CONTENTS
ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3
FROM BROKEN HEART TO
BROKEN TRACK RECORDS
Allison Lowery, of Alexander, has been a heart
patient at Arkansas Children’s Hospital since
birth, but you wouldn’t know it by all the
track records she is breaking today.
Pictured: Allison was flown to Arkansas
Children’s Hospital on the Angel One helicopter
soon after birth, and she had her first heart
surgery at 4 months old. At 16 months of age,
she had a major surgery to repair her heart.
3
4
Pictured: Many members of the ACH team were
involved in planning and implementing the
hurricane evacuations. Connie Eastlee, director of
Angel One Transport, says she is proud of the staff
members who volunteered and responded when
patients and hospitals in Louisiana and Texas
were in need.
4
10
10
HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS
During two different hurricane evacuations —
Katrina and Rita — ACH teams helped transport
patients to safety.
WILL GOLF 4 KIDS
More than 1,000 golfers from all over the country
descended on two courses in Bella Vista to
participate in Will Golf 4 Kids, the largest single
fundraising event for Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Pictured: Hitting the links for kids is not a bad
way to spend a few days.Will Golf 4 Kids
participants enjoyed good weather and good
times, all for a good cause.
President and Chief Executive Officer: Jonathan Bates, M.D.
Medical Director: Bonnie Taylor, M.D.
President, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute: Richard F. Jacobs, M.D.
President, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation: John E. Bel
Editor: Chris McCreight
Design: Lori Howard Barlow, The Graphic Design Shop, Inc.
Photographer: Kelley Cooper
Contributors: Alyssa Anderson
THE ACHIEVER
is published by Arkansas Children Hospital Foundation for friends of ACH.
800 Marshall Street, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591.
(501) 364-1476 • FAX (501) 364-3644 • TDD (hearing imparired) 364-1184
www. archildrens.org
Harry C. Erwin III, Chairman
Pat McClelland, Vice Chairman
Tom Baxter, Secretary
Dorsey Jackson, Treasurer
Michele Moss, M.D., Chief of Staff
John Bale Jr., Past Chairman
Gregory E. Barnes
Jonathan Bates, M.D., President & CEO
Larcie Burnett
Ron Clark
Michael Cronkhite
Haskell Dickinson
M. Edward Drilling
Debra Fiser, M.D.
J. French Hill
Judge Marion Humphrey
Michael Joshua
Beverly Keener
Diane Mackey
Barbara Moore
Beverly Morrow
Eduardo Ochoa, M.D.
Skip Rutherford
Mark Saviers
Philip Schmidt
Robert L. Shults
Bonnie Taylor, M.D.
Everett Tucker III
Rick Watkins
Charles B. Whiteside III
I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.
ACH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Ron Clark, Chairman
Jonathan Bates, M.D.,
Vice-Chairman for Finance & Admin.
Debra Fiser, M.D., Vice-Chairman for Research
Robert Porter, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer
Richard F. Jacobs, M.D., President
Kanwaljeet "Sunny" Anand, M.B.B.S., D.Phil
LaDonna Bornhoft
Kathy Counce
Dale Dawson
M. Edward Drilling
James Gaston
Ellen Gray
Tommy Hillman
Roger Rank, Ph.D.
E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.
Mark Saviers
Robert Shults
I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.
ACH FOUNDATION
Jonathan Bates, M.D., Chairman
Charles B. Whiteside III, Vice Chairman
John E. Bel, President
Susan Adam
John Bale, Jr.
Jackie Barker
Gregory E. Barnes
Tom Baxter
Frances Buchanan
William Clark
James Cobb
Sue Cooper
Robert G. Cress
Don Edmondson
Harry C. Erwin III
Robin George
Barnett Grace
Barbara Hanna
Anne Hickman
Ray Hobbs
Ross Honea
Diane Mackey
Jim McClelland
Julia Peck Mobley
Bobby J. Neill
Jeffrey Nolan
Robert Porter, M.D.
Sara M. Richardson
Stan Roberts
Vicki Saviers
Philip Schmidt
Witt Stephens, Jr.
Sue Trotter
Tom Womack
PATIENTS & FAMILIES WE HAVE KNOWN
Allison Lowery
She Was Born with a
Broken Heart but It
Never Broke Her Spirit
Allison Lowery had major heart surgery at
Arkansas Children’s Hospital when she was
16 months old. She was on ECMO for a week
following the surgery.
■ By Alyssa Anderson
A
t 13, Allison Lowery broke the high jump record
for her junior high track team. At 14, she broke the
record again...and she did it with a heart condition
that never broke her spirit.
