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

2. Board of Directors
James S. Bush
Chairman
Robert Madigan, M.D.
Vice Chairman
Michael Crabtree
Secretary/Treasurer
Dawn Ford
Steven Harb
Lewis Harris, M.D.
Jeffory Jennings, M.D.
Bob Koppel
Donald E. Larmee, M.D.
A. David Martin
Dugan McLaughlin
Christopher Miller, M.D.
Alvin Nance
Dennis Ragsdale
William F. Searle III
Bill Terry, M.D.
Laurens Tullock
Danni Varlan
Medical Staff
Lewis Harris, M.D.
Chief of Staff
David Nickels, M.D.
Vice Chief of Staff
Lise Christensen, M.D.
Secretary
Chiefs of Services
John Buchheit, M.D.
Chief of Medicine
Alan Anderson, M.D.
Chief of Surgery
Administration
Bob Koppel
President
Paul Bates
Vice President for Human Resources
Joe Childs, M.D.
Vice President for Medical Services
Rudy McKinley
Vice President for Operations
Jim Pruitt
Vice President for Finance
Laura Barnes, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.A.A.,B.C.
Vice President for Patient Care
A quarterly publication of East 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 almost 70 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
2
February 13, 2006
Dear Children’s Hospital,
I wrote Children’s back in September about the care of my son who was admitted in
August and diagnosed with staphylococcus scaled skin syndrome.
Since then I have given birth to another boy on November 24, 2005.
He was also admitted to Children’s with RSV. His first night was in the PICU, and the
staff took very good care of him and monitored him very well. Thankfully, the next day
he was sent to the floor. He was doing much better.
I just want to thank the nurses, doctors, respiratory techs and Child Life for taking
such good care of both my sons and especially to Child Life for keeping them
entertained with toys and music. I also want to thank the nurses for making our stay as
comfortable as possible. Thanks to the doctors for explaining everything so thoroughly,
and thanks to respiratory for helping my son breathe better. Thanks so much to
Children’s Hospital, and God bless you for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Tamara Twitchell
Morristown
“DearChildren’s”“DearChildren’s”1
On the cover: Annie and Elizabeth Smith. Read Annie’s story on pages 4-6.
Dear Children’s Hospital,
On Monday, December 5, our 3-year-old daughter fell and
cut her forehead open. We brought her in to your wonderful
hospital to be stitched up. Everyone that we came in contact
with during our visit was extremely helpful and made us
feel welcome, even though the waiting room was packed
that night.
When we made it to our room in the Emergency
Department, the Child Life specialist was great by showing
our daughter the different tools the doctor would use to
make her better. Then, Heather Broome, a physician
assistant, came in and
had more numbing gel
applied to be sure no
pain was felt. She later
came back and,
according to Dr. Ronald
Rimer at Knoxville
Pediatric Associates,
did a fabulous job of
sewing up the cut with
six stitches.
We received good
follow-up instructions
on how to care for the
wound, and though we
didn’t finally leave until
after midnight, we left
knowing that Children’s
Hospital is the place to go in a time of need. This wasn’t our
first trip to your Emergency Department, and with two small
children at home, I’m sure it wasn’t our last. We just wanted
to let you know how much we appreciate the service you
provide and how well you provide it.
We’re sorry if we left anyone out who helped care for our
daughter or got any names wrong, but if you were working
that night or any night, we thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Bobby and Beverly Medders
Knoxville
January 2, 2006
Dear Children’s Hospital,
My name is Heather
Shipley, I am the mother of
an 8-year-old patient who
has recently been released
from Children’s Hospital
after a 31-day stay. I brought
my daughter, Emily Parker,
to the Emergency
Department on the last day
of November 2005 at
approximately 6 p.m., and
she was admitted into the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
at 2:30 the following morning.
She was brought in an EXTREMELY sick child. The
Emergency Department staff took one look at her, brought her
straight in and hooked her to an IV for fluids. Thirty-one days
later we were released. After a couple of days in the PICU, the
doctors were able to determine her condition. She had a
pseudomonas infection, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
and leukemia.
I CANNOT express in any words in my vocabulary how
extraordinary the staff is at Children’s Hospital. From the
oncologists, specialists, right down to housekeeping, everyone
made you feel as if you were the only family in that hospital. Her
doctors were not only knowledgeable in their practice but were
sincere and caring. Dr. Kevin Brinkmann, in particular, treated
her as if she was his child. It was overwhelming to a mother to
see the man in whom your child’s care lies to be that passionate.
I am nothing short of pleased with our whole experience at
Children’s Hospital; we could not have asked for better, and I
don’t think we could have gotten any better.
I know that God was looking after my little girl, and I know
that he was guiding the precious hands of the doctors who have
healed her. My heart goes out to them, and I can’t thank them
enough. God bless everyone at Children’s Hospital. Thank you
for doing what you do, and going the extra mile at doing what
you do; it makes a difference to a family!
Heather Shipley
Corryton

3. 3
“O, Christmas Treats” will be the delicious holiday theme for this fall’s 22nd
annual Fantasy of Trees.
Co-chairs Linda Redmond and Stephanie Jeffreys and assistant co-chair Sarah
Beth Carlon are busy planning this year’s event, set for November 22-26 at the
Knoxville Convention Center.
Thousands of volunteers will contribute more than 140,000 hours of their
time throughout 2006 to make this year’s Fantasy of Trees a reality for families
in East Tennessee.
This year’s event is sure to sweeten the season with decorations and designs that
celebrate visions of sugarplums, Christmas confections, candy canes, gumdrops,
cookies and other candied surprises awaiting young and old during the holiday
season. In addition, new children’s activities and shops will also reflect this year’s
tasty theme.
2005 was a record-breaking year for the Fantasy of Trees with proceeds totaling
more than $322,000 and attendance of 62,556.
For more information about the 2006 Fantasy of Trees, contact the Children’s
Hospital Volunteer Services and Resources Department at (865) 541-8385 or send
an email to fot@etch.com.
by Clair Cowley, student intern
BulletinBoard
V
2006 Fantasy of Trees Assistant
Co-Chair Sarah Beth Carlon and
Co-Chairs Linda Redmond and
Stephanie Jeffreys (left to right)
V
Children’s Hospital is now offering an innovative new servicefor the families it serves who have children with chronic or seriousillnesses and injuries. Called CarePages, the Internet-basedcommunications system offers an opportunity for families to createsimple web pages about a sick or injured relative who is a patientat Children’s Hospital.
CarePages offers patient web pages that deliver emotionalsupport to Children’s Hospital patients and families by making iteasy for them to stay in touch during a hospital stay or any time thechild is receiving medical care. The service provides patient familieswith an easier way to update relatives and friends without the needfor repeated phone calls or e-mails. CarePages also makes it possiblefor relatives and friends to send messages of encouragement, givingthe patient and family much needed emotional support. A patient’sCarePage can be updated as often as the family chooses, and gueststo the page can see the updates about the patient any time theyaccess the family’s web page.
CarePages also makes it possible for families to help the hospitalin return. Through CarePages, patients and families can recognizestaff members who have provided superior levels of care.Children’s Hospital’s CarePages can be accessed through computersin the hospital’s Family Resource Center, in a patient family’s home orfrom any computer by visiting www.etch.com. CarePages are password-
protected, secure, and comply with all patient privacy regulations. Over500 facilities in North America now offer CarePages with new hospitalsadding the service each month.
The service is offered free to Children’s Hospital patient families,thanks to funds raised by the annual Star 102.1 Radiothon.“We are really excited about offering this new service to ourpatients and their families,” said Mary Pegler, Director of Child Lifeat Children’s Hospital. “A child’s hospitalization, particularly when itis for a serious accident or when the child has just been diagnosedwith a chronic condition, is very stressful for the entire family. Bysetting up a CarePage, families will be able to provide friends andrelatives with information about their child’s condition but not haveto repeat what could be difficult news over and over and over again.Hopefully, this will alleviate some anxieties about making sure othersknow what is happening and give parents more time to concentrateon their child.”
Families say CarePages give them greater control over the flowof information during and after hospitalization, since they can shareupdates at a time that is right for them. Relatives and friends call lessoften because they are automatically notified via e-mail wheneverCarePages are updated.
For more information on CarePages, call the Children’s HospitalCommunity Relations Office at (865) 541-8165.
V
FFaannttaassyy ooff TTrreeeess names co-chairs, sets theme
NEW CAREPAGES SERVICE AT CHILDREN’SHOSPITAL OFFERS EASY WAY FOR PATIENTS,FAMILIES TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS& FAMILY THROUGH THEIR OWN WEB PAGE

