DearChildren’s

Board of Directors
James S. Bush
Chairman
Robert Madigan, M.D.
Vice Chairman
Robert M. Goodfriend
Secretary/Treasurer
Michael Crabtree
Dawn Ford
Peyton Hairston
Lewis Harris, M.D.
Jeffory Jennings, M.D.
Bob Koppel
Donald E. Larmee, M.D.
Dugan McLaughlin
Alvin Nance
Dennis Ragsdale
J. Finbarr Saunders, Jr.
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 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
w w w. e t c h . c o m
2
Dear East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,
We took our six-day-old daughter, Gracie, to your
hospital in October 2004 not knowing what was wrong with
her. The emergency room staff immediately began doing lots
of things to her to ultimately save her life. She was soon
moved to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in critical
condition. At first, they didn’t know what was wrong with
her, but they soon had a diagnosis: a rare disorder called
citrullinemia.
Everyone who worked with Gracie was wonderful. We
especially would like to thank Dr. Joe Childs; Dr. Kevin
Brinkmann; Dr. David Nickels; dietitian Linda Hankins;
social worker Cathy Fowler; and nurse Mary Copp. Mary
went above and beyond her duties as a nurse. She treated
Gracie as if she were her own. Gracie quickly became
referred to as “Mary’s baby.”
Although at first, things did not look good for our baby,
the doctors treated her with every procedure possible. And
we’re so thankful they did because Gracie is here with us by
the grace of God, and God gave the doctors the knowledge
to treat her.
Gracie was in the hospital for three weeks, and she has
since been hospitalized another three days due to
complications with her disorder. Gracie will get a liver
transplant, we imagine sometime this year. She will have
more hospital visits, and thankfully, we will have Children’s
Hospital and its great and caring staff to take her to.
Thanks ever so much,
Paul and Julie Schommer
Loudon
December 29, 2004
Dear Children’s Hospital,
We had the unfortunate circumstance of spending
Christmas Eve day and night at Children’s Hospital with
our 18-month-old little girl. We were released about noon
on Christmas Day. I want to express my gratitude and
appreciation for the staff members who were involved in my
daughter’s care. The most touching thing of all was, during
the night, one of the nurses brought in about 4 or 5 toys. I
asked her what they were for, and she said, “Santa.” It
brought tears to my eyes.
My daughter was excited in the morning when she saw
the presents. One present was a Pooh doll, and he helped
me to get her to actually eat some breakfast. We would feed
“Pooh,” and then we would feed her. One of the other toys
was a piano that occupied and entertained her while they
were taking her IV out. So not only was it very thoughtful
and provided our daughter with some sort of Christmas,
but the gifts also helped us with her care in the morning.
We are very grateful to Children’s Hospital and all its
supporters. You always hope that you won’t need it, but it’s
good to know that it is there when you do, and that there is
such a high quality of care provided.
Thank you.
Lisa Knott
Knoxville
“DearChildren’s”“DearChildren’s”
ON THE COVER
Bill Williams, anchor emeritus for WBIR-TV channel 10, with Children’s Hospital
patient Danielle Gonzales-Garcia. Read Danielle’s story on pages 4-5.
1

3
PHOTO CREDITWe would like to give creditto a photo of Dr. Leonard Brownthat appeared in the Spring 2005edition of It’s About Children. Thephoto was taken by Different LightSolutions.
• New patient stories have been posted on the Web site. These stories feature
teens and children who have faced illness or injury, and the stories tell about
their experiences at Children’s Hospital. These interesting stories can be found
under “A Visit to the Hospital” on the main page of the Web site.
• Virtual visits help parents and kids learn about different departments and
experiences in the hospital. Each “visit” explains in simple terms what may
happen during a real visit to the hospital. You can find the visits in the “A Visit
to the Hospital” section of the Web site.
• “Coming Attractions” showcases upcoming events and fund-raisers that benefit
Children’s Hospital. It also features calendars of classes for the hospital’s Healthy
Kids Community Education Initiative and the Professional Education Calendar.
• Children’s Hospital’s Web site offers the opportunity to make donations online
to benefit the children of this region. This safe, convenient way to make
donations is available through a link on the home page, “Make A Donation.”
Donors can choose the area or program at Children’s Hospital which will
benefit from their donation. All donations are processed through a secure server
and can be made by MasterCard or Visa. The receipt for the donation will
appear on the computer screen after the transaction has been processed, and
another receipt will be sent to the donor’s e-mail address.
• The Children’s Hospital Web site also offers a searchable Physician Directory
to help families find a pediatrician near their home. The directory allows
parents to find a pediatrician by the county in East Tennessee or by the
physician’s name. It also includes the name of the doctor’s pediatric practice;
other physicians associated with the practice; brief biographies of the
physicians; the practice’s address, phone number and fax number; and driving
directions to the office location(s).
by Rupal Mehta, publications specialist
V
Children’s Hospital’s Web site, www.etch.com, offers health information,
games for kids, “tours” of hospital departments, newsletters for families and
much more. Here are a few updated features for parents, children and teenagers:
• Children’s E-News is a free newsletter sent monthly to subscribers’ e-mail. The
newsletter includes pediatric health articles and information about upcoming
Children’s Hospital events and fund-raisers. To subscribe to Children’s
E-News, visitors to Children’s Hospital’s Web site should scroll to the bottom
of the home page, fill out the Comment Form, include an e-mail address and
check the box to be added to the e-mail list.
• New Parent eNews is another free newsletter targeted toward expectant
mothers and new parents of children up to two years old. Each e-newsletter
contains information about health, nutrition, learning and development from
the beginning of pregnancy to the toddler stage. The newsletter addresses
pregnancy myths, how to stay healthy during pregnancy, multiple births,
caring for a newborn, immunizations, communicating with and caring for a
new baby, preparing siblings for a new family member, medical conditions
and problems that can affect newborns and more. To subscribe to New Parent
eNews, go to the “Health Library” option on the hospital’s home page and
scroll down to the New Parent eNews icon.
• KidsHealth offers physician-reviewed health and safety articles for parents,
kids and teens. This site offers searchable, kid-focused topics, such as “Why
Do Feet Stink?” and “The Facts About Broken Bones.” Written in simple
terms, these articles explain to children almost any health topic they might
have questions about. KidsHealth also offers interactive games and activities
that teach them how their bodies work. The articles and games can be found
under the “Health Library” section.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WEB SITE OFFERS NEW INFORMATION, FEATURES
FFaannttaassyy ooff TTrreeeess nnaammeess ccoo--cchhaaiirrss,, sseettss tthheemmee
V
“We Know Where Santa Lives” will be the festive holiday theme for this fall’s 21st annual Fantasy of
Trees. Co-chairs Becky Vanzant and Linda Redmond and assistant co-chair Stephanie Jeffreys are busy
planning this year’s event, set for November 23-27 at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Thousands of volunteers will contribute more than 140,000 hours of their time throughout
2005 to make this year’s Fantasy of Trees a reality for families from throughout East Tennessee.
This year’s event will celebrate the arrival of St. Nick and the holiday season with whimsical
decorations, sparkling designer-decorated holiday trees, a village of gingerbread houses, continuous live
entertainment in the Fantasy Theater, holiday gift shops, and dozens of children’s activities, including
visits with Santa and hands-on holiday crafts.
Special events include the Babes in Toyland parade, a nightly tree lighting and an activity just for
seniors: Santa’s Senior Stroll.
Proceeds from the 2004 Fantasy of Trees totaled more than $302,000, and the event hosted 53,238
visitors. The funds raised from the event were used to benefit Children’s Hospital’s Open Door
Endowment Fund, which ensures medical care can be provided to any child in need, regardless of their
parents’ ability to pay for services. In 20 years, the Fantasy of Trees has raised more than $3.6 million for
Children’s Hospital.
For more information about the 2005 Fantasy of Trees, contact the Children’s Hospital Volunteer
Services and Resources Department at (865) 541-8385 or send an e-mail to fot@etch.com.
by Haylee Reynolds, student intern
Pictured at right are the 2005 Fantasy of Trees chairs, (left to right), co-chair Becky Vanzant,
co-chair Linda Redmond and assistant co-chair Stephanie Jeffreys.
V
V