When Allison was born on September 30, 1989,
her heart was on the right side of her body instead of
her left, she had two holes in her heart and the main
vessels of her heart were reversed. Her family was living in El Dorado at the time, and doctors there called
Arkansas Children’s Hospital to send the Angel One
helicopter. Allison had her first heart surgery, performed by Dr. Steve Vandevanter, at 4 months old,
and she had a major surgery at 16 months of age.
“They didn’t go in there to do her major surgery,”
says Allison’s mother, Tara. “They were trying to hold
her off until she got bigger. But when they got in
there, they couldn’t do what they were hoping to do,
so they ended up fixing her heart.”
Allison was on ECMO (a heart-lung bypass
machine) for a week following the surgery. Her parents describe that time as a “very long and scary
week.”
“There was nothing we could do except sit and
wait,” says Allison’s father, John. “When she was on
ECMO, we’d only have 10 minutes an hour to see
her. Her chest was open, and they had a piece of
saran wrap over her chest so you could see her heart
beating.”
“I believe in miracles and prayers.
As bad as it was, we feel blessed
the way everything turned out.”
“She looked terrible,” Tara says. “It was definitely
hard seeing your daughter that way.”
But Allison made it through that week, and the
Lowerys say they are thankful for the way things
turned out. They credit the team at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital for taking such good care of
Allison.
“I was amazed at their dedication,” John says.
Tara complimented Allison’s cardiologist, Dr.
Elizabeth Frazier, whom she says they “love and think
is wonderful.”
Today, Allison is just like any other 16-year-old.
She enjoys shopping, going to the movies, talking on
the telephone and participating in her church youth
group. When she was in the eighth grade, Allison
joined the track team, and she won second place in
the high jump competition during her first meet. She
tied for the record in her next meet, and during the
Conference meet, she jumped 4 feet, 10 inches and
broke the junior high record. This past year, she
broke her own record and jumped 5 feet, 2 inches
before the season was over.
“Next year, her goal is to break the senior high
record,” Tara laughs.
Allison still visits Arkansas Children’s Hospital
every six months for check-ups. She will have to
have additional surgeries as her valve and other parts
need to be replaced, but her family remains positive
and grateful for ACH.
“I believe in miracles and prayers. As bad as it
was, we feel blessed the way everything turned out,”
Tara says. “It’s a wonderful hospital.” She says the
best thing about her family’s experience at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital is that Allison is alive and well.
— Tara Lowery
3
HOSPITAL NEWS
Angels in a
■ By Alyssa Anderson
This was the scene from the back of an
ACH ambulance, which transported 17
Louisiana patients in response to emergency calls from MASH Units (federal
medical shelters) and 911.
Tulane Hospital in New Orleans
was one of eight hospitals Angel
One Transport helped evacuate
during Hurricane Katrina.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
transported patients to its own
facility as well as to other hospitals and medical facilities.
W
hen Hurricane Katrina’s wrath ravaged the United States Gulf Coast in
late August, many hospitals in New Orleans and surrounding areas needed to
move their patients to other facilities. Arkansas Children’s Hospital was
among the first responders to desperate victims, transporting critically ill and
injured patients by helicopter, fixed-wing jets and ground ambulance. Some
patients were transferred within Louisiana, while others went to hospitals in
Texas. Forty-two patients were transported by Angel One from eight different
hospitals, and 16 patients from Louisiana were admitted to ACH in the days
and weeks following Katrina.
Soon after, when Hurricane Rita was scheduled to hit, Arkansas Children’s
Hospital was once again called upon to help with evacuations in Texas.
“I am so proud of the Angel One staff who volunteered and responded to
both disaster situations,” says Connie Eastlee, director of Angel One
Transport. “Learning that there were critically ill pediatric and neonatal
patients to evacuate from multiple hospitals in New Orleans and Texas, Angel
One coordinated a response with other children’s hospitals and successfully
transported all critical patients — and many parents — safely out of harm’s
way. It is a collaborative model that all hospitals and transport teams can use
for any future disasters and evacuations.”
“The Transport Team at Arkansas Children’s Hospital was absolutely
spectacular during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” says CEO Dr. Jonathan Bates.
“The spontaneous way they came together, drew on others around ACH and
beyond, and got the job done was unparalleled. The thinking and planning
was quick and decisive and led to action that was life-saving. That kind of
agility and professionalism is rare and precious.”
An ACH ambulance was one of many rescuing patients
following Hurricane Katrina. Among the most exciting
transports by ambulance was that of a pregnant mother
who gave birth to twins (one breech) on the highway
en route to Baton Rouge. Two Angel One medical team
members delivered the twins.
4
This 13-year-old heart patient was among the most critically-ill
patients transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital from Louisiana.
