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Board of DirectorsJames S. Bush ChairmanRobert Madigan, M.D. Vice ChairmanRobert M. Goodfriend Secretary/TreasurerMichael CrabtreeDawn FordPeyton HairstonJeffory Jennings, M.D.Bob KoppelDonald E. Larmee, M.D.Dugan McLaughlinChris Miller, M.D.Alvin NanceDennis RagsdaleJ. Finbarr Saunders, Jr.William F. Searle IIIBill Terry, M.D.Laurens TullockDanni VarlanMedical StaffChris Miller, M.D. Chief of StaffLewis Harris, M.D. Vice Chief of StaffDavid Nickels, M.D. SecretaryChiefs of ServicesLise Christensen, M.D. Chief of MedicineCameron Sears, M.D. Chief of SurgeryDavid Birdwell, M.D. Chief of PathologyClifford J. Meservy, M.D. Chief of RadiologyMike Mysinger, D.D.S. Chief of DentistryMark Cramolini, M.D. Chief of AnesthesiologyAdministrationBob Koppel PresidentPaul Bates Vice President for Human ResourcesJoe Childs, M.D. Vice President for Medical ServicesRudy McKinley Vice President for OperationsJim Pruitt Vice President for FinanceBeckie Thomas, R.N. Vice President for Patient Care

A quarterly publication of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, It’s About Children is designed to inform the East Tennessee community about the hospital and the patients we serve. Children’s Hospital is a private, independent, not-for-profi t pediatric medical center that has served the East Tennessee region for more than 65 years and is certifi ed by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.Ellen Liston Director of Community RelationsDavid Rule Director of DevelopmentWendy Hames EditorNeil Crosby Cover/Contributing Photographer“Because Children are Special…”…they deserve the best possible health care given in a positive 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 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 staff whose only interests and concerns are with the total health and well-being of infants, children and adolescents.”

Statement of PhilosophyEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital

www.etch.com

Artwork by some of Children’s Hospital’s special patients

3

On the cover: Emma Woodroof of Seymour will soon celebrate her second Christmas. Read her story on pages 4-5.

– by Jessica, age 10

To Whom It May Concern:

I am really proud of everything Children’s Hospital

does for all the children who come through the doors.

My son was born Aug. 25th, 1996, at Fort Sanders

Regional Medical Center. He was also born 2 months

early (32 weeks). He was a tiny little thing weighing in at

2 lb. 7 1/2 oz. He is now 6 years old and will be going into

fi rst grade at Gibbs Elementary School when school starts.

The NICU staff became my family for 40 days that

summer and fall. I am really grateful for everything they

did while he was in their unit. Dr. Prinz is a fi ne man

and doctor, and he was always very glad to answer any

questions, and he eased any fears I had. If I were to look

for the word “hero” in the dictionary, Dr. Prinz and his

staff’s picture would be there. With their help, my son is

the healthy, active child he is today.

Thanks again for everything and

everyone.

Sincerely,

Debbie DunnKnoxville

– by Stuart, age 5

To Whom It May Concern:

On July 17, 2003, I took my daughter, Courtney, to your Emergency Department. I thought it was for a very bad headache, possibly a migraine. We met a wonderful doctor, Dr. John Williams, Nancy the nurse and Kristen, yet another great nurse. They ALL took wonderful care of my daughter and I. The Child Life person was a very sweet girl named Ashley. After Dr. Williams had performed a strep test and Nancy had taken several vials of blood, nothing showed up, so Dr. Williams had Nancy put a numbing gel on Courtney’s spine. Afterward, Dr. Williams performed the “lumbar puncture.” It showed 108 white blood cells in her spinal fl uid, and so he admitted Courtney to the hospital. She was in Room 314 on the Third Floor. The assistance our daughter received in your Emergency Department was wonderful. I was surprised at myself because I managed to stay so calm. I honestly believe a large part of that was due to your staff. The other part was due to the Good Lord. Once Courtney was in her room, again everyone who cared for her, Dr. DeAnn Holbrook, a nurse named Lisa, Deb, Rachael, JaVegas, David, Connie Covington, Pat and probably others, were exceptional. Laurie, who so kindly cleaned my daughter’s room, was very nice and even came back in the room and cleaned up where she had just cleaned and I had already made a mess. She was really sweet to do that. I have to thank the nurses who worked during those three days (July 17-19) at the nurses’ station, a great big thank you! If we needed anything, someone always made sure we got what we needed. They also made sure that our other daughter, Holly, was comfortable and had what she needed as well.

Courtney got better and was able to go home on Saturday the 19th. I knew she was feeling better that day because she was already starting to argue with her sister, before she was even discharged from the hospital. If I did leave out anyone, please forgive me. Everyone we encountered at the hospital went above and beyond the call of duty. I can’t sing praises enough for all of your staff who took care of our daughter. My husband and I were told 17 years ago that we would never have children. So now that we have two beautiful, healthy daughters, whenever they get seriously sick, the panic starts to rise inside of me. Luckily, we caught the illness, viral meningitis, in time and were able to take care of it. She has been her normal self since her discharge and back to her normal activities. Thank you so much for everything your staff did to help our daughter. May God richly bless each and every one of you!Sincerely, Brenda Darlene FennelKnoxville