4
Once at home, Danielle began to lose weight, and
at two months of age, her parents brought her to the
Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital. Again,
an upcoming visit to the hospital was frightening for
Danielle’s parents due to the language barrier. They
were afraid they would once again encounter a
situation like when she was born. They were worried
they would not be able to understand what was wrong
with their sick child.
“I was very nervous going into the ER,” Maria
said. “But everyone was very nice and helpful. It was a
big boost to our morale that, through interpretation
services at Children’s Hospital, we were in control and
knew what was happening to our child.”
After a nine-day stay at Children’s Hospital due to
an infection and because she wasn’t gaining weight
properly, Danielle was discharged and began to gain
weight normally. She was given a high calorie formula
to assist with weight gain and was referred to the
Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center for speech,
occupational and physical therapies. Through therapy,
Danielle is learning various developmental skills, such
as crawling, and is increasing muscle strength.
She completed three months of speech therapy to
assist with her ability to drink from a bottle. Physical
and occupational therapy are still ongoing through
Children’s Hospital’s Home Health Care to continue
working on gross motor and fine motor skills. Danielle’s
physical therapy focuses on walking and crawling, while
her occupational therapy works with her fine motor
skills such as gripping, holding items and following
objects with her eyes. According to her parents,
Danielle is catching up with her motor skills, but there
are still concerns as to what degree of brain injury she
may have received due to the lack of oxygen at birth.
It is known that Danielle has cerebral palsy, a
condition that can cause mild to moderate
developmental delays. She will require ongoing therapy
to assist with motor and development skills. Long-term
effects are not known, although it is expected that she
will always have some development problems.
Danielle continues to visit Children’s Hospital and
various Children’s Hospital subspecialists. These
specialists follow her speech and language development,
motor development, seizures and possible feeding
problems. Each hospital or physician visit requires an
interpreter to be present or available on the phone.
“Children’s Hospital was the place where we
received all kinds of help,” Maria said. Having a sick
child is stressful enough, but not being able to
understand what is happening to that child can
multiply that stress level significantly. Maria added,
“Children’s Hospital has made me feel comfortable
with my child’s care.”
by Seth Linkous, Associate Director for Public Relations
DANIELLEDANIELLE
The birth of a child is a joyous
occasion. Even when a newborn has
unique health needs and concern
becomes mixed with that initial joy,
the arrival of a baby is a time of
celebration.
But imagine that complications with a birth or
health problems for the newborn are unexplained.
Imagine a baby being separated from her mother
immediately after birth with no explanation to the
parents. What if repeated questions about the baby's
health are met with silence, which leads to fear and
isolation and many more questions?
This may sound like a scene from a movie or a
situation that happened to a family decades ago. It
actually happened in East Tennessee in 2004 because
of two words: language barrier. The family in this
situation speaks Spanish as their primary language, but
few of the health care professionals at the institution
where their baby was born spoke Spanish and little
translation service was available.
Now ten months old, Danielle Gonzalez-Garcia
was born at a local hospital via an emergency Cesarean
section (C-section) after her parents, Maria and
Guillermo, went to the emergency room suspecting
something was wrong with their baby.
“I did not feel my baby moving. I knew
something was wrong,” said Maria speaking through
interpreter Jose Nazario. “Once we got to the hospital,
all I understood was a nurse saying, ‘We are going to
open you up and save your baby.’”
Maria’s baby had abrupted, which means the
placenta had torn away from the lining of her uterus.
This usually happens at the time of birth, but not
before. Maria’s baby was in distress, deprived of oxygen
and much needed life support from the umbilical cord,
which had also torn away.
After an emergency C-section, the baby, whom the
couple named Danielle, had to be resuscitated. She was
severely oxygen deprived and was immediately taken to
an intensive care unit, where she stayed for nearly two
weeks. After the birth, Maria had a hard time
recovering from the anesthesia that she received during
the C-section and did not see her daughter for three
days. During these three days, the parents’ anxiety level
and worries increased. They often wondered what was
wrong with their baby, and their questions often went
unanswered or with little explanation due to the
language barrier.
“I didn’t understand what was going on with my
baby. I just wanted to take her home,” Maria said. “I
knew that I could take care of her there.”
During Danielle’s days in the intensive care unit,
she developed seizures and was initially unresponsive to
stimulations. These problems can be linked to the lack
of oxygen that her brain received prior to her birth.
The baby’s condition improved a great deal, and Maria
eventually was taught how to care for and feed her
newborn. After two weeks in the hospital, the family
went home to Lenoir City. Danielle’s brain activity was
slow but improving, and her seizures were kept in
check with medication.