Time of
Crisis
This was one of the many
devastating scenes that ACH
medical teams saw looking
down on New Orleans from
the Angel One helicopter.
The Angel One Transport Dispatch
Center stayed busy during both
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In
addition to normal patient consults and requests for transport,
dispatchers implemented an emergency operations center to provide
support for the teams at the disasters.ACH and Angel One continued serving Arkansas citizens by
transporting 64 neonatal and
pediatric patients during the six
days teams were in Louisiana
and Texas.
In addition to transporting patients, the Angel One team
transported food and water to victims of Hurricane Katrina
— approximately 1,000 pounds on August 30 alone!
Prior to Hurricane Rita, a group of ACH staff members
traveled to Houston aboard an Arkansas National
Guard C130 to pick up 13 ventilator-dependent children
and 25 family members. The patients and families were
moved to Dallas Children’s, just ahead of the weather.
5
RESEARCH
ACHRI Researcher
Leads National Heart
Transplant Study
■ By Alyssa Anderson
O
rgan rejection is one of the leading causes of death in
heart transplant recipients, with only half of recipients living
longer than nine years. Pediatric heart transplant recipients
taking the medication CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil) as
part of their anti-rejection treatment regimen experienced significantly fewer early rejection episodes and greatly
improved survival, according to a study of nearly 400 pediatric patients nationwide, including those from Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
A lead investigator of the study is Dr. W. Robert Morrow,
chief of pediatric cardiology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital,
professor of pediatrics at UAMS and holder of the David and
Stephanie Clark Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiology.
Morrow says the purpose of the research was to compare
different ways of providing immuno-suppression to prevent
heart transplant rejection.
“With pediatric heart transplant recipients, it is especially
important to focus on long-term transplant success,” Morrow
says. “Our research shows that we can achieve very high
survival rates by using therapies such as CellCept in our
pediatric transplant recipients.”
Morrow and his colleagues in the Pediatric Heart
Transplant Study Group compared the incidence of rejection
and survival in 395 pediatric patients (surviving greater than
two weeks post-transplant), ranging in age from one day to
17.9 years. They found that freedom from rejection after 12
months was 10 percent higher for those treated with
CellCept than those treated with a different drug called azathioprine (AZA). The study also determined that the one-year
survival rate was significantly better in CellCept patients (96
percent) compared to only 87 percent of the AZA patients.
“We were very encouraged by those results,” Morrow says.
“But most good research raises a lot of additional questions,
and so you have more questions than you have answers by
the time you finish.”
Morrow says he and his colleagues are now collecting
additional data on approximately 1,000 patients, covering a
longer period of time (from 1995-2003). They will be studying both patients who stayed on a particular anti-rejection
medication, as well as those who changed medications to
see how that affected their incidence of rejection.
“It’s a much more detailed study,” Morrow says.
6
Dr. Robert Morrow is a lead investigator in a national
study focusing on long-term pediatric heart transplant
patients.
Under Dr. Morrow’s direction as chief of cardiology
since 1996, the pediatric heart transplant program at ACH
has consistently been recognized as one of the top programs in the nation. In 1999, the program was named one
of the 10 best nationally by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services in the vital areas of one-year survival
rate and speed of transplant receipt. In 2001, ACH became
the only children’s hospital in the nation approved as a
Medicare cardiac transplant center and one of only three
approved by the BlueCross BlueShield Association.
“We’re very fortunate in Arkansas to have a pediatric
heart transplant program like this. Most states this size do
not have a program,” Morrow says. “It’s sort of an obligation when you’re doing heart transplantation to have a
research program to go with it. This is a changing field,
and you can’t possibly offer your patients the best if you’re
not participating in research.”
Dr. Richard Jacobs, president of the Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Research Institute, says he is very excited about
Dr. Morrow’s research and looks forward to the continuing
progress of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study Group.
“This is exactly the type of clinical research effort that
is being promoted at a national level and will be most likely to answer significant questions to improve the outcomes
of children with heart transplants,” says Jacobs.
GIVING
Bill and Ginger Ball:
They Give to Arkansas Children’s Hospital ‘from the Heart’
■ By Alyssa Anderson
B
ill Ball and his wife, Ginger, have been supporters
of Arkansas Children’s Hospital for many years, both
personally and through their company, BRM Foods,
which owns more than 20 KFC locations throughout
Arkansas and Missouri.
Bill Ball says he supports the hospital because he
has a special place in his heart for children.
“I have worked with Down Syndrome children at
the Sonshine School in Searcy since 1972,” Bill Ball
says. “My son, Ricky, worked as a volunteer at
Arkansas Children’s Hospital for a while, and I could
see what it was doing for our kids. Also, one of our
grandsons was born with a little problem and ACH
took care of him and he’s wonderful now. All those
things worked up to our supporting the hospital.”
