1. family and parenting
2. children

about
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
children’s
spring 2009
Tiny patient’s
Heart Transplant
Successful
Smooth
Surgeon-in-Chief
Transition
Young volunteer:
Great Role
Model
Donors Come in
All Sizes
Family-centered
Care Delivers
Results
Dear Friends,
Donors continue to play an important role in how we offer health care
throughout the region. In early March, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan
opened the new Alex J. Etkin Specialty Center which was made possible
in part through a significant gift from Toby Etkin, and Douglas and Judith
Etkin. Located at Franklin Road and Northwestern Highway in Southfield,
it replaced our site on Lahser Road in Southfield.
The 10,000 square-foot facility houses a range of outpatient pediatric
specialties including adolescent medicine, endocrinology, ENT/otolaryngology, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, speech pathology and
audiology, and a diabetes clinic.
Your commitment to our mission of helping children live healthier
lives has never been more important than it is today. By supporting the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan, you are helping us offer the very best
health care right where it’s needed most. Please accept our most sincere
thanks for your dedication to the young patients and families we serve.
Sincerely,
Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
President, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Painting is a perfect tribute
T
By Rosemary Tokatlian
here’s a beautiful watercolor hanging near the elevators in the Carls Ambulatory Building that is
extremely special. The painting which depicts children riding on carousel horses was donated by
the Beznos family in honor of Manes S. Hecht, M.D., a renowned Children’s Hospital of Michigan
pediatrician.
What makes this painting special is that it was painted by Dr. Hecht’s wife, Marjorie Hecht Simon, who
felt this painting needed to be displayed at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hecht passed away many years ago, but
his spirit lives on at the very place that brought
him so much joy.
A Detroit artist since 1947, Mrs. Hecht
Simon was born in Chicago and trained as a
painter at the School of the Art Institute of
Chicago. Approximately 70 of her watercolors
are part of the permanent collection at Detroit
Receiving Hospital, many of which she donated.
She is a remarkable woman who has a zest for life.
She continues to paint and travels extensively.
spring 2009
About Children’s is a
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Development Office publication.
President
Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
Vice President, Development
Patrick R. Kelly
Managing Editor
Rosemary Tokatlian
Editorial Staff
Ellen D. Burnett
Sarah E. McCallum
Cynthia K. Rowell
Sarah L. Spradlin
Saudia L. Twine
Jodi L. Wong
Feature Writers
Marti Benedetti
Sheila M. Edwards
Marcy Hayes
Todd Schulz
Design and Printing
Grigg Graphic Services
Photography
Donna Terek
Medical Photography Department
Detroit Medical Center
15
Tiny Patient’s Heart
Transplant Successful
Table of
Contents
2
Smooth
Surgeon-in-Chief
Transition
8
Family-Centered Care
Delivers Results
24
Young Volunteer:
Great Role Model
28
Donors Come in
All Sizes
For more information or to make a donation, please contact:
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Development Office
3901 Beaubien • Detroit, MI 48201-2196
Office: (313) 745-5373
Fax: (313) 993-0119 Web: www.childrensdmc.org
General Hospital Information: (313) 745-KIDS (5437)
Smooth Surgeon-in-Chief transition keeps
Children’s Hospital on track to bright future
The goal is to ‘‘make
Children’s Hospital one of the
top surgical departments
in the country.’’
– Richard A.K. Reynolds, M.D.
Michael Klein, M.D. led the hospital’s 11 surgical departments for 12 years.
2
About Children’s
Spring 2009
T
By Todd Schulz
he Surgeon-in-Chief at the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
has a big job.
He or she oversees the hospital’s
11 surgical departments, which perform
roughly 15,000 operations each year. The
myriad of responsibilities include keeping
patients safe, providing surgeons with the
best possible resources, recruiting a talented
medical team and communicating with the
hospital’s administration.
Fortunately, the hospital’s new Surgeonin-Chief, Richard A. K. Reynolds, M.D.
possesses the talent, training and experience
to tackle the demanding position.
Just ask his predecessor, Michael Klein,
M.D. who filled the job for the past 12 years
before stepping down in mid-January.
“It’s a difficult job that requires making
difficult decisions,” said Klein, 65, who now
serves as Director of the Advanced Surgical
Technology Institute in Detroit.
“Dr. Reynolds is well-equipped for the
job. Aside from his accomplishments as an
orthopedic surgeon, he’s devoted time to
managerial training. That will be a good
thing. We need younger people with new
ideas. I’m very optimistic.”
Reynolds, 51, boasts a master’s degree in
health care management from the Harvard
School of Public Health. He joined Children’s
in 2006 as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery.
Reynolds’ goal is to “make Children’s
Hospital one of the top surgical departments in the country.” Getting there, he said,
requires several major changes, including:
• Developing and expanding the hospital’s
pediatric transplant capabilities. Children’s
Richard A.K. Reynolds, M.D.
wants to “make Children’s
Hospital one of the top
surgical departments
in the country.”
Hospital physicians currently perform cardiac
and kidney transplants. Reynolds envisions a
comprehensive transplant unit that includes
liver, lung, small bowel and pancreas services.
• Acquiring cutting edge imaging
tech-nology that allows neurosurgeons to
perform CT scans or MRIs during surgical
procedures. Doing so would allow doctors
to see, for example, whether they’ve removed
an entire brain tumor from a patient.
• Constructing a new operating room
facility that offers more space, resources,
and state-of-the-art technology.
Reynolds looks forward to sharing his
vision for Children’s future with the
hospital’s stakeholders and donors.
“The support of our donor community is vital to helping us reach our goals,”
Reynolds said. “There are countless people
who have benefited from the top-flight
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 3
surgical services at Children’s. Now, they can patients are developing bedsores and retrainhelp us take the crucial steps that will allow
ing engineers to start new companies in
us to provide the best pediatric care in the
biomedical fields, he said.
country for years to come.”
Klein also is currently serving as Interim
Klein also is taking on sizable challenges
Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s
in his new role with the Advanced Surgical
Hospital.
Technology Institute, an innovative collaboKlein and Reynolds worked closely during
ration between the Detroit Medical Center,
the Surgeon-in-Chief transition. Both men
the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center,
bring a wealth of experience and talents to
Wayne State University and the Center for
their respective new positions, said Herman
Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems
B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A., president of
(CSSIM). The idea behind the partnership is Children’s Hospital.
to identify emerging medical needs and use
“Under Dr. Klein’s leadership, Children’s
advanced technology to develop products
has advanced its scope of expertise and use of
that provide practical solutions.
innovative technologies for surgical treatment
“The vision is to bring technology that
in children,” Gray said.
already exists rapidly to the bedside and
“Dr. Reynolds brings a unique combinaactually create products and companies,”
tion of clinical and business expertise (to the
Klein said.
job). He will apply this talent and vision to
For example, doctors now use Raman
grow and expand the quality of care of all
spectroscopic laser technology to determine
the surgical programs throughout Children’s
whether patients have cancer and other
Hospital.”
diseases. But there’s a need for a smaller,
Both Reynolds and Klein will continue
more nimble device doctors can use in their
to care for patients and perform surgeries
offices or during surgery.
in addition to their administrative duties.
“We envision a wand that doctors can wave
“That’s critical to stay in touch with what’s
to tell whether a patient has cancer or not,”
happening,” Reynolds said.
Klein said.
The new institute will identify an industrial To learn more about how to support the
Surgical Department at the Children’s Hospital
partner to build such a device or license
the technology, Klein said. Other possibilities of Michigan, please call (313) 745-5373 or
visit www.childrensdmc.org.
include developing a device to detect when
4
About Children’s
Spring 2009
Awards
Distinguished volunteer wins prestigious award
J
By Marcy Hayes
osephine “Jo” Kessler admits to
having introduced a few couples,
but her real talent as a matchmaker
involves the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan.
Firsts a long-time volunteer and
Jo Kessler,
board member, says she’s constantly scouting for prospects. Her goal is to find likely
candidates to get involved with the hospital.
“I’m good at finding out what people
are interested in, and introducing them to
offering advice on how best to capture the
attention of others.
In recognition of her many talents,
the Children’s of Hospital of Michigan
selected Jo Kessler to receive the 2008
Distinguished Volunteer Award from the
Association of Fundraising Professionals,
Greater Detroit Chapter. At a special
awards dinner celebrating National
Philanthropy Day — and in a room filled
with family, friends and representatives
from other non-profits — she was
lauded for her decades of devotion
to the hospital.