5
Nazario, “These face-to-face interpretations are done
with Spanish-speaking families who may require special
attention to details in health care situations such as
surgeries, health care classes, prescription instructions,
rehabilitation therapies, use of health care equipment,
diagnostics and laboratory and test results.”
To fill this demand for precise communication
between Hispanic families and its medical staff,
Children’s Hospital currently contracts with
LightHouse Interpreters, Inc. The interpretation service
provides face-to-face and telephone interpretations for
specific situations with Spanish-speaking patients in
all areas of the hospital, Home Health Care and the
Rehabilitation Center. With the interpretation service
provided, the growing population of Hispanic families
in the area (like the family featured here) can have a
better understanding of their children’s medical
treatment.
“Interpretation services are critical. The need has
increased significantly, and without it, we would not be
providing the quality of care that Children’s Hospital
strives to give to every patient,” Schneider said.
Telephone interpretations are primarily used to
pass on information to families. Information in these
calls includes pre-surgery instructions, general
information for patients, laboratory results and
appointments. In the 2003-2004 fiscal year, language
interpreters provided 538 telephone interpretations,
compared to only 21 such calls at the hospital in the
1998-1999 fiscal year.
Parents of non-English speaking patients often
come to their doctors not knowing if they will be able
to fully understand what is happening to their child.
“Even though they may try to understand,
50 percent of all the health care information not
provided in their native language is not fully understood.
But people should see the satisfied faces of these
families when an interpreter lets them know in their
native language that all of their needs while visiting
the hospital will be met,” Nazario said.
Understanding their child’s diagnosis and
treatment puts a family in a position to provide the
best health care when the child is discharged from the
hospital and has to be cared for at home. Being given
information allows families to understand the details of
their child’s treatment and be more comfortable
providing care.
Nazario said, “These families usually leave
Children’s Hospital with satisfaction on their faces,
appreciating all the time, patience and services received
from the medical staff and interpretation services.”
Children’s Hospital has also arranged for Spanish
translation of many of the hospital’s written
documents. Sharing
Information brochures are
educational brochures that
instruct patient families about
a variety of health related
topics. There are currently 39
Spanish brochures available,
with seven more in the process
of being translated. Other
translated documents include
admitting forms, the parking
policy, consent forms requiring
parental signatures, cafeteria
menus and information sheets
about the hospital.
Other areas of the hospital
with direct patient contact
such as Social Work, Child
Life and Pastoral Care also
have many of their commonly
used documents translated into
Spanish.
For languages other than
Spanish, Children’s Hospital
uses Language Line, Inc., a 24-hour telephone
interpretation service with interpreters available in 148
languages. For the deaf and hearing-impaired, the
hospital contracts with the Knox Area Communication
Center for the Deaf to provide on-site sign language
interpretation at all times.
When a child is ill and in the hospital, parents
need to understand what is happening at all times - not
only for themselves but also to help their child. But
sometimes, a parent cannot understand a child’s
diagnosis because of a language barrier. In this
situation, Children’s Hospital’s staff turns to its
interpretation services to ensure parents understand
everything they need to know about the child’s medical
condition.
Children’s Hospital’s philosophy provides all
patients and families with an equal opportunity for
communication when medical services are provided.
Since Spanish is the most common non-English
language spoken in East Tennessee, Children’s Hospital
accommodates that growing section of the patient
population with Spanish-speaking interpreters like Jose
Nazario, CEO of LightHouse Interpreters and
Translators, Inc., who has been working with
Children’s Hospital for more than two years.
“The quality and access to health care provided
to a minority group by any hospital or clinic cannot be
inferior to service given to
a non-minority, English-
speaking group,” Nazario
says. “To access vital, life-
saving health care services,
non-English-speaking
individuals need to
be able to communicate
with doctors and nurses,
and Children’s Hospital
provides these translation
services free of charge to
all families noted with
Limited English
Proficiency.”
Children’s Hospital’s
interpretation services are
coordinated through the
Social Work Department.
According to Beverly
Schneider, Director of
Social Work, “In 1997,
Children’s Hospital realized
that eight percent of our
patient population spoke Spanish, and with research,
we discovered nearly 13 percent of East Tennessee
residents identified Spanish as their primary language.
Since that time, the number of Spanish-speaking
patients and families at Children’s Hospital has steadily
increased.”
In 1998, Children’s Hospital established a contract
for on-site Spanish interpretation and had 24 patient
visits requiring the service that year. The number
jumped to 221 patients needing 510 interpretation
sessions for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. According to
INTERPRETATION SERVICES
AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Danielle Gonzalez-Garcia with her parents, Maria and Guillermo, and interpreter Jose Nazario.

ALEXANDRA P. EIDELWEIN, M.D.
M.D. — Federal University of Santa Maria School of Medicine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1988-1993
Residency (Pediatrics) — The University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1994-1996
Fellowship (Pediatric Gastroenterology) — The University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo,
Brazil, 1996
Transitional year internship, Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., 1998
Residency (Pediatrics) — Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, Calif., 1999-2002
Fellowship (Pediatric Gastroenterology) — Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., 2002-2005
Family — Husband, Marcelo Fiszman, M.D., Ph.D.; daughter, Gabrielle (4)
Interests — sports, going to movies and out to dinner
When she was in her early teens, Alexandra P. Eidelwein, M.D., decided she wanted to go to medical school. Her
mind was set after her sister gave birth to a premature infant who spent a long time in the hospital. Dr. Eidelwein and her
family visited the baby daily, and it was through that personal experience that she was closely exposed to the medical
profession.
“I became really interested in medicine at that time. And I have always loved kids, so there was never any doubt that I
would work with children,” she said.
Dr. Eidelwein began her medical training in her native Brazil. While in Sao Paulo, she worked with some excellent
gastroenterologists who were her professors and became her mentors. “This is the time when you are drawn to a specialty,”
she said, explaining that her experience with those physicians guided her toward her pursuit of a specialty in pediatric
gastroenterology. “There are so many nutrition problems in Brazil, so I was especially interested in that aspect of the
specialty,” she added.
She also likes the fact that pediatric gastroenterology deals with many common diseases that can affect children, such
as constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, nutrition problems and chronic abdominal pain, but also includes some of the
more interesting and complicated aspects of a specialty, including more serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease
and inflammatory bowel disease. Besides the clinical aspects of the specialty, becoming a pediatric gastroenterologist allows
the physician to perform interesting procedures such as upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, esophageal dilations and
endoscopic gastrostomies.
“A lot of children experience chronic abdominal pain, which can affect school life. To care for these children with
ongoing problems, we need to get very involved with the family as well as with the child, and this can be very rewarding,”
she said.
While many tests can be run to find the cause of chronic abdominal pain, sometimes the cause is elusive. In these
more complicated cases, a multidisciplinary approach with the family and other specialists is often required.
Dr. Eidelwein’s major area of interest within her specialty is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She did her research at
Johns Hopkins on this subject and is especially interested in treating children with this chronic condition.
In addition to the diseases and problems already mentioned, pediatric gastroenterologists also treat children with celiac
disease. Symptoms may include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, as well as problems such as
malnutrition, nausea and vomiting. Children with celiac disease are restricted to a gluten-free diet, which improves their
symptoms and nutritional status.
The field of pediatric gastroenterology is benefiting from a great deal of current research in several areas, such as IBD.
Newer medications and testing methods are aiding in diagnosis and treatment of these problems. Dr. Eidelwein finds the
research interesting and makes an effort to stay up-to-date on the latest information to best help her patients.
For Dr. Eidelwein, the greatest challenge of pediatric gastroenterology is dealing with children with chronic liver
disease. She explains, “Occasionally, a liver transplant is necessary to save the child. Children who have transplants need
careful and close monitoring to prevent infections and other complications. Part of being a good physician is not only
treating a disease, but also caring for the patients and their families.”
Dr. Eidelwein and her family will move from Baltimore to Knoxville this summer, and she will join the pediatric
gastroenterology practice of Youhanna Al-Tawil, M.D., and Clarissa Cuevas, M.D., at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Eidelwein
was introduced to Dr. Al-Tawil through one of her professors at Johns Hopkins and was pleased to learn of the opening in
his practice.
“We were looking for a smaller city with good schools,” she said in explaining the family’s interest in moving to
Knoxville. “Johns Hopkins is an excellent place for medical training, but because it’s located in a larger city, we have long
commutes to work, which are difficult with a small child.”
She added that after several busy years of medical training, she and her husband are looking forward to being able to
enjoy Knoxville’s movie theaters, restaurants and sports opportunities, favorite activities for which they have had limited
time in recent years.
Working in concert with Drs. Al-Tawil and Cuevas, Dr. Eidelwein will help provide care for an ever-increasing
number of East Tennessee’s children seeking care at Children’s Hospital.
Physician sets career goal in early teens
Subspecialist Profiles
6