In 2003, Bill and Ginger established an endowment
in pediatric psychiatry, in memory of their son who
passed away 12 years ago. BRM Foods also supports
Arkansas Children’s Hospital through various promotions, including selling helicopter cardstock.
“People can donate a dollar, and their names go on
the helicopter and it’s hung up in the KFCs,” Ball says.
“Also, whatever I give to the hospital, I try to include
BRM in giving close to the same dollar amount.”
Bill and Ginger Ball recently celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary. The couple met in their hometown of Batesville and later moved to Searcy. They are
members of Saint Paul United Methodist church in
Searcy, and Ginger played the organ at First Methodist
Church in Searcy for 30 years. Bill and Ginger have
two daughters, three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law,
six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Bill Ball says he would encourage others to consider supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital because of
the wonderful job the hospital does taking care of families from all over our state.
“I give to Arkansas Children’s Hospital out of my
heart,” Ball says. “It’s just a tremendous place.”
Ginger and Bill Ball are long-time supporters of
Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Tax Benefits of Giving to
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
While altruism is the reason why many people such as
Bill and Ginger Ball give to their favorite charities, there
are also great tax incentives that exist for those who give.
A gift to Arkansas Children’s Hospital may entitle you to
a charitable contribution deduction against your income
tax, if you itemize deductions. All gifts made to the hospital are fully tax-deductible. Charitable gift annuities and
trusts offer special tax benefits or other incentives such
as life income. Non-cash gifts such as appreciated stock,
securities, real estate or life insurance also offer tax
incentives. For more information on the tax advantages
of supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital, contact
Libby Smith at 501-364-5309.
7
H O S P I TA L N E W S
Jaquiss to Lead Pediatric
Cardiovascular Program at ACH
R
obert D.B. Jaquiss, M.D., has been
named director of the pediatric cardiovascular surgical program at ACH. Jaquiss
joined the ACH medical staff and the
faculty of the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences College of Medicine on
November 1.
Jaquiss was associate professor of
surgery and senior cardiothoracic attending physician at the Medical College of
Wisconsin in Milwaukee. His practice
focuses on neonatal cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery,
including transplantation, and the surgical care of adults with
congenital heart disease.
“We are absolutely delighted to have someone of Dr. Jaquiss’
caliber as part of our team,” says Jonathan Bates, M.D., president
and CEO of ACH. “Our cardiovascular program is recognized as
one of the top pediatric programs in the nation. Under Dr.
Jaquiss’ leadership, we will continue this tradition of excellence.”
Dr. Jaquiss will take the post held by the late Jonathan
Drummond-Webb, M.D.
ACH Foundation Names
Smith Vice President
Lbeenibbynamed
Smith has
vice
president for the
Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Foundation.
She is responsible for
managing all functions of the major
gifts program.
Smith has been
with the Foundation
for 10 years, most
recently as director of development.
She holds a bachelor of science and a
master of arts in speech communication from the University of Arkansas at
Fayetteville.
Smith was recently honored by the
Arkansas chapter of the Association of
Fundraising Professionals as its 2005
Outstanding Fundraising Professional.
ACH Physician to Speak
at National Conference
E
ach year, the Children’s Circle of Care North American Leadership
Conference features presentations by three prominent physicians or
scientists selected from among the 22 hospitals participating in the
Children’s Circle of Care program. This year, Dr. James Aronson, an ACH
physician, has been chosen as one of the three presenters.
Dr. Aronson will present “The Discovery of Guided Bone
Regeneration: Harnessing the Power of Biology” to a gathering of
individual philanthropists who are dedicated to supporting pediatric
health care and research.
A pioneer and leader in the clinical applications of bone-lengthening
and healing, Dr. Aronson is also an active basic research investigator,
focusing on bone healing.
Dr. Aronson is chief of pediatric orthopaedics at ACH, director of the
laboratory for limb regeneration research at Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Research Institute and professor of orthopaedics at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine.
8
F O U N D AT I O N E V E N T S
Frueauff and Windgate Foundations Co-Host
Special Day for Foundations at ACH
I
t was a day of inspiration for
foundation representatives who
attended Arkansas Children’s
Hospital’s second “Face Behind the
Place” event on September 27. The
event, co-hosted by the Charles A.
Frueauff Foundation in Little Rock
and the Windgate Charitable
Foundation in Siloam Springs,
included a tour of the hospital
followed by lunch with CEO Dr.
Jonathan Bates.