“Thankfully, Children’s Hospital
has a group of volunteers, of which
Jo is one, that have provided a
remarkable level of service and
commitment to the hospital,” said
Patrick R. Kelly, vice president of
development at Children’s Hospital.
“She has made a huge impact, but
never a big to-do about helping.”
Jo Kessler has had long and varied
connections to the hospital in her
own right. One of her daughters,
Susan Kessler, M.D., is a pediatrician and previously worked in the
Infectious Diseases department;
Distinguished volunteer Jo Kessler (center) with Children’s Hospital
when her infant grandson needed
Donor Relations Manager Cindy Rowell and Vice President of
specialized care, the family chose the
Development Patrick R. Kelly.
experts at the Children’s Hospital of
opportunities where their special interests
Michigan; and her late husband, Charles
can do the greatest good,” says Jo Kessler,
Kessler, M.D., was also a Children’s
who lives in Huntington Woods. She
Hospital volunteer.
helps Children’s Hospital in multiple ways,
In ways large and small, it’s clear that
among them finding volunteers and donors,
Jo Kessler and Children’s Hospital are
bringing new friends to fundraisers and
perfectly matched.
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Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 5
Cupid sometimes slings arrows
in Children’s Hospital corridors
L
ucille “Lu” Kleinman, R.N. wasn’t
exactly looking for a boyfriend.
She had been widowed for
five years and was busy raising
her two daughters and working as a
registered nurse at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan.
But one day in March 2001 while
working in the Pediatric Intensive Care
Unit, she was told they needed help on
another floor. That’s when she first spotted
Gary Kleinman, also a registered nurse.
“I was kind of lost, and he was really
helpful orienting me where things were
located. I was immediately attracted to
him,” says Lu, who began working at
Children’s Hospital in 1973.
Gary, who had been married for 20 years,
was divorced and raising three teenagers.
He was working four jobs to keep his family
on solid financial ground. “I had done some
dating and it was disastrous. I was ready to
give up,” he says.
One day Lu appeared on his floor. “She
was in the medication room trying to obtain
morphine for a patient. It was in a lock box
and required about ten steps to get to the
medication. I saw she was struggling and
offered to help,” Gary says.
Lu let a coworker know she was interested
in Gary and found out he was single. The
coworker told Gary, who made a point to
formally introduce himself to Lu. But little
progress was made in the following weeks.
The two kept thinking about each other,
but no contact was made for a month.
Finally, Gary got Lu’s phone number from
another coworker and called her. Her
6
About Children’s
Spring 2009
By Marti Benedetti
teenage daughter took the call and left no
message for her mother.
Undaunted, Gary called again and this
time he got Lu. They had a long phone
conversation followed by dinner in Detroit’s
Greektown.
“It was right out of the movies – life
imitating art,” Gary explains.
“We hit it off and dated for six months,”
Lu says. “Then we got engaged.”
The engagement came as a bit of a
surprise for Lu. The two were strolling
through the mall the day after Thanksgiving
when Gary told Lu he wanted to buy her a
pair of earrings. When they got to the
jewelry store, he suggested buying her a
ring instead. She chose the one she liked,
and he proposed to her.
The couple had a long engagement.
They condensed their two houses to one
in Clinton Township and were married in
2003 in the garden at the Tropicana Hotel
in Las Vegas. Lu has a 26-year-old daughter,
Lauren, a teacher in Atlanta, and a 22-yearold daughter, Emily, who lives at home and
attends college. Gary has Shoshana, 29, who
works in sales; Miriam, 26, a Wayne State
University doctorate student; and Yosef, 25,
a marketer in Cincinnati.
“My kids love Lu. She is very real, very
down to earth, and she has something that
is hard to find: common sense,” Gary says.
“She’s a great person, smart and brave.
“She came into my life when I was at the
bottom. I love her very much, and she’s
very good to me,” he says, adding that Lu
even appreciates his celebrity imitations.
“She’s also a gourmet cook.”
Gary and Lu, who are both 57,
sometimes have the same shifts
and drive to work together. “We
try not to talk about work too
much. But if we need to talk about
it, it’s good that we understand
each other’s jobs.”
Gary also teaches nursing
students from Schoolcraft College
and Davenport University at
Children’s Hospital. “He started
that in September, and he loves
it,” Lu says.
“Teaching nursing is very
important,” Gary says. “I like
being an instructor. Nursing is
one of the most important jobs
out there. Everyone (in the
medical system) needs you.”
The twosome appreciate the
outdoors so they frequently hike,
bike and bird watch. Lu is a
movie buff, and they both enjoy
a competitive game of Scrabble.
“I love people,” Lu says. “I’ve
made lots of good friends at
Children’s Hospital, both coworkers and patients. I’ve taken
care of babies and taken care of
them again 20 years later.”
“I like that we are working in
the same place because it is like
a family,” Gary adds.
Married in 2003, Lu and Gary Kleinman first met at Children’s Hospital.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 7
Dede Dankelson,
a founding council
member, has seen
many improvements
at the hospital
since her son Peter
began treatment.
Young patients, families prosper
because of family-centered care council
I
t is heart-breaking for a family when
a child faces a multitude of health
problems. The child and family often
endure years of surgeries and medical procedures. Take Peter Dankelson, who
was born with Goldenhar Spectrum, a birth
defect that resulted in a missing ear, no ear
canal, and cysts in both eyes, a cleft palate,
an underdeveloped lower jaw and other
anomalies. Now Peter is 8 and his
family fully appreciates improvements
that have been made at the Children’s
Hospital of Michigan by its FamilyCentered Care Advisory Council.
“I think overall when you participate
on a council, it gives you a sense of
empowerment for yourself and others,”
says Dede Dankelson, Peter’s mom and a
member of the advisory council since it
began about three years ago. “I vowed when
I was struggling, when Peter was little, that I
would help others going through this.”
8
About Children’s
Spring 2009
By Marti Benedetti
Patient and family-centered care is an
innovative approach to the planning,
delivery and evaluation of health care that
is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care patients, families
and providers. It drives change in a hospital
to create effective partnerships with patients
and their families.
“Patient and family-centered care has
been going on at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan for years,” says Beverly Crider,
director of the hospital’s Patient- and
Family-Centered Care program. “Good
practitioners have been doing this for a long
time intuitively. We had a parent professional advisory council as early as 1986. But
more formal efforts began here in 2004.”
That is the year Herman Gray, M.D.,
M.B.A., president of Children’s Hospital,
hired Crider to her post. As the parent of
a child with several health issues who
received years of care at Children’s Hospital,
Crider was an ardent parent advocate. Her
daughter, Meredith, is now 29. “Meredith
turn to Dianne, myself and Sarah and
was the first child in Michigan, if not
ask if we had any questions or concerns.
the nation, allowed to go to school with
The nurses did a great job of introducing
medical supports,” she says.
themselves and telling us how to reach them
“Everyone who brings their children
day or night with a pager or cell phone.”
here benefits from the council’s work.”
Such treatment gave the couple and their
Crider adds.
daughter a great
Jim and Dianne
feeling of security.
Patient
and
family-centered
McPharlin of
Jim has seen
care is an innovative approach many positive
Grosse Pointe
Woods can testify
changes added as a
to
the
planning,
delivery
and
to that. Their
result of the advisory
evaluation
of
health
care
daughter, Sarah,
council. The hospital
now 19, had a
has a new visitation
that
is
grounded
in
mutually
heart transplant at
policy. Before familyChildren’s Hospital beneficial partnerships among
centered care, only
when she was 12.
parents could stay
health care patients,
She continues
with a sick child.
to receive care at
But the council
families and providers.
Children’s Hospital
helped the hospital
even though she is now a freshman at
recognize that families come in many
Michigan State University.
configurations, not just mothers and fathers.
Jim is a founding member of the
So now a grandmother and a father or a
advisory council. “We felt we were part
cousin and an uncle can stay with a child.
of a team helping Sarah,” he says. “When
A family center with educational
we went to (doctor) rounds, they would
materials has been built. A relaxation room
Youth Advisory Council Gives Young People Outlet
For Improving Hospital Environment
Families of Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients gain support from the Family-Centered Care
Advisory Council, but what about getting more advice from the young patients?
That’s the job of the hospital’s Youth Advisory Council, comprised of ten 11- to 20-year-olds,
who met for the first time in the fall of 2008 and continue to meet monthly. The young people
evaluate food service, provide feedback on what they would like to eat, select artwork for the
hospital and talk about what changes would make their experience better or easier.
“We want the youth to have a voice,” says Beverly Crider, director of Children’s Hospital Patientand Family-Centered Care. “These are fun-spirited gatherings in our board rooms. The kids are
enthusiastic. They like them so much, they want meetings every week.”
