See more at: http://www.etch.com/about_us/its_about_children.aspx

1. ChildrenÕs Hospital
2018 Clinch Ave. ¥ P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010
We always try to stay current with friends of the hospital.
If for any reason you should receive a duplicate issue,
please notify the hospital at (865) 541-8257.
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PERMIT 433
KNOXVILLE, TN
Invest In The Future2004 ChildrenÕs Miracle Network Telethon is June 5-6
The three-year, $47.5 million expansion is
well under way and scheduled to be
completed in mid-2005. This expansion
was designed to better meet the needs of
the increasing number of children
receiving care at ChildrenÕs Hospital.
In addition to segments live from
ChildrenÕs Hospital, the telethon will also
feature great entertainment from the
national telethon at Walt Disney World,
including a concert by the talented multi-
award winning singer Lee Ann Rimes.
The success of this yearÕs ChildrenÕs
Miracle Network Telethon is crucial in
helping ChildrenÕs Hospital grow to better
serve the children of East Tennessee.
Funds raised at the telethon will be used
to purchase new and sophisticated
medical equipment for various hospital
departments, including the NICU, the
Outpatient Clinics, Respiratory Care,
Endocrinology, the Emergency Department
In 1983, ChildrenÕs Hospital became a
charter member of the ChildrenÕs Miracle
Network and participated in the first
ChildrenÕs Miracle Network Telethon. That
year, the local telethon raised $95,487, all
of which remained at ChildrenÕs Hospital
for the direct benefit of its patients. Last
year, the 21st annual CMN broadcast
continued to be a testimony of the progress
ChildrenÕs Hospital has made over the
years by raising more than $1.9 million.
Of course the telethon is not the only
thing that has grown at ChildrenÕs
Hospital over the years. During the 1983-
84 fiscal year, the number of visits children
made to ChildrenÕs Hospital for injuries
and illnesses was less than 40,000. That
number has grown to more than 130,000
patient visits in the 2002-03 fiscal year.
To accommodate this continued growth
and better serve our patients, ChildrenÕs
HospitalÕs facilities are also growing.
and the Laboratory. For complete details of
what the telethon funds will purchase, visit
our Web site at www.etch.com.
Children are the future, so please invest
in the future of thousands of children by
supporting the 2004 ChildrenÕs Miracle
Network broadcast on WBIR-TV Channel
10 on Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6,
live from ChildrenÕs Hospital. Your support
helps ensure each child who comes to
ChildrenÕs Hospital, now and in the future,
is able to receive the care he or she needs.
For more information about the
ChildrenÕs Miracle Network or the
ChildrenÕs Miracle Network Broadcast, or
if you would like to volunteer at the
telethon, please call (865) 541-8441.
by Casey LaMarr, student intern

2. Board of Directors
James S. Bush
Chairman
Robert Madigan, M.D.
Vice Chairman
Robert M. Goodfriend
Secretary/Treasurer
Michael Crabtree
Dawn Ford
Peyton Hairston
Jeffory Jennings, M.D.
Bob Koppel
Donald E. Larmee, M.D.
Dugan McLaughlin
Chris Miller, M.D.
Alvin Nance
Dennis Ragsdale
J. Finbarr Saunders, Jr.
William F. Searle III
Bill Terry, M.D.
Laurens Tullock
Danni Varlan
Medical Staff
Chris Miller, M.D.
Chief of Staff
Lewis Harris, M.D.
Vice Chief of Staff
David Nickels, M.D.
Secretary
Chiefs of Services
Lise Christensen, M.D.
Chief of Medicine
Cameron Sears, M.D.
Chief of Surgery
David Birdwell, M.D.
Chief of Pathology
Clifford J. Meservy, M.D.
Chief of Radiology
Mike Mysinger, D.D.S.
Chief of Dentistry
Mark Cramolini, M.D.
Chief of Anesthesiology
Administration
Bob Koppel
President
Paul Bates
Vice President for Human Resources
Joe Childs, M.D.
Vice President for Medical Services
Rudy McKinley
Vice President for Operations
Jim Pruitt
Vice President for Finance
Beckie Thomas, R.N.
Vice President for Patient Care
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. Children’s Hospital is a
private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric
medical center that has served the East
Tennessee region for more than 65 years
and is certified by the state of Tennessee as
a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.
Ellen Liston
Director of Community Relations
David Rule
Director of Development
Wendy Hames
Editor
Neil Crosby
Cover/Contributing Photographer
“Because Children are Special…”
...they deserve the best possible health care given in a
positive, child/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
The Bottom LineArtwork by some of Children’s Hospital’s special patients
2
by Destiny
age 4
by Angel
age 2 1/2
by Kattie
age 10
3
In late February, ChildrenÕs Hospital
opened a new 22,500-square-foot facility
designed for the unique needs of special
children. The East Tennessee ChildrenÕs
Hospital Rehabilitation Center, located
at Pellissippi Parkway and Westland
Drive off I-140, serves children ages
birth through 21 with a variety of
special needs.
The new facility provides a family-
focused and child-family centered
setting. The Rehab CenterÕs day
treatment program for medically fragile
children, ChildrenÕs Corner, has
increased its patient capacity from 15 to
27 children daily at the new location.
ChildrenÕs Corner is designed to help
these children transition to a less
intensive care setting.
Other additions to the center include
individual treatment areas; a parent
conference room with an extensive
video library; a computer lab to help
children use technology for greater
independence; state-of-the-art computer
technology for rehab staff to use in
working with patients; and a
therapeutic playground to provide
handicapped-accessible opportunities
for children to play with others and
build skills in independent movement
with wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
The Rehabilitation Center is a
department of East Tennessee
ChildrenÕs Hospital and provides
physician-directed rehabilitation
services to nearly 1,500 area children
each year. The center has served the
East Tennessee region since 1947, and
its programs help children and their
families develop their potential and
improve quality of life.
While work on the new Rehab
Center has been completed, major
construction on the main campus of
ChildrenÕs Hospital continues.
Unpredictable weather is always a
factor in major construction, but good
progress is being made toward the
completion of the 115,000-square foot,
seven-story patient tower at the corner
of Clinch Avenue and 20th Street.
Due to heavy rains during the past few
months, major milestones have been
pushed back about a month. The
following is an update on what has
been completed and what is planned
for the next few months:
¥ Work is continuing on the lower level
of the tower to create patient rooms.
¥ The towerÕs steel structure is now
under roof.
¥ The setting of new heating and air
conditioning units on the south side
of the hospital has been completed
for the renovation of the Second,
Third and Fourth floors.
¥ Utility work on the lowest level has
been completed, and work on the new
cafeteria will soon be underway.
