Read the Spring 2013 issue of It's About Children Magazine by East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

2. ildren’s”
“Dear Ch
Posted on the Children’s Hospi
tal
n’s Hospital website:
Posted on the Childre
Wednesday,
old to your facility on
I brought my 17-yearg to his doctor
in advance after talkin
September 5, calling
ected me on how
Group. Your staff dir
at Knoxville Pediatric
rk here at UT.
ming straight from wo
to proceed, as I was co
at morning
er in a car accident th
had been the passeng
He
ache. From the
ning of a severe head
and was still complai
and departure
facility to our arrival
minute I called your
ible. The staff,
was in one word incred
time at Children’s, it
ng staff,
call, outstanding; nursi
anding; the doctor on
outst
. I cannot
our visit, oustanding
who was involved in
everyone
received.
the superior service we
thank you enough for
ss you all,
Thank you and God Ble
Suzanne Sawicki
website:
Rebecca is our youngest
of three children. She wa
s
born prematurely on Va
lentine’s Night 1996 at 28
weeks
gestation, weighing two
pounds. My mother had
just
passed away three weeks
before. Children’s Hospi
tal gave
us hope and Becca life. We
are so thankful to God for
having you all there. As
you can see, she is a lovely
young
lady today. Even though
she was so tiny, she now
is 5’8”
and is actually graduating
from Christian Academy
of
Knoxville a year early. Sh
e is very involved in com
munity
service and helping others
. Again, we are so thankful
for
all you did to keep her ali
ve!
Regina Helton
On The Cover:
Emily Whitfield of Knoxville. Read her story on pages 4-6.
Board of Directors
Dennis Ragsdale, Chairman • Bill Terry, M.D., Vice Chairman • Michael
Crabtree, Secretary/Treasurer • John Buchheit, M.D. • Debbie Christiansen, M.D.
Randall Gibson • Keith D. Goodwin • Steven Harb • Lewis Harris, M.D.
Dee Haslam • Gale Huneycutt • John Lansing • A. David Martin • Larry Martin
Christopher Miller, M.D. • Steve South • Jim Bush, Chair Emeritus • William G.
Byrd, M.D., Chair Emeritus • Don Parnell, Chair Emeritus
Medical Staff
Mark Cramolini, M.D., Chief of Staff • Barbara Summers, M.D., Vice Chief of Staff
Cameron J. Sears, M.D., Secretary
Chiefs of Services
Kevin Brinkman, M.D., Chief of Medicine • Glaze Vaughan, M.D., Chief of Surgery
Administration
Keith D. Goodwin, President/CEO • Bruce Anderson, Vice President for Legal
Services & General Counsel • Laura Barnes, R.N., M.S.N., NEA-BC, Vice
President for Patient Care • Joe Childs, M.D., Vice President for Medical Services
Zane Goodrich, CPA, Vice President for Finance & CFO • Carlton M. Long,
Vice President for Development and Community Services • Rudy McKinley, Vice
President for Operations • Sue Wilburn, Vice President for Human Resources
It’s About Children Staff
Ellen Liston, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Community Relations
Neil Crosby, Contributing Photographer
“Because Children are Special…”
…they deserve the best possible health care given in a positive, family-centered
atmosphere of friendliness, cooperation and support -- regardless of race, religion
or ability to pay.”
…their medical needs are closely related to their emotional and informational
needs; therefore, the total child must be considered in treating any illness or
injury.”
…their health care requires family involvement, special understanding, special
equipment and specially trained personnel who recognize that children are not
miniature adults.”
…their health care can best be provided by a facility with a well-trained medical
and hospital staff whose only interests and concerns are with the total health and
well-being of infants, children and adolescents.
www.etch.com
Statement of Philosophy
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

3. Children’s Hospital NOTES
New Ambassador Program
g
ildren’s Hospital is recruitin
This year, East Tennessee Ch
sadors.
the hospital’s Miracle Ambas
12-15 patient families to be
by Children’s
d and supported
These families will be traine
the work of
as “living examples” of why
Hospital and will serve
ildren’s Miracle
spital and all Ch
East Tennessee Children’s Ho
bassadors,
tters. During their time as am
Network Hospitals ma
and reflections
personal stories
the families will share their
e to the local
tal and their experiences her
about Children’s Hospi
throughout East
ent the hospital
community. They will repres
unique health
groups about their children’s
Tennessee speaking to
Program will give
le Ambassador
care situations, and the Mirac
fit into their
s to attend events that best
the flexibility for familie
schedules.
Children will feature a
In upcoming issues, It’s About
ilies’
tion to share these special fam
“Meet the Ambassadors” sec
stories.
Begins
to serve
y is excited
Bryan Cod
hildren’s
ssador for C
as an amba
Hospital.
Hope Tichon
, le
a child amba ft, is thrilled to be
ssador for C
hildren’s
Hospital. S
he is shown
here with
brother Lu
ke an
The entire fa d sister Jordan.
mil
in her treatm y has played a role
ent and wil
l serve
with her as
ambassador
s.
Volunteers donate $50,000
to Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital depends on more than 250 volunteers
who give their time and energy to make the hospital a special,
inviting place for patients and their families. These volunteers
not only brighten patients’ days with their care and attention
but also assist hospital departments with various tasks.