Crider says the health care team at Children’s Hospital is dedicated to doing the best job possible
so it welcomes feedback – both good and less favorable -- from the patients.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 9
Founding council
member Jim McPharlin
discusses an upcoming
presentation with
Bev Crider, director
of the hospital’s
Patient- and
Family-Centered
Care program.
10 About Children’s
Spring 2009
offers a quiet, peaceful place to nap, read
and rest. Families stretched thin have use of
a concierge to run errands. The hospital is
working on enhancing electronic medical
records so families just need to give a child’s
medical history once. A Family Information
Guide shares words of advice from other
families at Children’s Hospital. And, finally,
a Youth Advisory Council has been created.
(See sidebar on page 9.)
“The council is a great, dynamic group
of people, including parents and staff,”
Dede says. “I enjoy listening to the other
side – the doctors and the nurses and their
frustrations. Together we come up with solutions to issues. I understand more about the
way things work so I’m calmer if I have to
wait awhile with Peter to see a doctor.”
Peter, who had a tracheotomy at birth
due to an obstruction of his airway, had his
trach tube removed in 2004 and still has an
open hole in his neck. He was unable to eat
orally for the first two years of his life and
continues to transition from the feeding tube
to oral eating. Yet despite Peter’s challenging
start, he is cognitively normal, very social
and alert. “They call him Mr. Charming
Personality,” Dede says, adding he deals with
his health issues with a keen sense of humor.
She says the council, which meets
monthly, also offers emotional support.
“We have gotten to know one another’s
stories, and I enjoy hearing how all the
children and families are doing. There’s
such a mutual respect among council
members,” she adds.
Crider says there is an emphasis on
helping patients and their families to use
their hospital experiences to help Children’s
Hospital make quality improvements.
“None of what you tell the hospital staff
falls on deaf ears,” says Dianne McPharlin.
“When you present something, it goes to
the top of the house.”
For more information about the FamilyCentered Care Advisory Council, call
Bev Crider at (313) 966-7424.
Awards
Unique cardiac consortium unites doctors,
gathers data from around the globe
T
here’s never enough information
when it comes to caring for hearts.
“That’s why the Congenital
Cardiovascular Interventional
Study Consortium (CCISC) was created to
let cardiac doctors from around the world
compare notes on the best and latest treatment and follow-up techniques.
The Children’s Hospital of Michigan is
the data coordinating center for the CCISC,
which was formed in 2004 and is the only
project of its kind in the world.
Firsts
By Todd Schulz
North America, South America, Europe and
the Middle East.
“We’re on the cutting edge,” Forbes said.
“We’re the first ones to institute this and
it’s taken off. There’s no doubt it’s made an
impact on the way we look at and deliver
medicine. It’s making us all better doctors and
it will help us avoid asking the same questions
10 years down the road.”
Fortunately, the number of pediatric and
adult patients with congenital heart disease
is relatively small. But that means a small
population of patients to consider for research
purposes.
By pooling data, doctors can better tackle
oft-debated questions. For example, Forbes is
studying the best approach to treat patients
with narrowing of the aorta, which is the
main artery that distributes blood to all parts
of the body except the lungs. Is the solution
surgical? Is it a balloon angioplasty? Or, is it
placing an intravascular stent?
“We want to know, all things being equal,
which one is better,” Forbes said. “It may
turn out that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all
answer. It may be that one treatment may
better fit a particular patient than another.
So far, more than 40 sites around the world
have contributed to the study by entering data
on a password-protected Web site created by
Wayne State University’s School of Medicine.
The CCISC has also launched two additional major study projects with the principal
investigators based in Florida and California,
respectively.
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Thomas Forbes, M.D. leads the Congenital Cardiovascular
Interventional Study Consortium.
Thomas Forbes, M.D., director of the
catheterization labs at Children’s Hospital, is
overseeing the consortium, which combines
the knowledge of roughly 130 physicians from
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 11
12 About Children’s
Spring 2009
Feature - Critical Care
Feature - Cardiac Sciences
Device helps Sterling Heights teenager
rebuild life after cardiac arrest
S
ara Ruvolo’s world changed dramatically in the past three years.
After suffering a cardiac arrest and
traumatic brain injury, the Sterling
Heights teenager was forced to learn to
walk, talk and eat again. But one of the
few constants in Sara’s life has been the
care and affection she’s received at the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
“I love it there,” she said. “It’s never sad
there. It’s always happy – and it’s always
been that way.”
Sara, now 16, was born with a congenital
heart block and had a pacemaker implanted
at Children’s Hospital on her second day of
life. The pacemaker generally worked well
for her first 13 years. But that ended with a
jolt in May 2006.
Sara had developed a rare condition,
cardiomyopathy, or a bad heart muscle.
She was saying good night to her parents
in the kitchen of the family’s home when
she suddenly collapsed.
“She said she felt dizzy and then she just
fell down,” Sara’s mother, Sue, said. “She
was just laying there on the floor in the
kitchen. It was surreal. Horrible.”
Sue Ruvolo, a respiratory therapist, and
her husband, Tom, immediately started
performing CPR while their son, Tony,
hailed the ambulance. Emergency medical personnel used a defibrillator to restore
Sara’s heart to a normal rhythm, shocking
her eight times on the way to the hospital.
Eventually, Sara was admitted to
Children’s Hospital, where she received an
implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
Sara Ruvolo is grateful for her family.
Pictured are mom Susan, brother Tony, and father Tom.
By Todd Schulz
that also functions as a pacemaker. The
combination device, which is commonly
used in adult patients, is designed to monitor her heart. In addition to pacing, it can
detect any irregularities and, if necessary,
deliver a life-saving jolt of electricity.
“It allows people to live a pretty normal
lifestyle,” said Peter P. Karpawich, M.D.,
F.A.A.P., F.A.C.C. who directs the hospital’s Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology
program and has treated Sara since she was
an infant. “Patients that have these devices
implanted know that if they have a problem
and something happens, they will have a
better chance of survival.”
Sara Ruvolo
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 13
Unfortunately, the stopping and restarting
using an ICD. However, because her heart
of Sara’s heart cut off oxygen flow to her brain, pumping function was not normal, her device
was attached to her heart with an extra lead
resulting in a traumatic injury. She spent six
so it contracts more normally, a new concept
weeks in rehabilitation at Children’s Hospital,
called
cardiac resynchronization pacing therapy,
where she started the grueling process of reacKarpawich said.
quiring basic skills such as feeding herself and
walking.“Sara had to start over from scratch
on everything,” Sue Ruvolo said. “She couldn’t
hold her head up and she had no strength in
any of her muscles. Even sucking through a
straw was a big milestone.”
Communication also was a challenge.
Sara was largely unresponsive in the days
following her surgery. That started to change
when her brother Tony visited and she
reacted to his voice.
Gradually, Sara regained her ability to speak
and her personality started to peek through.
After many months of intensive physical,
occupational and speech therapy, she eased
her way back into school and activities.
Though she regained many skills, some –
Sara Ruvolo and her physician Peter Karpawich, M.D.
such as playing the piano – did not return
following the injury.
“She’s doing excellent,” he said. “Sara’s heart
Today, Sara is a junior at Cousino High
function has improved and, overall, it was a
School in Warren, where she attends mostly
very successful implant. She’s a great kid and
mainstream classes and is doing well academishe’s going to do well.”
cally. Sara hopes to go to college and pursue
Much of the credit for Sara’s progress goes to
a career that allows her to work with children.
the care provided by Karpawich and Children’s
She’s a typical teenager who loves hanging out
Hospital, her mother said.
with friends, watching movies and listening to
“Children’s has just been phenomenal,” Sue
music on her iPod.
Ruvolo said. “Dr. Karpawich is extraordinary.
Sara rarely stops to consider the ICD device
He’s known Sara since she was born and they
that’s protected her heart without incident for
have a great relationship. We’re so grateful
the last three years.
for everything the hospital has done for her.
“I never really think about it unless I talk
“The love and support of her family and
about it with my friends,” she said. “It doesn’t
friends has also greatly helped in Sara’s
affect me at all.”
recovery. We’re just so proud of her
That’s not the case for Sara’s parents, who
accomplishments and her strength.”
harbor lingering fears of another cardiac
To learn more about how to support
episode. But the ICD’s constant protection
Cardiac Sciences at the Children’s Hospital
offers reassurance, Sue Ruvolo said.