¥ Renovation of about 90,000 square
feet of existing hospital space is
scheduled to begin in the latter part
of 2004. Included in this work will be
the upgrading of all semi-private
impatient rooms with half baths to
private rooms with full baths.
This $31.8 million expansion and
renovation of ChildrenÕs Hospital will
ultimately allow for more space and
comfort for patients and families.
Features will include 95 private patient
rooms with full baths, an expanded
13-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
and an expanded 44-bed Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit. The hospitalÕs
licensed beds will increase from 122 to
152, and a larger Emergency
Department will increase from 18 to 34
beds. In addition, the Surgery and
Radiology Departments will be
expanded.
by Matt Rongey, student intern
New Rehab Center offers expanded services
On the cover: Bill Williams, anchor emeritus of WBIR-TV Channel 10, with Kate (left) and Hannah Felton

3. &
Hannah,
Lily Kate
Medical Center. During her 25th week of
pregnancy, she began to experience
some contractions and was put on bed
rest. On the Sunday of her 26th week,
her doctors had her admitted to Fort
Sanders Regional for monitoring.
Medication to stop the contractions was
unsuccessful, and Dr. Roussis delivered
the three little girls by Caesarean section
that Thursday, January 25, 2001. Their
due date was April 25.
In addition to Labor and Delivery
staff from Fort Sanders Regional,
physicians, nurses and respiratory
therapists from the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit at ChildrenÕs Hospital
attended the birth to immediately
provide care to the girls and then
transport them to the NICU at
ChildrenÕs. Premature infants typically
are hospitalized until close to their
actual due date, which for the Felton
girls would mean up to three months.
"We were really nervous," Johnna
said. "Whatever Dr. Roussis said was
what we were going to do. I was just
praying, almost na•ve to think
everything was going to be fine.
"They were screaming little babies, so
tiny, and they showed them to us and
then they wheeled them away to the
NICU at ChildrenÕs," she continued. "I
knew they were in good hands É we
just knew everything was going to be
fine."
"Baby A," as she had been known
during the pregnancy, was named
Hannah, and she weighed 2 pounds, 1.5
ounces. "Baby B," Lily, was 1 pound, 15
ounces; and "Baby C," Kate, was 2
pounds, 4 ounces.
Johnna needed to be mobile after her
C-section, so as soon as it was allowed,
John wheeled her to ChildrenÕs Hospital
to visit the babies. (ChildrenÕs Hospital
is connected to Fort Sanders Regional by
an underground tunnel, allowing for the
safe, quick transport of newborns to the
NICU, as well as offering new moms
who are still hospitalized at Fort Sanders
an easy way to visit their babies.)
"I remember John wheeling me over
there for the first time and, of course, I
just broke down because they were so
tiny," Johnna said. "I just wanted to hold
them, but I knew I couldnÕt. It was OK
because they were in good hands."
The girls required oxygen only for a
brief time, less than many preemies.
They were doing very well and were
gaining weight, sometimes just a half an
ounce, but for John and Johnna, every
little bit was important. "Of course we
would be there every day," Johnna said.
"It was the biggest thing to find out how
much they had gained that day."
John said the nurses were more than
happy to answer their many questions,
such as how to read the monitors and
how to push the right buttons to quiet a
beeping monitor. "The monitors will
drive you crazy," he added. "ItÕs all a
learning process, and itÕs not one you
want to do more than once."
On Friday night, February 9, John
and Johnna visited the girls in the
evening. They were doing well, so the
couple decided to take a break and go to
a movie. The next morning, Johnna
visited the girls by herself and called
John to tell him Lily had an infection.
John came straight to ChildrenÕs, and
they talked with Dr. Stephen Prinz,
neonatologist, who said Lily had
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). A
gastrointestinal disease that mostly
affects premature infants, NEC involves
infection and inflammation that causes
destruction of the bowel (intestine) or
part of the bowel.
The Feltons stayed until late Saturday
night, and then went home. About 6:30
Sunday morning, Dr. Prinz called and
said they needed to come back to the
hospital to give the OK for a procedure
to drain the infection. Throughout that
day, they remained by LilyÕs side. "We
could see she wasnÕt doing any better,"
John said, and for the first time the
couple realized Lily might not get well.
Johnna and her mother stayed
through the night. "I couldnÕt leave her,"
Johnna said. "I had that feeling that this
could be the last night with her."
John came back to the hospital the
next morning, February 12: "When I saw
her on Monday morning, I knew there
was no turning back, sheÕs not getting
any better."
Dr. John Howick, a neonatologist
who had attended the Felton girlsÕ birth,
spoke to John and Johnna about LilyÕs
condition. "Dr. Howick said, ÔSheÕs not
5
going to make it,Õ" John said, and he and
Johnna made the difficult decision to
have Lily removed from the machines
that were keeping her alive.
They were with Lily when she died,
as were some of the nurses. "It has to be
the hardest job in the world to be a
nurse, because you could see the
emotion in their eyes," John said. "It was
killing them too, It was tough. But they
were just as kind to us as they could be
in that situation."
SURVIVING TRIPLETS
"The next day, we were back up
there again. We had the receiving of
friends at our house, and we did all that,
and we had the burial," John said. "But
we still had two girls, and we had to be
there for them. We never missed a day."
At one point there was concern that
Kate also might have NEC, but
fortunately she didnÕt. "From that point
on, as far as I can remember, it was
smooth sailing," John said.
The NICU staff does not tell families
when a baby will be discharged until
shortly before the discharge, perhaps a
day before. Sometimes things can
happen suddenly, and it is difficult for
parents to expect to bring a baby home
on a certain date and then not be able to
for some reason. So on March 27, when
John and Johnna arrived for their daily
visit, they were surprised and excited to
learn that Hannah and Kate would go
home that day.
They weighed a little over 4 pounds
each and were two months old. "Of
course to us they were huge," Johnna
said, because theyÕd already doubled
4
The loss of a child can be overwhelming. But when 19-day-old Lily Claire Felton died at Children's Hospital,
her parents couldnÕt go home to grieve Ð they had two more tiny baby girls still in the hospital who needed them.
Lily and her sisters, Hannah Gayle and Kate Lauren, were
conceived through fertility treatments. Their parents, John and
Johnna Felton of Knoxville, were looking forward to their
arrival, and Johnna was experiencing a very healthy triplet
pregnancy. She was working in pharmaceutical sales and was
active and on her feet. "I was the ideal patient expecting
triplets," Johnna said.
Because she was expecting triplets, Johnna was a patient of
Drs. Perry Roussis and Gary Stephens, perinatologists
(specialists in high-risk pregnancies) at Fort Sanders Regional
&
Hannah,
Lily Kate
Hannah (left) and Kate
Kate (left) and Hannah
Lily Felton

4. their birth weight and were now bigger
than many of the babies in the NICU.