In addition to the services they provide daily, volunteers
also give generous gifts to the hospital every year. This winter,
the Children’s Hospital Volunteers presented Children’s
Hospital Administration with a donation of $50,000. The
money was raised from Gift Shop sales and was allocated as
follows:
• $40,355 – For renovation and physical improvements to the
NICU III (part of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
• $8,535 – For the Child Life department to use for the
SWANK Movie System which brings age-appropriate
movies to all patient rooms
• $1,110 – For the Pastoral Care department to purchase
memorial ornaments
Hospital
Promote Children’s
on the Road
children
e of serving this area’s
To celebrate its mileston
ren’s Hospital
st Tennessee Child
for 75 years in 2012, Ea
les can own
alty license plate. Vehic
introduced a new speci
ever be bolted on a
colorful plates to
one of Tennessee’s most
mission to provide
ildren’s Hospital in its
er – and help Ch
ion.
bump
to the children of this reg
st pediatric health care
the be
for preplates are now available
e colorful new license
Th
ch 1,000; cost
ed once pre-orders rea
order and will be print
uired when preand payment is req
– 1000
is $35 per license plate,
to choose numbers 0001
ng. Purchasers are able
orderi
the specialty
proceeds from sales of
pear on their plate. All
to ap
fit Children’s Hospital.
license plates will bene
for the new
ployees chose the look
Children’s Hospital em
oup, who
signs by the Tombras Gr
se plate from several de
licen
art for the license plate.
created and donated the
alty license
or to reserve your speci
For more information
ment
ren’s Hospital Develop
plate, contact the Child
w.etch.com under
1-8441 or visit ww
Department at (865) 54
.
the “Ways to Give” tab
Children’s Hospital would like to extend a special thank
you to the many dedicated volunteers who donate their
valuable time to the hospital and their financial donations
that support Children’s Hospital’s numerous projects, programs
and departments.
If you would like more information on becoming a
volunteer, visit www.etch.com or call (865) 541-8136.
Articles by Jessica Boyd and Cassidy Duckett
3
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4. Emily
4

5. L
ast summer, Emily Whitfield
and her family headed to
Litchfield Beach, South
Carolina for a relaxing week of sun and
surf. Their vacation took a scary turn,
however, when Emily, then eight, woke
up with a swollen and painful right eye.
She was running a fever, so her mom,
Katie, took her to the local pediatrician.
“The doctor did an orbital CT to
see if there was an abscess, but nothing
showed up,” Katie explained. “She was
put on an antibiotic, but the swelling
didn’t totally go down.”
When the family of six returned
home to Knoxville, Emily’s swollen
eye began to turn red. She visited
her family pediatrician and was
immediately sent to East Tennessee
Children’s Hospital.
“Emily had never spent the night
in the hospital,” her mother said. “She
was scared to death and cried the whole
way there. When we got to Children’s
Hospital that evening, the nurses were
so comforting and so understanding.
Nothing was going to make her happy,
but they handled it perfectly.”
Because Emily could not move her
eye normally, she was sent to Allyson
Schmitt, M.D., of Knoxville Pediatric
Eye Care at Children’s Hospital. After
Dr. Schmitt did a second orbital CT,
it was determined that Emily had an
abscess due to a strep infection in her
sinuses. Dr. Schmitt explained, “The
infection had extended to involve
the orbit eye socket. This is a very
dangerous condition because it can
lead to blindness, intracranial extension
or meningitis if untreated.”
Though her vision was in jeopardy,
Emily’s sinuses were the source of the
problem. Dr. Schmitt called upon Dr.
Mark Ray, pediatric ENT, to address
this issue. She said, “Emily had
extensive sinus disease, so it doesn’t
make sense to just address the eye
socket. Dr. Ray got involved so he
could drain the abscess and eye socket
at the same time.”
5
Emily during her
Children’s Hospital stay.
“We only see situations like
Emily’s a few times a year at Children’s
Hospital,” Dr. Ray explained. “Dr.
Schmitt and I worked as a team so that
she could evaluate Emily’s vision preand post-surgery, and I could drain the
abscess and perform endoscopic sinus
surgery.”
Though Katie and Emily were
facing multiple doctor visits prior
to surgery, they felt comfortable at
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6. Children’s Hospital. “It’s a scary time
when there’s an unknown cause and
there are many risks,” Katie said.
“When you have your eight-year-old
hearing things, it’s scary. Throughout
the whole process, they (the staff at
Children’s Hospital) handled it so well
with our questions and emotions. It
was a whirlwind, but they coordinated
the specialists and did a great job of
getting us what we needed when we
needed it.”
Emily went into surgery on
Wednesday, August 11, just one week
after the swelling appeared in her eye.
Dr. Ray drained the abscess and the
eye socket after consulting with Dr.
Schmitt about the risks. “When Emily
came out, it looked like she had been
in a boxing match, but all the pressure
was gone. She had immediate relief,”
her mom remembered.