Dear Mr. Koppel,

I am writing to thank the staff at Children’s Hospital for the wonderful care that was provided to us while our son, Eric, was a patient. We had the unfortunate pleasure of visiting your hospital while we were on vacation in the Gatlinburg area. Eric developed appendicitis and required emergency surgery. You can only imagine how anxious we were when our son required surgery in a city that we were not familiar with; but everyone that we came in contact with was very understanding of our situation. Please let Will Ferguson, R.N., in the Emergency Department, know how thankful we were for the extra special attention he provided to our son, particularly since he had never been a patient in a hospital until that day. Eric had many questions, and Will answered all of his questions and let him know what he was doing each step of the way. It was particularly comforting for Will to tell us that our son may wake up in the Intensive Care Unit, not because there would be anything wrong, but because it was typical for patients in the evening to be recovered there. Your Child Life staff was very helpful as well. They provided our son with a television set and a Nintendo system to help keep him occupied as we waited. He was very nervous about his surgery. I would also like to extend a big thank you to Dr. Mick Connors in the Emergency Department and to Dr. David Schindel, the pediatric surgeon, for their care. They made us feel very comfortable and were very patient with us, and it didn’t hurt that they had a Hoosier connection. And please extend a thank you to the staff on Second Floor, particularly Karen Fieldsa, Amanda Brown and Seth Donly. I am sure there are others who helped to take care of Eric, but I cannot remember all their names. Not only did they take care of Eric, but they genuinely cared, not only for their patients, but for their families as well. We truly appreciate their care and concern. I only hope that if any of you ever required care in our area, that our hospital could provide the quality of care that was shown to us.

Thankfully,Alice McCoy, R.N.Team Leader, Endoscopy LabColumbus Regional HospitalColumbus, Indiana

4 5

Getting up in the middle of the night to attend to a newborn is a normal experience for most parents, and it was no different for Chad and Tara Woodroof of Seymour, Tenn. Except the sound they would awaken to almost every night when their daughter, Emma, was fi rst born was a heart monitor reminding them of Emma’s medical condition. On September 4, 2002, Tara gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. But the excitement that usually surrounds such a wondrous occasion was soon replaced by fear. Emma was born with an abnormal heart rate and a heart murmur, and on September 6, she was transported by one of Children’s Hospital’s LIFELINE vehicles to the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from the hospital in Sevierville where she was born. “I was a wreck driving to the hospital (in Knoxville),” Tara said. “It was a nightmare.” After Emma spent fi ve days in the NICU, Chad and Tara fi nally got to take her home. She was not showing any serious side effects from her slow heart rate such as loss of oxygen, dizziness or shortness of breath. Still, Stephen Prinz, M.D., neonatologist at Children’s Hospital, ordered a heart monitor

to use with Emma while she slept at night. The monitor’s results can be

digitally read at the Children’s Hospital Home Health Care

offi ce in Farragut without a nurse or a therapist

having to go to Seymour. Home Health also delivers

all of the necessary supplies for the heart monitor to the

Woodroofs’ home. Initially, the monitor was

adjusted to go off if Emma’s heart rate dropped below 80 beats per minute. This would usually occur four times a week. Tara and Chad would have to get up every time to reset the monitor and check to see if Emma was still breathing. “I would lie in bed and cry because I dreaded it going off,” Tara said. All of a sudden, the monitor started going off 100 times a night. One night Emma’s heart rate plummeted to the 40s, which caused the monitor to go off more than 200 times. Tara and Chad, who were both working at the time, were tired and scared. To evaluate the problem and search for its cause, Emma’s pediatric cardiologist scheduled her for a sleep study.

Emma, who was just 6 months old at the time, came to the Children’s Hospital Sleep Lab on February 6, 2003. The Sleep Lab has two rooms equipped with the latest technology for overnight observation of children who are having problems with sleep. Remodeling of the Sleep Lab this fall will provide a third overnight room, and a new Sleep Lab, part of the hospital’s expansion (read more about the expansion on page 9), is scheduled to open next year.

The Sleep Lab technicians applied self-adhesive electrodes to Emma’s head, chest, abdomen and legs to monitor brain waves, eye movements, air fl ow, heartbeat, blood oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels. Then, Emma and her parents settled into one of the home-like rooms to try to get a good night’s rest or, more appropriately, a good night’s test. “We felt helpless not knowing what was causing it,” Tara said. “We knew Children’s was the right place to be, because they truly cared about what happened to her.” In fact, the Sleep Lab staff cared so much about Emma that they were all in tears when, within 10 minutes of falling asleep, Emma’s heart rate plunged so low they had to wake her and her parents and rush her to the Emergency Department down the hall. Once awake, Emma appeared fi ne, but she was carefully examined by Emergency Department staff. Results from her short sleep study ruled out several possible causes of her heart irregularities, such as sleep apnea. It was eventually discovered that two of the nodes in Emma’s heart are blocked, which, in basic terms, means the heart is not receiving enough “electricity.” Though

Emma may eventually need a pacemaker to artifi cially simulate the natural rhythmic electrical discharges of the heart, for now the condition isn’t life-threatening. Now that the cause of Emma’s slow heart rate is known, it is not necessary to watch her as closely. Her heart works perfectly while she is awake, and even though her heart rate still slows when she sleeps, it always goes back up on its own. Her monitor is now set to go off at 50 beats per minute, which rarely happens. Emma’s sleep study not only led to her diagnosis but also subsequently helped her parents to get more sleep. “She usually slept right through her monitor beeping, but we sure didn’t,” Tara recalled with a laugh. Emma is also a patient of Youhanna Al-Tawil, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist. Dr. Al-Tawil is checking Emma for possible gastroesophageal refl ux disease (GERD), which is when gastric content is brought back up into the esophagus. Emma had a probe study done in March, and the results were normal. “Children’s Hospital is like our family,” Tara said. “We are so appreciative for each person we have been fortunate to meet through all of our time there.” According to her primary pediatrician, Fred Hodge, M.D., Emma has a bright future and many sweet dreams ahead of her. “In spite of a rough start, Emma is continuously improving,” he said. “She has a wonderful family to take care of her.”

by Katie Harvey, Publications Specialist

For bleary-eyed parents of newborns, it never fails. Just as you have fi nally fallen to sleep after a full day of feeding, changing, carrying, holding and loving, you are awakened by the sound of your baby stirring in his or her crib.