The girls were on heart monitors at
home for several months but otherwise
required no special care at home. They
also were followed by Nadine Trainer,
M.D., pediatric physiatrist at the
ChildrenÕs Hospital Rehabilitation
Center, and the family pediatrician, Joe
Peeden, M.D. They monitored the girlsÕ
development periodically, but they
developed normally according to their
"adjusted age."
Preemies are given an "adjusted age"
based on how many weeks premature
they were at birth. This age is important
when evaluating development, because
preemies develop more slowly than full-
term infants for the first year or two. For
example, a premature infant who was
born six months ago but was three
months premature has an adjusted age
of three months; so the baby should be
at the developmental level of a typical
three-month-old, even though he or she
is actually six months old.
Hannah walked at 17 months (when
her adjusted age would have been 14
months), and Kate walked at 18 months
(when her adjusted age would have
been 15 months). "So they were a little
bit behind, but theyÕre three years old
now, and theyÕre caught up," John said.
"They are thriving," Johnna said.
"TheyÕre like every little three-year-old
girl would be."
More than three years since LilyÕs
death, the Feltons find it difficult to
explain the fact their two girls are
triplets. Although they are not identical,
Hannah and Kate do look somewhat
alike with similar hairstyles and often
the same clothes.
"I think the biggest hurdle to
overcome with having surviving triplets
is to explain that to a stranger," Johnna
said. "I donÕt want to forget Lily; I never
will. And thatÕs why I always include
her when I say they are surviving
triplets when someone asks if they are
twins. They are triplets, and they always
will be."
They know that is something Hannah
and Kate will have to deal with as they
get older, as well. "We talk about Lily to
them now, and we always will," Johnna
said. "We hope theyÕll remember her as
much as we do."
MIRACLES
"With them being the miracles that
they are, I donÕt take them for granted
ever," Johnna said. "I just appreciate
their life, and I feel so lucky to have
them in our life."
In January 2004, the Feltons talked
about another miracle they were
expecting. When Johnna passed her 27th
week of pregnancy that month, "I was
holding my breath the whole day É
please donÕt let me go into labor all of
the sudden." John added, "We love the
people at ChildrenÕs, but we hope we
donÕt see them this time."
Johnna made it past the 27th week
mark and through the rest of the
pregnancy. Due on April 11, Sadie Jane
Felton was delivered in a scheduled
C-section at Fort Sanders Regional on
April 2. She weighed 7 pounds,
5 ounces.
IN THE NICU
"If any of our friends were to have a
child at ChildrenÕs, I can tell them with
confidence they are going to be in good
hands, and not to worry," Johnna said.
John added, "ItÕs a great group of
people up there. ItÕs a great experience
working with these people. ItÕs not a
great experience being there, but they
make it a whole lot easier."
GRIEF RESOURCES
ChildrenÕs Hospital makes every effort to
provide the best care to our patients, but
sometimes, children are just too sick or
injured too seriously to recover. In these
cases, best efforts and the best in medical
technology sometimes simply arenÕt enough.
Such was the case with Lily Felton.
Grief, the normal response of sorrow,
emotion and confusion that comes from
losing something or someone important, is a
natural part of life. If a parent loses a child,
grief is the natural response. But another
important response is finding an outlet for
the grief.
When a child dies at ChildrenÕs Hospital,
grief-counseling resources are provided to the
family. ChildrenÕs Hospital chaplains and
social workers work with the family
throughout the loss.
"We provide grief literature, invite them to
local grief counseling groups, and celebrate
their children through our annual Memorial
service and a Christmas ornament in
remembrance of the children," said Pastoral
Care Director Rick Callaway. "We also
remain in contact with the family through
personal phone calls, memos and letters."
Grief lasts as long as it takes the parent to
accept and learn to live with the loss. For
many parents, grieving may take many years,
and the length of grieving is different for each
person. There is no normal timeline for grief,
emotion or acceptance.
The following organizations and Web sites
provide information and support for coping
with grief:
¥ The Compassionate Friend: A national
self-help support organization for those
grieving for the loss of a child or a sibling.
The local support telephone number is (865)
687-2117, or the organization can be reached
on the web at www.compassionatefriends.org
¥ Healing Hands Haven: An East Tennessee
support group for parents who have lost a
child during, before or after birth. The local
telephone number is (865) 675-8000.
¥ Mothers In Sympathy Support (M.I.S.S.):
A nonprofit international organization that
provides immediate and ongoing support to
grieving families, empowerment through
community volunteerism, public policy and
legislative education and programs to reduce
infant and toddler death through research
and education. www.misschildren.org
¥ Empty Arms, Heavy Hearts: A support site
for anyone who has lost a child -- from
conception to adulthood. www.childloss.com.
¥ Brief Encounters: A non-profit
nonsectarian support group for parents
whose babies died before, during or after
birth. www.briefencounters.org
by Tanya Marshall,
Associate Director for Public Relations
7
Why Pediatrics?
Children are the “fun” of medicine and are
rewarding to treat. The pediatrician can
shape and influence the future health of
each generation.
Greatest Influence – My father. He modeled
and taught “slow to anger and quick to help
others.” He also always looks for the good
in people and in life situations.
Philosophy – To provide complete,
compassionate health care to children and
their families.
Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician – When
the mother of a patient stated, “He is not
really sick; he is just acting like it so he can
see Dr. Ward.”
Ward Phillips, M.D.
Age – 39
Wife – Regina Phillips, M.D.
Children – Hannah, 15; Ben, 11; Luke, 4;
and Daniel, 3
Name of Pediatric Practice –
Phillips Medical Group, P.C., Talbott
Personal Interests –
Exercise, gardening, sports medicine, music
Academic Background/Prior Experience –
B.A. – Carson-Newman College, Jefferson
City, 1987
M.D. – University of Tennessee, Memphis,
1991
Internship – UT Memphis, 1992
Residency (internal medicine and pediatrics)
– UT Memphis, 1992-95
Pediatrician Profiles
unlimited potential. By encouraging a
healthy lifestyle and preventive health care
early, many adult diseases may be avoided.
In pediatrics, the goal is to instill these
values and show kids how to stay healthy.
Greatest Influence –
My parents, who taught me to pursue my
dreams; my grandfather, who used his life
to share his faith; and Jesus Christ, the
Great Physician.
Philosophy –
Treat each patient with the same care,
diligence and respect I’d give my family.
Listen to parents’ and patients’ concerns.
Don’t assume anything, and explain
everything thoroughly.
Proudest Moment as a Pediatrician –
Attending the birth of my first daughter, as
the pediatrician, on my first day as an
attending physician.
Russel Rhea III, M.D.