Emily’s vision is now back
to 20/20, and she has had no
complications since the late summer
about emily
Favorite color Blue
Favorite movie Matilda
Favorite school subjects
Math & writing
Hero
older sister Mary Kate
What I do for fun
Dance, sing, cheer,
basketball, swimming, play
with my friends & cousins
What I want to be
when I grow up
Teacher, Dancer,
Basketball player
or pediatrician
6
scare. Her eye movements are back
to normal, and the only reminder of
Emily’s ordeal is the small half-inch
scar on her eyelid. The outgoing
third-grader is back to her regular
activities, including basketball and
swimming, and back to being her
bubbly self. “She’s never met a
stranger,” her mother said. “So we
knew this was scary because Emily
didn’t want people to see her eye.”
Though the Whitfields have
four children, this was their first
inpatient experience at Children’s
Hospital. The situation was
frightening, but the family felt
reassured by the hospital staff. Katie
explained, “They never seemed
stressed. Instead, it was more like,
‘This is what we do every day.’ They
made us feel like we were the most
important thing at that time. It is
such a blessing as a parent to have
that right in my backyard.”
by Cassidy Duckett

7. ER Doctor Profile:
Children’s welcomes
physician back home
Dr. Katy Stordahl knew she wanted to be a doctor as a
three-year old growing up in Sevier County. She explained,
“I don’t remember, but apparently I told my mom that I
wanted to be a pediatrician. I do remember loving a doctor’s
kit that I had and giving my mom fake shots. Becoming a
doctor is something that I thought about on and off during
my entire adolescence and into college.”
The Gatlinburg-Pittman High School alumna made
her dream come true by attending Vanderbilt University for
both her undergraduate and medical degrees. However, Dr.
Stordahl did test the waters of other careers. The summer
before her senior year at Vanderbilt, she interned at CNN in
Atlanta. As a member of the Science and Technology and
Medical departments, Dr. Stordahl produced five stories that
aired on the Next@CNN program in the summer of 2002.
Additionally, she wrote a medically-based article for the
Health Section of CNN.com about middle-ear implants.
Dr. Stordahl explained, “I interned at CNN to decide if I
wanted to be a medical journalist or if I wanted to go to
medical school. It was through that experience that I realized
I definitely wanted to be a physician.”
After graduating from Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine in 2007, Dr. Stordahl moved to Cincinnati to
complete her residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center. She stayed for two years after graduating to
work in the Emergency Room as a staff physician.
Moving back to East Tennessee was a no-brainer for
Dr. Stordahl. “I wanted to be closer to my family, and I love
the Smoky Mountains. My husband, Erik, and I love hiking
and biking and other outdoor activities,” she said.
Working at Children’s Hospital is quite a change from
her experience in Cincinnati. She explained, “I love the patient
population and treating people from East Tennessee. There are
so many good parents who love their children very much.”
In addition to respectful, grateful parents and patients,
Dr. Stordahl appreciates the helpfulness of her colleagues at
Children’s Hospital. “There is a transition period any time you
go to a new hospital or new job, and people have been so
helpful to me here. I had a very warm welcome, and the
Dr. Katy Stordahl
staff have been willing to teach me and provide help and
assistance.”
Though she loves her role as a board certified pediatrician
in the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, Dr.
Stordahl hasn’t given up her ambition to become involved
in medical journalism. Working with the Children’s Hospital
Marketing Department, she has appeared locally on WBIRTV and WATE-TV medical segments representing the
expertise of Children’s Hospital for this area’s families. “I’ve
been able to fulfill a decade-long dream,” she said, “and it’s
wonderful to be back home with the people and the culture
of East Tennessee.”
by Cassidy Duckett
7
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8. In My Own Words
Turning In to Outside
by Katy Stordahl, M.D.
a brief article to name, many children are growing up without
exposure to the beauty of our country, our national parks, and
even just the backyard. As a result, his research shows that
children have increased obesity, shorter attention spans, and
possibly less use and development of their imaginations.
Some of his hypotheses are undeniable. A 2007-2008
study published by the National Survey of Children’s Health
showed that Tennessee ranks 6th in the nation for childhood
obesity. At least 36 percent of schoolchildren in this state are
obese. The long-term complications of obesity are serious and
include hypertension, joint pain and disease, heart disease,
kidney disease, liver disease and type II diabetes mellitus.
Outdoor activities are a good source of exercise for children,
helping to ward off obesity.
While we need more research in regards to Louv’s
hypotheses that lack of exposure to outdoor time can shorten
attention spans or limit the bounds of imagination, his
hypotheses clicked with me based on what I see in the East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital ER every day. Many children
have iPads, iPods and smart phones that act as distractions;
this can be very helpful in the ER with procedures to calm a
scared child. Our Child Life personnel, experts in child
development who help the medical personnel in the ER and
other departments at Children’s Hospital, use technology for
this purpose. Smart electronics can also be learning aids.
But while I see many children who willingly sit still and
concentrate on an electronic screen, many exhibit very
different behavior without the same device. Some can’t sit
still, can’t have a conversation or make eye contact, and won’t
listen to their parents’ commands because they are so distracted
by technology. The latest technology is no substitute for
making up stories or jokes with children while waiting,
talking about the day, or reading a book and discussing it.
Even the time waiting in an ER or doctor’s office can be
valuable parenting time, helping to develop children’s
conversation and thinking skills and teaching children how
to interact appropriately with other people.