“We felt helpless not knowing what was

causing it,” Tara said. “We knew Children’s was the right place to be, because they

truly cared about what happened to her.”

76

The premier event of the 2003 holiday season in East Tennessee will be highlighted with musical decorations and melodic symbols heralding the arrival of the Christmas season. Guests will wander through a magical forest of more than 260 beautifully decorated trees, holiday accessories, room scenes, fireplace mantels, swags, door designs, table centerpieces, topiaries and “Adopt-a-Trees” decorated by local children. Entertainers from throughout East Tennessee will perform daily at the Fantasy Theater. Singers, dancers and other entertainers will take center stage each day to share their talents and ring in the holiday season. The Gingerbread Village will showcase gingerbread houses deliciously constructed and decorated by area bakers, chefs and school children. And, as always, visitors will be able to find something for everyone on their shopping list at the Fantasy’s many holiday shops. A family-oriented event, the Fantasy of Trees offers activities and fun for children of all ages. For the youngest guests, activities include many returning favorites such as a beautiful 30-horse carousel and visits with Santa. New activities include Jingle Buddies (little musicians can personalize their own jingle bell), Fa La La Flutes (children can make the sounds of the season come alive by decorating their own flutes), Itsy Bitsy Trees (the smallest holiday decorators can trim a tree just their size), My Very Own Stocking (Santa will love filling these personally-decorated stockings with goodies) and Santa’s Jazzy Band (children can be part of a special holiday band, play a variety of instruments and watch their “show” on a big-screen TV). New shops have been added this season for the adults, making it even easier to complete Christmas shopping lists.

Back by popular demand, the Fantasy of Trees presents “Home for the Holidays,” sponsored by the Scripps Networks, which includes HGTV, the Food Network, DIY (Do It Yourself) and Fine Living. This unique area that debuted last year allows visitors to take home great holiday decorating and entertaining ideas. The “Home for the Holidays” area will also be the site of activities hosted by Fantasy of Trees major sponsors. On Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Shoney Bear will be on site for photos with children and to hand out goodies. Also Saturday, Goody’s and the Knoxville News Sentinel will present a holiday fashion display in the “Home for the Holidays” booth from 9 a.m. to noon. This will allow visitors to the Fantasy of Trees to see holiday fashions and accessories “up close” and talk with Goody’s fashion associates about dressing up their wardrobe for the holidays.

Special events at the Fantasy of Trees include:

Opening Night GalaTuesday, November 25, 7-11 p.m.Be among the first to visit the 2003 Fantasy of Trees by attending the Fantasy of Trees Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Metron North America. It is the season’s most festive party, with a private preview and sale of designer trees and accessories, a magnificent buffet and dancing. Festive attire is requested at this black-tie-optional event. Gala tickets are $150 per person and must be purchased in advance; call (865) 541-8136 for ticket information and availability.

Babes in Toyland ParadeWednesday, November 26, 7 p.m. The first and only indoor Christmas parade of the season features children from area child care centers, a marching band, costumed characters and holiday fun. The parade’s grand finale features Santa Claus and indoor “fireworks” provided by Pyroshows, Inc. The parade, sponsored by Dollywood, will be broadcast live on WVLT-TV Volunteer News.

Call Home Free on Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 27, 3-9 p.m.The Fantasy of Trees is one of the few sites in Knoxville open on Thanksgiving Day. Consider making the Fantasy a tradition for your family after enjoying your Thanksgiving feast. Visitors to the Fantasy of Trees can chat with Grandma or another relative or friend on this holiday, compliments of Sprint.

Santa’s Senior StrollFriday, November 28, 9-10 a.m.Seniors and walkers of all ages can enjoy a one-mile walk through the Fantasy of Trees. Santa’s Senior Stroll will be mapped out for walkers so that they will know how many times they need to walk through the Fantasy of Trees for a one-mile walk. Representatives from Baptist Health System’s Senior Health Centers will be on hand at the conclusion of the course to provide information on health topics of interest to seniors and to offer free blood pressure screenings. A half-price ticket of $4 will be available to seniors from 9-10 a.m. during the event; this price cannot be combined with any other discount. Santa’s Senior Stroll is sponsored by Baptist Senior Health Centers and BellSouth.

Teddy Bear Breakfast and LunchFriday, November 28Breadfast - 9 a.m.; Lunch - NoonSponsored by Comcast and Coca-Cola, the Teddy Bear Breakfast and Lunch are special parties for children preschool through third grade and their parents. The parties include a delicious meal, fun activities, entertainment and a visit with Santa. Tickets are $20 per person and include free admission to the Fantasy of Trees and a holiday gift for each guest. Tickets must be purchased in advance; call (865) 541-8136 for ticket information and availability.