Age – 39
Wife – Jean
Children – Rachel, 10; Rebekah, 8; Mark, 5;
Jacob, 2; Tyler, 1
Name of Pediatric Practice –
Children’s Faith Pediatrics, Knoxville
Personal Interests –
Hiking, swimming, boating, historic
sightseeing with the family
Academic Background/Prior Experience –
B.S. – Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., 1986
M.D. – Meharry Medical College, Nashville,
1990
Internship and Residency – Children’s
Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, 1990-93
Why Pediatrics?
Children have a remarkable resilience and
“Children are the ‘fun’ of medicine and are rewarding to treat.”
“Treat each patient with the same care I’d give my family.”
6
Kate (left) and Hannah
Tw0-week-old Sadie Felton with her big sisters Kate
(center) and Hannah.

5. Since opening its doors in 1937,
ChildrenÕs Hospital has changed and
grown tremendously. It had humble
beginnings as a small hospital for
children with polio. Today, ChildrenÕs is
a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric
Center offering a wide range of
pediatric health care services.
Throughout its history, ChildrenÕs
Hospital has been the first in the region
to offer a number of unique, specialized
services. The focus of each of these firsts
has been the special needs of infants,
children and teens. This emphasis on
children is what makes ChildrenÕs
Hospital unique among medical centers.
Quintuplets Ð ChildrenÕs Hospital
provided care in our Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit for TennesseeÕs first surviving
quintuplets, the van Tols. Willem Scott,
Sean Conner, Isabella Marie, Ashley Faith
and Meghan Ann were born January 14,
2004, between 12:22 and 12:24 p.m. and
weighed between 2 pounds, 8.8 ounces
and 4 pounds, 0 ounces. The bigger,
stronger boys went home first, on
February 6. Isabella went home February
9, and the other two girls went home
February 15. The proud parents, Willem
and Shannon van Tol of Knoxville,
welcomed their five healthy babies
during a Cesarean section at Fort Sanders
Regional Medical Center, across the street
from ChildrenÕs Hospital. The birth took
place during ShannonÕs 33rd week of
pregnancy, after she had been on bed rest
for about 8 weeks. Among the 28 health
care professionals attending the delivery
were five neonatologists, five neonatal
nurses and five respiratory therapists
from ChildrenÕs Hospital. They were on
hand to immediately provide specialized
neonatal care to the quints and transport
them to the NICU at ChildrenÕs.
TennesseeÕs first set of quintuplets were
delivered at Vanderbilt Medical Center in
1997; only one of the five babies
survived.
Subspecialists Ð ChildrenÕs HospitalÕs
first pediatric subspecialist, John
Maddox, M.D., pediatric general surgeon,
joined the hospital staff in October 1964;
he remained the only pediatric
subspecialist on staff at ChildrenÕs for
more than a dozen years. Dr. Maddox
retired in 2003 after nearly 40 years at
ChildrenÕs Hospital. Since the late 1970s,
a part of ChildrenÕs HospitalÕs mission
has been to recruit fellowship-trained
pediatric subspecialists in a variety of
fields from across the nation. Today,
physicians in 27 pediatric subspecialties
practice at ChildrenÕs Hospital.
Pediatric Emergency Department Ð
In 1970, ChildrenÕs became the first
hospital in the area to offer emergency
medicine services exclusively to pediatric
patients. Three years later, the Pediatric
Emergency Group was formed,
providing physician coverage in the
department 24 hours a day. Because of
rapid growth in this service, a wing was
added to the hospital in 1981 for a new
Emergency/Outpatient Department. Last
year, children made almost 62,000 visits
to the Emergency Department. It
continues to be staffed 24 hours a day,
seven days a week by the ChildrenÕs
Pediatric Group Ð physicians specially
trained in pediatric emergency medicine.
The Pediatric Emergency Department is
being expanded as part of ChildrenÕs
HospitalÕs three-year expansion plan. The
ED will increase from 18 to 34 beds; the
larger, more comfortable space will be
completed by December 2004.
Child Life Ð The first Child Life
Department in the state was established
at ChildrenÕs Hospital in February 1978
because of the hospitalÕs concern for the
total child. Child Life staff focus on the
emotional, social, creative and
educational needs of patients at the
hospital. They use group and one-on-one
play and interaction to help children cope
with the hospital experience. They
believe strongly in the philosophy that a
child should not have to stop being a
child just because of a hospitalization.
Neurology Ð The Oliver William Hill
Jr., M.D., Pediatric Neurology Laboratory
opened in September 1983. In addition to
being the first pediatric neurology lab in
Tennessee, it is one of only about 10
accredited pediatric labs nationwide. The
Neurology Lab performs tests on
children with seizure disorders,
migraines, learning disabilities, sleep
disorders and other diagnoses. The
Neurology Laboratory is funded in part
by the annual ChildrenÕs Hospital
Invitational Golf Tournament, which
takes place each May at Fox Den Country
Club.
Home Health Care Ð When ChildrenÕs
Hospital began a home health care
service in 1984, it was the only pediatric
home health program in Tennessee.
Today, the Home Health Care
department has grown so much that it
has its own offices in Farragut, Tenn. The
Home Health Care Department offers
nursing, respiratory care, rehabilitation,
infusion therapy and other services to
children in the comfort of their own
homes. Home Health also offers an
enteral feeding program for almost 200
patients; it is a unique program that
many other home health agencies are just
beginning to offer. The number of home
visits made by Home Health Care staff
has doubled just since the early 1990s to
more than 12,400 in the 2002/03 fiscal
year. The goal of ChildrenÕs Home Health
Care is the same as that of the hospital Ñ
to provide children with needed care in
the least restrictive and most comfortable
setting possible.
Pet Therapy Ð In 1987, members of
ÒHABITÓ (Human Animal Bond in
Tennessee) began a pilot program to
volunteer with their pets in CHIPS, the
ChildrenÕs Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric
Unit, now closed. The pet owners and
their pets made regular visits to CHIPS to
spend time playing with the patients in
that unit. The program, which eventually
became permanent, was the first such
hospital pet therapy program in the state.
In 1995, ÒHABITÓ expanded to the
Hematology/Oncology Outpatient
Clinic. The opportunity to interact with
friendly dogs helps pediatric patients
forget about their treatment for a while
and focus on something else.
Pediatric Transport Service Ð In 1993,
ChildrenÕs Hospital initiated a pediatric
critical care transport service to transport
critically ill infants, children and teens to
the hospital from hospitals throughout
the region. The service, which was the
first of its kind in East Tennessee, uses
specially equipped hospital-to-hospital
ambulances, each of which is essentially
an intensive care unit on wheels. The
Pediatric Transport Service shares the
ambulances with ChildrenÕs HospitalÕs
Neonatal Transport Service, which began
in 1980 to transport premature and sick
newborns to the hospitalÕs Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
Partners in Pediatrics Ð In 1996,
ChildrenÕs Hospital established Partners
in Pediatrics, a pediatric physician-
hospital organization that works with
third-party payors to ensure the areaÕs
pediatricians and family-practice
physicians can provide children with the
most appropriate health care. During this
time of rapid change in insurance and the
growth of managed care, Partners also
helps to ensure physicians are
appropriately represented with the third-
party payors. Partners in Pediatrics is the
only physician-hospital organization in
East Tennessee and one of only a handful
in the country dedicated solely to the
delivery of pediatric health care.