7
MIHAIL M. SUBTIRELU, M.D.
M.D. (combined undergraduate and graduate program) – Faculty of General Medicine, “Carol Davila” University
of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, 1980-86
Internship (rotating internship) – Colentina Clinical Hospital, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Bucharest, 1986-89
Residency (pediatrics) – Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine of
Yeshiva University, Bronx, N.Y., 1999-2002
Fellowship (pediatric nephrology) – The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of
Yeshiva University, 2002-05
Other – served as a research assistant at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, N.Y., 1998-99
Family – wife, Marielisa Rincon, M.D.; daughters Maria Andrea (3) and Ana Maria (1)
Personal interests – sports, outdoor activities (walking and fishing), reading, classical music
Mihail M. Subtirelu, M.D., had an interest in caring for children early in his medical career. “Children are wonderful. They
always manage to smile,” he said. “It is a tremendous challenge and responsibility to treat children. They have their whole lives in front
of them, and the way they are treated will impact them in so many ways. You can make a remarkable difference in a child’s life.”
A native of Romania, Dr. Subtirelu completed his early medical education and first practiced there. He obtained a general
medical degree and practiced as a primary care physician in Minzalesti, Romania, for several years, treating patients of all ages.
For physicians in Romania, there were not options available at that time for specialty training.
In the late 1990s he decided to pursue his interest in pediatrics and completed a pediatrics residency at the Bronx-Lebanon
Hospital Center in Bronx, N.Y. During a nephrology rotation, while completing his pediatric residency, he found his calling in
what he describes as “a very logical specialty.”
Nephrology is a medical specialty, not a surgical one, and it deals primarily with the kidneys. Patients who need kidney
surgery would generally see a urologist, while a nephrologist provides non-surgical care to patients with kidney problems.
The kidneys perform important functions in the body, such as the management of fluids and electrolyte balance. Common
reasons for a nephrologist to be consulted include proteinuria (the presence of protein in the urine) and hematuria (the presence
of blood in the urine). To diagnose kidney disease, the nephrologist needs to perform a kidney biopsy. Kidney diseases may cause
loss of kidney function, resulting in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. Children who need a kidney transplant will
receive pre- and post-operative care from a nephrologist.
Young patients may have hypertension (high blood pressure); commonly in children, the hypertension is “secondary” to a
kidney problem. Sometimes patients of any age have “white coat hypertension,” or blood pressure that is elevated in the doctor’s
office but normal at other times. It can be difficult to determine if a patient is simply experiencing white coat hypertension or if
he or she actually has elevated blood pressure on an ongoing basis.
Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure have greatly improved care. Ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring is a relatively new technology that is helping physicians such as nephrologists make the distinction more easily. With
ambulatory monitoring, a patient wears a blood pressure cuff for 24 hours; the cuff inflates and deflates automatically at specific
intervals (usually every 15 or 30 minutes) and is attached to a small electronic monitoring device that records each blood pressure
measurement. This gives physicians a much more accurate view of the patient’s blood pressure. “It’s an excellent tool,” he said.
“It’s very simple, yet it yields beneficial results.”
According to Dr. Subtirelu, another improvement in care comes from genetic testing. For example, focal segmental
glomerulosclerosis is a serious kidney disease found more frequently in children over the last decade; recently genetic mutations
associated with this disease have been discovered, and some of these mutations can now be tested for in patients. “Knowing if a
disease has a genetic basis is of great help in management and prognosis,” he said.
Yet another improvement in care is related to clinical research. “More medications are being tested in children, and this is
resulting in more clear guidelines for their use,” Dr. Subtirelu said. One of the most important clinical trials in the treatment of
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is just starting for children and young adults. This trial will help determine the effect of
different therapies on kidney function and side effects associated with these treatments.
Challenges of his profession relate to the care of both acutely and chronically ill children, Dr. Subtirelu said: “The
management of an acutely ill child with kidney failure is challenging because the child cannot survive without kidney function. It
is important to quickly find the problem and treat it correctly.” For the patient with chronic kidney disease, the challenge is to
provide ongoing care over many years, offering the patient the best chance at a healthy, fruitful life.
Understandably, the biggest challenge comes when a child cannot be treated. “Sometimes, with today’s medical knowledge, we
just cannot win over the disease,” he said. “That’s more of a challenge for me, to live with the fact that we just can’t save some kids.”
Dr. Subtirelu and his family will move to East Tennessee this summer, and he will begin his practice here at that time. “East
Tennessee is a great place to live and work and to make a home for your family,” he said. “We really like it. We’re ready for life in
a smaller city.”
He is looking forward to beginning his work at Children’s Hospital, because it is an established facility serving an entire
region, not just the city. Dr. Subtirelu says, “It will be a great challenge, and I am looking forward to it.”
Pediatric nephrologist to join hospital staff

8
Child Life. If you’ve never been a patient or a
staff member at a children’s hospital, you may not
find any special significance in these two simple
words put together. But if you have ever had an
experience at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,
you know how valuable and necessary those two
words are to our patients, their families and the staff
at the hospital.
For example, a visitor in the hospital might
walk by a patient room and hear a child’s laughter or
go past the playrooms on the inpatient floors and
see a group of children painting pictures together.
These scenes may cause the visitor some confusion,
because they are in a hospital, after all. But at a
children’s hospital with a Child Life staff, these
situations are completely normal.
The members of the Child Life Department at
Children’s Hospital connect with patients every day.
By spending quality time with patients, Child Life
specialists allow children to be children, letting them
play and learn throughout their stay at the hospital.
These interactions with patients also help the
Certified Child Life Specialists, assistants, interns
and volunteers learn about each child’s fears and
allow them to help with each child’s concerns.
Child Life staff and volunteers help children be
children while they are patients in the Second and
Third Floor inpatient medical units, the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit, the Outpatient Clinics or the
Emergency Department. The Child Life staff treats
the “total child” by finding a way to relate to each
individual patient at his or her age level and by
making the hospital experience as positive as possible
for the entire family.
Here’s a look at a few “typical” interactions the
staff of Child Life has with the patients at Children’s
Hospital every day:
1. Michael and Jarod Strunk and German
Rodriguez leave their patient rooms to go to the
third floor playroom to paint pictures with
Child Life Specialists Kristin Wells and Julie
Head. Child Life Specialists use this painting
time to let patients be creative and express
themselves through artwork. During craft time,
Child Life specialists can get a better idea of
what children’s fears and concerns are about
being in the hospital.
2. Wells engages in “medical play” with patients
Pamela Venkova and Peyton Newman. She
shows the children how IVs are put in and
how to clean the dolls’ skin with alcohol
wipes beforehand, similar to what a nurse
does before placing a patient IV. Wells shows
the children when you “wash, wash, wash”
the doll’s skin, it gets clean! This medical play
helps Pamela and Peyton understand the
process of getting an IV.
3. Now that Peyton knows what an IV is, he has
much less fear about having one put in by his
nurse, Julie Leonard. To help him cope with the
procedure, Wells distracts Peyton with fun toys
and conversation during the placement of the IV.
4. Summer Dean is on her way to radiology, and
Kristin Wells is telling the child details about
her upcoming test. Wells explains the test will
not hurt and promises that afterward the two of
them will get to paint together in the playroom.
Wells calms any fears that Summer may have
and helps her feel more comfortable about the
procedure she will have.
5. Child Life provides children with a variety of
opportunities to play and learn during their
hospitalizations. In her room, Heather Woodby
plays a board game with Wells. They laugh
together about how Heather wins the game
every time. This time together having fun and
laughing gets Heather’s mind off being in a
hospital room and makes her feel more
comfortable.
6. Claire Aikens, a Child Life student intern, makes
four-month-old A’Blessin Ramsey smile by
laughing, talking and playing with her. Child
Life’s services are not just for older patients; the
hospital’s youngest patients often need cheering
up, too. Child Life interns are given a hands-on
learning experience in the hospital setting, helping
to prepare them for a career in Child Life.
7. Older patients sometimes have more difficulty
passing the time during their hospitalization.
Julie Head keeps Noah Griffin company in his
room, and they engage in a very competitive
game of chess. It is important for the Child Life
staff to talk to older patients, not just about
their illness or injury but also about things that
are important to them. Child Life’s main goal
with adolescents is to help them feel more
comfortable in the hospital and let them know
they have someone to talk to if needed.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
CHILD
LIFE
CHILD
LIFE
2
3
4
1