The Fantasy of Trees is more than just a special holiday event for many East Tennesseans. Proceeds from this year’s show will be used to purchase new and replacement equipment for the larger space and expanded services at the new Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center, scheduled to open in March 2004. The Fantasy has raised more than $3 million for Children’s Hospital since its inception in 1985. This spectacular holiday event would not be possible without the more than 110,000 volunteer hours that make the Fantasy of Trees a reality year after year. Children’s Hospital thanks everyone involved in making this event a success, ensuring Children’s Hospital can continue to provide the best in pediatric health care to all of East Tennessee’s children. For more information about the 2003 Fantasy of Trees, visit our Web site at www.etch.com/fantasy.cfm.

by Elaina Davenport, student intern

Fantasy of Trees assistant co-chair Becky Vanzant and co-chairs Karen Waldbauer and Belinda Ford (left to right)

98

Diabetes is a national epidemic in America’s children, affecting more than 100,000 children nationwide and more than 1,000 in East Tennessee. Children’s Hospital and WATE-TV 6 have begun an important partnership to make families in East Tennessee more aware of this chronic health condition affecting so many of our region’s children. In the coming months, WATE co-anchor Lori Tucker will report on the signs, symptoms and dangers associated with Type I and Type II diabetes through a series of reports on the station’s newscasts. The news station also will introduce a series of innovative public service announcements with a theme of “Mission Nutrition,” which will provide healthy eating strategies aimed at preventing overeating in children. An ever-increasing number of children locally and nationally are becoming obese and, therefore, are more prone to Type II diabetes. On January 11, WATE will air a “campathon” live from 8-9 p.m. to encourage the East

Tennessee community to be more involved in this important pediatric health issue and to raise money for Camp Cure, the Children’s Hospital summer day-camp for diabetes patients. Monies raised from the hour-long event will provide funding for the camp and allow children to attend for free. “We are really excited about joining forces with Children’s Hospital to help spread the word about diabetes,” said Jan Wade, General Manager of WATE. “Our hope is that by providing the public with much-needed information about this serious health concern, we can truly make a difference not only in the lives of children and families currently affected by diabetes, but also keep others from having to face living with this medical condition.” Look for more information about this diabetes education partnership on WATE and at www.etch.com.

by Janya Marshall, Associate Director for Public Relations

Thirty years ago, Children’s Hospital’s Social Work Department consisted of one social worker, a tiny office located in the back of an elevator shaft and an annual caseload of a little more than 400 patients. Today, Children’s Hospital employs 14 social workers who, from their suite of offices on the Second Floor of the Koppel Plaza, assisted 3,500 patients and families in the 2002/03 fiscal year. The growing numbers of cases and social workers aren’t the only changes evident. Since 1973, social work responsibilities have also increased — and have changed dramatically. Social workers assist families with basic needs (clothing, food, financial referrals, etc.), but more significantly, they provide a wealth of additional services, including supportive counseling, crisis intervention, discharge planning, case coordination, information and referral, and language and hearing impaired interpretation services. The Social Work Department also helps patients and families deal with the emotional stress a child’s illness or injury can cause. Social workers help by teaching therapeutic coping techniques to patients and families and by referring them to community resources so families may receive ongoing assistance after discharge from Children’s Hospital. Sometimes emotions can become more complicated when detailed medical information is presented to already stressed parents, and a social worker is often of assistance in these situations. “Sometimes we serve as a liaison between physicians and patients and their families, because they may feel overwhelmed, anxious or unable to understand the information provided,” said Beverly Schneider, Director of Social Work. It is important for medical information to be conveyed properly to all patients and families. The increase in non-English-speaking families in East Tennessee has made interpretation services necessary to ensure the needs of this diverse population are met. The Social Work Department provides the resources needed for a non-English-speaking patient and family to communicate with and understand medical staff.

For non-English speaking families, three different interpretation services are available. The Language Line, Inc., is a 24-hour telephone service for interpreters in 148 languages. In the 2002/03 fiscal year, 354 calls were placed to the Language Line for the interpretation of a variety of languages spoken by Children’s Hospital patient families. Interpreting Resources International, Inc., is a face-to-face Spanish interpretation company that assisted 55 families in the 2002/03 fiscal year. Social workers also used the services of the Knox Area Communication Center for the Deaf for 18 hearing-impaired patients and families.

The role of a social worker is not one that can be easily defined because of the broad range of situations involved. Many cases are opened for families with basic needs — an aspect of Social Work that may be unfamiliar to many people. On the other end of the spectrum are the more sensitive cases regarding issues such as abuse and neglect — the types of cases the general public typically identifies with the Social Work profession. Social workers are actively involved in these situations in various ways, including working with outside agencies such as the Knoxville Police Department and the Department of Child Services. “We do what we can to alleviate the stress of the situation, but we do not investigate the circumstances,” Schneider said. “We assist

the investigating agencies and serve as a liaison between the agencies and staff.” The Social Work Department also staffs specific areas of the hospital to help with situations that may arise. Areas covered are the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Second and Third Floors, Emergency Department, Home Health and outpatient clinics. Children’s Hospital offers several services to help families with basic needs; these services are administered by the Social Work Department. The meal program was developed for families who arrive at Children’s Hospital for unexpected medical care and for families with financial need. Those in an emergency situation or those who have traveled a long distance on short notice may benefit from the meal program, which is funded by private community and employee donations. The Nancy Beltz Special Services Fund, established in memory of the former Director of Materials Management at Children’s Hospital, assists families in ways that will benefit a patient and perhaps speed recovery. For example, the Special Services Fund has helped families on occasion with utility bills and even purchased coal for one family to heat their house to ensure the patient would be discharged to an adequately heated home. The program has helped families with individual need-based circumstances so that the child’s health is not jeopardized once at home, due to a situation such as lack of heat. This fund is also financed through private community and employee donations. The Clothing Closet is another service of the hospital for families who may have had to leave home unexpectedly and are without a clean change of clothing. The Children’s Hospital Auxiliary collects clothing donations, while the Social Work Department dispenses the clothes as needed. Basic toiletry items, such as shampoo and toothpaste, are also available to families in need. For additional information on the different services social workers provide at Children’s Hospital, contact the Social Work Department at (865) 541-8457.

by Donna Lupinos, student intern

Jill Edds, a social worker in the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, visits with 1-year-old Alan Ray Wunderlich and his mother, Mary Wunderlich (at left).