ChildrenÕs Hospital is proud of these
ÒfirstsÓ in our history. But the ones who
benefit from these ongoing efforts are the
children of East Tennessee, who deserve
the best health care possible in an
environment that caters to their unique
pediatric needs.
“Firsts” highlight Children’s Hospital’s history
Co-chairs Becky Vanzant and Karen Waldbauer
and assistant co-chair Linda Redmond
Willem and Shannon van Tol with their five
infants (left to right), Willem, Sean,
Isabella, Ashley and Meghan.
98
ÒWhere Your Heart Finds ChristmasÓ
is the theme for the 20th annual Fantasy
of Trees. Co-chairs Karen Waldbauer
and Becky Vanzant and assistant co-
chair Linda Redmond are busy
planning this yearÕs event, set for
November 24-28 at the Knoxville
Convention Center.
Thousands of volunteers will
contribute more than 110,000 hours of
their time throughout 2004 for the event,
which will feature designer-decorated
holiday trees, festive and colorful
decorations, gingerbread houses,
childrenÕs activities, non-stop live
entertainment and assorted holiday shops.
This yearÕs event will feature eight
new childrenÕs activities including ÒMy
Holiday Apron,Ó where children can
decorate their own apron for helping
prepare holiday goodies, and ÒSoftie
Snowman,Ó which allows children to
design their own snowman made of felt.
For the 20th anniversary, several new
activities and events are planned.
Children will help create a large, unique
Holiday Mosaic featuring a festive
holiday scene. Also, a festive preview
brunch will allow area businesses,
organizations, groups and individuals
to enjoy a holiday meal before the
Thanksgiving weekend and catch a
glimpse of the Fantasy of Trees before
the show opens to the public. Fantasy
visitors will also have even more items
to enjoy this year as three new designer
categories have been added to the
event.
Proceeds from the 2003 Fantasy of
Trees totaled $288,068, and the event
hosted 51,462 visitors. The funds raised
from the event were used to purchase
new and replacement equipment for the
new Rehab Center and the services it
provides. The Rehab Center, a 22,500
square-foot facility located off
Pellissippi Parkway and Westland
Drive, opened in February.
For more information about the 2004
Fantasy of Trees, contact the ChildrenÕs
Hospital Volunteer Services and
Resources Department at (865) 541-8385.
by Matt Rongey, student intern
Fantasy of Trees names new co-chairs, sets theme

6. modeled after an event they had
attended in Chattanooga. They began
chairing the event in 1993, and it has
sold out every year since then. Over
$200,000 in net proceeds were raised in
2003, bringing the eventÕs 10-year total to
over $1.6 million.
Another member of GoodyÕs team
also received a Philanthropy Day award.
The late Pam Williams, former
Corporate Communications Manager for
GoodyÕs, received the Outstanding
Volunteer Fundraiser Award. Williams,
who lost a battle with cancer in
November 2003, spent much of her
professional career in service to charities,
which benefited from her marketing
skills and her passion for children.
One of WilliamsÕ responsibilities was
to allocate GoodyÕs annual charitable
budget. After discussions with
Goodfriend, Williams developed a
philanthropic contributions policy and
philosophy that reflects the companyÕs
commitment to the needs of children and
families. Under WilliamsÕ leadership,
GoodyÕs became a philanthropic leader
in all the communities where their 332
stores are located.
Williams first became involved with
ChildrenÕs Hospital through the Fantasy
of Trees. She was a Committee Chair in
1989 before moving into a Vice-Chair
role in 1991. Williams recruited
volunteers and worked at the show for
14 years. In recent years, Williams
coordinated the Fantasy of TreesÕ
Celebrity Corner; she worked year-
round to collect celebrity merchandise to
be auctioned or purchased in this shop.
Under WilliamsÕ leadership, Celebrity
Corner has raised over $50,000 for the
Fantasy of Trees. After joining GoodyÕs
Family Clothing in 1995, Williams also
became an instrumental part of the team
Every year, the Great Smoky
Mountain Chapter of the
Association of Fundraising
Professionals presents the
Philanthropy Day awards.
This year, three of the
winners were nominated by
and are supporters of East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Bob and Wendy Goodfriend received
the Outstanding Philanthropist Award
because of their tireless work for the
benefit of the community. Mr.
Goodfriend, who serves as the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of GoodyÕs
Family Clothing, Inc., not only has a
strong commitment to achieving business
success but also a commitment to support
the community. Among his community
involvements is the United Way; he has
previously served as a United Way
Chairman for the local campaign.
The Goodfriends have supported
ChildrenÕs Hospital for the past 20 years
through the annual ChildrenÕs Miracle
Network Telethon. They began their
support in 1983 with a gift of $10,000 at
Telethon after their son Jeff was treated
in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at
ChildrenÕs Hospital. Since that time, Mr.
Goodfriend has added a program to
match gifts made by his employees and
has matched pledges called in by
viewers to the Telethon. The
GoodfriendsÕ continued support has
inspired GoodyÕs employees to increase
fund-raising efforts in their stores,
ranging from bass tournaments to the
sale of ÒMiracle Balloons.Ó Telethon gifts
in 2003 from the Goodfriends, GoodyÕs
employees and GoodyÕs corporate gifts
totaled over $448,000.
The Goodfriends approached the
ChildrenÕs Hospital administration in
1992 about a celebrity gala, Center Stage,
planning for Center Stage, bringing
creativity and leadership to the
committee.
The 2003 Outstanding Foundation
Award went to The William B. Stokely,
Jr. Foundation. The foundation gives
more than $500,000 per year. The gifts
stretch across a broad area and include
charities in Kansas, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee.
In the local community, the
foundation has supported the ÒNine
Counties, One VisionÓ program and has
funded local schools, the University of
Tennessee, law enforcement, the
Knoxville Museum of Art, the Knoxville
Symphony and Friends of the Great
Smoky Mountains. The foundation also
contributes to ChildrenÕs Hospital and
other organizations that deal with
childrenÕs issues such as the Boys and
Girls Club, Project Grad, Mission of
Hope, Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, Junior Achievement,
Tennessee Baptist ChildrenÕs Homes and
many others. These contributions have
touched the lives of thousands of children.
The Stokely Foundation is also a
major sponsor of the Fantasy of Trees.