4. 4
Annie
DDuring the summer of 1997, Kyle Smith was a stay-at-home mother of a toddler and was
anxiously awaiting the birth of her second child. Elizabeth, Kyle’s three-year-old daughter, was a
healthy and happy girl who couldn’t wait for her little sister to arrive. The excitement, however, turned
to nervous anticipation in June when Kyle received the results of an amniocentesis, a procedure where
amniotic fluid is drawn from the uterus and analyzed to detect genetic abnormalities. The test
indicated that her unborn baby had Down syndrome.
Annie

5. 5
Not fully understanding what Down
syndrome was, Kyle decided to immerse herself
in every bit of information she could find. She
wanted to make sure she felt educated enough
to be the best parent possible for a child with
this condition. “My first reaction was, I don’t
want this; I didn’t want my child to have Down
syndrome,” Kyle said. “But I quickly realized
the only thing I could do was make sure I was
ready and that this baby would have everything
she needed.”
To understand Down syndrome, you
have to understand a little about chromosomes.
A person is supposed to have 23 pairs of
chromosomes, for a total of 46. But a person
with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome
or one chromosome has an extra part. This
extra genetic material causes problems with
development. About one of every 800 babies
is born with Down syndrome, and it happens
regardless of the parent’s race or nationality.
Doctors aren’t sure why this chromosome
problem happens to some babies and not to
others, but they do know it’s nothing the
mother or father did before the child was born.
As the birth of her new daughter
approached, Kyle felt she was as prepared to
parent her new child as possible, but the fear
was still there. “It was scary. Both of my
pregnancies made me nervous, but this one
especially.”
The big day came in December 1997.
Annie was born on December 5 and spent eight
days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) at Children’s Hospital. This wasn’t the
Smith family’s first experience in the NICU;
Annie’s older sister Elizabeth spent five days
there for respiratory distress when she was born
three years earlier. Kyle said, “Dr. Louden Nalle
(a neonatologist at Children’s) attended Annie’s
birth and was very supportive. The entire NICU
staff was wonderful.”
Now eight years old, Annie is a bright,
healthy and very active little girl who plays
soccer and attends dance lessons. “She can do
anything other children her age can do. She
might do things at a different pace, but she can
run and play just the same,” Kyle said.
Annie attends Brickey-McCloud Elementary
School and is a typical first grader. “Her
classmates love her. She has such an outgoing
and larger-than-life personality that people can’t
help but be drawn to her,” Kyle said.
The family has not been without moments
of worry, however. Infants with Down
syndrome tend to develop more slowly than
other babies do. About half are born with heart
defects, and some can experience eye or ear
problems, among other difficulties. Annie has
had tubes placed in her ears three times and
eye surgery at Children’s Hospital to correct
problems relating to her condition. More
seriously, Annie underwent heart surgery in
Atlanta during the winter of 1998. The
operation was to correct Tetrology of Fallot
(a complex combination of four birth defects
in the heart) and an Atrioventricular Canal
(another congenital heart defect). “It’s a
pretty rare combination of defects, but the
combination kept Annie from having to have
immediate surgery. I felt very fortunate to have
been able to wait until she was older,” Kyle
said. “From her activity level now, you would
never know that she ever had heart surgery.”
Through it all, one thing has remained
constant: the special relationship between
Annie and Elizabeth. The bond between the
sisters has been growing since Annie was born.
Kyle said she has always been honest with
Elizabeth about Annie and about what it means
to be a big sister to a child with Down
syndrome. Elizabeth went with Annie to
developmental therapy and continued working
with her at home. Kyle said Elizabeth is most
proud of teaching Annie how to sing “Twinkle,
Twinkle Little Star” and encouraging her to
crawl, stand and eventually walk.
“Annie will do things for Elizabeth when
no one else can get her to do them,” Kyle said.
“At dance lessons, Elizabeth is Annie’s ‘helper,’
which is Annie’s choice. Of course, Annie also
will go into Elizabeth’s room and get into her
stuff and make Elizabeth so mad, just like any
other sisterly relationship.”
One way the girls express their love for one
another that is especially touching for their
mother is the way they share music. “Elizabeth
is very good at sharing her things with Annie.
She has an adaptor for her iPod so they can
both listen to it at the same time,” the proud
mother said.
When Annie was in the NICU, Kyle made a
decision that would change her life. While
admiring the work of the nurses around her,
Kyle decided she knew that the work they were
doing is what she needed to be doing herself.
Continued on page 6
WhatisDownsyndrome?Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality
that occurs in one out of every 800-1,000 births. For
unexplained reasons, an error in cell development
occurs at the time of conception that results in 47
chromosomes rather than 46. This extra chromosome
can affect an individual’s health, muscle
development, body development and mental
capabilities.
About 5,000 babies with Down syndrome are born
in the United States each year. Contrary to popular
belief, about 80 percent of babies with Down
syndrome are born to mothers UNDER the age of 35.
While the extra chromosome in individuals with
Down syndrome does affect body and brain
development, individuals with Down syndrome are
more similar to typically developing individuals than
they are different. Just as with typically developing
individuals, there is a great diversity within
individuals of Down syndrome in terms of
personality, learning styles, intelligence, appearance,
compliance, humor, compassion and attitude.
Tenthingsyouneverknew
aboutDownsyndrome
(and the people who have it)
1. Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring
genetic disorder.
2. People with Down syndrome typically finish high
school, have jobs and do volunteer work.
3. People with Down syndrome often live
independently or semi-independently in
adulthood.
4. Their average life span is 55 years, with many
living into their sixties and seventies.
5. In one recent year, individuals with Down
syndrome addressed the delegates at the
Republican Convention, became Eagle Scouts,
appeared on prime-time television, illustrated a
children’s book and testified before Congress.
6. The vast majority of people with Down syndrome
have only mild to moderate mental retardation.
7. People with Down syndrome have married and
owned homes.
8. Children with Down syndrome learn to sit, walk,
talk and play only somewhat later than their
peers.
9. Although incidence of Down syndrome increases
with maternal age, 80 percent of babies with
Down syndrome are born to mothers less than 35
years old.
10. A woman with Down syndrome ran for the Texas
State Board of Education.
To learn more about Down syndrome, visit the
web site for the National Down Syndrome Society at
www.ndss.org or call (800) 221-4602.
(Source: the National Down Syndrome Society,
www.ndss.org)
Pictured here are Annie with her sister,
Elizabeth, and her mother, Kyle.