Sara is one of a dozen of the more than 250 of Michigan, please call (313) 745-5373
or visit www.childrensdmc.org.
patients with pacemaker devices currently
14 About Children’s
Spring 2009
Tiny patient’s heart
transplant
one of many
success stories
By Marti Benedetti
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 15
Feature - Neurology
Feature - Critical Care
Feature - Cardiac Sciences
T
By Marti Benedetti
he first time Augustine Powell
saw her baby daughter, she was
connected to machines via a
tangle of tubes at the Children’s
Hospital of Michigan. Her toes and fingers
were purple.
Vega had been delivered the day prior,
Monday, June 7, 2004, at Hutzel Hospital by
emergency C-section. She was not breathing
and was rushed to Children’s Hospital. The
right side of her heart was smaller than the
left and not functioning properly.
Vega was placed on the heart transplant
waiting list on Friday. On Sunday, Powell,
who was home from the hospital and at
her baby shower, was told a donor had
been found.
On Monday, after nine hours of surgery,
Vega received a new heart, donated by the
parents of a month-old boy. “The doctors
said because she was so tiny, the surgery was
risky. I told the doctors my baby is going to
be okay. I just knew it,”
says Powell.
“After the
surgery,
Dr. (Henry)
Walters told me
the transplant
was good.”
More than
four years later,
Vega still holds
the record as
the smallest (5.7
pounds) and
the youngest
(seven days) to receive a heart transplant at
Children’s Hospital.
Vega came home to her mother and
siblings in Detroit after two months in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s
Hospital. She was cared for by her family,
including her grandmother, Teresa Powell,
and aunt, Oriana Powell. “She was on 13
medicines that had to be distributed at
different times, but she recovered quickly,”
Powell says.
Now 4-years-old, Vega takes just four
medications a day. She sees her doctor at
Children’s Hospital every three months.
She’s in preschool and takes modeling classes.
She’s an active, self-assured child, and “my
little drama queen,” Powell says. It is not
unusual for her to make up scenes and have
her family watch her perform.
Thomas J. L’Ecuyer, M.D., medical
director of the cardiac transplant program
at Children’s Hospital, says Vega is doing
very well. “She’s a little smaller than other
Augustine Powell visits Vega in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital.
16 About Children’s
Spring 2009
Children’s Hospital Celebrates 11 Years of Heart Transplants
The staff at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan has much to be proud of 11 years
after launching its heart transplant program in spring 1998. Sixty-six transplants have
been performed at the hospital.
“It filled a void we had in our cardiac surgical program. It was the only procedure we did
not perform,” says Henry L. Walters III, M.D., Children’s Hospital chief of cardiovascular
surgery, who played a key role in bringing heart transplants to Children’s Hospital. “There
are times when standard cardiac surgeries do not work and it is necessary to replace the
heart. We used to have to transfer our patients to another hospital.
“We’ve proven we need it. We’re the busiest program in the state and one of the busiest
in the country,” he adds.
The heart transplant team at Children’s Hospital includes Walters; Thomas J. L’Ecuyer, M.D.;
Ralph Delius, M.D.; Sanjeev Aggarwal, M.D.; Joanne Dupuis, R.N., M.N., C.P.N., transplant
coordinator; Andrea Martinovich, R.N., B.S.N., transplant coordinator; Rebecca Marocco, M.S.W.,
social worker; Letitia B. Warren, R.D., C.S.P., registered dietician; Jimmy Leleszi, D.O., psychiatrist;
and many other care partners.
April is National Donate Life Month, a time to increase awareness of organ donation.
Visit new.giftoflifemichigan.org to learn more.
kids her age, but quite healthy. She has
spent very little time in the hospital since
the transplant,” he says.
L’Ecuyer says children who get heart
transplants can have healthy, fairly normal
childhoods spending little time in the
hospital. Several Children’s Hospital transplant recipients have played on high school
sports teams and some have gone on to
college. Although the quality of life in a
heart transplant recipient is typically
excellent, some may require a second
transplant later in life. “Fortunately, those
who are transplanted as babies are more
likely to do well in the long run,” he adds.
“Overall, we’re very proud of our statistics,”
he adds. “We have better than the national
average success rate for patients surviving
while waiting for a transplant and at any
time after transplant.”
“I love Children’s,” Powell says. “It’s the
people who work there that make it
special and incredible. The intensive care
unit, where I spent a lot of time visiting
Vega, was an uncomfortable place at first
because it was unfamiliar, but the staff took
good care of me and Vega.”
Powell says she feels related to Joanne
Dupuis, R.N., M.N., C.P.N., one of the
transplant coordinators. “We talk all the
time still.” In fact, the two women were
in the hospital watching the Discovery
Channel together when they came up
with Vega’s name, which means the
brightest star in the sky.
L’Ecuyer attributes the hospital’s success
to its team approach. “We all believe in
transplantation. Our patients go from
being incredibly ill to having a high quality
of life. We get to know these families like
our own. The team has a common goal –
to help our patients’ lives be as great as
possible, to be like Vega.”
To learn more about how to support
Cardiac Sciences at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan, please call (313) 745-5373
or visit www.childrensdmc.org.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 17
Feature - Critical Care
Feature - Cardiac Sciences
Stent continues to fix children’s hearts for life
A
a simple trip to the doctor in
2006 to take care of a pesky
earache led to the discovery of a
heart malfunction when Austin
Wimp was 8 years old.
“Austin’s pulse rate was hard to find in
his lower extremities. They also could hear
a clicking in his heart,” says his mother,
Austin relaxes because he knows his heart is working well thanks to the Genesis stent
inserted by Children’s Hospital Interventional Cardiologist Daniel Turner, M.D.
18 About Children’s
Spring 2009
By Marti Benedetti
Deborah Wimp of Milford. “One valve
was not working right.”
Austin was taken to the Children’s
Hospital of Michigan for tests, where
doctors discovered that the active, spirited
boy’s aorta – the heart’s largest artery – was
too narrow. He was scheduled for an overnight procedure whereby a Genesis stent
would be inserted into the artery to widen it.
The stent is able to be dilated with the child
to adult size, preventing future surgeries.
“The stent was inserted into his aorta
through a small hole in his groin,”
Deborah says. “Before they had this
stent, he would have needed open heart
surgery followed by an extensive recovery time in the hospital.” But thanks ro
Children’s Hospital physicians, Austin was
back to his busy lifestyle in a week.
The Genesis stent has an interesting
history at Children’s Hospital. In 2002,
Cordis Corp., a Johnson & Johnson
company, came out with a new stent and
asked a team of pediatric cardiologists at
Children’s Hospital if they could help make
it better for use in pediatric patients, says
Daniel Turner, M.D., an interventional
cardiologist at Children’s Hospital.
Tom Forbes, M.D., director of the
catheterization labs at Children’s Hospital,
worked with other cardiologists on the
prototype stent. “The company incorporated some of what the Children’s doctors
wanted and produced the Genesis stent,”
Turner says. “It continues to be far better
than any other stent available and today is
the most widely used stent for this treatment
in the world.”
He says the stent, made of wire mesh and
shaped a bit like a pencil, is strong and can
handle great pressure. It is flexible enough
to accommodate a 10-pound baby, yet can
expand to fit a 200-pound adult.
That’s the beauty of it. The stent used on
Austin at 8 years old should serve him well
when he is in his 20s, 30s and even 50s.
He underwent catheterization at the end
of December of 2008 for a check up, three
years after the stent was inserted, and it
was still doing its job.
The sixth grader, who has three older
siblings, likes to play video games such as
Nintendo but also enjoys golfing, lacrosse,
jumping on the backyard trampoline,
swimming and general running around
and playing, Deborah says. He is discouraged from playing sports such as football
or hockey, where weightlifting may be
required.
Turner says 11-year-old Austin is doing
very well as are the 187 others who
have had the Genesis stent placed into
their hearts over the years at Children’s
Hospital. Children who get the stent
for the reason Austin did are typically
4 years or older. But children as young
as four months have received the Genesis
stent for heart problems.
“As far as we know, Austin will have a
normal life,” Turner says. “He needs to
have the stent checked periodically and
will need it stretched once more when
he is fully grown.”
Turner, whose niche as an interventional
cardiologist includes closing holes or stretching valves in the heart, says he sees the need
for the stent procedure quite often. They
insert a Genesis stent every other week or
so, averaging 30 a year.
He points out that Children’s Hospital
is on the forefront of other specialty heart
procedures. For the past twenty years, the
Cardiac Electrophysiology program has
played a lead role in the development of new
techniques for treatment of heart rhythm
abnormalities including pacemaker leads
designed with the child in mind. This
includes the recent FDA-released smallest
diameter pacemaker lead available.