Social Work encompasses wide variety of services to meet patient, family needs

Partnership to highlight diabetes program, awareness

JCAHO survey a success

Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Home Health Care were awarded a renewal of their three-year accreditation following a successful survey by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) during the week of September 8-12. The JCAHO surveyed Children’s Hospital over three days and also conducted a separate, four-and-a-half-day survey of the hospital’s Home Health Care department, which operates out of offices in Farragut. In its preliminary report, the Joint Commission survey team, which included a pediatrician and a nurse, recommended a three-year accreditation — the longest period offered by the JCAHO — for the hospital and home health. The surveyors were extremely complimentary of our organization, staff and the care we provide to our patients and families. The JCAHO is a private, not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of health care through the accreditation of health care organizations. It began hospital inspections in 1918, and today, the Joint Commission surveys hospitals, health care networks, long-term care pharmacies, laboratories and organizations specializing in long-term care, ambulatory care, behavioral health and home care.

If you take a drive by Children’s Hospital or if a child in your family must visit our facility, it is obvious our campus continues to undergo construction work. Progress is being made toward completion of the 115,000-square-foot, seven-story patient tower. Here is an update on what has been completed and what the future holds for the new hospital areas:

• Construction of the steel structure is under way. The eastbound lane on Clinch Avenue between 20th and 21st streets is currently closed to accomplish this phase of construction, which is set for completion in several months.

• The four elevator shafts and stairwell for the new tower are completed.

• The addition of a third floor over the Emergency Department/Outpatient Clinics is well under way.

• Work is continuing on the south side of the hospital for the installation of new heating and air-conditioning units on the second, third and fourth floors.

In addition, the campus has been put on a dual electrical feed from the Knoxville

Utilities Board to enable all hospital buildings to be tied together through the electrical systems. Once construction is complete, renovation of about 90,000 square feet of existing hospital space will begin, including modernization of all semi-private inpatient rooms with half baths to private rooms with full baths. These renovations are scheduled to begin in late 2004. The $31.8 million expansion and renovation of Children’s Hospital will ultimately allow for more space and comfort for patients and families. Features will include 95 private patient rooms with full baths, an expanded 13-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and an expanded 44-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital’s licensed beds will increase from 122 to 152, and the Emergency Department will see an increase from 18 to 35 beds. In addition, the Surgery and Radiology Departments will be expanded, and more space will allow additional room for a larger cafeteria, support services, staff and storage.

by Matt Rongey, student intern

Construction project continues

1110

Michael J. Belmont, M.D.B.S. — State University of New York at Buffalo, 1990

M.D. — State University of New York at Brooklyn, 1995

Internship (General Surgery) — Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, 1995-1996

Residency (Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery) — State University of New York at Buffalo, 1996-1999. University of Pennsylvania, 1999-2001

Fellowship (Pediatric Otolaryngology) — Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 2001-2003

Other — Board certifi ed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology; member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society

Family — Wife, Tracey Belmont

Interests — Mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, tennis, orchid and bonsai cultivation

A desire to provide care to children with complex medical problems led one of Children’s Hospital’s newest pediatric subspecialists to his chosen field. Michael J. Belmont, M.D., grew up in Long Island, New York. He completed his undergraduate education in electrical engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo and went on to earn his medical degree at the State University of New York at Brooklyn. Dr. Belmont spent three years as a resident at the State University of New York at Buffalo and completed his residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed a two-year fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the oldest pediatric otolaryngology fellowship in the nation.

Pediatric otolaryngologist joins staff at Children’s

Dr. Belmont became interested in otolaryngology during medical school. “The specialty allows me to treat a broad range of problems, medically when possible, or surgically when appropriate,” he said. He also had strongly considered a career in pediatrics but ultimately combined his two greatest interests in medicine in choosing to practice as a pediatric otolaryngologist. Dr. Belmont’s desire to move south led him to consider East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. At the same time, John Little, M.D., was seeking a partner for his Children’s Hospital-based practice, Pediatric Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, PLLC. Children’s Hospital and the city of Knoxville fit the bill perfectly for Dr. Belmont, and he joined Dr. Little’s practice this summer.

Dr. Belmont treats patients with common medical problems such as recurrent ear infections, recurrent tonsillitis, allergy and sinus disorders, and sleep apnea. He also specializes in treating children with more complex airway and breathing problems, and children with head and neck tumors. “I’m especially interested in microsurgical repair of ear drum perforations, ear bone abnormalities and cholesteatomas that can be associated with hearing loss,” Dr. Belmont said. He also performs more common surgeries such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and ear tube placement. “While common for me, they are far from routine when it’s your child; my goal is to make these procedures as stress-free, worry-free and pain-free as possible for both the child and the parents,” he said.

Mary Gwyn Roper, M.D.B.A. — Davidson College, Davidson, N.C., 1993

M.D. — Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 1997

Pediatric Residency — Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Va., 1997-2000

Fellowship (Pediatric Endocrinology) — University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2003

Family — Husband, John Roper

Interests — Tennis, water-skiing, cooking, working with the Turner Syndrome Society