“Wonderful stories abound at
ACH — from miraculous surgeries
to expert diagnoses to the ACH
crews who hurried to the Gulf
Coast to help with relief efforts
there,” said John Brown, executive
director of the Windgate
Foundation. “Around every corner
at ACH is a portrait of hope,
healing and caring that is just
overwhelming.”
During the tour, guests
received a sneak preview of the
Research Institute and Nutrition
Center expansion. They also saw
Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s
pediatric intensive care unit,
neonatal intensive care unit and
third floor playroom.
Gifts from foundations allow
Arkansas Children’s Hospital to
build buildings, purchase medical
equipment, fund programs,
expand research and create
Dr. Steve Schexnayder speaks to Mary
endowments — all projects that
Elizabeth Eldridge with the Ross Foundation
allow the hospital to better
(right) and Carolyn Warren with Alcoa about serve the needs of its young
the special features of ACH’s Donald W.
patients.
Reynolds Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
ACH Friends go ‘Back
to School’
I
n a room filled with schooltaught by Jill James, Ph.D., and
themed decorations including
“Childhood Obesity — Is it an Epidemic,”
blackboard table signs, apple
presented by Karen Young, M.D.
centerpieces and lunch in
James is director of the biochemical
aluminum pails, more than 330
genetics laboratory at the ACH Research
guests at the Anne Hickman
Institute and professor of pediatrics at
“Back to School” Lectureship took
UAMS College of Medicine.
classes in children’s issues from
Young is medical director at the ACH
local and national specialists.
Pediatric Fitness Clinic, assistant professor
Keynote lecturers for the day
of pediatrics at UAMS College of Mediwere world-renowned specialist
cine and director of the UAMS Child and
in pediatrics and child developAdolescent Bariatrics Center.
Prior to the Anne Hickman Lecturement, T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.,
The Hickman Lectureship Fund was
ship, speakers Joshua Sparrow, M.D.,
and his associate, Joshua Sparrow, and T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., of
established in 1995 by friends of Anne
M.D., both of the Brazelton
Children’s Hospital Boston (third and Hickman, a long-time volunteer, board
Touchpoints Center at Children’s
member and supporter of the hospital,
fourth from left) took a tour of the
Hospital Boston. Brazelton and
who wanted to honor her because of her
hospital, stopping to visit patients in
Sparrow discussed their signature various units, including the cardioincredible involvement with ACH. Each
topic, “Touchpoints: Stresses and
lectureship event features a presentation
vascular intensive care unit.
Supports for Families.”
by a person or persons of national and
Other subjects on the schoolinternational importance in the areas of
day agenda included “Unraveling the Mystery of Autism,”
child health and development.
9
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK
Will Golf 4 Kids
T
he 12th annual Will Golf 4 Kids event benefiting Arkansas
Children’s Hospital was held August 31-September 1 at Kingswood
and Berksdale Golf Courses in Bella Vista.
The main activity was golf...two flights a day for two days on
two courses...with golfers only breaking for a celebration dinner,
program and auctions after the first day of play.
Keynote speakers for program were Celia Swanson, executive
vice president of change management for Wal-Mart People
Division and Scott Burt, COO of Children’s Miracle Network in
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Will Golf 4 Kids raised $575,000 this year, and proceeds will
be used to support the hospital’s transportation program and to
purchase monitors for anesthesiology. During the Will Golf dinner
and program, guests were given small helicopter keychains as a
reminder that their participation will help support the Angel One
Transport program.
Will Golf 4 Kids is a highly successful collaboration of
Wal-Mart vendor and supplier representatives, and it is the largest
single event to benefit ACH.
“The success of this event is due to the hard work and
dedication of this great group of volunteers who work tirelessly
throughout the year,” says Tammy Cox, community development
coordinator for the Northwest office of Arkansas Children's
Hospital Foundation.
John Bel (center), Arkansas Childrenís Hospital
Foundation president, accepts a check representing an early estimate of $550,000 from Mike
White (left) and Mike Sewell (right), co-chairs of
the Will Golf 4 Kids committee. The final amount
raised by the event was $575,000.
The Charity Challenge of Champions
‘Keeping Dreams Aglow’
F
Joanie and Dale Grant, second and third from left, were
speakers at the Charity Challenge Friday night event. The
Grants’ daughter, 9-year-old Abby, was treated for bone cancer last year at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The Grants are
pictured with, from left, John Bel, president of the Arkansas
Children's Hospital Foundation, and Carolyn Trumbo and
Tammy Cox from the Northwest Office of the ACH
Foundation.