6. 6
“I thought it was the greatest job,” Kyle said.
Soon after Annie was discharged and settled in
at home, Kyle enrolled in nursing school, and
in 2002, she became an NICU nurse at
Children’s Hospital.
“My decision was very personal,” Kyle said.
“I had to go back to work, and I wanted to
have a job I loved. At the same time, I also
knew that I would have something unique to
offer parents, especially those that have babies
with Down syndrome.”
Kyle continued, “I truly understand what
it feels like to not be able to take your baby
home. I don’t share my experiences with every
parent, but if someone is having an especially
hard time, I can reassure them that I
understand, and it will get better.”
Without the help of people like pediatric
cardiologist Dr. Jeffory Jennings, pediatric
ophthalmologist Dr. Gary Gitschlag, pediatric
otolaryngologist Dr. Michael Belmont and the
entire NICU and radiology staff, “Annie would
not be in the great condition she is in today,”
Kyle said.
Kyle has shown her appreciation to them
and to Children’s Hospital by being a dedicated
and valued staff member in the Haslam Family
NICU.
Through perseverance and help from
those at Children’s Hospital, Annie has lived a
happy and healthy life to this point. She is an
inspiration for anyone who doesn’t understand
that people with Down syndrome can do
anything anybody else can do. She also has
been an inspiration to her mother, in more
ways than Annie herself even knows.
By Jake Resler, Public Relations Specialist
Did you know that expectant and new
parents are some of the most frequent users of
the Internet? KidsHealth has launched a
Pregnancy & Newborn Center as a valued
resource that new and expectant parents will
want to visit regularly.
Featured on the Children’s Hospital website,
the Pregnancy & Newborn Center includes
hundreds of articles for expectant and new
parents as well as quick links to the most
popular features, such as the week-by-week
pregnancy calendar (available in English and
Spanish), an easy-to-read immunization chart,
recipes for pregnant and nursing women,
research news and much more.
Visit the Children’s Hospital website at
www.etch.com, and click on Pregnancy &
Newborn Center in the “In The News” box.
Children’s Hospital is a KidsHealth
Educational Partner. KidsHealth is a project of
the Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s
Health Media.
In February, the Food and Drug
Administration announced the approval of
RotaTeq, a live, oral vaccine for use in
preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, which advises the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, has recommended that
the vaccine be added to the schedule of
immunizations for infants and young children.
RotaTeq is the only vaccine approved in the
United States that can help protect against
rotavirus, a viral infection that can cause
diarrhea, vomiting, fever and dehydration.
Infection with rotavirus is a leading cause of
severe diarrhea in infants and young children in
the United States and worldwide. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention has
estimated that rotavirus infection results in
approximately 55,000 hospitalizations annually
of infants and young children in this country.
Studies of the new vaccine show RotaTeq
prevented 74 percent of all rotavirus
gastroenteritis cases and 98 percent of the
severe cases. In addition, RotaTeq prevented
about 96 percent of hospitalizations due to
rotavirus gastroenteritis.
In 1998, FDA approved a different live
vaccine against rotavirus that was later
withdrawn from the market because of its
association with an increased risk of
intussusception, a rare, life-threatening type
of blockage or twisting of the intestine.
Intussusception occurs spontaneously in
approximately 1 in 2,000 healthy young infants
and children per year, but occurred at an
increased rate during the first week or two
following vaccination with the previous
rotavirus vaccine.
Studies showed no similar problem with
RotaTeq, a liquid vaccine that is given by
mouth in three doses between the ages of
6 and 32 weeks.
Sources: MedScape from WebMD
(www.medscape.com) and the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov)
TheDownSyndrome
AwarenessGroupof
EastTennessee
The Down Syndrome Awareness
Group of East Tennessee (DSAG) is a
parent-initiated organization developed to
provide information and support to
families of individuals with Down
syndrome and to raise awareness within
the community about the abilities of
individuals with Down syndrome and the
benefits of their inclusion into society.
DSAG is a non-profit organization that
works to educate and link individuals
with Down syndrome and their families
within a 17-county area in East Tennessee.
Support meetings called Coffee and
Crayons take place monthly; packets of
information, called Down Comfort Kits,
are presented to new parents of babies
with Down syndrome; social events are
conducted throughout the year to bring
families together; a bi-monthly newsletter
with current information relating to Down
syndrome is provided for members; and
informational meetings and conferences
on topics relevant to Down syndrome are
periodically presented.
DSAG is available to parents and
professionals 24 hours a day to provide
general information about Down
syndrome and area resources. For more
information, call (865) 905-2968 or send
an e-mail to dsagtn@hotmail.com.
Annie Smith playing the piano
Annie continued from page 5
New rotavirus vaccine available
KidsHealth adds new feature for expectant and new parents

7. Carol L. Fowler, M.D.
B.S. (Biology) and B.A. (Chemistry) —
Emory University, 1975
M.D. - Louisiana State University Medical
Center, New Orleans, 1979
Residency (Pediatrics) - Medical College
of Virginia, Richmond, 1979-80
Residencies (General Surgery) —
Louisiana State University Medical Center
Associated Hospitals, New Orleans, 1980-
84; and University of South Dakota
Associated Hospitals, Yankton, 1984-86
Fellowship (Surgery Trauma Research)
— Louisiana State University Medical
Center, 1982
Fellowship (Pediatric Surgery) —
Texas Children’s Hospital, 1986-87
Fellowship (Pediatric Surgery
Research) - Children’s Hospital of Buffalo,
N.Y., 1987-89
Residency (Pediatric Surgery) —Texas
Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, 1989-91
Additional education — Summer
research fellowships at Children’s
Memorial Hospital, Chicago, 1976 and
1977; summer research fellowship at
Louisiana State University, 1978; and
associate resident in pediatric surgery,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 1983
Husband — Jeffery Turek, Ph.D.
Personal interests — digital
photography/ editing and outdoor
activities such as hiking, canoeing and
scuba diving.
Pediatric surgeon grew up
wanting to be a doctor
Growing up in New Orleans, Carol Fowler,
M.D., had a clear and consistent career goal.
As the daughter of the head of pediatrics at
Louisiana State University, Dr. Fowler always
knew she, too, wanted to be a pediatrician.
Early on, she had a specific interest in genetics
and birth defects, and during her medical training
she completed three summer research fellowships
in this area.
When she began her surgery rotation, however,
she found a new but related interest. In genetics, a
physician diagnoses congenital (birth) defects and
counsels parents, but does not treat or repair the
problem. Conversely, a surgeon has the training
and knowledge to do something about the defect.
Dr. Fowler was drawn to that more “hands-on”
approach to the genetic problems she found so
interesting. She decided to redirect her interests
in pediatrics, genetics and surgery into a pediatric
surgery residency. Following her training, she went
into an academic and research position at the
University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky.
While living in Lexington, Dr. Fowler met her
husband, Jeffery Turek, Ph.D., then a nuclear
engineer in Oak Ridge. Dr. Fowler and Dr. Turek
moved to Savannah in 2002 for Dr. Fowler to join
Savannah Pediatric Surgery, a private surgical
practice with a surgery residency teaching
affiliation. But the couple discovered they missed
this part of the country, particularly the rural areas.
In Savannah, Dr. Fowler was affiliated with a
“hospital within a hospital,” a concept where the
children’s hospital is a small component of a
larger hospital setting. Because of its small size,
the children’s hospital in Savannah had a small
number of pediatric subspecialties. This limited
the hospital’s ability to handle complicated cases;
instead, children requiring more complicated care
were sent to other, larger hospitals.
Dr. Fowler wished to return to a freestanding
children’s hospital setting and found East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital to be conducive to
her interests for several reasons in addition to its
geographic location. One, the hospital is able to
provide care for children with more complicated
needs because Children’s has 28 pediatric
subspecialties.
Two, a teaching appointment at the University
of Tennessee training general surgical residents
also was appealing to Dr. Fowler, who enjoyed a
similar role in Savannah.
In May, Dr. Fowler is joining the East Tennessee
Pediatric Surgery Group, P.L.L.C.,
at Children’s Hospital to help serve the surgical
needs of this region’s children. Dr. Fowler joins
pediatric surgeons Alan E. Anderson, M.D.,
Gus Papadakis, M.D., and Alfred P. Kennedy Jr.,
M.D., in the surgical group.
Pediatric surgeons perform common
procedures such as appendix removals and
hernia repairs. More complicated cases include
children with various congenital anomalies,
obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract,
urological surgical cases (such as circumcision,
undescended testes and kidney obstructions),
trauma, lung cysts and infections, and tumors.
As a surgeon, Dr. Fowler has maintained her
longtime interest in congenital defects and also
has a tremendous interest in neuroblastoma, a
form of cancer usually found in infants and
young children. She researched this type of
cancer through several grants, including one
from the National Institutes of Health.
Clinical research and publishing are
especially important to Dr. Fowler, who enjoys
studying a problem thoroughly and then
publishing her findings. Among her studies
were a description and treatment of conjoined
twins and a study of a patient with a rare
variant of split notochord syndrome. This child
had multiple complex problems, including a
split spine, a triplicated (three-part) colon, a
partial third leg in the abdomen, a tethered
spinal cord and a teratoma (a type of tumor).
As a researcher, Dr. Fowler looks at the
embryology - how the problem happened and
how to explain it. As a teacher, she likes to
stress to her residents the importance of
research. “It’s important for them to learn how
to investigate the literature to see if a problem
has been described before,” she explained. “It’s
also valuable for them to learn how to use the
medical library, not just the Internet.”
Since Dr. Fowler began practicing medicine,
some significant changes have improved and
enhanced care for patients and also improved
the practice for physicians. Laparoscopy offers
patients the benefits of less invasive surgery and
a quicker recovery time. Electronic records,
especially the electronic storage of radiology
films (X-rays as well as CT and MRI images),
has made it easier and faster for physicians to
review their patients’ test results, radiology
studies and other information.
As she prepares to become an East
Tennessean, Dr. Fowler doesn’t plan to start
wearing a lot of orange. In fact, because of her
11 years spent in Kentucky, she is certain she’ll
remain a Kentucky men’s basketball fan. “But I
have followed the Lady Vols for years,” she
added, noting that prior to this interview, she
had watched Pat Summitt win her 900th game
as the Lady Vols’ head coach.
In conjunction with her colleagues at East
Tennessee Pediatric Surgery Group, P.L.L.C., Dr.
Fowler will help to provide the best in pediatric
surgical services to the children of
this region.
Subspecialist Profile
7