Peter P. Karpawich, M.D., F.A.A.P.,
F.A.C.C., director of the Cardiac Pacing
and Electrophysiology Services at Children’s
Hospital, was on the design advisory board
and performed the first lead implant in a
child in the United States. In addition,
the use of newer pacemaker therapy for
treatment of severe heart failure, called
resynchronization pacing, was first applied
to a patient with congenital heart disease
at Children’s Hospital.
The hospital also performs the Hybrid
procedure, which replaces the Norwood
procedure in some patients, since about a
year and a half ago. It enables surgical and
interventional catheterization procedures
to be performed at one sitting. Hybrid
procedures take less time and are thought
to be safer, as they are less complex and
require reduced recovery and rehabilitation
time for children. National tracking results
show that the Hybrid procedure is a life-saver
for young patients. The survival rate is more
than 90 percent for infants compared with
the Norwood method, which produces
about a 70-80 percent survival rate.
To learn more about how to support
Cardiac Sciences at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan, please call (313) 745-5373
or visit www.childrensdmc.org.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 19
Personal Giving
Wieczorek Family Foundation donates
to make a difference at Children’s
L
By Todd Schulz
ike many families, the Wieczoreks
“It’s very informal,” Zagacki said. “We all
vote on the decisions. We have a real heart
of Mount Clemens have estabfor children.”
lished a holiday tradition of
That makes Children’s Hospital a natural
helping others.
fit
for the Wieczorek Family Foundation’s
Since 2001, the foundation has helped
list. Each year, the foundation contributes
fill the wish lists of many local charitable
tens of thousands of dollars to the hospital’s
organizations, including the Children’s
most pressing need, Zagacki said.
Hospital of Michigan.
“We want to make sure the money is
The Wieczorek Family Foundation was
used for what the hospital needs most and
founded to support women and children in
generates the biggest return,” she said. “We
the Detroit area. The family members –
don’t want to just give to a charity and not
father Dale, the president and CEO of
know
what happens to it. We feel Children’s
Detroit-based Motor City Electric Co.;
is using our donations properly.”
mother Paulette; and daughters Courteney
The Wieczorek Family Foundation’s most
Zagacki and Shannon Wright — gather
recent gift matched a contribution from
every fall to determine which organizations
the Mandell L.
and causes the founand Madeleine H.
dation will support.
It’s a time we get together Berman Foundation
“It’s a lot of fun,”
enabling Children’s
said Zagacki, who is
and
help
those
in
need.
Hospital
to purchase
the human resources
a Cerebral/Somatic
manager at Motor
We are making important
Oximeter system
City Electric, one of
decisions
to
help
others
and
that’s used during
the nation’s largest
pediatric heart
electrical contractors.
remember those who are
surgeries. Additional
“It’s a time we get
less
fortunate
than
us.
funding from the
together and help
Wieczorek Family
those in need. We
– Courteney Zagacki
Foundation also
are making imporwas made available to support cardiovascular
tant decisions to help others and remember
research.
those who are less fortunate than us.”
Children born with congenital heart
And don’t picture a stuffy meeting around
defects
often need open-heart surgery,
a corporate board room. The process is
which requires them to be placed on
simple and intimate. The four foundation
cardiopulmonary bypass. If an insufficient
officers plop down together in the family’s
amount of blood or oxygen flows to the
home office and listen as each member
brain
during bypass, the patient could
suggests charities they feel deserve support.
‘‘
’’
20 About Children’s
Spring 2009
The Wieczorek Family
(left to right): Shannon
Wright, Paulette
Wieczorek, Dale
Wieczorek and
Courteney Zagacki.
suffer neurological damage.
House and to support the hospital’s music
The Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter is
therapy program.
designed to detect low oxygen or blood-flow
Music therapy promotes healing through
levels in the patient’s brain and immediately
music, providing group and bedside activialert surgeons, who can take corrective steps
ties that can help young patients reduce pain,
to avoid brain damage. The system is a criti- manage stress, communicate and express
cal upgrade for the 200 or so infants and
themselves emotionally. The therapy ranges
children who undergo open-heart surgery
from humming to infants to letting teenagers
each year at Children’s Hospital, including
bang out their frustrations on a drum.
eight to 10 who receive heart transplants.
Providing practical help to kids is precisely
“It’s sad to think of any child needing open- what the Wieczorek Family Foundation
heart surgery,” Zagacki said. “Our foundais trying to accomplish with its donations,
tion wants to try to make a difference in the Zagacki said. The foundation plans to
lives of children. There’s nothing worse than
continue its partnership with Children’s
seeing a sick child or a parent who needs to
Hospital in the coming years.
get help for a child and they have no means
“We believe children are the future, the
or they don’t know what to do.”
next generation,” she said. “They’re innocent
The Wieczorek Family Foundation was
and they certainly don’t deserve sickness.
formed as a tribute to Dale Wieczorek’s
Our family has been really fortunate that
brother, Glen, who passed away in 2001.
we haven’t experienced significant illnesses.
The foundation donated about $130,000 to
But we recognize others aren’t so lucky.”
local charities in 2008, mostly to organizaTo learn more about how to support the
tions helping women and children, Zagacki
Children’s Hospital of Michigan, please
said. Past gifts to Children’s Hospital have
call (313) 745-5373 or visit
focused on social work to help patients’
www.childrensdmc.org.
families staying at the Ronald McDonald
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 21
Lawyer sees board role as
ambassador to community
D
erek Sarafa wanted to be a
lawyer since he was 14. Now
a partner with Winston and
Strawn, a legal firm with offices
around the world, Sarafa has joined the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan Board of
Trustees hoping to use his perspective to
help strengthen connections with our local
community. “If there is some small thing
that I can provide, I am looking forward to
serving,” he said.
Recruited by fellow board member, Tony
Antone, Sarafa was looking for a way to
become more involved in charitable works.
Derek Sarafa
By Sheila M. Edwards
After learning about Children’s Hospital
and seeing the work being done for children
and their families, Sarafa characterizes his
invitation to join the Board as “humbling.”
Sarafa’s connection with Children’s goes
back over 20 years to the time his brother
had received treatment at Children’s for a
kidney problem. He also has a nephew
who has been a patient at Children’s. “You
don’t have to be a parent to understand
the importance of what Children’s provides,”
he said, “you can see it in the faces of the
families.”
Lefkofsky inspired to serve on
Foundation board
S
teven R. Lefkofsky knows first-hand
what it’s like to be a kid with a
medical issue. Diagnosed with
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 7,
he spent his childhood dealing with his condition, even though it was relatively mild.
Later, when his own son needed tests to
rule out a potential problem, Lefkofsky and
his family learned what makes Children’s
Hospital unique. “It starts at the top; how
it is run. Then, it’s the great staff – the
physicians and nurses. They really care
Steven R. Lefkofsky
22 About Children’s
Spring 2009
By Sheila M. Edwards
about kids,” he said. “Care is their priority.”
That’s what Lefkofsky remembered when
he was asked to join the Board. “I want to
give back to the community with both time
and resources,” he said. “Kids don’t have the
same ability to speak up for themselves, so
they need others to help.”
“When you think you’re having a bad
day, think about the kids at Children’s.
Now your day will suddenly not look so
bad,” said Lefkofsky, “and maybe you’ll be
inspired to get involved yourself.”
Leslie Colburn’s family legacy
lives on in library
L
eslie E. Colburn was a dear friend
to the Children’s Hospital of
Michigan. A strong supporter of
the hospital, Mr. Colburn was
appointed to the Board of Trustees in
1986. He served on various committees
including Medical Affairs and Patient Care.
Most recently, he served on the hospital’s
Advisory Board.
Mr. Colburn established The Phyllis
Ann Colburn Family Library at Children’s
Hospital in memory of his late wife.
The library helps ensure that patients
By Rosemary Tokatlian
are entertained by books, videos and
games, and that educational materials
are available to families.
Mr. Colburn passed away on
Dec. 4 at the age of 90. Memorial
tributes to The Phyllis Ann and
Leslie E. Colburn Family Library, as
it is now known, support the young
patients at Children’s Hospital and
will continue Mr. Colburn’s legacy.
To support The Phyllis Ann and Leslie
E. Colburn Family Library, contact the Leslie E. Colburn
Development Office at (313) 745-5373.
Medical pioneer was a trailblazer
M
edical and sickle cell education
pioneer, Charles D. Whitten,
M.D., was a trailblazer in
many ways. Dr. Whitten was
the associate dean emeritus of the Wayne
State University School of Medicine and as
the chief of pediatrics at Detroit Receiving
Hospital, he was the first African-American
to head a department in a Detroit hospital.