Pediatric endocrinologist identifi es with her patients

Subspecialist Profiles

Mary Gwyn Roper, M.D., has come full circle. She spent her earliest years in Knoxville, where she was diagnosed with an endocrine disorder. This summer she returned to Knoxville to treat children with similar medical problems. Dr. Roper’s personal childhood experience with a pediatric endocrinologist led her to pursue the specialty as a profession. She was born at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, just across the street from Children’s Hospital; and she was a patient of longtime Knoxville pediatrician Dr. Henry Long, who is now retired from the Pediatric Clinic group. When Dr. Roper was 2 years old, Dr. Long referred her to a pediatric endocrinologist in Chapel Hill, N.C., for treatment of Turner Syndrome, an endocrine disorder. Individuals with Turner Syndrome may exhibit a wide variety and degree of symptoms, including short stature and ovarian failure, as well as other problems. It is caused by a missing partial or whole X-chromosome. “I had a very astute pediatrician,” Dr. Roper said. “He sent me to Chapel Hill because there were no subspecialists here at Children’s Hospital. Today, my family and I would not have to go anywhere else for my care, because Children’s Hospital now has physicians in most of the pediatric specialties.” As a child, Dr. Roper was treated with growth hormone to increase her height. She was a participant in pilot studies of growth

hormone and says the treatment she received as a child, though unpleasant, was based on the best knowledge available at the time. She speaks from experience when she says changes in growth hormone therapy are one of the great improvements in pediatric endocrinology. “The growth hormone injections are now easier. They were previously given into muscle and were very painful,” she said. “Now they are given under the skin, which is less painful, and dosing is more accurate as well.” Regardless of the cause, “Treating children with short stature is my big interest,” Dr. Roper said. Because of her own short stature, she can identify with these patients, who may also have Turner Syndrome or another problem that limits growth, such as an isolated growth hormone defi ciency or hypopituitarism. In addition to growth disorders, Dr. Roper treats many other endocrine disorders in children. Perhaps 60 percent of her practice is devoted to children with diabetes, both Type 1 (often referred to as juvenile diabetes) and Type 2 (frequently called adult-onset diabetes). An increasing number of children are being diagnosed with Type 2, which was once primarily an adult disease but is now recognized as a problem in overweight children. Diabetes care is rapidly advancing, particularly since insulin pumps became available to more easily deliver insulin to pediatric patients. “This is a huge area of research, and diabetes care is

really improving,” she said. Other common conditions seen in the pediatric endocrinology practice include thyroid hormone problems, delayed or early puberty and calcium disorders. Among the biggest challenges Dr. Roper faces as a pediatric endocrinologist is fi nding adequate time to work with her patients and their families. “It takes a great deal of time and teaching, particularly with children with diabetes, to educate our patients. We have great nurse educators and great nutritionists, but it just takes a lot of time and interaction to meet our patients’ educational needs in the offi ce, in the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic or by telephone because there is so much they need to know.” Dr. Roper returned this summer to Knoxville, the city she left at age 9, to join David Nickels, M.D., and Carmen Tapiador, M.D., in their busy Children’s Hospital-based pediatric endocrinology practice. Knoxville was Dr. Roper’s parents’ hometown, and she still has relatives in the area. “I was interested in coming here but didn’t know if it would be a possibility,” she said. “I didn’t know there was a pediatric endocrinology group here. I was excited to learn about it.” Working with Drs. Nickels and Tapiador, Dr. Roper will help to meet the increasing medical needs of this region’s children.

Please send the free brochure titled “Personal Records.”

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City ____________________ State _____ Zip ____________ Phone #___________________________ Please call me at the above phone number for a free confi dential 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:

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Please send me information about The ABC Club.

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IncludeChildren’s Hospital

in your estate plans.Join the ABC Club.For more information,call (865) 541-8441.

1312

U p c o m i n g e v e n t s t o b e n e f i t C h i l d r e n ’ sIf you are looking for something new to do this winter or if you’re interested in helping Children’s Hospital, several upcoming events will let you accomplish both. Through the support of sponsors, volunteers and participants, these

events help Children’s Hospital provide the best pediatric health care for East Tennessee’s children. For more information about any of these events, contact the Children’s Hospital Development Offi ce at (865) 541-8441 or

visit the calendar of events on the Children’s Hospital Web site at www.etch.com/attractions.cfm.

The 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” Among the powers held by each state is that of establishing its own set of laws. Though there may be some similarities in the laws of each state, there are many differences. Tennessee law contains three different “titles” relating to wills and estates. These contain 17 separate chapters with 15 different parts and more than 300 subparts. If you fi nd this confusing, imagine trying to put together a “will kit” or a software package that could be accurate for all 50 states. Imagine dealing with a software program with all of those intricate differences and how confusing that couldbe. The opportunities for error are enormous,especially when you consider the number of changes that can be made by 50 state legislatures each year. Whether you are wealthy or of more modest means, there is simply no substitute for your lawyer’s knowledge of the laws of your state when drawing up your will. Think for a moment about some of the things your lawyer can do for you:• Guide you as you select a guardian for

your minor children;

• Help you reach as many of your objectives as possible with a minimum of taxes and other headaches;

• Present alternative plans for you to consider and explain the benefi ts and the drawbacks of each;

• Advise you if your situation calls for the expertise of other professionals such as certifi ed public accountants (CPAs), Trust Offi cers or certifi ed life underwriters (CLUs);

• Guide you in selecting a personal representative to carry out your wishes through your will;

• Ensure your will is properly signed and witnessed;

• Help you take special circumstances of all types into account;

• Advise you about the benefi ts and drawbacks of holding all property in joint names;

• Advise you about charities you may wish to assist through your will;

• Explain upcoming changes in estate law and other important matters.

Just as each state has different laws, each family has different priorities for handling assets accumulated during a lifetime. Your situation is important; it requires and deserves the individual attention you can only get from your lawyer. You and your family deserve the peace of mind that comes from having a properly drawn will. For a copy of our free planning booklet, “Personal Records,” please 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 Offi cer, at tgoddard@etch.com, or give us a call at (865) 541-8441.

hy should I hire an attorney? Can’t I just buy a “will kit” or some software for my computer?