8. There is no such thing as a “typical” day in a
hospital. Day in and day out, patients enter our
doors for care, but each child is unique and each
experience is different. However, within each day
at Children’s Hospital, there are some common
threads. One common thread is the training and
experience of the hospital’s staff – no matter what
situation arises, our staff is skilled and prepared
to meet the challenge. For the next several issues
of It’s About Children, we’ll profile some of our
staff and highlight all our clinical areas. We hope
it will give you a glimpse into life at Children’s
Hospital.
CRITICAL CARE SERVICES
At Children’s Hospital, Critical Care Services
encompasses several major departments and
services – the Goody’s Pediatric Intensive Care
Unit, the Haslam Family Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit, the Scott M. Niswonger Emergency
Department, the Pediatric and Neonatal Transport
Teams and the After Hours Program. These are
the departments and services that care for the
most seriously or most urgently sick and injured
patients we see.
GOODY’S PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE
CARE UNIT
The hospital’s Goody’s Pediatric Intensive Care
Unit (PICU) provides sophisticated, 24-hour-a-day
treatment for critically ill and injured children.
The PICU is staffed with critical care physicians,
physician assistants, nurse practitioners, R.N.s
and clinical practice specialists specifically trained
and experienced in the care of critically ill
children. Patients in the PICU receive a high level
of monitoring and/or treatment until they are
well enough to be transferred to a patient room
on one of the general medical/surgical units or
discharged home.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit admitted
662 patients during the most recently
completed fiscal year, 2004-05.
HASLAM FAMILY NEONATAL
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
In the Haslam Family Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit (NICU), tiny and fragile infants born
prematurely or facing life-threatening illnesses
receive treatment from a team of board-certified
neonatologists, with valuable assistance from
specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists,
clinical practice specialists, lactation consultants
and other medical professionals. The NICU treated
628 newborns during the 2004-05 fiscal year.
Although these babies are critically ill, each year
about 97 percent of the babies go home.
SCOTT M. NISWONGER
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
The Scott M. Niswonger Emergency
Department (ED) is staffed with emergency
medicine specialists, nurse practitioners, R.N.s,
technicians and other staff to provide treatment
for all types of emergencies 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The department provides
evaluation and treatment for patients up to 21
years of age with varying levels of illness and
injury, from minor to life threatening. Each
patient is first triaged to determine the severity
of the illness or injury. After being treated and
stabilized in the Emergency Department,
patients are either admitted to the hospital if
needed or discharged home with follow-up
instructions. Patients made 62,594 visits to the
ED in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
PEDIATRIC AND NEONATAL
TRANSPORT SERVICES
As a regional referral center for East
Tennessee, Children’s Hospital offers neonatal
and pediatric transport from outlying hospitals
in LIFELINE, a mobile intensive care unit
specially designed to maintain the same quality
of care during transport as patients receive in
the hospital’s critical care units. Lifeline carries
almost 1,000 supplies to administer care to
patients – ranging from the tiniest premature
infant to adult-sized teens – during transport to
the hospital. In addition to the special
equipment, the Lifeline transport team may
include, depending on the condition of the
patient, a neonatologist, neonatal nurse
practitioner, pediatric/neonatal R.N., respiratory
therapist and an EMT. The hospital’s two
Lifeline vehicles travel tens of thousands of
miles each year to dozens of different hospitals
in Tennessee and surrounding states,
transporting hundreds of pediatric patients to
Children’s Hospital.
If it is known in advance that transport to
Children’s will be necessary, the Neonatal
Transport Team will attend the delivery at any
hospital to immediately stabilize the baby
before the transport.
AFTER HOURS PROGRAM
For more than 10 years, Children’s Hospital
has provided a service to area pediatricians
called the After Hours Program. After Hours is a
medical call center for patient concerns “after
hours” – evenings, weekends and holidays.
When a parent has a concern about a child, the
parent can call the child’s pediatrician’s office
number and leave a message for the call center.
The parent will be asked such questions
as the child’s name, date of birth and
reason for the call. The message is routed
to the After Hours Program, where a
nurse returns the parent’s call. After Hours
nurses ask additional questions and make
a recommendation to the parent based on
physician-approved protocols.
Depending on the severity of the child’s
problem, the nurse may provide home
instructions to follow, suggest the child be
seen the following day by the pediatrician,
tell the parent to bring the child to the
nearest Emergency Department or,
in the most serious scenario, tell
the parent to call 911.
After Hours nurses rely on the
physician-approved protocols but
also depend on experience to help
them determine a child’s needs by
phone – without seeing the child
in person.
8
life
BILL CHESNEY
Bill Chesney, R.N., B.S.N., has served for several
years as the nurse manager of the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Critical Care
Transport Service at Children’s Hospital. Recently
he made the decision to return to a patient care
setting, and he is preparing to transfer to the
hospital’s Home Health Care department. In his
eight years at Children’s, he has also worked as a
PICU staff nurse and as a Transport Team leader.
Chesney entered nursing because of the influence
of his wife, Lucreta, who is an R.N. “I saw the
contribution she made by her service to the sick
and the value it has for them – how she was able to
change lives for the better.” Chesney earned an
associate degree in nursing from Roane State and
began working as a staff RN on an adult pulmonary
unit at a hospital. Later he returned to school to
complete a bachelor of science in nursing.
A chance meeting with the daughter of a patient
resulted in a move to Children’s Hospital. “One day,
while taking care of an elderly man in the last
stages of his life, his daughter and I were talking
about our jobs,” Chesney said. “It turned out that
she and her husband were physicians at Children’s
Hospital. She encouraged me to apply for a PICU
R.N. job.”
A day in the of Children’s Hospital
Beth Hilbelink’s two-and-a-half-
year-old triplets, Heather,
Dustin and Ashley (right)