Through contributions to the Fantasy of
Trees, the foundation helps fund the
purchase of much needed medical
equipment for various departments at
ChildrenÕs Hospital.
ChildrenÕs Hospital nominated or co-
nominated all three winners. ÒWe are
extremely grateful for the efforts of the
Goodfriends, Pam Williams and the
William B. Stokely, Jr. Foundation,Ó said
Bob Koppel, President of ChildrenÕs
Hospital. ÒEach has helped ChildrenÕs
Hospital tremendously and is very
deserving of the recognition and honor
bestowed upon them by the Association
of Fundraising Professionals.Ó
by Matt Rongey, student intern
Local Children’s Hospital supporters honored
Last year, Children’s Hospital and
WBIR-TV Channel 10 created a program
to recognize children from throughout
East Tennessee who have done
something out of the ordinary.
ÒWe were looking for outstanding
youngsters who had done something amazing:
overcome an incredible physical or emotional
situation, demonstrated outstanding talent and
achievement through their art, or exhibited a
passion for helping to make life better for
others,Ó said Jeff Lee, WBIRÕs General
Manager.
The program, 10 Amazing Kids, was
launched in December with announcements
on WBIR-TV asking viewers to nominate a
child they knew who had done something
exceptional. Dozens of entries recognized
outstanding East Tennessee children, and the
selection process was extremely difficult. Each
of the 10 Amazing KidsÕ stories was featured
on ÒLive at 5Ó on WBIR-TV in April.
The 2004 10 Amazing Kids are:
Trevor Bayne, age 13, Gresham Middle
School Ð TrevorÕs teachers said he Òexemplifies
the attributes of leadership to his home, school
and community. He is a champion in every
aspect of his life. This 4.0 student has made
many sacrifices since age 5 to achieve his
dream of becoming a NASCAR driver, while
being a positive role model for children and
adults. Another of his recommendations said,
ÒHe is humble, considerate of others and kind-
hearted. He shows good sportsmanship at the
race track and is respectful in school to his
teachers and peers.Ó
Jared Brentz, age 15, South-Doyle High
School Ð Born with a severe physical
condition, this freshman has faced more
adversity in his short life than most will see in
a lifetime. An amazing student, great golfer
and gutsy wrestler, he is also a double
amputee. His college and career counselor said
Jared Òwears a smile instead of a cloud of self
pity. Amazing is a word that personifies him
perfectly. He is beloved by the South-Doyle
faculty and staff but, more importantly, by his
peers. The lesson learned (from Jared) is that
disability does not equal defeat.Ó
Carissa Cash, age 12, Whittle Springs
Middle School Ð This energetic and inquisitive
sixth grader has made a difference as a
classroom volunteer. ÒShe has proven to be a
determined, capable and skillful assistant, and
as part of the Project GRAD system in the
classroom, Carissa has been a dedicated
leader/manager. She has kept the room quiet
and her classmates focused on their work. In
the future, I believe that she will become a
genuine talk show host, an honest politician or
a truthful teacher. She will inspire others to
achieve their goals.Ó
Nolan Crone, age 10, Farragut
Intermediate School Ð NolanÕs teacher says
there are few days in her classroom that the
word ÒamazingÓ doesnÕt come to mind.
Although Nolan has spina bifida and is
paralyzed from the waist down, he doesnÕt use
the word ÒcanÕt.Ó ÒHe is anxious to do all our
activities. His tenacity and positive attitude are
amazing to observe each day.Ó His fellow
students see on a daily basis how difficult
situations are for Nolan, but he shows them
how hardships can be overcome. His
classmates enjoy being NolanÕs helper in
school each week.
Caitlin Hairrell, age 9, Karns Intermediate
School Ð To learn why Caitlin is an amazing
kid, ask Sam, a special needs dog with cancer
who has benefited from CaitlinÕs fund-raising
efforts. Sam needed a heated bed to help with
his condition, so Caitlin sold lemonade, dog
biscuits and bookmarks to raise money. The
board of directors at the Tennessee Valley
Golden Retriever Rescue said, ÒCaitlin is a role
model for all children. She exemplifies a
humane, caring attitude towards pets and
children, a trait to be desired in our sometimes
violent and cruel world.Ó
Matheu Harrill, age 13, Vonore Elementary
School Ð Monroe CountyÕs mayor calls this
eighth grader a bright spot who exemplifies
why Tennessee is known as the Volunteer
State. His teachers say MatheuÕs sense of
volunteerism is much needed in todayÕs
society. ÒMatheu does not always gravitate
toward what is most popular but is firm to
grasp his individuality based on the family
values that have been instilled in him. His
parents encourage him in all endeavors, but it
is MatheuÕs choice to accept nothing but his
personal best.Ó
Chelsea LaPrade, age 7, TNT Primary
School (New Tazewell) Ð Chelsea went to
check on an elderly neighbor last fall and
heard the woman calling for help, so she
found someone to assist her. The lady had
suffered a heart attack, and ChelseaÕs help was
an important factor in saving her life.
ÒWithout ChelseaÕs persistence, who knows
what might have happened to this elderly
lady,Ó said one of her teachers. In addition,
ÒChelsea is always polite and generous. I have
never heard her utter a mean word to other
children, and that is pretty rare for a
seven-year-old.Ó
Madison Lyleroehr, age 16, South-Doyle
High School Ð This teenager turned her
experience with scoliosis surgery into a
booklet to help others. She also used her
singing talents to raise over $5,000 for
KnoxvilleÕs Volunteer Ministry Center through
a benefit concert and CD sale. The person
nominating her added: ÒMore than any child I
know, Madison leads by example. She is a
loyal friend, a delight to be around and also a
great student. Smart, compassionate, giving,
brave, mature and self-effacing Ð what better
qualities for a role model at any age?Ó
Treven Treece, age 9, Hillcrest Elementary
(Morristown) Ð Born three months premature,
Treven is now a healthy nine-year-old who
loves life. He is active in community theater, is
a straight-A student, excels at sports and
participates in church activities. His mom said
he works hard for what he earns, knows the
importance of a good education and always
strives to do his best. He recently said to her,
ÒMom, I just want to help people,Ó and he
does that daily. His teacher said he is always
cheering up his classmates and encouraging
them to be their best.
Summer Simmons, age 6, Lenoir City
Elementary School Ð Profoundly affected by
the events of September 11, 2001, Summer
began a ÒRandom Acts of KindnessÓ program
in her community: she swept porches,
delivered doughnuts to a fire station, picked
up trash and delivered bones to police dogs.