9
Shannon McBride plays with
Kimberly West and her sister,
Abigail, while they wait for
Kimberly to be treated. The
interaction with McBride helps
distract the girls while they are
in the Emergency Department,
helping the children and the
family to cope during their visit.
11. Tiffany Reid is in good spirits
during her stay in the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit. She is making a beaded
necklace with Child Life intern Jessica
Burkhart. The Child Life staff knows how a
hospitalization can have a negative emotional
effect on a child and his or her family, and they
do whatever they can to relieve the stress that
can be associated with being in an intensive care
situation.
8. In the clinic’s waiting room, Child Life intern
Angela Collins creates a craft project with Jaime
Johnson, who is waiting for her sister’s
treatment to be completed. Not only does
Child Life staff help patients, but they also help
their families. Child Life’s work is an integral
part of the hospital’s focus on child-family
centered care, which is a philosophy that
focuses on treating families and helps them be a
part of the patient’s recovery by being a source
of strength, support and comfort for the
patient. Collins helps ease Jaime’s fears and
concerns by explaining what procedures are
going to happen to her sister.
9. Eight-year-old Madison Craddok is getting her
blood drawn at the rheumatology clinic by
nurse Lindsay Wheeler. Child Life Specialist
Amanda Wilson talks to Madison about her
pets to keep her mind off of the procedure.
After the blood is drawn, Wilson stays with
Madison to work on arts and crafts while she
waits for her doctor.
10. In the Emergency Department, Child Life has
developed various pain management techniques
for patients while they wait to be seen by a
doctor. Child Life specialists know there are
ways to relieve a child’s pain in addition to
medication. Certified Child Life Specialist
9
8
10
6
7
5
9
11

Dermatologist Sophia J. Hendrick, M.D., was
successful in completing the 2004 examination for
certification as a Pediatric Dermatologist. She was among
88 dermatologists nationwide and the only one in East
Tennessee to pass the first-ever certification examination
offered by the American Board of Dermatology. Two
dermatologists in Nashville also were certified, for a total
of only three physicians in the Tennessee who are board
certified in pediatric dermatology.
Dr. Hendrick is in private practice with
Dermatology Specialists, P.L.L.C., in Knoxville. She
also consults on dermatology cases with inpatients at
Children’s Hospital and directs the Children’s Hospital
Dermatology Clinic, which meets monthly in the
Outpatient Clinics department.
Although she just recently received the subspecialty
certification, Dr. Hendrick has had an interest in
pediatric dermatology since her final year of medical
school, when she completed a rotation in the
subspecialty. Her interest in pediatric dermatology
continued during residency, and she has been a member
of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology since 1986.
“There was no fellowship offered anywhere in
pediatric dermatology at that time, so I completed a
general dermatology residency,”
she said. “But I let people know
that I liked working with
children.”
In private practice and on
the Medical Staff at Children’s
Hospital since 1987, Dr.
Hendrick has always treated
children and adults and, like
most dermatologists, she will
continue to treat both age
groups.
For the past five years, Dr.
Hendrick has seen patients in the
Children’s Hospital Dermatology
Clinic, a specialty outpatient
clinic for children with less
common skin conditions. About
15-18 patients are scheduled for
each monthly clinic session. “All dermatologists see
patients with acne and warts,” she explained. “The clinic
is for stubborn cases of such conditions as eczema and
psoriasis or for rarely seen syndromes.”
Dr. Hendrick examines children who come to the
clinic, and they can have other related services, such as
blood work, provided at the same time. This and other
outpatient clinics are provided for patients with specific
conditions to streamline the appointment process by
offering all the needed services in one place, at one time.
These clinics are beneficial for the patients and
convenient for their families.
Children who are regularly seen in some of
Children’s other clinics also occasionally make visits to
the Dermatology Clinic. For example, an oncology
patient may have a mole that needs to be checked or a
rash caused by chemotherapy. A diabetic child with a
rash that typically is treated with prednisone (an oral
steroid) may be examined by Dr. Hendrick for other
treatment options, because diabetics should avoid steroids
if possible.
In addition, Dr. Hendrick also collaborates with the
hospital’s Rheumatology Clinic, which sees children with
rheumatoid arthritis.
As a member of the Medical Staff at Children’s
Hospital, Dr. Hendrick also consults on inpatient cases
where a dermatologist is needed. These cases are most
often severe eczema complicated by infection in children
younger than four years. Other common cases include
allergic reactions to medication, and these cases can be
challenging. “Sometimes the child has an illness thought
to be a bacterial infection, so the child is given an
antibiotic,” she said. “Then the child develops a rash,
so we have to determine whether the rash was caused
by the illness or by the antibiotic.”
Newborns in the NICU with birthmarks or other
skin conditions also may need a dermatology consult.
In the NICU, she might be asked to examine such
conditions as hemangiomas, moles, port wine stains
or some rare blistering diseases.
While Dr. Hendrick’s recent certification as a
pediatric dermatologist will not change her practice,
it is a great indicator of her knowledge of pediatric
dermatology and of her dedication to providing the
best care possible to the children of this region.
Children’s Hospital’s $31.8 million construction
project is in the final stages of completion.
What was once a parking lot on the corner of Clinch
Avenue and 20th Street has been transformed into a
seven-story addition to Children’s Hospital, allowing for
the expansion of many areas. The PICU, Surgery/Post
Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) and new areas on
the Second, Third and Fourth floors, including patient
rooms and expanded play areas, are now operational.
In April several more projects and renovations were
finished, with the remaining renovations starting in May.
The expansion of the NICU from 36 to 44 beds is
scheduled for completion in May. This project also
includes the addition of two rooms for parents to stay in
with their baby before discharge, called “rooming-in
rooms.”
The cafeteria became operational again in April, and
the kitchen, projected for completion in May, is adding
new cooler, freezer and storage areas.
The Second and Third floors each are adding 20
renovated private rooms in May. An additional six private
rooms on these floors will be completed by early
September.
The expansion of the Radiology Department begins
in May and will be finished in August.
Outpatient Surgery will expand from 16 to 27
rooms beginning in May. Four rooms are already finished
and in use, with the completion of the additional rooms
scheduled for September.
The three-year project should be completed on time,
and all renovations and construction will be completed in
September. When the entire project is complete, the
hospital will feature 95 private patient rooms with full
baths, and the number of beds in the hospital will
increase from 122 to 152.
Dr. Sophia J. Hendrick examines a rash on the face of one of her
patients, Alexander Schafer, at the Dermatology Clinic.
10
Construction on schedule,
almost complete
Local dermatologist certified in
pediatric subspecialty
Children’s News...
The new surgery waiting room.
A new private room in the PICU.
SOPHIA J. HENDRICK, M.D.
B.A. (Chemistry) – Vanderbilt University, 1976
M.D. – University ofTexas Medical School, Houston, 1982
Internship – St. Joseph’s Hospital, Houston, 1983-84
Residency (Dermatology) – University of Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston, 1984-87
Other – Board certified in dermatology, 1987; board
certified in pediatric dermatology, 2004
Family – Husband, Lee Hendrick; daughters Robyn
(23), Kelly (15) and Julie (13)
Interests – singing in her church choir, photography