We have the perfect place to enjoy time outdoors. So
as we head into a beautiful Tennessee spring, I encourage
everyone to turn off the iPad and tune into the beauty of a
sunset, a bird calling or the clouds. Your children will thank
you for it, and your whole family will be healthier because of it.
I am so thankful to be back in my home of East
Tennessee. We are very blessed here to have the resources
of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My love of
the Park and outdoors grew in me as a child because of the
time I spent with my family outdoors, mainly in the Smoky
Mountains. We have so much beauty and so many activities
that we can enjoy in this area. As both a nature lover and a
doctor, I encourage everyone, but especially families, to enjoy
all the hiking, biking, fishing, camping, walking, picnicking
and swimming that the Smokies have to offer.
While camping last summer in the Boundary Waters in
Northern Minnesota, I read a book by Richard Louv called
Last Child in the Woods about what the author calls naturedeficit disorder (this while fending off mosquitoes, swimming
in pristine waters and canoeing among wooded islands).
As a physician, I knew that this is not a psychiatric disorder
listed in any textbook, but Louv’s research showing that fewer
people, and hence, fewer children, are spending time outdoors
is indeed accurate.
U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service
Data corroborates this. Data from 1998 to the present shows
that the national park system is down 10 million visitors; 2012
data shows that while some parks experienced an increase in
visitors in the past year, people are staying 2-50 percent less
time than in the past (depending on the particular national
park). Louv’s hypothesis is that, for reasons too numerous for
8

9. Ways We Get Kids
In this series in It’s About Children, we are sharing with our readers some of the many “Ways We Get Kids.”
Outstanding practices by Children’s Hospital departments are highlighted—things that are, although quite
commonplace at our pediatric medical center, actually rather unique. This series showcases the exceptional
work done at Children’s Hospital and demonstrates how the hospital is a great place to work.
Cleft Palate Team Recognized by National Association
Craniofacial Association, and then the approval process
began. The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
evaluated research, outcomes, patient volume and other
factors to determine the approval or denial of the Children’s
Hospital team.
“Our clinic has a high patient volume,” Dr. Ray said.
“There are currently more than 200 patients, and it’s growing.”
This approval is important to the Cleft Palate Team because it
makes them more visible nationally, and the American Cleft
Palate-Craniofacial Association will now refer patients to East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s team.
To the team, the approval means something else, too.
It sets the standard for treating patients effectively and with
the best possible care, something Children’s Hospital and the
Cleft Palate Team are proud to do.
In January 2013, the Children’s Hospital’s Cleft and
Craniofacial Clinic was officially approved as a Cleft Palate
Team by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
and Cleft Palate Foundation.
Dr. Mark Ray, pediatric ENT at Children’s Hospital,
and the team received information last November about
the approval, after they had worked together to achieve
recognition in meeting standards set forth by the American
Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. The Children’s Hospital
Cleft Palate Team is the only group to achieve this approval
in the state of Tennessee.
The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association’s
research shows that patients born with craniofacial conditions
such as cleft palates can face complex health issues, and an
interdisciplinary team is the most effective way for a patient
to be treated. “Cleft patients are treated as a team, and
functional components set forth by the American Cleft Palate
Association must be met to standard,” Dr. Ray explained.
“It’s not easy to become approved.”
All teams are required to go through a rigorous approval
process that involves completing an in-depth application
process, where all components listed on the form must be
present within the team. These components are:
• Audiology
• Cleft surgery
• Nursing
• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Otolarygologistics (ENT)
• Social work or psychology
• Speech-language pathology
• Nutrition
• Genetics
• Oral surgery
• Pediatrics
by Jessica Boyd
Members of the Children’s Hospital Cleft Palate Team gather
at the Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic. From left are Coordinator
and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Judy Marciel, RN, MSN,
PCNS, CPNP; Medical Social Worker Kathy Fowler, LCSW;
Registered Dietician Laura Shamiyeh, MS, RD, LDN; Pediatric
Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon, Cleft and Craniofacial
Surgeon and Medical Director R. Mark Ray, M.D.; SpeechLanguage Pathologist Jennifer Mach, MS, CCC/SLP; and
Orthodontist James Pickering, DDS. Not pictured are Oral
Maxillofacial Surgeon Turner Emery, DDS, MD; Audiologist
Kristie Johnson, AuD, CCC-A; Clinic Nurse Linda Dyer, RN;
and Clinic Nurse Kathy Rucker, LPN.
“The interdisciplinary component is what’s important
(for approval),” Dr. Ray said. “Having all the specialties as
part of one team where a patient doesn’t have to go to multiple
doctor’s offices for different appointments – that’s important.”
The team at the Children’s Hospital clinic has been practicing
together for three and a half years. They achieved preliminary
approval in January 2010 from the American Cleft Palate-
9
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10. Small Talk Around
A right turn for sinus surgery
Usually, global positioning systems (GPS) tell us when
to turn right, left or make a U-turn. For Dr. John Little, M.D.,
Children’s Hospital Pediatric Otolaryngologist, though, the
destination is a bit more complicated.