Estate Planning...Your attorney: The quarterback of your estate planning team

by David Rule,Director of Development

• If you are looking for a unique gift for someone special this holiday season, visit Children’s Hospital November 13-14 forthe Robert Tino Holiday Sale. Nationally-known artist Robert Tino of Sevierville will be at Children’s Hospital on Thursday, November 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, November 14,from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend the seventh annual art sale at Children’s Hospital, and Tino and his wife, Mary John Tino, will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale to Children’s Hospital as a holiday gift. Tino will bring a variety of his work in all price ranges to the two-day event, including notecards, matted 8x10 prints, art tiles, framed limited edition prints and more.

• Colder weather is quickly approaching, which means the winter blues can’t be too far behind. A great way to cure those blues is to attend the 7th annual Jammin’ In Your Jammies, sponsored by the Children’s Hospital Committee for the Future. This pajama party is a great family-oriented “mini-vacation” that benefi ts Children’s Hospital. Families will have the opportunity to participate in fun games and activities, be treated to an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Select — Cedar Bluff, and enjoy dinner the night of their stay and brunch the following morning. Participants may attend Friday, January 30 (with brunch on Saturday) or Saturday, January 31 (with brunch on Sunday). All this “ jammin” fun for a family of four is only $100 if the family pre-registers by January 23, 2004; after the pre-registration deadline, the cost per family is $115. A portion of the event price is tax-deductible, and additional family members can attend for $25 per person. All proceeds from

this event benefi t the Children’s Hospital Child Life programs.

• On February 6 and 7, University of Tennessee students will once again break out their dancing shoes for the 9th annual Dance Marathon. More than 350 students will gather in Stokely Athletic Center on the UT campus to spend 24 hours raising money to benefi t Children’s Hospital. Besides lots of dancing, the activities scheduled to keep everyone motivated throughout the night include comedians, live bands, karaoke, guest speakers and visits from Hematology/Oncology patients from Children’s Hospital. The event raises money for the Hematology/Oncology Endowment Fund, which provides lifesaving treatment for children in East Tennessee who are affected with cancer and blood disorders. Last year, Dance Marathon raised more than $101,000 for the Hematology/Oncology clinic, and the students involved in Dance Marathon 2004 are planning for an even more successful event.

• Plans are under way for the 3rd annual Star 102.1 Radiothon presented by longtime Children’s Hospital supporters Star 102.1 radio and the Journal Broadcast Group. Radiothon will take place March 4 and 5 at West Town Mall, and the money raised during the event will be used to buy new medical equipment for Children’s Hospital Home Health Care and the new Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center. Last year, Star 102.1 morning radio personalities Marc and Kim and the Journal Broadcast team raised more than $120,000 for Children’s Hospital. Look for the Star 102.1 Radiothon live from the amphitheater in front of JCPenney. Listeners and mall shoppers will have the opportunity to pledge money while

NovemberRobert Tino Holiday Sale

at Children’s HospitalNovember 13 & 14

Fantasy of TreesNovember 26-30

JanuaryWATE-TV Mini-Telethon for Camp Cure (Diabetes Camp)

January 11

Jammin’ in Your JammiesJanuary 30 & 31 and February 1

FebruaryUniversity of Tennessee

Dance MarathonFebruary 6 & 7

MarchStar 102.1 Radiothon

March 4 & 5

TK’s BreakfastMarch 20

Dates to RememberUpcoming events to benefi t

Children’s Hospital

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.”

WW

listening to Children’s Hospital patient stories and Marc and Kim on Star 102.1. To volunteer to help with Radiothon, call the Children’s Hospital Development Offi ce at (865) 541-8567 or listen to Star 102.1 radio for more details.

by Matt Rongey, student intern

1514

Q&ASecond-hand smoke

and its effect on childrenSecond-hand smoke, or passive smoke, puts children at an increased risk of suffering respiratory

ailments such as asthma, bronchiolitis and frequent pneumonia. Children are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of breathing irritations like cough, excess phlegm and wheezing

when exposed to second-hand smoke. Steve Klyce, Respiratory Care Coordinator at Children’s Hospital, offers the following information on second-hand smoke and its effect on children.

Upcoming Community Education Classes

For more information or to register for any of these classes, or to receive our free Healthy Kids parenting newsletter, please call (865) 541-8262.

Announcements about upcoming classes can be seen on WBIR-TV 10 and heard on area radio stations. Or visit our Web site at www.etch.com and click on

“Healthy Kids Education and News.”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.

Steve Klyce, Respiratory Care Coordinator

Infant & Child CPR Monday, November 10 & Monday, December 15

6-9 p.m.Children’s Hospital, Koppel Plaza — Cost: $18

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. Class sizes are limited, so pre-registration is required.

Q: What problems may result if a woman chooses to smoke while pregnant?

A: Women who smoke during pregnancy greatly increase the chances of having a baby with low birth weight and growth delay during the fi rst year. A fetus may face side effects during pregnancy, which can result in respiratory disorders and heart disease because of his or her mother smoking.

Q: What problems can arise when children are exposed to second-hand smoke?

A: Unfortunately, children cannot protect themselves from passive smoking. Parents need to realize that passive smoking has been associated with increased rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), low birth weight, delayed lung growth, asthma, otitis media (ear infections), and even burns due to house fi res caused by cigarettes. Children with respiratory disease account for many lost school days and parents missing time at work.

Q: What more serious problems may be associated with children who already have asthma?

A: Children who have a medical history of asthma will suffer much more than other

children around second-hand smoking. The most common symptoms of asthma include recurring episodes of wheezing, diffi culty breathing and coughing. These symptoms can signifi cantly increase around a smoker. The results can be chronic breathing problems, a greater risk of developing bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Children with asthma seem to have very sensitive or hyper-responsive airways. When they come in contact with certain triggers, such as smoke, the airways react by tightening, swelling, becoming narrow and clogging with mucous. This limits the ability of the child to breathe air in and out of the lungs. Sometimes this only lasts for a short time and can be reversed with aerosol medications (called bronchodilators); however, it could also lead to more serious asthma attacks.