He founded the post baccalaureate
program at Wayne State University School
of Medicine, which was a national model
for the inclusion of under-represented
minority students at schools of medicine.
He also formed the Sickle Cell Detection
By Rosemary Tokatlian
and Information Center, the most
comprehensive community program
in the country, and facilitated the
creation of the Sickle Cell Disease
Association of America (SCDAA).
Dr. Whitten passed away Aug. 14
at the age of 86. His legacy in helping patients with sickle cell disease is
carried on by his daughter, Wanda
Whitten-Shurney, M.D., who is a
physician in the Sickle Cell Clinic
at Children’s Hospital which was
Charles D. Whitten, M.D.
founded by her father and was recently
appointed as Medical Director of the
Michigan Chapter of the SCDAA.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 23
Volunteer Spotlight
Young volunteer is a great role model
T
Children’s Hospital
Volunteer Tim Bowman
plays Connect Four with
10-year-old Yousef Aldahan.
im Bowman calls himself the “King
of UNO,” but it’s his status as just
one of the guys that makes him so
In Memorium
valuable as a Children’s Hospital of
Michigan volunteer.
There’s a weekly session of the classic
card game in the fifth-floor playroom. A
volunteer since 2006, Bowman figures
By Marcy Hayes
he’s logged hundreds of hours and played
thousands of games.
Still only 22, he’s particularly good at
drawing in the cooler teenage boys who are
reticent to join the fun yet attracted by the
challenge. The trash talk flies, and as the
kids try to knock the king from his throne,
boredom vanishes.
At one point, Bowman planned to become
a sketch comedy writer. Instead, he’ll be
heading off to medical school in the fall. If
it’s a sharp detour, it certainly helps explain
his natural bond with the kids.
He first toyed with the idea of a medical
career while researching a college paper about
his twin brother’s special Ketogenic diet.
After only a few biology classes, Bowman
was hooked.
It’s no surprise that he’s leaning toward
pediatrics. “I look like a 12-year-old, and I
have the same sense of humor,” he explains
with a smile. But the real attraction is
children’s carefree approach to life. “They’re
genuine. Kids will say anything,” he says.
“They don’t care what you think.”
Erin O’Mara, the hospital’s volunteer and
community relations manager, says he’s a
great mentor and role model. “Everyone is
very impressed with Tim,” she says. “He’s
the whole package. Tim has the tremendous
ability to keep it all going at once, like he
has eyes in the back of his head.”
For more information on becoming a
volunteer, call (313) 745-5326 or visit
www.childrensdmc.org.
24 About Children’s
Spring 2009
Dear Friends,
The culture at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan continues to be focused on the
forefront of patient care. The Family-Centered Care Advisory Council (page 8) focuses
on partnerships between patients, their families and health care providers. Familycentered care is based on the assumption that families know their children best and
are an important part of the health care team and the healing process.
We’ve received numerous accreditations and awards over the past year. Familycentered care plays a large role in achieving such accolades. Awards from U.S.News &
World Report, Magnet and the Leapfrog Group all speak to the superior care that is
delivered at our hospital. It’s part of our culture and how we do business.
Advocacy
Our Children’s Hospital of Michigan donor community is also a critical partner in
helping us offer the best possible care to our patients by the best pediatric physicians
in the area. As always, we are very grateful for your generosity.
Sincerely,
John D. Baker, M.D.
Chairman of the Board
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
U.S.News
America’s
Best
Children’s
Hospital
2008
Ranked among
America’s Best Children’s
Hospitals in Cancer,
Neurology and
Neurosurgery
Top 5% Nationally
in Nursing
Excellence
Top Hospital for
Safety and Quality
Practices
News
C
hildren’s Hospital of Michigan meets the highest national standards
set for medical and nursing staff, hospital personnel and patient care.
Our young patients and their families are assured the finest medical
care and the highest quality of hospital services.
The Children’s Hospital of Michigan is a member of the Detroit Medical
Center, the academic health system for Wayne State University, and is affiliated
with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine, College of Nursing, and
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health.
The Children’s Hospital of Michigan is accredited by the Joint Commission
on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and by the Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Children’s is accredited by the American
College of Surgeons as a Level 1 trauma center and as a regional poison control
center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
The hospital is certified by the Health Care Finance Administration (Clinical
Laboratory Improvement Act) and licensed by the Michigan Department of
Community Health.
Daniel, 3 with his Mom, Melanie
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 25
Executive Staff
Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
President
Shawn Levitt, R.N., M.S.A.
Vice President/Chief Operating
Officer
Joseph T. Scallen
Vice President, Finance
Jeffrey M. Devries, M.D., M.P.H.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Charles J. Barone II, M.D.
Chief of Hospitalist Division
Diane Chugani, Ph.D.
Chief of Pharmacology and
Toxicology
Harry T. Chugani, M.D.
Chief of Neurology
Edward R. Dabrowski, M.D.
Chief of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation
Chandra Edwin, M.D.
Interim Chief of Endocrinology
Aseana, 9
Mohammad F. El-Baba, M.D.
Chief of Gastroenterology
Howard S. Fischer, M.D.
Co-Chief of Ambulatory
Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine
Yvonne Friday, M.D.
Co-Chief of Ambulatory
Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine
Steven D. Ham, D.O.
Chief of Neurosurgery
Michael S. Haupert, D.O.
Chief of Pediatric
Otolaryngology
Joseph M. Hildebrand, D.D.S.
Chief of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery
Richard A. Humes, M.D.
Chief of Cardiology
Luanne M. Ewald, F.A.C.H.E.
Vice President, Business
Development and
Strategic Planning
Rhonda Foster, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.S.
R.N., Vice President
Patient Care Services
Chad M. Grant
Vice President, Professional
Services
Patrick R. Kelly
Vice President, Development
Lori R. Mouton
Vice President, Marketing,
Communications and Community
Relations
Tarry L. Paylor
Vice President, Human Resources
Medical Staff Chiefs
Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
President
Bonita Stanton, M.D.
Pediatrician-In-Chief
Richard A.K. Reynolds, M.D.
Surgeon-In-Chief
Chief of Orthopaedics
Mary Lu Angelilli, M.D.
Chief of Staff
Jeffrey M. Devries, M.D.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Ibrahim F. Abdulhamid, M.D.
Chief of Pulmonary Medicine
Gyula Acsadi, M.D.
Vice-Chief of Neurology
Basim I. Asmar, M.D.
Chief of Infectious Diseases
Michael D. Klein, M.D.
Interim Chief of Pediatric Surgery
Stephen R. Knazik, D.O., M.B.A.
Chief of Emergency Medicine
Yegappan Lakshmanan, M.D.
Chief of Urology
Mary Lieh-Lai, M.D.
Co-Chief of Critical Care Medicine
Jeanne M. Lusher, M.D.
Co-Chief of Hematology
and Oncology
Tej K. Mattoo, M.D.
Chief of Nephrology
Ellen C. Moore, M.D.
Chief of Immunology, Allergy
and Rheumatology
Yaddanapudi Ravindranath, M.D.
Co-Chief of Hematology
and Oncology
John D. Roarty, M.D.
Chief of Ophthalmology
David R. Rosenberg, M.D.
Chief of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Neurosciences
Children’s Hospital
of Michigan Foundation
Board of Trustees
Arlene A. Rozzelle, M.D.
Chief of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery
Ashok P. Sarnaik, M.D.
Co-Chief of Critical Care
Medicine
Seetha Shankaran, M.D.
Chief of Neonatal and
Perinatal Medicine
James P. Stenger, D.D.S.
Chief of Dentistry
David Stockton, M.D.
C
hief of Genetic and Metabolic
Disorders
Henry L. Walters III, M.D.
Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery
J. Michael Zerin, M.D.
Chief of Pediatric Imaging
Maria M. Zestos, M.D.
Chief of Anesthesiology
Board of Trustees
*John D. Baker, M.D., Chairperson
*Joanne B. Faycurry
Vice Chairperson
*Gloria W. Robinson
Vice Chairperson
*Alan Woodliff, Ph.D.
Vice Chairperson
*Frank Couzens, Jr., Treasurer
*Joseph T. Scallen, Assistant
Treasurer
*Sara E. Wallace, Secretary
*Mary Lu Angelilli, M.D.