“The satellite navigation system shows you on a monitor
where you are in the patient’s head,” he explained. “Typically,
we use anatomic landmarks to guide endoscopic surgery,
but the navigation system provides additional confirmation
you’re in the right spot.”
Dr. Little and his team are using the Stryker navigation
system which is, essentially, a GPS for the operating room.
This technology uses a mask and CT scanning technology.
When combined with a balloon sinuplasty, it allows
physicians to access the sinuses and complete surgery safer
and more effectively than before. It is attached to a patient’s
face during surgery and provides an accurate map of the
sinuses on a monitor in view of the surgeon. This navigation
system provides an even safer alternative to traditional
endoscopic surgery, which is especially helpful in more
complicated cases.
For patients like Amanda Evans, a University of
Tennessee sophomore, the complex navigation technology
means one thing: a safer surgery. The 19-year-old Cosby,
Tennessee native had sinus surgery during her freshman year
in high school due to chronic headaches. However, her sinus
troubles did not stop. She explained, “When I started college
last year, I started getting headaches again and had them for
over a year.”
After being referred to Children’s Hospital by her family
doctor, Evans learned about the Stryker navigation mask.
“Dr. Little told me we were going to use this method because
my sinus cavity was full of mucus, and it was close to my
right eye,” she said. “Because it was there, he had to be careful to not hit anything.”
Dr. Little explained, “This technology allows the
physicians, patients and families to feel safer and more
comfortable. It is especially important for younger children,
who have smaller anatomy and are more surgically
precarious.”
Unlike her surgery experience in high school, Evans
recovered quickly. “This time, two days later I was able to
go out and go downtown,” she said. “It was a big difference.
The surgery has helped quite a bit.”
by Cassidy Duckett
Amanda Evans
Joint Commission Survey successful
The Joint Commission surveyed Children’s Hospital,
Children’s Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center and Children’s
Home Health Care in an unannounced visit in November
2012; this survey takes place every three years. The
survey team was pleased with the hospital’s work and
facilities, which were examined in a comprehensive
three-day visit. The Joint Commission indicated they
were impressed with the care, compassion and
coordination of services provided within the hospital,
at the Rehabilitation Center and with the Home Health
program.
During their visit, the surveyors followed patients, traced
the path of care delivery, evaluated care processes and
evaluated how Children’s Hospital assures it has the best
team in place.
Keith Goodwin, CEO/President of Children’s Hospital,
said the Joint Commission visit provides an opportunity to
validate the ways Children’s Hospital employees care for
patients and highlights best practices to share with other
organizations. Children’s Hospital is proud of its entire staff’s
commitment to the hospital mission and values that were
demonstrated during the Joint Commission visit.
10

11. Small Talk Around
Nursing Spotlight:
Janice Mays
DVDs for Joy
Nine-year-old KelliAnn Corbett wanted to help. And
she had something specific in mind – Christmas gifts for
patients at Children’s Hospital. So she told her sisters,
seven-year-old Emily and six-year-old Victoria, and her
parents, AnnMarie and Kevin, who called the hospital
to see what they could do. The Children’s Hospital
Volunteer Services Department explained to the
Corbetts how patients watch DVDs in their rooms and
often take a movie home with them when discharged.
“We thought that was something we could help with,”
AnnMarie said.
KelliAnn was determined to collect as many DVDs
as possible, so her family created a flyer that went
out to all students at the Corbetts’ school, Linden
Elementary. They called their project DVDs for Joy
and created a collection point in the school lobby as
well as where Kevin works: at Bechtel in Oak Ridge.
After the 10-day collection period, the Corbetts
had more than 500 DVDs to donate. “We were really
pleased,” AnnMarie said. Now, her husband Kevin plans
to create a website about DVDs for Joy to help spread
the word on how others can start their own programs.
She continued, “I can’t imagine what it would have been
like if we had more time and were in other schools what
the outcome would have been.”
Children’s Hospital thanks this special family for
providing joy and entertainment for our young patients.
Though Janice Mays’ favorite movie is the 1993 hit “Cool
Runnings,” she’s not an aspiring bobsledder. Instead, Mays is
drawn to the message of the film. She explained, “They had a
‘We can do it!’ attitude.”
Clearly, Mays has taken this sentiment to heart in her
role as Care Coordinator for the inpatient floors at Children’s
Hospital. “Generally,” she said, “I see my role as helping any
way I can.” To do so, she works with patients and their
families on a global and individual level. On the larger scale,
Mays identifies process gaps and facilitates improvements to
these processes to decrease the length of patient stays.
Additionally, she reviews patient populations by both
diagnosis and triggering event to identify ways to improve.
Mays’ role includes working with other departments to
eliminate these barriers to effective care.
On an individual level, Mays assists patients and families
with complex discharge needs. These responsibilities include
obtaining authorization for ground and air ambulance
transports and coordinating inpatient transfers.
During her nursing career, Mays has accumulated almost
half of the alphabet in terms of credentials. She has an RN
license, a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University
of Tennessee (BSN), a Masters of Art in Organizational
Management (MAOM) and is a Certified Professional in
Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
In addition to these achievements, she is a connoisseur
of one delicious dessert: ice cream. When asked her favorite
flavors, Mays said, “I love them all! But Rocky Road or Butter
Pecan top the list.”