Since September 2001, Children’s Hospital has
collaborated with Knoxville’s other hospitals in the East
Tennessee Healthcare Recruiters Group (ETHRG). The goal
of the group, composed of nurses, allied health professionals
and human resources specialists, is to recruit qualified nurses
and other health care professionals to the East Tennessee region
and to promote health care professions to young people as a
career choice.
With the assistance of Coordinated Healthcare Services
(an established outside agency), Baptist Health System of East
Tennessee, Blount Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health,
Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Health System and the
University of Tennessee Medical Center have collaborated to
showcase the quality of life this region has to offer to health
care professionals.
Lisa Osterman, R.N., Employment Manager at Children’s
Children’s Hospital participates in nationwide nursing recruitment effort
11
10 AMAZING KIDS RECOGNIZED BY WBIR-TV 10, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Hospital, said, “The group’s mission is ‘to develop strategies
through a collaborative effort with area health care systems to
promote the eastern Tennessee region as a desirable working
and living environment and to support the development of a
strong workforce pipeline.’” ETHRG follows this mission by
promoting the benefits of a health care career in East Tennessee
to experienced health care professionals, health care profession
students and youth.
Maynardville - This teenager was instrumental in the
establishment of Union County as a Community of Promise
for the America’s Promise effort. Lynsey also was chairperson
of the Toys for Tots campaign in Union County, raising
enough funds to provide Christmas presents for more than
210 disadvantaged children. She is a graduate of the
Leadership Union County Youth Program and serves on the
board of directors of Keep Union County Beautiful and the
Union County Business and Professional Association.
9. Kyle Thornton, age 15, Clinton High School, Clinton -
Born with spina bifida, this teenager is an invaluable
member of the Hawks Helping Others Service-Learning
Academy, is active at Cedar Hill Baptist Church and has
been involved with his middle and high school football
teams. Projects Kyle has worked on include ridding yards
of garbage, reading to local children, helping with
organizing the Tsunami Relief Festival in Oak Ridge,
feeding the homeless at the Salvation Army, helping kids
find Easter eggs at a local hunt and volunteering to sort and
distribute food for families this past Thanksgiving.
10.Charissa Vannatter, age 15, homebound student in
Russellville - This teenager keeps a giving spirit and a
positive attitude despite having had leukemia. Combining
her loves of cooking and helping others, Charissa assists in
food preparation and meal distribution for MATS in
Morristown. She is active with her church youth group, has
raised money for the American Cancer Society during the
Relay for Life event and has collected and distributed teddy
bears for the patients at Children’s Hospital.
Each of the 10 Amazing Kids’ stories was featured on
“Live at 5” on WBIR-TV in April.
Applications for next year’s 10 Amazing Kids will be
accepted beginning in December. Watch WBIR-TV for more
information on the 2006 selection process.
In the fall of 2003, Children’s Hospital and WBIR-TV 10
created the 10 Amazing Kids program to recognize children
from throughout East Tennessee who have done something out
of the ordinary—whether through extraordinary volunteer
work, amazing talent or 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.
In December 2004, announcements on WBIR-TV asked
viewers to nominate a child who had done something
exceptional. Dozens of entries were received, and the selection
process was extremely difficult. The 2005 10 Amazing Kids are:
1. Jessica Andrews, age 18, West High School, Knoxville -
Born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 13
months, Jessica volunteers at the Elder Day Care Center in
Oak Ridge and at the Kiwanis’ Fresh Air Camp, where she
encourages younger children with disabilities. This senior is
a peer tutor and works with special ed students at her high
school, coordinates a newsletter project for a housing
authority, and has been the top cookie and nut seller for
two years as a Senior Girl Scout. Jessica is also Tennessee’s
fastest electric wheelchair racer for the last three years.
2. Madalyn Carpenter, age 9, Eagleton Elementary, Maryville
- This third grader donated her hair to Locks of Love and is
growing it out again to help other children with cancer.
She has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay
for Life, has raised money for the American Heart
Association by jumping rope and currently is selling rubber
bracelets to raise money for tsunami victims in Asia. An
outstanding student, she is also active in her church and in
sports and has played piano at area nursing homes.
3. Noah Farmer, age 7, Christenberry Elementary School,
Knoxville - When Noah learned the Salvation Army was in
need of bell ringers last holiday season, he asked his mom
to let him help and was a bell ringer for several weeks.
Noah used his allowance to buy boxes of food for needy
families, explaining that no one should be hungry, and
helped his mom adopt and then deliver Christmas gifts to a
family in crisis. With future plans to be a veterinarian, he is
planning to volunteer at a local animal shelter.
4. Taber Gable, age 13, Bearden Middle School, Knoxville -
Taber volunteers regularly at the Joy of Music School,
which offers music lessons to disadvantaged children. Taber
helps promote the program by playing his own
compositions and displaying his musical abilities. He is also
an excellent student, assists other students with their studies
and “helps make this school a better place,” one of his
teachers said. His mentor in the Big Brother program calls
Taber a source of guidance and influence to him.
5. Miranda Harmon, age 11, Rush Strong School, Strawberry
Plains - After reading a story about a girl at a homeless
shelter, this fifth-grader made a difference for her
community by spearheading a Coats for the Cold drive at
her school. Miranda coordinated the effort, with over 400
coats being collected for distribution by the Knox Area
Rescue Ministries. She also served as a peer tutor, offering
encouragement to fellow students having trouble with
schoolwork or personal dilemmas.
6. Nicholas Hyder, age 10, Dogwood Elementary School,
Knoxville - His service as a special education peer coach
and tutor in school is what sets him apart from other
students. Nick serves as a positive role model to the
students he coaches, who look up to him and aspire to be
more like him, as well as to students in the regular
education program, who have become more tolerant of
those in the special programs. Nick is part of the Safety
Patrol and active in the Manners Club, DARE program,
Peace Police and 4-H.
7. Matthew “Joe” LeSage, age 16, Farragut High School,
Knoxville - This teenager first learned about the needs of
Second Harvest Food Bank when its executive director spoke
to his third grade class. Joe started by saving his milk money
and each year has added to his efforts to help combat hunger
in East Tennessee. Joe started a program called “Hams for
the Hungry” several years ago to provide Easter meals to
almost 15,000 hungry families. In the first five years of this
program, over $58,000 has been raised. Joe is also active in
his church and school and is an excellent student.
8. Lynsey Smith, age 18, Union County High School,
1
6
2
7
3
8
4
9
5
10
continued on page 12

