluctant child to take medication, don’t treat
the medicine as something good to eat. Children may think the
pill or cough syrup is OK to eat all of the time, especially children’s
vitamins that have a pleasant taste. It is shocking how similar candy
and medicines look. Some examples are Dayquil capsules and Mike
and Ike’s candy; Sudafed and Red Hots candy; and colored Tums and
NECCO wafers. (See pictures at right).
Children learn by imitation, so take your own medicine when
your child isn’t watching.
Q:
A:
What household plants are dangerous?
Although flowers and houseplants make a colorful addition
to the house, it is important to realize that some of those can be
dangerous when consumed. Common poisonous flowers are azaleas,
hydrangeas and wisterias. Poisonous houseplants include dumb cane,
cadmium, holly and mistletoe. If you’re unsure if a plant is poisonous,
take a clipping of it to a local nursery for help.
One of these gingerbread houses is decorated with candy and the other one is
decorated with medicine. Can you tell which is which?
Answer: Candy house is on the left and medicine house is on the right.
Don’t use surface or crystallized fertilizer on house plants,
because this may be toxic to your child if swallowed. Avoid putting
small rocks in soil for potted plants, because they can be a choking
hazard. To keep your child from digging in your house plants, cut a
piece of fine chicken wire or cardboard to fit the pot and place it
over the dirt.
All of these precautionary steps are important to remember with
young children in the house. Spending some time educating your
children about the dangers of consuming poisonous liquids, batteries,
medicines or other materials will benefit both parent and child by
reducing potential trips to the emergency room.
Compiled by Claire Quinn and Taylor Griffin, student interns
Content edited and abridged from the KidsHealth section of www.etch.com.
© 2011 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Used under license.
Upcoming community education classes
CPR Certification Course
Dates: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6
Time: -10 p.m.
6
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: February 26, April 2, April 16, May 14, May 21
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
atwww.etch.com.
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.
19

20. 2018 Clinch Ave. • P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010
January 30, 2011
We always try to stay current with friends of the hospital.
If for any reason you should receive a duplicate issue or
need to update your address, please notify the hospital at
(865) 541-8257 or whames@etch.com
Scenes from the 2011 Children’s
Miracle Network Hospitals
Telethon for East Tennessee
Children’s Hospital
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ORGANIZATION
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PERMIT 433
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