9. 9
BETH HILBELINK
For some individuals, a career path is
extremely clear from a young age. Such was the
case for Beth Hilbelink, R.N., a nurse in the
Haslam Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at
Children’s. “I always knew I wanted to work with
babies,” she said.
While in college to study nursing, Hilbelink
completed a clinical rotation at Children’s Hospital,
and from that point on, her career path was even
clearer – “I knew Children’s was where I wanted to
be. I think it is the best. It is where I would take
my own kids. I am sure we will be using the
hospital’s services over
the years!”
Hilbelink came to
Children’s Hospital as a
new graduate nurse
hired into the NICU, and
she has never worked
anywhere else. In
addition to her nursing
duties, she serves on the
NICU’s Service
Excellence Committee
and Palliative Care
Committee.
Her best memory
of working in the NICU
has happened more than
once and often occurs after her patients are
discharged. “I form relationships with the families
while they are here. Then I can watch the children
who ‘graduate’ from the NICU return for visits after
they have grown.” Seeing her former patients, now
bigger and healthier, gives her great satisfaction in
her work: “My life has been touched by so many
families I have come in contact with over the years
here. I feel blessed to have a job that I truly love.”
Not long ago Hilbelink had the opportunity to
develop a unique link to some of the NICU’s
patient families. She had a successful triplet
pregnancy, giving birth to three babies who were so
healthy that they did not even need care in the
Children’s Hospital NICU. During their four-day
hospital stay, the babies were seen daily by
Children’s neonatologists, who also attended the
birth. After that short hospitalization, the babies
were discharged home.
Now Hilbelink is often assigned to be a nurse
for “multiples” — twins, triplets, quadruplets or
even quintuplets. As a “triplet mom,” she is
uniquely able to bond with these families and help
them learn what to expect from life with a house
full of babies.
Chesney says nursing is a journey, with nursing
school just the beginning. After “an excellent nursing
education,” Chesney plunged into his first nursing
job as a new graduate nurse with little orientation
and a large number of patients to care for.
Later when he began working in the PICU at
Children’s, he found a much different situation:
“I was nearly overwhelmed by the number of
education requirements and the opportunities
available. I had a variety of classroom and
practicum experiences, but the most valuable to me
were the one-to-one experiences working with
another nurse. Whenever some procedure or
condition I had not experienced happened in the
PICU, someone was always quick to come and get
me to see and to do it.”
One experience stands out as the most personally
transforming and meaningful for Chesney: “It was
the second night I had been taking care of a little
girl suffering from meningitis. The previous night
had been rough, and she had nearly died. During
the day, the family learned that their child had
suffered an irreversible injury to her brain, and
she was never going to recover. As I recall, they
received the news just around shift change and,
as is required, we had notified Tennessee Donor
Services of her death. I guess it was 1 or 2 in the
morning when her mom asked if
she could hold her. You have to
realize the equipment that was involved with
keeping her little body going. About all the mother
could do at this time was to hold her hand or
touch her foot. With the help of the other nurses in
the PICU, we got her into her mother’s lap. The
image I will always see is that mother rocking her
child and singing Amazing Grace to her. This little
girl eventually was the means to life for several
people through her organ donation. Why does this
image stay with me? I have not seen this family
again nor am I likely to, but I will hopefully never
forget her example of what love is.“
Bill Chesney
CHRISTY COOPER
Christy Cooper, R.N., B.S.N., C.E.N., is the
Emergency Department staff educator, a
position she recently moved into after a four-
year stint as an assistant nurse manager in the
ED. She also has served as a Transport Team
leader, nursing coordinator, staff nurse in the
Emergency Department and an Emergency
Department technician.
Her interest in Children’s Hospital began at
an early age: “I remember always wanting to be
a nurse, even as a small child. After spending
my high school summers at Children’s Hospital
as a Junior Volunteer, I knew that pediatrics
was the nursing specialty for me. Getting a job
as an ED tech while I was in nursing school
helped me make my home in the ED.”
Cooper holds a bachelor of science in nursing
from Carson-Newman College and a paramedic
certificate from Roane State Community
College. She also is certified by the Board of
Certification in Emergency Nursing as a CEN
(Certified Emergency Nurse). Certification is a
personal choice that demonstrates a nurse has
attained a certain level of skill and competence
in the chosen specialty. For Cooper, it
demonstrates how important she thinks
education is: “I regularly attend continuing
education conferences and classes to keep my
knowledge and skill set up-to-date with always-
changing technology and standards. I also
spend time teaching in the classroom and
clinical setting to allow me to keep up with
current trends in nursing education.” She also
has worked on an ambulance and on UT
Medical Center’s LIFESTAR helicopter to gain
trauma and more critical care experience.
While no one memory of her career stands
out, Cooper says what keeps her motivated is
the resilience of her young patients: “It seems
that no matter what happens, every day a child
– usually one who I have just performed a
painful procedure on – will look up and say
‘thank you’ and be sincere about it. That is
what keeps me coming back for more.”
Christy Cooper
Beth Hilbelink (right)

10. 10
Children’s Hospital announces $10 million
the Children’s Miracle
Network Telethon and as
an Underwriter of Center
Stage. A benevolent
supporter of health care,
education and community
improvement, Niswonger
has made a commitment
of $1 million to the
campaign. The new and
expanded Emergency
Department, which treats
more than 60,000
children each year, has
been named the Scott M.
Niswonger Emergency
Department in his honor.
Plaques honoring the
generosity of each of these
major donors have been
placed in the respective
patient care areas
recognizing these
philanthropic
contributions to Children’s
Hospital. The plaques
were unveiled March 21
during a tour of the
pediatric medical center
with the families. The
Goodfriend, Haslam and
Niswonger families were
also recognized at a
private luncheon at the
hospital, which was
attended by members of
the Children’s Hospital
Board of Directors,
Medical Staff,
Administration and
the Capital Campaign Executive Committee.
Children’s Hospital also announced that
its medical and hospital staffs have already
made significant contributions to the Capital
Campaign. Hospital employee have contributed
$233,300 to help fund the new Atrium in the
Second and Third Floor Inpatient areas, as well
as the hospital’s new Family Resource Center,
which provides patients’ families with a variety
of resources to help them learn about their
child’s medical condition. The Medical/Dental
Staff at Children’s Hospital has pledged an
additional $791,200 to the campaign’s
recently begun Physician Division, which
will continue through the remainder of 2006.
Specific hospital areas will be named for
physicians contributing to the campaign at
the end of the year.
Goodfriend,
Haslam,
Niswonger
families lead
campaign with
pledges totaling
$5 million
A capital funds campaign to
support Children’s Hospital was
announced March 21. Funds
will primarily be dedicated to
Children’s Hospital’s recently
completed three-year, $31.8
million construction/renovation
project. Some funds also will be
used to increase the hospital’s
endowment. Highlights of the
announcement were the lead
gifts to the campaign, totaling
$5 million pledged from three
well-known and generous area
families.
Bob and Wendy Goodfriend
have been staunch supporters
of Children’s Hospital since
1983. The Goodfriends and
Goody’s Family Clothing, Inc.,
have been the largest donors to
the Children’s Miracle Network
Telethon every year since its
establishment 24 years ago.
They were the first Platinum
Sponsor of the Fantasy of Trees
and were the Founders and
Founding Underwriters of the
hospital’s annual Center Stage Celebrity
Gala, which they continue to chair. Bob
also served on the hospital Board from 1989
to 2005, including several terms as treasurer.
Bob and Wendy Goodfriend have committed
$3 million to the capital campaign. Because of
this gift and their long history of thoughtful
support, the hospital’s Board of Directors
honored multiple generations of their family
by naming the new Children’s Hospital
7-story patient facility the Goodfriend Tower.
The Haslam family name has become
virtually synonymous with philanthropy in
East Tennessee. The Haslams and their
company, Pilot Corp., have also been
supporters of Children’s Hospital for many
years. Jim Haslam served on the hospital Board
from 1963 to 1973. Pilot has supported the
Children’s Miracle Network Telethon since its
inception in 1983 and has generously
supported the Fantasy of Trees since its
beginning in 1985. The Haslam family and
Pilot were also founding Underwriters of the
Center Stage event and continue their support
of this major event for Children’s Hospital.
The Haslam Family has pledged $1 million
to the capital funds campaign. To honor this
unselfish history of support, the hospital’s
expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which
serves premature and critically ill newborns
from throughout East Tennessee, Southwest
Virginia, Southeastern Kentucky and Western
North Carolina, has been named the Haslam
Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Scott M. Niswonger of Greeneville, Tenn.,
is the founder of Landair Transport, Inc., and
Forward Air Transport, Inc. He has been
involved with Children’s Hospital as a donor to
Bob and Wendy Goodfriend outside the newly-named Goodfriend Tower at Children’s Hospital.