10
or 14 years, the Charity Challenge of Champions has
been working to keep dreams aglow in the lives of
those served by beneficiaries of the event. Held every
September in Rogers, the Charity Challenge of
Champions is a weekend of tennis, golf and social
events for a good cause. Event proceeds benefit the
Northwest Arkansas Crisis Center, Arkansas Children’s
Hospital and scholarships for area high school seniors.
Tennis was definitely the highlight of the four-day
event. Participants in the tournament had an opportunity to play with pros including Owen Davidson, Ross
Case, Johan Kriek, Kathy Rinaldi and Ann Grossman.
Non-tennis activities included a golf outing, a cocktail party and auction on Friday night and a celebration
dinner on Saturday evening.
an alliance of premier hospitals for children
Wal-Mart’s
Miracle Mile Walk
M
ore than 300 associates representing many Arkansas
Wal-Mart stores came together in a collaborative fundraiser
for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).
District and store managers and associates gathered in
Little Rock to participate in the “Miracle Mile” walk that took
them from the State Capitol to a route around ACH, then
back to the Capitol. Each walker raised at least $50 in order
to take part, and the entire project raised more than
$70,000.
“Typically, Wal-Mart stores have independent fundraising
activities to raise money for the hospital,” says Heather Cass,
community development coordinator for the ACH
Foundation. “This is one of the first times they have come
together as a larger group. Not only was it hugely successful
financially, but everyone also had a great time working
toward a shared goal.”
Arkansas Federal Credit Union
From left, John Bel, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Foundation president, and hospital CEO Dr.
Jonathan Bates recently accepted a check for
$47,000 from Arkansas Federal Credit Union
representatives Larry Biernacki, CEO and president,
and Rodney Showmar, vice president of marketing.
During the first part of 2005, Arkansas Federal
members donated $23,500 through various collection points and special fundraising events.
Arkansas Federal’s board of directors matched the
money donated by members, doubling the amount
to $47,000.
Arkansas Federal Credit Union participates in
the Credit Unions for Kids program, a national
sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is one of 170
participating CMN hospitals in North America.
Employees are the ‘Caring Hands of ACH’
In a show of their support of the work of Arkansas
Children's Hospital (ACH) and the ACH Research
Institute (ACHRI), 600 ACH employees have pledged
more than $418,000 to the 2005-08 Employee
Campaign, “The Caring Hands of ACH.”
“Beyond ensuring that the Hospital and the
Research Institute remain at the forefront of pediatric
health care, this expresses to the people of the
community and state our commitment to children
and our pride in being part of the ACH ‘family,’” says
campaign committee member Craig Gilliam, director
of infection control at ACH.
Campaign pledges will be paid over a three-year
period, and money raised will go toward uncompensated care, ACH equipment and endowment, a new
nursing endowment and ACHRI equipment and
endowment.
"This campaign gives all employees the opportunity to use their dollars in direct support of areas
they are interested in...they can be personal in
their giving,” explains Gilliam. “For example, I am
interested in the nursing endowment, which gives
us a chance to increase the level of scholarship in
our nursing staff. All of us are focused on the
child, but the nursing staff is the group of individuals at ACH most involved in their care."
The campaign was orchestrated by more than
150 volunteer team leaders.
“By choosing to give, each employee is making
a powerful and positive statement about how he or
she personally values this healing work. This is a
great statement by Team ACH members...giving
care, love and hope,” notes John Bel, president of
the ACH Foundation.
11
COMMUNITY EVENTS
ACH Employee
Cruises for Kids
N
either rain, mountains, road construction nor heavy
traffic kept ACH employee George Cobb from completing his 1,140-mile bike ride around Arkansas to raise
money and awareness for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
When Cobb, an employment recruiter in the ACH
human resources department, was planning his summer
vacation, he decided he wanted to do something different. “I thought about the children that I see every day in
the halls at ACH, and I wanted to do something for
them,“ he says.
His 14-day ride around Arkansas in July raised more
than $10,400 for the hospital. Beginning in Fort Smith,
Cobb traveled clockwise around Arkansas, visiting all
four corners, before returning to Fort Smith and heading
back to Little Rock and ACH.
“George Cobb has exhibited the best of care, love
and hope in his journey around the state,” says Andree
Trosclair, vice president of human resources at ACH.
“What I am most proud of is his courage and enthusiasm in taking on this physically challenging ride for the
sake of the children we care for at ACH.”
JM Products Hosts Tournament
The 11th Annual JM Products Invitational Charity Golf Classic
was held August 29 at North Hills Country Club in Sherwood.
Participants attended a welcome reception held at the hospital on the evening prior to the event. As part of the reception activities, guests were treated to tours of the new lobby,
the helipad, the neonatal intensive care unit, the pediatric
intensive care unit and one of the hospital’s playrooms.