12
Estate Planning...
Because your children are special...a will is vital
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 “Personal Information Record”
Name______________________________ Address__________________________________________
City___________________________ State_______ Zip_____________ Phone#(______)___________
Please call me at the above phone number 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
“If something happened to both of us, Mom would
get the kids, wouldn’t she?”
Your state’s plan for taking care of your children
(and for distributing all that you have accumulated
during your lifetime) may not match up well with what
you and your spouse would plan to do.
As hard as our lawmakers work and as well
intentioned as they may be, have you ever disagreed with
laws that they pass? As much as we respect our judges,
have you ever questioned their decisions?
If you fail to make a will, you are allowing the
legislature (via the laws they have written) and the courts
(via their interpretation of those laws) to determine the
custody of your minor children, should such an
unfortunate need ever arise.
If you were choosing the person to care for your
children, you would probably look at many different
factors.
• Who raises their children the way you are raising
yours?
• Who has religious beliefs that are closest to yours?
• Who has a large enough home?
Since the shortage of health care workers is reaching a
critical level, the group initially focused on young people to
help build a new generation of health care professionals.
ETHRG has participated in Knox County’s “Schooled for
Success,” Blount County’s 8th grade career fair, Kids U,
Amazing Healthcare Career Expo and the Girl Scout Leaders
Conference. ETHRG estimates it has reached more than 7,500
eighth graders though its efforts.
The group has also developed a packet for adolescents
that highlights the top 10 careers in health care, including a
description of each career, salary information and a list of
schools in the area that offer specific health care programs.
Members of the group also visit local high schools as in-class
speakers and for career fairs, reaching more than 800 high
school students.
To collectively recruit health care workers and nursing
students, the group attends the National Student Nurses
Association Annual Conferences and nearby state student
organization efforts. The group also attends monthly meetings
for the Tennessee Society of Healthcare Human Resources and
Record,” send your name and address to us via the
reply form below. Or you may e-mail David Rule,
Director of Development, at dsrule@etch.com or Teresa
Goddard, CFRE, Senior Development Officer, at
tgoddard@etch.com. You may also reach us by phone
at (865) 541-8441.
health care careers and living and working in East Tennessee. It
also provides links to each hospital in the group, which allows
each visitor to receive information about the individual
facilities.
The newest feature of the Web site is an interactive
section for youth and students, developed using the Tennessee
Department of Education Curriculum Standards. “We
partnered with a curriculum specialist from Knox County
Schools with the goal of having local teachers use the Web site
as a teaching tool for their health, science and wellness classes,”
Osterman said.
“The group plans to increase its visibility regionally and
nationally by attending four major conferences a year,
continuing its current youth outreach programs, promoting the
group’s Web site to youth and health care professionals and
students and expanding our program to include allied health
professions that have current or anticipated shortages in the
future,” Osterman said.
By Rupal Mehta, publications specialist
• Who is in good health?
• Who would treat them the way you would?
• Who would take them to baseball games, ballet
lessons, soccer practices or all their other
important activities?
Perhaps your parents, your spouse’s parents, a
married brother or sister or a close friend would be
best suited to raise your children. Would you really
want them in court fighting over custody of your
children because you failed to plan?
Do you have enough life insurance and other
assets to support your children until they are grown,
educated and on their own? Perhaps you would want
the people who are raising your children to also be in
charge of the funds you would leave for their support.
But you might prefer to have a separate individual or
a trust company manage the money for them.
However you answered the questions above, a
properly prepared will is the only way to assure that your
wishes are carried out.
For more information on wills and estate planning,
including a copy of our booklet, “Personal Information
the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives. In the future,
the recruitment group plans to increase visibility to regional
and national health care professionals by advertising the
benefits of life in East Tennessee in professional journals.
Through conferences and meetings, the group estimates it
has reached 20,000 experienced registered nurses and 17,000
nursing students. To encourage people to consider a career with
the hospitals that make up the ETHRG, they emphasize the
natural beauty and resources of the East Tennessee region, the
lower cost of living compared to cities of comparable size and
the lack of a state income tax at this time.
“We also allow health care professionals and students to
know there are positions available in large, moderate and
smaller sized institutions. They have the option of choosing
from a variety of hospitals including large, multi-system
organizations, regional trauma centers, leading cardiac facilities
and not-for-profit hospitals,” Osterman said.
The most exciting addition to the group’s efforts is the
ETHRG Web site, www.EastTNhealthcareers.com, which went
live in October 2004. The Web site includes information on
Children’s Hospital nursing recruitment effort (continued)

13
CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONS DAY
Children’s Hospital invites individuals
throughout East Tennessee to participate in
Children’s Champions Day, June 3, as part of the
Children’s Miracle Network Telethon weekend.
Anyone can show support for Children’s Hospital
by purchasing and wearing the 2005 telethon
T-shirt that day.
The telethon T-shirts were designed by Karen
Swinehart, Janie Lundin-Ledgerwood, C.J. Issac
and Charles Hanrote, students from the University
of Tennessee’s college of design. The shirts display
the artwork shown here on the back. The shirts
can be purchased through the Children’s Hospital
Development Department. For more information,
call (865) 541-8441.
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 30 at Pickwick Landing
near Memphis. Participants will 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
$22,000 for the five charitable organizations.
BOOMSDAY
This Labor Day holiday, like many of its
predecessors, will again host a Tennessee tradition.
The Star 102.1 Boomsday, sponsored by Journal
Broadcast Group, bids summer goodbye and
welcomes fall with an extravaganza of colorful
fireworks and music on Sunday, September 4 at
the Knoxville Riverfront. Star 102.1 Boomsday
benefits Children’s Hospital, which receives a
portion of the proceeds from soft drink and water
sales at the event. 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, and the show will be broadcast
on WBIR-TV Channel
10. Star 102.1 Boomsday
draws more than 250,000
people annually and was
named one of the Top 20
Events in the Southeast
for September by the
Southeast Tourism
Society.
UPCOMING EVENTS TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’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.
DATES TO
REMEMBER
Upcoming events to benefit
June
Champions Day
June 3
Children’s Miracle Network Telethon
June 4-5
July
Tennessee River 600
July 23-30
August
Sons of Thunder Motorcycle Fun Ride
August 13
Karaoke in the Park
August 20
September
Star 102.1 Boomsday
September 4
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.”
CALENDAR of EVENTS

14
QQ :: What are some safety precautions parents
need to be aware of concerning pedestrian safety
and their children?
AA :: Parents should never let children cross streets
until the child demonstrates traffic skills and good
judgment. Adult supervision is required until about
age 10. Also, parents need to require children to
carry flashlights and wear reflective material at night,
dawn and dusk. Parents need to use common sense
to ensure their children are playing in safe areas clear
of traffic dangers.
QQ :: When biking in the park or to the pool
or lake, what should parents model for their
children?
AA :: Parents should always keep safety on the
brain— this means wear a helmet! Make sure
helmets are properly fitted, centered on the top of
the head and always strapped and buckled. A helmet
should be snug and not rock back and forth or side
to side. And, just like a pedestrian, bicyclists should
always obey traffic signals and lights. Look back and
yield to traffic coming from behind before turning
left. Teach and use appropriate hand signals to alert
cars as to the cyclist’s intended actions. Many parents
think helmets are only for children, but safety doesn’t
end when children reach a certain age. Helmets have
been proven effective in preventing injuries in adult
accidents, too.
Wear the right safety gear in addition to a
helmet. For skating and skateboarding, children
should wear properly fitting kneepads, elbow pads
and wrist guards. Parents should also ensure their
child’s bicycle is an appropriate size with secure
reflectors, working brakes, smoothly shifting gears
and tires that are secured tightly and properly
inflated.
In conjunction with the SAFE KIDS Coalition
of the Greater Knox Area, Children’s Hospital
reminds all adults caring for children that safety
applies to everyone — including themselves. This
year’s national SAFE KIDS campaign for SAFE
KIDS Week in May is “Follow the Leader, Safety
Starts With You,” and it urges parents to take the
time to set a positive example for their children
when it comes to safety. Children see their parents as
role models, and they should be just that — a role
model in every aspect of life, including safety. It’s as
simple as making sure everyone in a car has a
seatbelt on or ensuring that everyone is wearing a life
jacket when boating.
“Parents need to lead by example — it’s the
‘golden rule’ of safety,” said Frances Craig, M.D.,
emergency medicine physician at Children’s
Hospital. “Not only will this keep the whole family
safe, but it also will instill strong safety habits for
children.”
Safety messages should be continually taught.
For instance, if a family is planning a day at the pool
or lake, safety begins before the family leaves the
driveway. After arriving at the pool or lake, that
family may need to walk or bicycle along a busy
street or sidewalk to reach the destination. Once
there, water safety continues to ensure everyone is
kept injury free. And these practices should then
repeat until a family safely returns home.
Some of the most common injuries occur when
the simplest safety precautions could have been
made. According to Dr. Craig, in the situation listed
above, parents have the opportunity to teach and
model many safety messages during a single outing.
QQ :: When getting into a car for an outing, what
do parents need to teach their children?
AA :: It is important that parents set the example
in putting on a seatbelt and telling children they
should always be properly restrained. Also, teach
children not to play around cars and never to ride
in the bed of a pickup truck.
QQ :: What responsibilities do parents have when
it comes to child-passenger safety?
AA :: Parents should always make sure their children
are properly restrained in an appropriate seat,
whether a car seat, a booster seat, or simply using
the lap and shoulder belt. Infants should be rear
facing until they are one year of age and weigh at
least 20 pounds. Any child one year of age to four
years of age should ride in a forward facing child
safety seat. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s
instructions and visit a car seat checkpoint to make
sure the seat is properly installed. And any child age
four through eight and weighing more than 40
pounds should ride in a belt-positioning booster
seat. Make sure to position the lap and shoulder
belts safely across the thighs and the collarbone.
Belts should not cross the neck or the soft tissue of
the stomach; this will lead to injury if a family is
involved in a motor vehicle crash.
QQ :: When walking along a street, what actions
should parents model to keep their children safe?
AA :: Parents need to teach their children at a very
young age to look left, right and left again before
crossing the street. Cross when clear and keep
looking both ways while crossing. Parents should
also teach and obey traffic signals and signs and
always cross at a crosswalk when available. Never
enter the street from behind parked cars, bushes or
shrubs. Teach children to never run into the street
without stopping at the curb, even if chasing a ball,
a family pet or for any other reason.
FFOOLLLLOOWW TTHHEE LLEEAADDEERR,,
SSAAFFEETTYY SSTTAARRTTSS WWIITTHH PPAARREENNTTSS
We’ve all seen it — children securely belted in a car seat and the parent driving
unrestrained; a child wearing a life jacket and no flotation device on the parent;
or a bicycle ride in the park with only the smallest of bikers wearing helmets.