Q: What do I do about others smoking around my child?

A: Parents should be aware of their child’s surroundings. Making healthy choices such as eating in non-smoking sections or smoke-free restaurants is helpful to the entire family. To fi nd out which businesses are smoke-free in the Knoxville area, visit the Smoke-Free Knoxville Web site at www.smokefreeknoxville.com. Talking

with family members, friends or associates who smoke and may be around your children can be diffi cult. However, making your home, car or offi ce non-smoking will set the rule without having to make others uncomfortable. Explaining the effects smoke will have on your child may also encourage them to consider quitting.

Q: Are there tips to help me quit smoking?

A: There are many programs and options to help in quitting. Children’s Hospital, in association with the Knox County Health Department, offers the 215-QUIT program for those who would like assistance and support in quitting. There are also Web sites, programs with the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association and advice from family physicians on quitting. The most common denominator in all of these is setting a personal plan and goals to quit. Five keys to quitting may be: 1) Get ready. 2) Get support. 3) Learn new skills and behaviors. 4) Get medications and use them correctly. 5) Be prepared for relapse or diffi cult situations, but don’t give up. Quitting can be very diffi cult for any smoker, whether it has been a 2- or 20-year addiction. Once the decision to quit is made, think about the following questions:

Why do you want to quit? When you tried to quit in the past, what helped and what didn’t? What will be the most diffi cult situations for you after you quit? Who will help you through the tough times? What pleasures do you get from smoking? How can you still get pleasures if you quit? Within a few days after quitting, mucus in your airways starts to work to clear out your lungs. Within a few weeks, circulation improves, and you will be able to smell and taste more, and within a year, your risk of lung cancer begins to decrease.

Q: How do I prevent my teenager from starting to smoke?

A: Approximately 80 percent of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18. Every day, nearly 5,000 young people under the age of 18 try their fi rst cigarette. It is important to stress the negative aspects of smoking — it’s smelly, expensive and unhealthy — but also to communicate in a positive manner with children and adolescents. Many teens start smoking because they have friends, parents or older siblings who smoke. Some look to cigarettes to help “calm nerves” in uncomfortable social situations like parties or dates. Teenage girls may be led to believe that it will help keep their weight under control. Many other teens will smoke simply because it isn’t acceptable in their families. Talking with teens openly and honestly about the effects of smoking may prevent their curiousity from getting the best of them. Introducing them to an adult who has quit or had health problems as a result of smoking may also help them think twice before lighting up. It is also good to teach teens alternatives to smoking and ways to make an excuse in social settings for

not smoking. It is also important to help change the theory that “everyone is doing it.” Provide non-smoking adults and older teens to prove that theory wrong.

Q: What resources are there for quitters and those who want to quit?

A: There are a number of good resources, such as the local American Cancer Society, the Knox County Health Department, a family physician, Web sites such as www.thetruth.com and www.tobaccofreekids.com, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the National Cancer Institute and many others. Another great resource is other smokers you know who have quit. They will provide knowledge and support that another person who has not experienced addiction can understand.

Q: Are there any other tips that can help me keep my child healthy?

A: The following list contains just a few tips for parents and caregivers to use in the overall health of children:

• The most important way to keep your child completely healthy is to quit smoking, and do not take your children to areas where smoking is permitted. If you choose not to quit smoking, do

not smoke in the house or around your child.

• Do not smoke while in a car.

• Do not smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers.

• Don’t allow caregivers to smoke near your children.

• Find out the smoking policies of child care providers, preschools, schools, and other caregivers for your children.

• Tell other parents about the health risks of passive smoking. Work within your child’s school and in the community to promote programs against smoking.

Each year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout. The event is an upbeat, good-natured effort to encourage smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours. Many organizations, businesses and hospitals participate in the Great American Smokeout. For more information, contact the local offi ce of the American Cancer Society by calling (800) ACS-2345. Nationally, smoking results in more than 5.6 million years of potential life lost each year. Those years don’t have to and shouldn’t be taken from the lives of our children.

compiled by Janya Marshall, Associate Director for Public Relations

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The holidays are almost here, and many East Tennesseans are already making gift lists and planning family gatherings. The Children’s Hospital Auxiliary has an easy way to check one important task off your holiday “to-do” list — purchase the just-released 2003 Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Card and help the area’s children at the same time. Feature artist and Children’s Hospital Auxiliary member Jan Church has designed an enchanting holiday card again this year. Titled “…from Santa,” this season’s holiday card invokes a magical feeling with presents piled high and a stocking fi lled to the brim. In 1991, Church began designing greeting cards for Children’s Hospital after her design “Bears on Sleighs” was chosen from a prospective artist search. After designing the following year’s card, Church took a year off. Because of the beautiful designs she paints and the success of the card sales, Church was asked to return and has donated the card design for several years running.

Church says she has always given of her talents, but because Children’s Hospital is a child-centered organization, it fi ts her interests and holds special meaning for her. Cards are $1 each; they can be purchased in any quantity including boxed sets of 12 cards for $12, and personalization is available. The cards are appropriate for both business and personal use. Proceeds from the holiday cards will be used to support a variety of the Auxiliary’s programs at Children’s Hospital including the toy cart, the video cart, children’s books and other therapeutic activities, all of which help to make a child’s hospitalization more comfortable. This is the 39th year that the Children’s Hospital’s Auxiliary has sold holiday greeting cards to benefi t the hospital. For more information or to place an order, call the Volunteer Services and Resources Department at (865) 541-8136.

by Elaina Davenport, student internJan Church