Her first grade teacher said she thrives on
helping others. ÒShe has an outstanding work
ethic and sets an example for the rest of my
class to follow. Summer loves to help her
classmates and has the patience and
understanding of a child twice her age.Ó
10 Amazing Kids recognized by WBIR-TV 10, Children’s Hospital
1110
The family of Pam Williams (left to right): Gene Lawson,
Cherie Lawson, Kayli Sinnamon and Gary Williams
Chelsea LaPradeCarissa CashTrevor Bayne Nolan Crone Treven TreeceMatheu HarrillJared Brentz Summer SimmonsMadison LyleroehrCaitlin Hairrell
Bob and Wendy Goodfriend with their daughter-in-law,
Kaye Goodfriend (left), and son, Jeff Goodfriend (right)
Kay and Bill Stokley (center) with their daughter,
Shelley Stokley (left), and son, Clay Stokley (right)

7. 13
CHAMPIONS DAY
To help kick off Telethon 2004,
ChildrenÕs Hospital invites members of
the East Tennessee community to
participate in Champions for ChildrenÕs
Day. This year on June 4, individuals
are asked to show their support for the
hospital by purchasing a Champions
Day T-shirt and wearing it to work,
school or anywhere that day to show
their support for the hospital.
The shirts have the same design as
those worn by volunteers on the
telethon set and are available for
Champions Day participants prior to
the telethon. If you wish to purchase a
shirt, call the Development Office at
(865) 541-8441.
TENNESSEE RIVER 600
Looking for a way to enjoy the
beauty of the Tennessee River and help
the community at the same time? The
Tennessee River 600 is the event for
you. On July 25, personal watercraft
enthusiasts will begin at KnoxvilleÕs
Volunteer Landing and take a weeklong
journey down the river. The voyage
will end at Pickwick Landing near
Memphis on July 31. Check in and
registration begin July 24.
This 600-mile trip will help raise
funds for the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency and the four
childrenÕs hospitals along the route:
East Tennessee ChildrenÕs Hospital;
T.C. Thompson ChildrenÕs Hospital in
Chattanooga; ChildrenÕs Hospital of
Birmingham, Ala.; and LeBonheur
ChildrenÕs Medical Center in Memphis.
Participants must be at least 18 with a
valid driverÕs license. Registration is
$250 and includes dock fees, T-shirt and
a safety vest.
The deadline to register is June 25.
For more information, call the
ChildrenÕs Hospital Development Office
at (865) 541-8441 or visit the eventÕs
Web site at www.tennesseeriver600.com.
BOOMSDAY
On Sunday, September 5, the city of
Knoxville will say good-bye to the
summer of 2004 with the largest Labor
Day weekend celebration in the
Southeast. Boomsday annually draws
around 250,000 guests to Neyland
Drive on the banks of the Tennessee
River for a day of food, entertainment
and fun. After the sun sets, a spectacular
fireworks show will be presented from
the Henley Street Bridge.
The celebration, which has
traditionally taken place on Labor Day
(Monday), has been moved to the
Sunday prior to Labor Day this year to
allow even more people to enjoy the
event and fireworks display.
Again this year, volunteers from
ChildrenÕs Hospital will be at the event
to sell soft drinks to the thirsty crowd.
Beverage sales at Boomsday benefit
ChildrenÕs Hospital; last yearÕs event
raised more than $10,000 for the hospital.
Call (865) 541-8567 to volunteer.
TUNNEL THUNDER RIDE
The sixth Annual Tunnel Thunder
Ride will take begin at Jaycee Park in
Clinton September 11. The first bike out
will start at 11 a.m. and the last out will
be at 12 noon. The event is a poker run
to the Cumberland Gap, and the grand
prize for the day is $250.
The cost for the event is $10 per
person with lunch and a T-shirt included
for all participants. There will also be a
silent auction, door prizes and a live
band. This yearÕs ride, which benefits
ChildrenÕs Hospital, is presented by the
Volunteer Road Riders. For more
information, visit www.volrr.com or call
Beverly Michaels in the ChildrenÕs
Hospital Development Office at (865)
541-8745.
by Suzann Hollingsworth, student intern
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S T O B E N E F I T C H I L D R E N ’ S
Mark your calendars now for several upcoming events designed 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 for all the children of this region.
DatestoRememberUpcoming events to benefit Children’s Hospital
June
Champions Day
June 4
Telethon
June 5-6
July
Kingsdown Miracle Mile
July 17
Tennessee River 600
July 25-31
August
Karaoke in the Park
August 28
September
Boomsday
September 5
Tunnel Thunder Ride
September 11
For more information about any of these events,
call (865) 541-8441 or visit our Web site at
www.etch.com and click on “Coming Attractions.”
12
Many times we hear from
generous friends who want to
do more to help the children
entrusted to our care.
They may be Radiothon or Telethon
donors. They may be making gifts in
honor or in memory of someone
special. They may be designers for or
donors to the Fantasy of Trees. Perhaps
they participate in one of the many golf
tournaments that benefit our medical
facility or work as a volunteer in the
hospital.
There seems to be a common theme.
These individuals see what is being
done for area children by the medical
and hospital staff, and they also see
what the community is doing to ensure
that the finest pediatric care continues
to be available to every child. They
become interested and want to do more
to help.
There are so many different ways to
help ChildrenÕs Hospital, as we often
discuss in this publication. If you are a
landowner who wishes to help the
hospital, you have some specific
options if you wish to make a gift of
land:
I. A direct donation of land. You
may have some acreage or some
building lots in a subdivision, or
perhaps you inherited your auntÕs
home and donÕt really have a need for
the property. You can help area children
and possibly receive an income tax
deduction by donating the property to
ChildrenÕs Hospital. If you have had
the land more than a year, it has
Estate Planning...
ÒYour land can help sick and injured childrenÓ
Include
Children’s Hospital
in your estate plans.
Join the ABC Club.
For more information,
call (865) 541-8441.
Please send the free brochure titled ÒReflecting on TomorrowÓ
Name______________________________ Address__________________________________________
City___________________________ State_______ Zip_____________ Phone#(______)___________
r Please call me at the above phone number for a free confidential consultation concerning planned giving.
r Please send me more information about deferred giving.
r I have already included ChildrenÕs Hospital in my estate plan in the following way:
__________________________________________________________________________
r Please send me information about the ABC Club.
ChildrenÕs Hospital Development Office (865) 541-8441
probably increased in value. If you sell
the land, you will likely have capital
gains tax to pay; but by donating the
land to ChildrenÕs, you can avoid some
or all of that tax.
II. A life estate gift of your
personal residence. You can make a life
estate gift that offers you and your
spouse the right to live in your home
the rest of your lives and ensures that
the property will come to ChildrenÕs
Hospital after you have both passed
away. You are responsible for the
normal expenses of utilities, repairs and
property insurance on the home as long
as you live there. It is possible to
receive an income tax deduction for this
type of gift, as well.