Upcoming Community
Education Classes
MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES
Location: Children’s Hospital Koppel Plaza
Time: 7 p.m.
Dates: May 16, June 23, July 19 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.
Dates: May 14, August 20, September 10
Location: Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Sevierville
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dates: May 21, August 27, September 17
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 p.m.
Dates: May 23, June 20, July 18, August 22
Location: Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Sevierville
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Dates: May 16, June 13, July 11, August 1
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 pre-registration is required.
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 10 and Chick-Fil-A, is a community education
initiative of the hospital’s Community Relations
Department to help parents keep their children healthy.
Just like a pedestrian, a cyclist should incorporate reflective material into
clothing, especially at dusk and dawn or when the weather is bad. Use both
lights and reflectors on bicycles.
One other note: A common mistake parents make is to buy bigger bikes
for their kids to “grow into.” However, it is important to buy a bike that is
appropriate for the child’s size at the time he or she will be riding it. It can be
difficult — and therefore unsafe — to ride the wrong size bike.
QQ :: Once a family reaches the pool or lake, what should parents teach
their children about safety when swimming or around water?
AA :: Parents should always set rules around any body of water. For instance,
children should only swim in designated safe areas of rivers, lakes and oceans
and should always swim with a buddy. Parents should make sure their
children can swim and that their children have taken swim lessons through a
reputable organization, such as the American Red Cross, local YMCA or the
department of parks and recreation. Before anyone jumps into the water,
make sure his or her flotation device is properly fitted and fastened and is an
approved flotation device (water-wings and inner tubes are not acceptable
flotation devices). Never dive into a river or lake; diving should only be
practiced in pools where the depth is clearly marked.
QQ :: While children are swimming, what should parents be doing?
AA :: Parents should always be watching the water. Children drown without a
sound, and it only takes a few seconds for a child to go under water. Parents
should learn CPR and be prepared for an emergency. Often, parents get too
comfortable around water and leave their children unsupervised for a few
seconds. In the time it takes a parent to go across a room to get a towel (less
than a minute), a child could be submerged. In the time it takes for a parent
to answer the phone (2-4 minutes), a child could lose consciousness; and in
the time it takes to answer the door and sign for a package (6-8 minutes), a
child could have permanent brain damage. While children are in the water,
someone needs to be the “water watcher.” Be sure to designate this job to
someone and make sure this person is trained and knows how to respond
appropriately in an emergency.
“We always want children to play and enjoy life, but having the entire
family practice safe habits can keep anyone from getting hurt while they are
playing,” Dr. Craig said. “Building these safe habits now will allow children to
play, have fun and stay safe every day.”
For more child safety tips, visit Children’s Hospital’s Web site at
www.etch.com or contact the Children’s Hospital Community Relations
Department at (865) 541-8165. For more information on National SAFE
KIDS Week, visit the National SAFE KIDS Campaign Web site at
www.safekids.org.
Compiled by Seth Linkous, Associate Director for Public Relations
15
Francis Craig, M.D., emergency medicine physician.

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
As the 23rd annual Children’s Miracle
Network telethon to benefit Children’s Hospital
approaches, exciting additions are in store for
viewers.
All three area radio groups -- Citadel
Communications, Journal Broadcast Group and
South Central Radio Group -- and the Dollywood
entertainment park are working with telethon
organizers to put together entertainment
programming that will air along with the
inspirational stories of patients who have been
helped by Children’s Hospital.
In addition, this year’s telethon offers viewers
the convenience of donating to Children’s Hospital
online during the broadcast. Those watching the
broadcast on WBIR-TV can log on to www.etch.com
and click on “Make A Donation” on the left side
of the home page to make their contribution.
Last year, the CMN broadcast raised more
than $2.1 million for Children’s Hospital during
the 22nd annual telethon. This total represents the
tremendous generosity of the people of East
Tennessee and their continued commitment to
Children’s Hospital as the institution continually
works to improve its services and facilities to better
serve this area’s children.
The success of this year’s Children’s Miracle
Network telethon is crucial in helping Children’s
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, Surgery, Emergency
Department, Home Health Care and inpatient
units. For details of what the telethon funds will
purchase, visit our Web site at www.etch.com.
Viewers can invest in the future of thousands
of East Tennessee’s children by supporting the
2005 Children’s Miracle Network broadcast on
WBIR-TV Channel 10 on Saturday, June 4, and
Sunday, June 5, live from Children’s Hospital.
Support from the community through the telethon
helps ensure each child who comes to Children’s
Hospital, now and in the future, is able to receive
the care he or she needs.
Children’s Hospital is a charter member of the
Children’s Miracle Network. In 1983, the hospital
participated in the first telethon that raised
$95,487 in East Tennessee, all of which remained
at Children’s Hospital for the direct benefit of its
patients.
For more information about the Children’s
Miracle Network broadcast or if you would like to
volunteer at the telethon, please call (865) 541-8441.
Building a Healthy Tomorrow
2005 CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK TELETHON IS JUNE 4-5

DearChildren’s

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Was ist angesagt?

Was ist angesagt? (20)

Andere mochten auch

Andere mochten auch (8)

Ähnlich wie DearChildren’s

Ähnlich wie DearChildren’s (18)

Mehr von East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Mehr von East Tennessee Children's Hospital (20)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

DearChildren’s