This year’s tournament proceeds totaled $32,912 and have
been designated for areas of greatest need.
Pictured at the after-tournament reception are, from left:
Michael Joshua, CEO of JM Products; John Bel, Arkansas
Children’s Hospital Foundation president; and Vicki Meyers
and Bobby Wilson, both with International Paper, the co-sponsor of the event.
Capital City Classic Benefits ACH
After a bike ride of 1,140 miles around Arkansas,
George Cobb ended his journey with a welcome
home rally at the hospital. Cobb, riding the final few
blocks with fellow ACH cyclists, arrived at the front of
the hospital to cheers from children at ACH’s daycare,
employees, patients and families.
12
The first football game of the season in the state of Arkansas
featured the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Bears
taking on Eastern New Mexico State Greyhounds in the
Capital City Classic.The Bears won and so did ACH, benefiting from a portion of ticket proceeds from the game.The
amount donated from the Classic was $11,642.
One of the many activities held the week leading up to
the game was a visit by some of the UCA players and coaches. Players visited patients in one of the playrooms where
they distributed miniature footballs, signed autographs, had
photos taken and played.
UCA Bears Leroy Hamilton (left) and Kentrel Rogers
(right) read with one of the ACH patients during their visit
to the hospital.
AUXILIARY GROUPS
&
Castaways Golfers
Played for Kids
I
sland wear, island fare and numerous references to the original castaways from “Gilligan’s Island” were the hallmarks of the evening during
the Castaways Party on Sunday, September 11, at Pleasant Valley County
Club in Little Rock. A desire to tie the party to the hospital led to a cast
art idea and the castaways theme. Artists, celebrities and ACH patients
decorated and/or signed hand casts for the silent auction.
The party was a prelude to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Today’s
THV Classic, presented by Committee for the Future. The golf tournament
was held the Monday following the party and featured morning and
afternoon tee times.
The two combined events netted more than $60,000. Because respiratory problems are one of the main reasons for emergency room visits at
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Committee for the Future is committing these
funds to the hospital’s asthma and allergy departments.
In addition to title sponsor Today’s THV, the Classic was supported by
headline sponsors Isle of Capri Casino, Nabholz Construction and
Northland and Southland Hyundai. Steven Ransdell and Curtis Cook cochaired the Classic committee, and Mary Ellen Richards and Dana Yates
co-chaired the Castaways committee.
Committee for the Future is a group of young professionals and
community leaders from central Arkansas who support the hospital through
fundraising and awareness projects. If you are interested in more information about this group, please contact Carissa Wagnon at 501-364-1250.
Going, going, gone. Sportscaster,
entertainer, and sometimes auctioneer Craig “Gilligan” O’Neill, of Today’s
THV, had the crowd going and reaching into their pocketbooks during the
live auction at the Castaways party.
The Cal-Ark sponsor team of (from
left) Trey Szarmach, Scott Golden, Sam
Allison and James Holloway were just
one of about 60 teams who enjoyed a
great day of golf for a great cause.
Tasty Event Enjoys Huge Growth
M
ore than 425 people attended “Arkansas a la Carte”
(formerly Taste of Arkansas), hosted by Arkansas
Food stations at Arkansas a la Carte featured
menu offerings from 28 restaurants and caterers
from around the state.The event was hosted by
the ACH Auxiliary and Chenal Country Club.
Presenting sponsors were Advanced Tissues and
One Banc.
Children's Hospital Auxiliary and Chenal Country Club,
on October 18 at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.
This year’s event raised $72,000, a substantial increase
in comparison to its first-year earnings of $20,000.
“The Auxiliary has done a fantastic job this year
to really make this event a success,” says Fred
Scarborough, vice president of the ACH Foundation.
“They assembled a very strong host couple committee
who really concentrated on putting together a wonderful event.”
The event featured tastings from 28 Arkansas
restaurants and caterers. Guests also enjoyed live
and silent auctions and live music by The Bob Boyd
Sounds.
13
AUXILIARY GROUPS
Circle of Friends Quarterly
C
ROUNDTABLE
ircle of Friends members gathered on the ACH campus August 13th for their annual Betty A. Lowe President’s
Roundtable. The Roundtable, a training session geared to
prepare chapters for their upcoming fundraising year, was
attended by chapter officers and committee chairmen.
Chapter leaders learned valuable techniques and benefited
from the expertise of State Board members and ACH staff
members who held in-depth sessions during the day-long
training.