11. Executive Committee and the
Campaign Steering Committee for
their hard work as well as their
unselfish ongoing efforts toward
achieving our goal.”
The Campaign Executive
Committee includes Jim Bush, Bob
Goodfriend, Wendy Goodfriend,
David Martin, Dugan McLaughlin,
Dennis Ragsdale and Laurens Tullock.
The Campaign Steering Committee
includes Dick Anderson, Bill Carroll,
Sam Furrow, Jim Haslam, Jimmy
Haslam, Jon Lawler, Alvin Nance,
Don Parnell, Ed Pershing, Knox
County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Dr. Bill
Terry, Danni Varlan and Bill Williams.
“We will need strong support from
the remainder of the community to
meet our $10 million goal. We have
additional naming opportunities for
interested donors including patient
rooms and other patient care and
clinical areas,” Bush added. “We will need gifts
from our current supporters as well as from
businesses and individuals who have yet to
support our efforts to care for the area’s sick
and injured children.”
For more information about the Children’s
Hospital Capital Funds Campaign, contact
David Rule, Director of Development at
Children’s Hospital, at (865) 541-8244.
11
capital/endowment campaign
“The completion of our construction/
renovation project and the announcement of
this capital funds campaign marks one of the
most significant moments in our 69-year
history,” said Bob Koppel, president/CEO of
Children’s Hospital. “We are delighted with our
new and expanded facilities to care for the
children of East Tennessee and are very grateful
for the tremendous support of our generous
lead donors, hospital staff and physicians. They
have all set a tremendous example of thoughtful
philanthropy.”
“There are meaningful opportunities for
anyone in East Tennessee who is interested in
the future of our children to participate in our
capital funds campaign,” Koppel noted.
“Children’s Hospital is committed to providing
excellent health care to all children entrusted to
our care. Private gifts continue to be a vitally
important link that helps make our mission a
reality. It cannot be stressed enough that the
hospital welcomes and appreciates the generous
support from our community.”
The public phase of the capital funds
campaign will be a region-wide initiative
reaching out to individuals, companies,
associations and organizations to pledge their
financial support. Pledges can be paid over
three to five years and donors can give cash,
stock, land or other assets of value. It is also
possible for donors to make planned gifts that
could provide a life income to a donor.
“We are fortunate to be able to make our first
public announcement with over $6.9 million of
our goal already pledged,” said Jim Bush,
chairman of Children’s Hospital’s Board of
Directors. “We are grateful to the Campaign
Steve Bailey, Dee Haslam, Whitney Haslam, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Natalie Haslam, Ann Bailey and
Jim Haslam in the Haslam Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital.
Scott and Nicki Niswonger with the plaque that has been placed in the Scott M. Niswonger
Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital.

12. CCAALLEENNDDAARR OOFF EEVVEENNTTSS
HOPE-A-THON
Children’s Hospital will again partner with
WATE-TV Channel 6 to raise money to benefit
Camp Cure, but the event is moving to a summer
date. Hope-a-thon will take place Sunday, July 16
from 7-8 p.m. and will be broadcast live
following Children’s Hospital’s week-long diabetes
camp, Camp Cure. WATE anchors Lori Tucker,
Gene Patterson and Matt Hinkin will revisit camp
experiences during the hour-long broadcast with
patients and their families, who will also share
their stories about living with diabetes and their
hope for a cure. Last year’s Hope-a-thon raised
more than $26,000. For more information, call
(865) 541-8437.
TENNESSEE RIVER 600
Water enthusiasts from all over East
Tennessee can take their personal watercrafts
on a seven-day, 600-mile excursion down
the Tennessee River to benefit four Children’s
Miracle Network hospitals and the Tennessee
Wildlife Resources Agency. The trip will start
July 23 at Knoxville’s Volunteer Landing
and end July 29 at Pickwick Landing near
Memphis. Participants collect donations for
the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals along
the route, including East Tennessee Children’s
Hospital. Last year’s trek raised more than
$24,000 for the five charitable organizations.
For registration information, go to
www.tennesseeriver600.com or call
Dennis Beckley at (865) 898-3101.
BOOMSDAY
This Labor Day holiday will again host an East
Tennessee tradition. Boomsday, sponsored by the
Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation, bids
summer goodbye and welcomes fall with an
extravaganza of fireworks and music on Sunday,
September 3, at the Knoxville riverfront. Boomsday
also benefits Children’s Hospital; a portion of the
proceeds from the Children’s Activity Area at the
event are donated to the hospital. The free event
starts at noon, with the fireworks show as the grand
finale at 9 p.m. The finale’s musical soundtrack can
be heard on the four Journal Broadcast Group
stations: Star 102.1, The Point 93.1, Hot 104.5,
and The Ticket 1040 AM. The show also
will be broadcast on WBIR-TV Channel 10.
Boomsday draws more than 250,000 people
annually to the Knoxville riverfront.
by Clair Cowley, 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 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.
CCAALLEENNDDAARR OOFF EEVVEENNTTSS
12
Estate Planning...
Children’s joins LEAVE A LEGACY
®
Please send the free brochure titled “How to Make a Will That Works.”
Name______________________________ Address__________________________________________
City___________________________ State_______ Zip_____________ Phone( )______________
Please call me at the phone number below for a free confidential consultation concerning planned giving.
Please send me more information about deferred giving.
I have already included Children’s Hospital in my estate plan in the following way:
__________________________________________________________________________
Please send me information about the ABC Club.
Children’s Hospital Development Office • (865) 541-8441
The LEAVE A LEGACY® program is an effort
underway throughout North America to
promote increased public awareness of the
importance of bequests to charitable
organizations. Currently there are LEAVE A
LEGACY“ programs in 63 U.S. and 24
Canadian communities.
Children’s Hospital joins forces with 11 other
local charitable organizations in establishing a
program in Knoxville. The goal of the LEAVE A
LEGACY® program is to help the community
better understand that we all have the ability to
“make a difference in the lives that follow” by
leaving a charitable legacy.
Children’s Hospital has long enjoyed the
support of generous individuals who make gifts
through their wills. In the hospital’s early years,
such gifts helped keep the doors open. Today,
these gifts allow Children’s to expand its
services, provide care to ever increasing
(New York, N.Y.), Hugh Sanford (Knox
County), Emile Seilaz (Knox County),
Rev. Vertrue Sharp (Blount County), Pauline
Stamps (Hawkins County), Flossie Broome
Walker (Knox County), Eugenia Williams
(Knox County) and hundreds of others have
made gifts large and small to ensure that
Children’s Hospital continues its mission
into the future.
Won’t you join them by leaving your own
charitable legacy? All gifts are important,
and all are gratefully appreciated. For our
complimentary booklet titled “How to Make
a Will that Works,” please contact Teresa
Goddard, Senior Development Officer or
David Rule, Director of Development, at
(865) 541-8441. We will be delighted to
work with you and your advisors on a gift
that will be meaningful to you and helpful
to future generations.
numbers of area children, and keep the Open
Door policy in effect.
Friends like Alwayne Allison (Knox County),
Elizabeth Ann Buda (Sevier County), Mr. and
Mrs. Woodrow Catherman (Sevier County),
Bernice Clabo (Sevier County), Dr. Harold
Cloogman (Blount County), Sam Essary (Knox
County), Esther Groeniger (Omaha, Neb.),
Donald M. Gally (Knox County), Joe Kyker
(Monroe County), Velma Latham (Knox
County), C. Clark Lotspeich (Knox County),
Wallace Miller (Jefferson County), Peter More
Dates to Remember
JUNE
Jordanne Clabo Fight Against Crohn’s
Golf Tournament
June 10
AUGUST
Sons of Thunder Motorcycle Fun Ride
Date to be announced
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.”