From left: Victoria, Emily and KelliAnn Corbett show
off boxes of movies they’ve collected for their “DVD’s
for Joy” project.
continued on page 22
by Cassidy Duckett
11
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12. Small Talk Around
New ads highlight friendliness of hospital
As part of the new branding and marketing campaign
highlighting Children’s Hospital, new print, radio and
television ads are now featured in local media and new
billboards can be seen throughout East Tennessee. This is
the second step in the new marketing effort, following a
change to the hospital logo’s look last fall.
All the new ads emphasize that Children’s Hospital is
“not just a hospital,” but a specialty pediatric facility that
focuses on improving the health of young patients.
Through lighthearted television spots, the community
can see the fun, friendly nature of Children’s. These
commercials include doctors playing hopscotch, nurses
having a tea party and patients jumping rope in the lobby.
In print, this campaign reflects the differences between
treating children and adults, as children require simpler
and more patient explanation. Instead of complex medical
terms, these ads show x-rays with simple words like “boo
boo” scribbled across. For radio, the Marketing Department
showed the persistence of a curious child. He repeats, “Why?”
after each answer from the doctor, demonstrating the patience
needed to treat children. The billboards in and around
Knoxville feature members of the Children’s Hospital staff.
The next step in Children’s Hospital’s marketing
campaign will feature specific messaging about the breadth
and depth of the hospital’s services and specialties and will
also feature a robust digital media campaign using Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.
by Cassidy Duckett
Left and Below: New television ads show the
child-friendly atmosphere at Children’s Hospital.
New billboards feature
hospital staff.
12

13. 13
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14. Small Talk Around
Going Global:
Hospital’s NAS program covered worldwide
Left and Above: Trace Adkins cuddles an
NICU patient while filming GAC’s
Great American Heroes.
Photos courtesy of GAC Great American Heroes
and Rivr Media.
Most people in East Tennessee may not realize it, but
Children’s Hospital has developed a groundbreaking protocol
right here in Knoxville that has garnered national and even
international attention. The subject? Treatment for infants
with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), defined in
simpler terms as a baby born dependent due to the mother’s
substance abuse.
The NAS program has been an item of interest since
Knoxville area media began coverage of East Tennessee
Children’s Hospital’s efforts several years ago. That led to
several major national media outlets picking up the story of
what was being done in Knoxville. “First, it was CNN, and
a story that appeared there and on Headline News and on
cnn.com last April,” Marketing Director Seth Linkous said.
“Then ABC News Nightline followed.”
The ABC coverage turned the Children’s Hospital NAS
program into international news, when News Channel 9
Australia, the largest network in that country, saw the
Nightline piece and called to ask about also covering the
story. Last summer, News Channel 9 Australia reporter
Denham Hitchcock and his crew traveled to Knoxville to
see firsthand what Children’s Hospital is doing to establish this
protocol.
In the fall, the work being done for babies born with NAS
was featured on “Great American Heroes,” a television show
on GAC (the Great American Country cable network owned
by Scripps Networks, the parent company for The Food
Network and HGTV) hosted by country music star Trace
Adkins, who highlights people he believes are heroes. On the
show, he spent time with Children’s Hospital nurse practitioner
Carla Saunders, one of the catalysts for the NAS team. After
learning about the protocol and equipment needed to make
a difference in the lives of patients, the country singer turned
TV star presented Carla and the rest of the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit staff with a room full of infant seats, swings, clothes
and other useful items for the hospital’s tiniest patients.
Children’s Hospital is proud of the attention that the staff
is receiving for these efforts that are positively impacting
14

15. Dr. John Buchheit,
Director of
Neonatology,
discusses NAS
on CNN.
AS
s discuss the N
Carla Saunder an Heroes. Photo
nd
Trace Adkins a C’s Great Americ
edia.
on GA
oes and Rivr M
treatment
t American Her
C Grea
courtesy of GA
babies born into a less than ideal situation. “People are
waking up to this issue, and a lot more people are realizing
what can be done because of national media coverage of what
Children’s Hospital is doing,” Linkous said. “The work our
staff has done is taking this from a social diagnosis to a
medical diagnosis.”
The NAS team is made up of Children’s Hospital
staff from the pharmacy, nursing and volunteers. “Most
departments are involved in some way,” Linkous said. The
program started small, with staff members asking how they
could help with the problem for the patients at East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital when there was no protocol to
follow. That simple “What can we do?” from staff members
began the process, raising awareness of the condition in the
region before the story of the NAS program became national
and even international. “Our community should be proud of
what the NAS team at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has
done,” he said. “They saw a problem that needed a solution
when there wasn’t one, and came up with one since no one
else was taking the lead.”
“You expect a protocol like this out of a large medical
center in a big city,” he said. Instead, larger organizations
are now asking for the advice of the NAS team based in
Knoxville. “This is a point of pride for everyone at East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital – to be part of a solution to
a big problem for our tiniest patients.”
While having the story about the work being done by
Children’s Hospital’s neonatal specialists on a national and
international scale is exciting and rewarding for those
involved and definitely helps spread the word about groundbreaking work being done locally, that’s not the primary
purpose for sharing this information. “We want every family
in this region to know more about the important work being
done locally that benefits the children who we serve,” Linkous
said. “We share this to tell the mom in Oak Ridge or the dad in
Morristown that this is your child’s hospital in East Tennessee.