During the various sessions, chapter officers had an
open exchange of ideas and creativity. In addition, the
members ended their day with a goal-setting session that
resulted in promises of more than $500,000 in funds being
raised in the upcoming fiscal year for the benefit of the
patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
“It is really a tremendous thing to see when all of the
chapters come together for a planning session of this
design,” says Cristy Holland Sowell, Circle of Friends director. “They are determined to achieve great things in the
year ahead. I have no doubt that this year will be another
stellar performance by the Circle of Friends.”
CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT
Circle of Friends is again expanding its family! In addition to the two new areas of development for Circle of
Friends last spring, Batesville and Carroll County, this new
year will bring two others — Texarkana and Blytheville.
Texarkana community leaders tried their hands last fall
at raising funds for ACH, resulting in an event that generated more than $16,000. That success made them realize
just how many people in their community have been
impacted by Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
After relocating to Blytheville, a former Lawrence
County Circle of Friends member was anxious to get a
new chapter founded and operating on behalf of the kids.
There will be a formal membership social hosted this fall
to begin the new chapter.
If you would like more information about these or any
chapters of Circle of Friends, please contact the Arkansas
Children’s Hospital Foundation at 501- 364-5307 or 800880-7491.
14
ROUND-UP
MEMBERSHIP
All chapters of Circle of Friends are busy hosting
their fall membership events statewide. If you would
like more information about a chapter in your community, contact the Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Foundation at 501-364-5307 or 800-880-7491. We would
be happy to put you in touch with chapter leaders in
your area. Chapters not only are in need of new members, but also local business partners and volunteers.
Additionally, if you have an Arkansas Children’s
Hospital story, members in your community would love
to meet you! Currently, Circle of Friends chapters are
working for Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the following communities:
Arkansas River Valley
Lawrence County
Batesville
Magnolia
Blytheville
Monticello
Carroll County
Northwest Arkansas
Central Arkansas
Paragould
Faulkner County
River Delta
Garland County
Spring River
Harrison
Texarkana
Izard County
Union County
Jefferson County
Western Arkansas
Jonesboro
Firestone of Russellville recently presented a
check for $5,000 to Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. The donation was part of the River
Valley Circle of Friends “Kampaign for Kids”
corporate campaign. Pictured are (from left):
Karla Staton, Firestone; Amy Brantley, ACH
Foundation senior community development
coordinator; and Scott Gateley, Firestone
plant manager.
AUXILIARY GROUPS
Greetings that Give
C
ards featuring original art by ACH patients offer a
meaningful way to send your holiday greetings while
supporting programs and services at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
Through the Holiday Card Project, an annual project
of the ACH Auxiliary, patrons can purchase holiday
cards, gift tags, photo cards and stationery. In addition
to the cards by ACH patients, a card by this year’s featured artist, Sandra Graves, is available. Two of the
patient artists are also Star ACHievers. The Star
ACHiever program is another Auxiliary project, providing volunteer and learning experiences at the hospital
for 9th grade girls.
Cards and other items may be ordered online, by
phone, or at one of more than 30 retail outlets throughout Arkansas, including many Exxon gas stations.
For full-color photos, descriptions and prices of
all products, log on to www.archildrens.org and click
on “Holiday Cards,” or call for a brochure, 501-364-1259
or 800-595-6498.
2005 Cards
(gift tags, photo cards, stationery and note cards not shown)
WREATH
By Elizabeth Fiser, 15, Little Rock,
Patient and Star ACHiever
Message: Have a Joyous Season
TREE
By Sarah Stern, 16, Little Rock
Message: Wishing You a
Merry Christmas
PENGUINS
By Megan Fosler, 15, Cabot,
Patient and Star ACHiever
Message: Happy Holidays!
SNOWMAN PARTY
By Lindsey Crowder, 5, Bentonville
Message: May Your Holiday Be Filled
with the Love of Family and Friends
Order!
Today
LANDSCAPE
By Featured Artist
Sandra Graves, Little Rock
Message: Peace on Earth
15
Doctor T. Berry Brazelton
Headlines Hickman Lecture Series
During “recess” at the Anne Hickman Lectureship on September 29 (from left), keynote speakers
Joshua Sparrow, M.D. and T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Foundation board member and lecture
namesake Anne Hickman, and Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) president and CEO Jonathan
Bates, M.D., took a break from the subjects being presented at the “Back to School” program.
In 1995, Anne Hickman’s friends decided to honor her with a lectureship because of her
incredible involvement with ACH. Each lectureship event features a presentation by a person or
persons of national and international importance in the areas of child health and development.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation
800 Marshall Street/Slot 661
Little Rock, AR 72202-3591
Address Service Requested
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please pass the extras along to a friend.
Please write to us if you wish to have your name removed from the list to receive the ACHiever
magazine from the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation in the future. Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Foundation, ACHiever magazine, 800 Marshall St., Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202.
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