13. In the fall of 2003, Children’s Hospital and WBIR-TV
began a program to recognize children from throughout
East Tennessee who have done something out of the
ordinary – whether through extraordinary volunteer
work or an amazing talent or by impressive service to
their community.
“We 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,” said Jeff Lee, WBIR’s
General Manager.
From that desire to recognize area children, 10 Amazing
Kids was created; the first group was honored in the spring
of 2004, and another group was honored in April 2005. In
December 2005, announcements on WBIR-TV asked
viewers to nominate a child they know who has done
something exceptional – for their family, friends, school,
city, place of worship or the community. Dozens of entries
were received featuring children who truly have done a
variety of amazing things, and the selection process was
extremely difficult.
The 2006 10 Amazing Kids are:
Anne Calkins, age 17, Sevier County High School –
This valedictorian of her senior class has a perfect 4.0
average. Anne has excelled in a wide array of activities,
including serving as drum major of the band, and has held
many positions of leadership and responsibility. While these
accomplishments would be impressive for any teenager,
consider that Anne also had to take care of her mother for
several years during a battle with cancer; when her mother
died last year, she had to face the grief and care for her
younger sister as a minor. Her senior counselor said, “She
is the most amazing student with whom I have worked in
19+ years of counseling more than 6,000 students. I have
never said that before, and it is the highest compliment I
could give a student.”
Matthew Gibbs, age 12, Alcoa Middle School –
Following Hurricane Katrina, Matthew began collecting
money for the relief effort at school. From that grew his
family’s idea to purchase bicycles for children in the Gulf
Coast area for Christmas. He involved his church members
by placing a bike order form in the Sunday bulletin, and
his enthusiasm for the project became infectious. Seventy
five people gave over $10,000 to buy more than 150
bikes, helmets, Bibles and candy. In addition to his
philanthropic efforts, Matthew is an honor student, plays
football and is a member of the band. He is a member of
the Destination Imagination Team and is involved in drama
and music programs at his church, First Alcoa United
Methodist Church.
Shawn Lynn Hilton, Jr., age 9, Dandridge
Elementary School – A serious illness at a young age left
this elementary student with no hands or feet. While he
receives assistance from a teaching assistant, Shawn
functions mostly on his own – completing assignments,
participating in school activities and playing on the
playground. He has overcome tremendous obstacles in
his young life but enjoys being like any other child –
swinging, sliding and climbing around his school
playground. His art instructor said his positive attitude
and winning smile make him an inspiration to students
and school staff.
Emily Hollingsworth, age 16, Gatlinburg Pittman High
School – When the devastation of Hurricane Katrina hit the
Gulf Coast last fall, this high school junior wanted to help
the children she saw on television, and the Books for Katrina
Kids project was born. With the assistance of her family, UPS
(through the donation of boxes), local schools, media and a
chain of local Christian bookstores, Emily has been able to
collect nearly 10,000 books. The first 2,500 books went to
St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana to start a children’s library.
This Sevier County student is also active in many school
organizations, is on the varsity swim team and was selected
as a member of Smoky Mountain Youth Leadership.
Monte Hubbard-Greenhalgh, age 11, Jones Cove
School – This amazing kid believes that by having the
will, there is always a way. Although he has cerebral palsy,
a condition that could easily discourage him, Monte has a
positive attitude, a refusal to accept limitations and puts
others’ needs before his own. Last fall, he asked his
school’s principal if he could raise money to purchase a
“stander” for his grandfather, a paraplegic. Monte raised
the more than $2,000, allowing his grandfather to stand
for the first time in four years with the device’s assistance.
Brittany Marie Lejeune, age 18, Jefferson County High
School – Though she is small in stature at only 4 feet, 4
inches, this extraordinary teen is big on accomplishments
and on having the respect of her peers with seemingly
little effort. She is an upperclassman mentor and is
particularly adept at making new students feel welcome.
Brittany sings and dances with the Patriot Singers and has
been a four-year participant in her high school’s show
honoring local veterans. Her volunteer efforts raised over
$2,500 to help families in need during the holidays, and
she currently is the catalyst for finding the perfect prom
date for several classmates! One of her teachers said
Brittany can “find silver linings in even the darkest of skies.”
Byrgundy Mallory, age 12, Gresham Middle School –
When she was only seven years old, this special child
started a club called the Disney Debutantes. This group
has touched the lives of the girls and their mothers who
are members, by encouraging each person to spend time
participating in community service projects and helping
make club members community leaders. A member of her
church said Byrgundy has “endless compassion for others
and pushes them to strive for excellence. She is a role model,
because she is not only introducing others to new adventures
but introducing them to life skills.” Byrgundy is also active in
4-H and dance and represented Knox County in the math bowl.
Blaze Manning, age 13, Cedar Bluff Middle School –
This amazing kid took a personal family tragedy and turned
it into a positive for her community. In April 2005, Blaze’s
older brother was the impaired driver in an accident that
killed a teenage passenger. While searching for a way to keep
a similar tragedy from happening again, Blaze learned about
SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions, which
works to encourage new laws that insist on more adult
accountability in underage drinking. She founded the SADD
chapter at Cedar Bluff Middle School and has spoken to
local, state and national government officials on SADD’s
mission. With her determination and positive spirit, this teen
is making a difference. She also is active in her church and
was chosen Miss Tennessee Preteen 2005.
Josh Powell, age 13, Karns Middle School – A diagnosis
of childhood cancer when he was eight years old led this
amazing child to want to help those who helped him through
his illness. He faced his own fears by writing poems for his
family, for other patients and for his doctors. After going into
remission, Josh did not forget what he went through and
how others had helped him and his family. He gives back to
the community by raising money for childhood cancer
research through a national “lemonade stand” program. Josh
also encourages others to donate aluminum cans and drink
tabs to the Ronald McDonald House, a program dear to his
heart since he and his mom stayed in the houses in Nashville
and New York while he underwent cancer treatment.
Katherine Thomason, age 17, Maryville High School –
Building houses may not sound like an activity that a teenage
girl would be involved in, but Katherine is president of
Maryville High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. She
has been selected for three years as a member of the Speakers
Bureau for the Positive Role Model Club and is a high
academic achiever with membership in several honor
societies. Katherine also is a tireless volunteer for many
causes; in addition to Habitat for Humanity, she has
volunteered for the Hispanic Ministry, Toys for Tots, the
Good Samaritan Clinic and many other organizations.
Each of the 10 Amazing Kids’ stories was featured on “Live
at 5” on WBIR-TV each weekday from April 10-21.
Applications for next year’s 10 Amazing Kids will be
accepted beginning in December 2006. Watch WBIR-TV this
fall for information on the 2007 selection process.
10 Amazing Kids
recognized by WBIR-TV 10, Children’s Hospital
Anne Matthew Shawn Emily Monte
Brittany Byrgundy Blaze Josh Katherine 13

14. 14
From chicken pox to fitness to germs to
sunscreen, keeping your child safe and healthy is
of primary concern to you and to Children’s
Hospital. Here, Lise Christensen, M.D., Director
of the Pediatric Emergency Department at
Children’s Hospital, discusses the ABCs of kids’
health and safety.
AA iiss ffoorr AAlllleerrggiieess
Allergies cause a variety of irritating symptoms
ranging from sneezing to hives, and they account
for nearly two million lost school days each year
among students in the United States. Some types
of allergies, such as those to bees and peanuts,
can be life threatening. An allergy is an
overreaction of a person’s immune system to a
substance the body treats as an invader. Some of
the substances children can be allergic to include
dust mites, pollen, molds, certain foods, pets and
cockroaches. Although there is no cure for
allergies, parents can help relieve symptoms by
educating children about the cause of their
allergies. Allergy shots can help children build up
resistance to allergens, and both prescription and
over-the counter drugs can help relieve
symptoms.
BB iiss ffoorr BBiikkee ssaaffeettyy
Riding a bike can be one of the most enjoyable
activities of childhood, and it’s a great way to get
exercise. But each year in the United States,
about 250 children die in bicycle-related
accidents, and another half million children are
injured in bike accidents. This number could be
significantly reduced if more children wore
bicycle helmets regularly while cycling. It is a
law to wear helmets in most states, including
Tennessee. Parents can help keep bike riding a
favorite activity for children as well as a safe
activity by making sure their children wear a
helmet every time they peddle.
CC iiss ffoorr CChhiicckkeenn ppooxx
Since 1995, doctors have been vaccinating
adults and children older than 12 months against
the highly contagious chicken pox virus. The
varicella vaccine is 70-85 percent effective in
preventing a mild infection and more than 95
percent effective in preventing moderate or severe
disease. If someone does develop chicken pox after
TThhee AA ttoo ZZ gguuiiddee ttoo cchhiillddrreenn’’ss hheeaalltthh ((PPaarrtt 11 ooff 22))
being vaccinated, he or she is more likely to have
milder symptoms with fewer skin blisters and a
faster recovery. The red, itchy rash first pops up
on the stomach, back or face and is accompanied
by a fever and abdominal pain. Children
generally have chicken pox for about seven to 10
days. Oatmeal baths, wet compresses, calamine
lotion and children’s acetaminophen are a few
home treatments that can ease the uncomfortable
symptoms associated with chicken pox.
DD iiss ffoorr DDeehhyyddrraattiioonn
Parents should not judge dehydration by a
child’s level of thirst. Children with vomiting
and/or diarrhea can quickly become dehydrated, as
can active children who lose fluid by sweating. By
the time a child feels thirsty, he or she may already
be dehydrated. So offer drinks frequently,
especially when a child is more likely to become
dehydrated. Children can replace lost fluids by
drinking lots of water, Pedialyte if they are sick, or
a sports drink such as Gatorade or Powerade if
they are physically active (especially on hot days).
Children who are becoming dehydrated may
display some of the following symptoms: dry or
sticky mouth; few or no tears when crying; eyes
that look sunken into the head; a soft spot
(fontanelle) on top of a baby’s head that looks
sunken; lack of urine or wet diapers for 6-8 hours
in an infant (or only a very small amount of dark
yellow urine); lack of urine for 12 hours in an
older child (or only a very small amount of dark
yellow urine); dry, cool skin; lethargy or irritability;
and fatigue or dizziness in an older child.
EE iiss ffoorr EEaarr iinnffeeccttiioonnss
Ear infections are the second most common
illness for children, following the common cold.
Children two to four years of age are more
likely to develop an ear infection since their
immune systems are still developing. Their
immune systems will not fully develop until
they are about seven years old. To reduce the
risk of ear infections, avoid putting children to
bed with a bottle or exposing them to cigarette
smoke. If your children have recurring ear
infections, avoid sending babies and toddlers to
childcare programs or other group settings if
possible. Children who are breastfed have fewer
ear infections, so it’s helpful to breastfeed your
baby as long as possible.
FF iiss ffoorr FFiittnneessss
The average child spends about five and a
half hours daily watching or playing with some
form of technology, such as TV, computer or
video games and the Internet. Incorporate a
variety of fun, physical activities into your
child’s daily routine to get him or her up and
moving. Studies show that children need at
least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous
exercise each day. Schedule a set amount of
time each day in your child’s activities to make
staying fit a daily habit.
GG iiss ffoorr GGeerrmmss
Bacteria and viruses are the two most
common microbes in our environment that
cause diseases. Humans catch illnesses in a
variety of ways, depending on the germ.
Respiratory infections are often spread by
coughs and sneezes, while gastrointestinal
viruses are spread when a person touches a
contaminated surface, and then touches his or
her mouth. Parents should instruct their
children not to share food or drinks with others
as this increases the likelihood of catching
germs, such as strep throat, meningitis and
mononucleosis. Children should also “cough in
their elbow,” which decreases the number of
germs on their hands.
HH iiss ffoorr HHaannddwwaasshhiinngg
Notorious for causing illness, germs thrive in
almost every environment. The best defense
against sickness from germs is proper
handwashing. Wash your hands before eating
or touching foods, after using the bathroom,
after blowing your nose or coughing, after
playing outside, after spending time in a public
place and after visiting a sick friend. Hand
sanitizers are also useful in germ prevention
when soap and water are not readily available.
II iiss ffoorr IImmmmuunniizzaattiioonnss
Many once-common childhood illnesses can
be prevented by immunizations or vaccinations.
Immunizations use small amounts of a dead or
weakened microorganism that causes a certain
illness. As a result, the child’s immune system
is better able to fight the illness later. Parents
should remember to take children to the doctor
for their regularly scheduled immunizations.
It’s also an excellent idea to have children
older than six months vaccinated yearly against
the flu.
Lise Christensen, M.D.