That’s the goal.”
continued on page 39
by Jessica Boyd
15
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16. Ask the Specialist
The A Team
for the unique needs of children.
At Children’s Hospital, patients range
from premature infants to young
adults. The anesthesia team creates
a plan for each patient based on
allergies, medical conditions, family
history and size. This plan includes
how the child will wake up from
anesthesia and how pain and nausea
will be managed.
The anesthesia team at
Children’s Hospital spends each
day caring only for infants, children
and adolescents. To learn more on
pediatric anesthesiology, visit
www.etch.com.
When your child is at
Children’s Hospital, you’ll get to
know a wide variety of staff
including doctors, nurses and
Child Life specialists. However,
many parents never consider a
team that is an essential part of
their child’s care: pediatric
anesthesiologists.
This specialized medical staff
is present at all of the major and
minor surgeries that take place at
Children’s Hospital almost every
day. Because they are trained in
pediatric anesthesiology, these
special physicians are prepared
Upcoming community education classes
CPR Certification Course
Dates: March 4, April 8, June 3
Time: 6-10 p.m.
This certification course teaches the American Heart
Association chain of survival -- from when to call 911 to how
to effectively administer CPR to an infant, child or adult.
This course is designed for anyone who may be expected to
respond to emergencies at home or in the workplace.
Participants must be at least 14 years old. Following the
course, participants will receive an American Heart
Association Heartsaver certification card. This course is
$25 per person.
nationally. Participants must be ages 11-14. This course is $25
per person.
Class size is limited, so preregistration is required. All
classes are offered in the Koppel Plaza at Children’s Hospital
unless otherwise noted. For more information, to register for any
of these classes or to get our free online 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 Information” and
then “Healthy Kids Calendar.”
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.
Safe Sitter
Dates: March 9, April 13, May 18, June 8
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch is provided)
Safe Sitter is a national organization that teaches young
adolescents safe and nurturing babysitting techniques and the
rescue skills needed to respond appropriately to medical
emergencies. Instructors are certified through Safe Sitter
16

17. 21st annual Center Stage is April 20
Photo: A. Streiber
A black tie gala to benefit the Goody’s Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital
Saturday, April 20
Knoxville Convention Center — beginning at 6:00 p.m.
About the featured performers:
Performing together since 1973, KC and the Sunshine Band’s party sounds
have entertained audiences and music lovers for 40 years now with their fun
and infectious dance and disco tunes. The band has had multiple hit singles,
including “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “Boogie Shoes.”
From number one records to Grammy Awards, People’s Choice Awards and
American Music Awards, KC and the Sunshine Band has sold more than 100
million records over the past 37 years.
Laura Bell Bundy portrayed the lead role in the Broadway productions of
Legally Blonde, Wicked and Hairspray before she turned her talents to another
area of performance – country music. This Tony Award-winning entertainer
currently finds herself rising up the charts with her second country album
released last summer, Another Piece of Me. She won an American Country
Award and CMT Music Award for her song “Giddy On Up” from her first
album, Achin’ and Shakin’, in 2010. She currently plays the character Shelby
on the CW television show Heart of Dixie.
For details or tables/tickets, contact Pat Scott at (865) 541-8244 or pmscott@etch.com.
17
Donate at www.etch.com

18. Giving Begins Early:
The Christmas Wish
McKensee Robinson of
Newport, Tenn. was making
plans to celebrate her 12th
birthday last December. That’s
when her mother, Mechelle,
told her that after her birthday,
she could ask for three things
for Christmas, since the three
Wise Men had each brought a
gift to Jesus when he was born.
Narrowing down a wish
list for the holidays can be
tough at any age, but
McKensee decided that she
would like some money to
buy what she wanted. The sixth grader at Newport
Grammar School told her mother that she wanted some
time to think about it, and after re-thinking, McKensee came
back to Mechelle in tears, and what this girl came up with as
what she really wanted as a Christmas present touched her
mother’s heart.
“McKensee said she wanted to spend time with the kids
at Children’s Hospital, because they might not have as many
friends and family as she does,” Mechelle said, “and she then
handed me the $100 she received for her birthday and wanted
me to buy twenty $5 McDonald’s cards for her to give as gifts.
I was just so impressed with the thought she put behind her
decision and how she thought of others over herself.”
The morning after McKensee displayed her giving spirit to
her mom, Mechelle Robinson attended a Newport Chamber
of Commerce meeting where she met a representative from
Children’s Hospital and relayed her daughter’s desire to help
other children during the holidays. “I spoke with the
Children’s Hospital representative, who told me that although
McKensee was too young to serve as a volunteer in the
hospital, there were a couple of options that would allow her
to participate and get her Christmas wish.”
The option to help at Children’s Hospital that appealed
most to the Newport youngster was to do a coloring book
collection to donate. “Children’s Hospital explained that
during the holiday season, many donations are received, but
after the first of the year when it is cold outside, they still need
donations and need activities and things for the children
12-year-old
McKensee
Robinson
at Newport
Grammar
School
who are patients to stay occupied.” So McKensee set a goal
of getting at least 100 coloring books and boxes of at least
24 crayons in a box to take to the children who are receiving
treatment at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to deliver to
the hospital in February.