III. A gift of land that returns an
income to you. Perhaps you have some
property you can part with but need
the income it could produce. You can
donate this land to a trust that will sell
it, invest the proceeds and pay you and
your spouse an income for a specified
period of years or for the rest of your
lives. The principle comes to ChildrenÕs
Hospital at the end of the trust. It is also
possible for you to receive an income
tax deduction for this type of gift.
We encourage you to consult your
tax advisors to determine how a gift of
land to ChildrenÕs Hospital might affect
your tax situation. We would be
pleased to work with you and your
advisors on such a gift. Please call,
David Rule, Director of Development,
or Teresa Goddard, Senior
Development Officer, at (865) 541-8441
if you are considering such a gift to
help ChildrenÕs Hospital.

8. comes to food, but many fast food meals
supply more fat, salt and calories than
actual nutrition. Some restaurants offer
very nutritious selections such as salad
bars, plain baked potatoes, chili, low fat
milk, low fat frozen yogurt, fruit juice
and grilled chicken sandwiches. Many
grocery stores offer prepared foods with
nutritional value; fresh fruits and ready-
made deli sandwiches make great
alternatives to traditional fast foods.
How can parents help a child who
already has a weight problem?
A child who is already battling a
weight problem should visit a family
pediatrician or a registered dietitian.
Good and bad eating habits begin at
home. Parents should set an example for
their child by following the same
healthy habits that they want for their
child. Once you have identified your
child's sources of fat, sugar and other
unhealthy intakes and offered healthier
alternatives, the next step is exercise.
A growing child needs at least 45-60
minutes of physical activity every day.
Encourage your child to develop active
habits even if he or she is not used to
getting exercise. Find out what they like
to do and make efforts to support or
participate in the activity. It is important
IT ÕS THE
LAW!The state of Tennessee
has a new child passenger
safety law that goes
into effect July 1.
The new requirement in the law is
that children ages 4-8 who are less than 5
feet tall, regardless of weight, are required
to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat,
located in the rear seat when available.
Previously children ages 4 and older were
not required to be in a booster seat.
Here’s a quick overview
of the state law:
¥ All children ages 12 and under should
ride in the back seat when available.
¥ Any child under 1 year old (even if he
or she weighs more than 20 pounds)
or any older child weighing less than
20 pounds must be in a rear-facing
car seat.
¥ Any child ages 1-3 and weighing more
than 20 pounds should ride in a
forward-facing car seat.
¥ Children and teens ages 9-17 must use
a seatbelt system.
¥ The driver of the car is responsible for
ensuring children under age 16 are
properly restrained. If a childÕs parent
or guardian is in the car but is not the
driver, the parent or guardian is
responsible, rather than the driver.
Fines are issued for violation of the laws.
Watch for a comprehensive
overview of child passenger
safety in the next issue of
It’s About Children.
14 15
exercise are some of the leading causes
of obesity. A family history of obesity
also increases a child's risk of becoming
seriously overweight. Check with the
family pediatrician, who can determine
if a child is above the ideal weight for
his or her height. Family members
should encourage healthy eating habits
and participation in physical activity.
Sitting down together for meals enables
you to act as a role model for good
eating habits.
What should I do when my child
visits someone who may not be
concerned about healthy eating?
One of the most important things is
to educate your child about healthy
eating habits. Set limits for grandparents
or other family members your child may
be visiting. As a parent, play an active
role in educational eating. Encourage
your child to include a salad or vegetables
in meals when eating outside the home.
Obesity in school-age children in the United States has become an edpidemic.
If a childÕs weight is 20 percent or more in excess of the standard weight for height, he or she is
considered obese, and excess body fat can alter the normal growth pattern in children. A quarter of
schoolage children are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for disease and low self-esteem.
"Childhood obesity is a national
epidemic that affects both the physical
and emotional welfare of our future
adult population," said Heather Edgley,
M.D., pediatric hospitalist and
Emergency Department physician at
Children's Hospital. Dr. Edgley offers
the following answers to common
questions about obesity.
What problems may result from
obesity in children?
Children who are overweight are at
a higher risk for developing high blood
pressure, diabetes, sleep disorders and
other weight-related problems. An obese
child's self-esteem also is negatively
affected.
What are some of the leading causes
of obesity, and how can it be prevented?
Unhealthy habits such as eating fast
food on a regular basis or lack of
Obesity
to emphasize an active lifestyle and that
exercise can be fun. The best way to
encourage exercise is by doing it as a
family activity.
What resources are there for my
family for learning to make healthy
choices and losing weight in a healthy
manner?
Children's Hospital offers a
"Making Healthy Choices" class. In this
class, a registered dietitian discusses
with families how to make appropriate
healthy food choices, suggests
substitutes for foods that promote
weight gain and suggests methods for
increasing activity into a daily routine.
There are also other resources such as
books and web sites on nutrition,
exercise and recipes for further success.
Visit the Children's Hospital web site at
www.etch.com and click on the Health
Library section.
Are there any other tips or things to
consider to improve my family's nutrition?
Leading a healthy lifestyle can be
broken down into a simple three-step
process. Step 1 is to get the facts about a
healthy family lifestyle such as eating a
healthy diet that includes fruits,
vegetables and whole grain products in
appropriate portions. After you have the
facts, step 2 is to apply the facts to the
entire family and eat better. Step 3 is to
get active. Families do not have to visit a
gym several times a week to be healthy.
A 45-minute walk at a brisk pace a few
times a week can burn the calories
needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. For
more information about this three-step
process, visit the U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services at
www.smallstep.gov.
compiled by Matt Rongey, student intern,
and Janya Marshall, Associate Director for
Public Relations
Are there tips for making better
food choices?
A registered dietitian who
specializes in child or adolescent
nutritional needs along with a family
pediatrician can provide a source of
information for your family. Avoid
preparing fried and high-fat
convenience foods. Encourage your
child to avoid sodas; drink water or
100-percent fruit juice instead (be sure to
read juice labels as many brands are not
100-percent juice). Eliminate unhealthy
foods from the household rather than
having foods in the house that your
child is not permitted to eat. Keeping
healthy snacks in a place your child can
easily get to them will also help promote
better choices.
Is there a way for busy families to
eat healthier?
Families want convenience when it
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Reminder:
Children’s Hospital offers a variety of Healthy Kids Community Education classes every month
on such topics as Infant/Child CPR, Making Healthy Choices, Safe Sitter and many others.
Heather Edgley, M.D.
For more information or to register for any of the classes, to
be added to the Healthy Kids mailing list for announcements
of upcoming classes or to receive our free Healthy Kids
parenting newsletter, please 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."
ChildrenÕs HospitalÕs Healthy Kids Campaign, sponsored
by WBIR-TV Channel 10 and Chick-Fil-A, is a community
education initiative of the hospitalÕs Community Relations
Department to help parents keep their children healthy.