Tony Antone
*Elaine Baker
*Douglas M. Etkin
Cynthia N. Ford
Maxine Frankel
Matthew Friedman
The Honorable Hilda Gage
Erica Ward Gerson
John Ginopolis
*Rosanne Gjostein
*Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
Patricia Heftler
Leslie Helppie
Reverend Nicholas Hood, III
*Joseph G. Horonzy
Arthur B. Hudson
*Gilbert Hudson
Jane Iacobelli
Anne-Maré Ice, M.D.
Josephine Kessler
*Nick A. Khouri
Cynthia N. Ford
Chairperson
Jonathon Aaron
Maurice J. Beznos
James F. Carr, Jr.
Larry Fleischmann, M.D.
Maxine Frankel
Spring 2009
Linda Kowalski Jacob
*Edward C. Levy, Jr.
John G. Levy
Carol Marantette
*Florine Mark
Alyssa Martina
Linda O’Brien
*David K. Page
Jessica S. Pellegrino
*Michael C. Porter
*Richard A. K. Reynolds, M.D.
Bruce H. Rosen
Derek J. Sarafa
Ashok P. Sarnaik, M.D.
Aaron H. Sherbin
*Thomas L. Slovis, M.D.
*Bonita Stanton, M.D.
Lyle Wolberg
*George A. Wrigley
* Executive Committee
Honorary Board
Maurice J. Beznos
Margot Coville
Margaret Fisher
William R. Halling
Robert C. Larson
William P. MacKinnon
Jane Buell Mills
Ruth Townsend
Advisory Board
The Honorable Trudy
DunCombe Archer
Robert H. Bluestein
Alexa I. Canady, M.D.
Julie Fisher Cummings
Alan W. Frank
James Grosfeld
Joseph C. Murphy
Thomas L. Schoenith
Katie Valenti
Joan Warren
Eastside Advisory Board
John D. Baker, M.D.
Dana Camphous-Peterson
Mark Deldin
Luanne M. Ewald
Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.
Sheriff Mark Hackel
Earl Stilson
The Honorable Tracey A. Yokich
John Ginopolis
Brian Hermelin
Judy Kramer
Jack Krasula
Steven R. Lefkofsky
Edward C. Levy, Jr.
Jeanne M. Lusher, M.D.
Rita Margherio
Anita Masters Penta
Dick Purtan Patricia Rodzik
Jatinder-Bir Sandhu
William M. Wetsman
Contact Information:
Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation
3911 Beaubien St. Detroit, MI 48201-9932 (313) 964-6994
Patrick R. Kelly, Executive Director
26 About Children’s
News
It’s a wrap; Honigman
volunteers support Snowpile
I
n December, more than 50 attorneys, staff and their
families from the law firm Honigman Miller Schwartz
and Cohn LLP wrapped presents for the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan’s Snowpile and Adopt-a-Family events, a holiday
gift program for hospitalized children. This was the second
year the Honigman team wrapped presents for patients.
Four times each year, attorneys and staff from Honigman
get together to help the community and further strengthen
their team, said Rich Marsolais, senior business development
manager. “It’s helping a great cause and this event caps the
year off nicely.”
Parents magazine ranks
Children’s Hospital among best
P
arents magazine ranked the Children’s Hospital of Michigan among
the top children’s hospitals in the country. Children’s Hospital ranked
25 out of 100 hospitals surveyed and is listed as a runner-up, online
at parents.com. The results of the extensive survey appeared in the
February 2009 issue of Parents magazine.
“It’s rewarding to be nationally recognized for the work that we do to ensure
that every child gets the best care possible,” said Herman B. Gray, M.D., M.B.A.,
president of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
Biggby Coffee and Subway open at Children’s
T
he long awaited opening of the joint Biggby Coffee
and Subway arrived on February 6, 2009. Located
next to the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Children’s
Hospital of Michigan, throngs of happy customers
flocked to the restaurant and were promptly served a favorite
beverage or sandwich.
Biggby Coffee offers gourmet coffees, teas, and a daily selection
of specialty cookies and pastries, fruit cups, bagel sandwiches,
salads and more. A large variety of sandwiches, salads and wraps
are available at Subway’s quick service restaurant.
Both Biggby Coffee and Subway are open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Complimentary WiFi is available and credit
cards are accepted.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 27
Christoph Bartschat
has fun with
the Rockettes
during his check
presentation.
Kids Helping Kids
Christoph Bartschat demonstrates
donors can come in all sizes
A
nita Bartschat had three young
children at home and a husband
out of the country, and a doctor
was taking her into a back room
to deliver the results of a blood test for
10-year-old Christoph.
This can’t be good, she told herself on
that day nearly two years ago, and she
was all too correct. “Your son is in critical
condition,” the doctor said.
It didn’t seem possible. Maybe Christoph
hadn’t been his usual ‘Energizer Bunny’
self, but “you don’t think your child could
be that sick when they are still running
around,” she says. “You don’t think they’d
be running at all.”
In Memorium
28 About Children’s
Spring 2009
By Marcy Hayes
But he was – and today, he is again.
Christoph, 12, is not only a medical
success story, he’s become an inspiration.
And at the same time he’s a patient, he’s
become a remarkable fundraiser for the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
The ultimate verdict on that overwhelming day was acute lymphoblastic
leukemia (ALL).
Now, with the worst behind Christoph
and his family, Anita Bartschat is surprised
to realize she’s almost grateful for the
experience – not for the illness itself, but
for everything they have learned about
kindness, determination and the hospital.
Neighbors she hadn’t known long at the
time opened their hearts and homes in the
things happen. “What causes leukemia?” he
months after Christoph fell ill, she says. If
asked one day. It was a simple question,
that wasn’t enough, today many of them
but one that would give direction to the
are part of Christoph’s ALL Stars, the
Bartschat family’s fundraising future. “I
foundation created to help raise money for
was amazed we couldn’t find the answer
childhood cancer research.
anywhere,” his mom says. “That was when
Everything has played out against a
we decided research to find the answer was
backdrop of the day-to-day plan that
what we, as a family, wanted to support.”
made Christoph’s treatment as tolerable
As these sorts of things often do, a walk to
as possible. Children’s Hospital of Michigan raise money begat an additional raffle and
doctors “laid out a road map,” Bartschat
a party with an auction. Soon autographed
says, that “as long as everything went as
footballs and baseballs were arriving in the
planned, they would follow. Somehow,
mail. Local restaurants provided free food,
it just seemed more manageable.”
and businesses donated auction items.
Thankfully, things have gone very well.
The Bartschats wanted to raise awareness
Christoph turned out to be what is referred
of childhood cancer while they were raising
to as a rapid responder; four weeks into treat- money at the party, so they circulated a
ment he was 98% cancer free. Today, about
sign-up sheet for blood donors. Anita
half-way through the 3 ½-year treatment
explained that in just his first five months
plan, he is back at school, and the hair he
of treatment, Christoph had needed 32
lost during chemotherapy has re-emerged
thick and curly. It was straight before,
Bartschat says, and in another sort of transition, the boy she always thought of as kind
has become incredibly empathetic.
Bored as he received his treatments,
Christoph decided that the Hematology/
Oncology clinic needed a DVD player for
the flat-screen television in the transfusion
room – and that he was going to raise the
money to buy one. Moneymaking options
being limited for 10-year -olds, Christoph
decided on a tried-and-true summertime
transfusions. When the last guest left, the
favorite, a lemonade stand. Despite being
fundraiser had brought in $20,000, 16 new
in the middle of the worst part of his treatblood donors, and a small army of converts
ment, Christoph spent an afternoon flagging to the Children’s Hospital cause.
down passing cars and explaining that he was
Christoph’s ALL Stars, which took its
raising money for Children’s Hospital. His
name from the team of walkers in the first
earnest effort proved irresistible and he ended fundraiser, has since hosted a second event.
the day with a whopping $200.
The tally that time: $25,000, a remarkable
While ALL sapped his energy and took
total from a remarkable young man with
his hair, it didn’t change Christoph’s inquisian impressively mature devotion to the
tive nature and ceaseless desire to know why
Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
Children’s Hospital
Special Events
Officer Kelly Landis,
Anita and Christoph
Bartschat, and
Joanne Wang, M.D.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 29
BBQ raises funds for cardiovascular research
J
By Rosemary Tokatlian
eff and Crystal Kalinowski’s 4-year-old
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son, Ian, was born with a rare form
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of a congenital heart disease called
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truncus arteriosus. Ian had two open
heart surgeries at the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan and as a result is living an
active, healthy life.
The Kalinowskis wanted to give back
to the hospital that helped their son and
The Jeff, Peyton, Crystal and
decided to hold a fundraiser in their
Ian Kalinowski pictured with
backyard. Named after Ian and his sister,
the Verve Pipe’s Brian
Peyton, Ian & Peyton’s 1st Annual Beats
Vander Ark (middle).