15. JJ iiss ffoorr JJuuiiccee
One hundred percent fruit juice is an easy
way to increase the amount of nutrients your
child consumes. However, too much juice can
lead to tooth decay, abdominal pain, diarrhea
and weight gain. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that infants six months
and older, toddlers and preschoolers consume
no more than four to six ounces of juice daily.
While juice is OK, be sure children also drink
plenty of milk and water.
KK iiss ffoorr KKiiddnneeyyss
Kidneys help maintain our body’s balance by
flushing out the by-products of our body’s
metabolism. However, children using the
restroom in an unfamiliar place may feel
uncomfortable, and many choose to wait until
they get home. Children can also become
engrossed in play and other activities and forget
about using the restroom. These actions prevent
our bodies from flushing out waste products
and often lead to urinary tract infections. By
five years of age, about eight percent of girls
and two percent of boys have had at least one
urinary tract infection. Children should drink
eight to 10 glasses of water and other fluids a
day, take a multivitamin, wear cotton
underwear, use the bathroom frequently and
practice proper wiping techniques to decrease
the risk of an infection. It is also important for
parents to remind their children about using
the restroom frequently.
LL iiss ffoorr LLuunncchh
School lunches give children an opportunity
to select their own meal, but this new
independence can sometimes be overwhelming.
Parents should encourage their children to pick
fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.
They should also stress the importance of
healthy food choices, which enable proper
development and growth. When packing a
school lunch, include wheat bread, baked
chips, fresh fruit and other healthy food
choices. Use a frozen ice pack to keep
perishables cold until lunchtime; these are
available in a variety of shapes and characters
that are appealing to children.
MM iiss ffoorr MMeenniinnggiittiiss
Meningitis is an inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain and spinal
cord. It generally occurs with an infection
somewhere else in the body and spreads
through the blood into the cerebrospinal fluid.
It is most common in children under five and
in young adults. The symptoms for viral and
bacterial meningitis include stiff neck, severe
headache, sensitivity to light, vomiting, nausea,
extreme sleepiness, confusion and seizures. This
infection may be prevented through a routine
immunization; doctors suggest children 11
years and older be immunized for
meningococcal disease, which can lead to one
form of meningitis.
Compiled by Jessica Presley and Melissa
Molgaard, student interns 15
Making Healthy Choices
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Dates: June 14, July 18 and August 10
Because food habits often are family-
centered, it is important to recognize
unhealthy habits and take steps to correct
them. A registered dietitian will discuss how
to make appropriate healthy food choices,
provide substitutes for foods that promote
weight gain and suggest methods for
increasing daily activity. This course is free.
Safe Sitter
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Date: August 12
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 $18 per person.
Infant and Child CPR
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Dates: June 12, July 10 and August 14
This class will teach caregivers
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and choking
maneuvers for children ages eight and
younger. This class also gives general home
safety advice and tips. This course is $18
per person.
Class size is limited, so preregistration
is required. All classes are offered in the
Koppel Plaza at Children’s Hospital, unless
otherwise noted. For more information or
to register for any of these classes or to
receive our free Healthy Kids parenting
newsletter, call (865) 541-8262.
Announcements about upcoming
classes can be seen on WBIR-TV 10 and
heard on area radio stations. Or visit our
Web site at www.etch.com and click on
“Healthy Kids Education and News.”
Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Kids
Campaign, sponsored 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.
Upcoming Community
Education Classes
New recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently made a recommendation
regarding the universal hepatitis A vaccination.
ACIP, a committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, voted unanimously to
recommend that all children in the United States receive hepatitis A vaccination. The previous
recommendation called for universal vaccination only in states with the highest rates of hepatitis A.
Now about two-thirds of all reported hepatitis A cases are from states without the universal vaccination.
The new recommendation is for children to receive the first dose of a two-dose series of hepatitis A
vaccine at age one (12 months to 23 months). The second dose should be administered at least six
months after the first dose. This vaccine should become a part of the routine childhood vaccination
schedule.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can occur in isolated cases or in
widespread epidemic and can affect all ages. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help
prevent the hepatitis A virus. The ACIP continues to recommend hepatitis A immunization for
previously unvaccinated adults who are at high risk, such as travelers to countries with a high
occurrence of hepatitis A or persons with chronic liver disease.
by Meghan Alcorn, student intern

16. Children’s 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.
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
PERMIT 433
KNOXVILLE, TN
The 24th annual Children’s Miracle Network Telethon was again a
great success for Children’s Hospital. Although it was broadcast earlier
in the year and featured a new format, the telethon raised more than
$1.8 million through pledges and corporate donations.
Traditionally a
two-day event the
weekend after
Memorial Day, the
2006 telethon took
place Sunday, March
12, and aired live on
WBIR-TV 10 from
3-11:30 p.m. The
telethon’s success
reflects the
outstanding support of many generous
volunteers, individuals and corporate sponsors
including Goody’s, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Star
102.1 and other community organizations.
Children’s Hospital was a charter member
of the Children’s Miracle Network in 1983,
becoming one of only 22 hospitals nationally
to participate in the first telethon, which was
broadcast locally on WBIR-TV 10.
Since that first telecast, the hospital has raised more than $23
million to meet the health care needs of area children who make
more than 140,000 visits to Children’s Hospital each year. Proceeds
from this year’s telethon will buy new and replacement equipment
for many areas of the hospital so that each patient can receive the
best care possible.
Children’s Hospital extends its sincere gratitude to all who
participated in this year’s telethon, including WBIR-TV for its 24
years of dedication to making a difference in the lives of East
Tennessee’s children.
by Meghan Alcorn, student intern
24th annual telethon raises $1.8 million