Not only did McKensee meet her goal, she met it within
days of asking her many friends and family to help with the
donation project. She just kept collecting, and by early
January had already received over 300 coloring books to
donate to Children’s Hospital, including many from Ball
Corporation employees where Mechelle works. McKensee’s
goal now is to get over 600 coloring books and crayon packs
to give to Children’s patients.
The assistance that Children’s Hospital receives from
throughout the East Tennessee community makes such a
difference in the lives of the tens of thousands of patients
that are treated at the pediatric facility every year. Whether
it is coloring books and crayons or purchasing a ticket to an
upcoming event like “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” on
March 22 to giving a cash donation that will help purchase
much needed pediatric medical equipment, community
support has kept Children’s Hospital growing, thriving and
serving this area’s families for over 75 years.
If you would like to know more about how you can
help Children’s Hospital or make a donation, contact the
Development Department at (865) 541-8441 or at
friends@etch.com.
18

19. Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars NOW for several upcoming events to entertain families and benefit Children’s Hospital.
Thanks to the generous people of East Tennessee who host and participate in these events, Children’s Hospital
can continue to provide the best pediatric health care to the children of this region.
Dancing with the Knoxville Stars
Star 102.1 Radiothon
Dancing with the Knoxville Stars is coming back to the
Knoxville Expo Center on March 22 for a night of smooth
moves and friendly competition. The event will feature many
local celebrities showing off moves learned from their dance
instructor partners over a few weeks of intense training.
Celebrities raise money through online voting and donations
at the event. Reservations for tables and general admission
seats will be available soon.
Last year, Dancing with the Knoxville Stars raised
$87,000 for Children’s Hospital and featured local
personalities including: WBIR-TV 10 Sports Anchor Kris
Budden; Former UT Football Player Robert Peace; Renita
Stinnett, Knoxville Expo Center/Graham Corporation Sales
Team; WVLT-TV Anchor Lorena Estrada; Knoxville News
Sentinel Writer Jamie Satterfield; Former First Lady of
Knoxville Janet Testerman Crossley; Fitness Expert Missy
Kane; Star 102.1 DJ Shaffer; Master of Ceremonies at Dolly
Parton’s Dixie Stampede Jay Teter; Local Singer/Songwriter
Logan Murrell; and WATE Anchor Bo Williams.
For more information on the event, contact Pat Scott at
(865)-541-8244.
The 12th annual Star 102.1 Radiothon is April 11-12
at West Town Mall. Radio personalities Marc & Kim and
Frank will be on hand from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to
encourage listeners and those who stop by to make a pledge to
help Children’s Hospital. The Radiothon will include
inspirational patient stories, an extensive silent auction and
visits from local celebrities. All proceeds benefit Children’s
Hospital Home Health Care and the Emergency Department.
It’s About Children recaps the events and friends
that support East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Donors who contributed from October 1 – December
31, 2012 are listed on the Children’s Hospital
website at www.etch.com, and a complete list of
donors appears in an annual report each fall.
For more information regarding the fund-raising
efforts of Children’s Hospital, contact:
Peyton Manning Golf Classic
The Peyton Manning Golf Classic benefiting East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital and the PeyBack Foundation
will take place Monday, June 17 at Fox Den Country Club in
Knoxville. The format is a 4-player team swat (or best ball)
and will be flighted by team handicaps. Golfers can enjoy
either a morning or afternoon round, and each round is
considered a separate tournament with three flights.
Manning, quarterback for the National Football League’s
Denver Broncos, will visit with golfers throughout the day.
All proceeds benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and
Manning’s PeyBack Foundation. To register for the event
or for information on sponsorship opportunities, contact
the Children’s Hospital Development Department at
(865) 541-8441.
Children’s Hospital Development Office
P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, TN 37901-5010
(865) 541-8441
19
Donate at www.etch.com

20. 2018 Clinch Ave. • P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
with the
dancing with the
Knoxville stars!
We always try to stay current with friends of the hospital.
If for any reason you should receive a duplicate issue or
need to update your address, please notify the hospital at
(865) 541-8165 or eliston@etch.com
presents the 5th Annual
PAID
Friday, March 22, 2013
Knoxville Expo Center
Join us for a night of live music, dancing,
friendly competition with local celebrities
and their professional dance partners.
Stay tuned to Star 102.1 radio for BIG
ANNOUNCEMENTS of the 2013 celebrity lineup!
All proceeds benefit
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PERMIT 433
KNOXVILLE, TN
Local singe
r
Murrell an Logan
d dan
partner H
ayden Esco ce
bar
perform at
the 2012
Dancing w
ith
Knoxville the
Stars.
Marc of
Frank, Kim and Dancing
at
Star 102.1 radio Stars.
ille
with the Knoxv
Jay Teter, Master of
Ceremonies at Dixie
Stampede, and da
partner Taryn Escoba nce
r won
Judges’ pick award at
the 2012 Dancing w
ith
the Knoxville Stars.
Reserve individual tickets or a table by contacting Pat Scott at (865) 541-8244.