& BBQ Fundraiser was a huge success with
$3,500 raised for cardiovascular research at
Children’s Hospital. More than 150 of their
friends and family gathered to hear a live
acoustical session by Verve Pipe front man
Brian Vander Ark and to enjoy a beautiful
evening together last July.
For more information about the next
Ian & Peyton’s Beats & BBQ Fundraiser
to be held on July 11, 2009, please contact
Crystal Kalinowski at [email protected].
Festival of Trees preview party was a hit
F
Natalie Mensinger, 5,
tells Santa what she
would like for Christmas.
By Rosemary Tokatlian
estival of Trees, a benefit for the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan,
kicked off its 24th annual weeklong celebration of holiday trees
with a preview party on November 22.
The sold out event featured FOX 2’s
morning anchor Alan Lee as master of
ceremonies, a visit from Santa Claus,
delicious food, and of course, more than
50 different full-size holiday trees. Festival
of Trees, which supports pediatric research,
has raised more than $7.4 million for the
Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
For more information about Festival of Trees,
visit www.fot.org.
Festival of Trees President Greg Koukoudian, Children’s
Hospital President Herman Gray, M.D., M.B.A. and
his wife Shirley, Director of Clinical Support Services
at Children’s Hospital, and Fox 2 News Morning
Anchor Alan Lee.
30 About Children’s
Spring 2009
Palm Palace chooses Children’s Hospital
W
¨QWERTYUIOP{}hen asked why they chose to
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support the Children’s Hospital
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of Michigan, Clinton J. Hamet,
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chief operating officer of Palm
Palace Restaurants, LLC, answered, “It starts
twenty-some years ago with my daughter,
Jayna.”
Jayna was 2 or 3 years old and was
seriously injured when running with a pair
of cuticle scissors, recalled Hamet. Rushed
to emergency and eventually to
Children’s Hospital, Hamet and
his wife spent several days with
Jayna in the hospital while it was
determined that the wound had
missed her heart by a hair.
“If she had been running with
regular straight scissors, they
would have pierced her heart,”
he said. “I remember praying
for her to be okay, and I pledged
that I would give back in
whatever way I could.”
“The nurses and doctors
who took care of her were
magnificent. They helped her
get through a bewildering time
which was very emotional for us,”
Hamet said. “We got to know
many of the other parents whose
kids were at Children’s also. They
were all glad when we were able
to take Jayna home, even though we knew
that some of their kids wouldn’t be so lucky.”
So, in April 2008, when the owners of
Palm Palace were discussing which charity
they would support, Clint Hamet got the
By Sheila M. Edwards
chance to tell Jayna’s story and arrange to
help patients at Children’s Hospital. After
the grand opening of their first restaurant in
Clinton Township, the Palm Palace group
donated $2,500 to the Child Life Toy Fund
at the hospital. This fund provides money to
purchase toys to give to patients when they
reach milestones in their treatment or to
help them get through a difficult time.
Bearing a little scar near her heart, Jayna,
now 26, is studying clinical psychology
and plans to work with children. “Maybe
someday she’ll even end up on the staff at
Children’s Hospital,” said Hamet.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 31
Then and Now
Stout Risius Ross
Charity Bike Ride
participants (left to
right): Marie Halpin,
Janet Rozelle,
Lisa Martin,
John Marquardt,
John Ross,
Christopher
Thompson,
Paul Scheele,
Steven Roach,
and Oliver Glenn.
32 About Children’s
Charity bike riders go the distance
to support Children’s Hospital
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edaling for a purpose is nothing
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P
new to John Ross.
The Birmingham business
executive twice rode his bike from
the Detroit area to Mackinaw City to honor
the memory of his older brother, Terry, who
was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 1980.
In August 2008, Ross decided to make the
same cycling trip to benefit the Children’s
Hospital of Michigan. But this time, he
didn’t go solo.
Ross led nine people, including his wife,
Lisa Martin, Christopher Thompson, Janet
Rozelle, John Marquardt, Marie Halpin,
Oliver Glenn, Paul Scheele and Steven
Roach on the Stout Risius Ross Charity
Bike Ride, a five-day, 550-mile round trip
journey from Clarkston to Mackinaw City.
The riders collected pledges from friends,
family and coworkers to raise about $5,300
for the hospital’s Child Life Department.
“We wanted to do something for kids in
need,” said Ross, founder and managing
director at Stout Risius Ross, Inc., a financial advisory firm located in Southfield.
“We all felt very fortunate that we’ve gotten this far in life without suffering serious illnesses. I’d heard great things about
Children’s Hospital and I thought, ‘maybe
we can help kids so that someday they can
do a ride like this themselves.’ ”
Spring 2009
By Todd Schulz
An avid fitness buff and biker, Ross knew
the route north to Mackinaw City well. He
pedaled it alone in 1985 to honor his late
brother and decided to make the trip again
in 2007 after his parents passed away.
“I wanted to rededicate myself to my
brother,” Ross said. “When I told clients
and friends what I was doing, many of
them said, ‘Boy, that sounds cool. I’d love
to do that some time.’”
Ross filed those folks in his memory
and challenged them to follow through
last summer.
To train for the grueling event, Ross
attended indoor “spinning” classes twice
per week and biked outdoors whenever
possible, including jaunts of up to 75 miles
on the weekends. He also completed three
“century” rides of 100 miles to build his
endurance.
The group set out on Aug. 13 and pedaled
about 130 miles to West Branch, braving a
summer thunderstorm along the way. The
following day they covered the remaining
145 miles or so to Mackinaw City. They
spent a day relaxing at Mackinac Island
before turning for home.
Only four bikers, including Ross, his wife
Lisa Martin, Paul Scheele, and Steven Roach
completed the entire trip. Three riders
returned with their families and two riders
were injured. One was tossed from his bike
because of a blown tire and broke his shoulder.
Another dropped out because of a ruptured
muscle.
Thus, the four friends who finished the
trek were as proud as they were exhausted.
“It was just a real sense of accomplishment,”
Ross said. “This was a pretty challenging thing
to do and once you commit to it, there’s no
backing out. My wife was petrified when I
did it by myself in 2007. But she said it was
one of the best things she’s ever done.”
The money raised was used to stock the
inpatient activity centers in the hospital.
The centers are intended as fun gathering
spots where patients can work on arts-andcrafts projects, play board games and bond
with siblings and friends in a non-threatening atmosphere.
“Patients can go there and hang out in a
more natural, normal environment,” said
Deanna Scanlon, Child Life Projects
Specialist. “We hope the activity centers
help kids forget they’re in the hospital,
even if it’s only for a minute.”
The bike trip donation filled the activity
centers’ cupboards with art supplies, games,
puzzles and other goodies, Scanlon said.
“This was a significant gift that helps
meet the needs of our patients and families,”
Scanlon said. “We’re very grateful. We
couldn’t do what we do without generous
donations like this.”
That’s precisely the type of practical help
Ross pictured when he concocted his charity
bike ride. He’s considering a sequel event
this summer.
“It was a great time for camaraderie and
building friendships while getting in shape
for a great cause,” Ross said.
The group waits for a storm to pass.
Cheboygan is the last stop before Mackinaw City.
Outside of Bay City.
Final stop on the journey is Clarkston.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan childrensdmc.org 33
Children’s
Health
Night
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
3901 Beaubien St.
Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196
Detroit MI
Permit No. 4772
Tigers
vs.
Orioles
Wed., August 5
@ 7:05 P.M.
Tickets are only $22
Proceeds benefit
the Social Work
Department
Purchase
101+ tickets and
designate the
department of
your choice!
To purchase tickets
or for more information,
please contact
Saudia Twine
(313) 993-8816
[email protected]
Below is a partial list of upcoming fundraising events benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. For additional details please contact the person listed.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
calendar of events
July 9
Keeping Kids in the Game
Comerica Park, Detroit
Contact: Saudia Twine
(313) 993-8816 or [email protected]
July 20
C.A.T.C.H. Golf Classic
Meadowbrook Country Club, Northville
Contact: Jim Hughes
(313) 876-9399 or [email protected]
August 5
Children’s Health Night
Comerica Park, Detroit
Contact: Saudia Twine
(313) 993-8816 or [email protected]
August 24
Visteon Sixth Annual Golf Classic
Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills
Contact: Sarah McCallum
(313) 745-0145 or [email protected]
If you would like information on hosting an event in support of Children’s Hospital, please call the
Children’s Development Office at (313) 745-5373 or visit www.childrensdmc.org.
Chelsi, 17