1. family and parenting
2. children

CONTENTS
ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3
GRANT ME STRENGTH
A play on her name, the “Grant Me Strength”
phrase was stamped onto plastic wrist bands that
cancer patient Abby Grant and friends and family
sold to raise money to help other patients and
families dealing with cancer.
Pictured: This photograph of Abby Grant, highlighting her “Grant Me Strength” wristband, was
taken for a photo gallery showing titled, “The
Faces of Pediatric Cancer,” currently being
developed by ACH photographer Kelley Cooper.
3
8
CIRCLE OF CARE MEMBERS SHARE
COMMON INTEREST IN PEDIATRIC
HEALTH CARE
Last year Children’s Circle of Care members gave
$3.9 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital. In
May, this special group joined other philanthropists from 22 children’s hospitals in North America
for a few days of learning and sharing.
8
Pictured: During a private luncheon for guests at
the Children’s Circle of Care North American
Leadership Conference, actress and mom Jamie
Lee Curtis spoke about her personal experiences
with children’s hospitals.
10
10
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS LEADERS RECOGNIZED
Members from the 18 statewide chapters gathered in
June for their annual State Conference.
Pictured: Beverly Keener (left), of the River Valley
chapter, was honored as the Circle of Friends State
Member of the Year by her peers. Keener recently
became the president of the Circle of Friends State
Board. She is presented her award by Cristy
Holland Sowell, Circle of Friends director.
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, Kerri Dutile, Phaedra Yount
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
Dan Nabholz
Skip Rutherford
Mark Saviers
Philip Schmidt
Robert L. Shults
Christopher E. Smith, M.D.
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
Grant Me Strength
Determined Cancer Patient
Shows and Shares Her Strength
A
t nine, Abby Grant, from Rogers, is already a
veteran basketball player, with lots of team play and
basketball camp experience under her belt. When she
was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of
bone cancer, on July 1, 2004, she directed her defensive
moves toward her cancer, giving it the full court press
during almost a year of intense treatment including surgeries, blood transfusions and aggressive chemotherapy.
“I’ve told people that I believe Abby views cancer as
an inconvenience she must endure for awhile,” says her
mom, Joanie. “It meant not being able to play with
friends when she wanted to and not feeling well enough
to play her favorite sport, basketball.”
For a determined girl who already has a plan to play
basketball at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., her
parents’ alma mater, and then be a WNBA star and a veterinarian, the cancer experience was just a “time out” on
her way to better things.
“Her spirit, drive and will got her through each and
every chemo treatment,” says Joanie.
With her doctor’s blessing...and her strong will...to
resume normal activities, Abby joined her basketball
team for practices within two weeks of finishing
chemotherapy. Though weak at first, within a month she
Sporting a bald head and a “Bald is Beautiful” T-shirt
during her last treatment party at ACH, cancer patient Abby
Grant presented the hospital with a check for $22,000. She
and her family raised the money by selling bracelets.
Abby’s parents, Joanie and Dale, along with her 13-year-old
brother, Nick (not pictured), helped her show and share
her strength throughout her cancer treatments.
was running up and down the court with the rest of the
girls without difficulty. She was thrilled to get some playing time in a recent national tournament in Springdale,
where her third grade Blue Bombers team was 5-0 and
won the title.
While she was very focused on getting back to her
normal activities, Abby was not unaffected by others
struggling with cancer.
With the help of a close friend, the Grants created and
manufactured a blue bracelet, similar to those created by
cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Each bracelet has the
inscription “Grant Me Strength,” a play on their last name,
as a daily reminder of strength and support for Abby.
“We had very persistent friends who wanted to help
us financially. We saw that there were so many people
who needed it more than we did. We decided to use the
money to help others. It really helped us to not focus on
ourselves during a difficult time, but to make it a point to
help others,” says Joanie.
The Grants ordered 5,000 bracelets and began selling
them to raise money for a fund called “Abby’s Angel
Assignments.” Abby’s friends and family also organized a
benefit party to help raise money for her fund. The purpose of this fund is to help others who are struggling
financially while dealing with cancer.
“Since I’ve been at ACH I have seen a lot of people
who need help, and it made me want to do something
for them. There are people who don’t even have money
for gas and I wanted to help,” says Abby.
During Abby’s last cancer treatment party at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital, the Grant family presented the
Hematology/Oncology Unit with a check for $22,000. The
money will be used to help patients and their families
pay for necessities like lodging, meals, transportation, utilities and medications. Last treatment parties are held for
all patients when they finish their cancer treatments at the
hospital.
Continued on page 15
3
HOSPITAL PROGRAMS
Physician
Services:
The Link between ACH
and Its Referring Physicians
■ By Alyssa Anderson
A
s the only children’s hospital in the state, Arkansas
Children’s Hospital offers highly specialized pediatric care.
And when local physicians feel they need access to that
specialized care, there is a specific team on which they
can call — Physician Services.
The Physician Services team at Arkansas Children’s
Hospital serves as the communication link between ACH
and its referring physicians.
“Think of us as the concierge desk for the referring
community,” says Val Segalla, director of Physician
Services. “By facilitating better communication between
referring physicians and the hospital, we enhance their
ability to provide good patient care and we increase the
access to patient care and services at ACH.”
Segalla says there are two components to her department: the physician access line (PAL) and the physician
liaison program. The physician access line is a toll-free
line available for referring physicians to call when they
need help with physician-to-physician consults, appointment scheduling, troubleshooting and general questions
or concerns about Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Through the physician liaison program, two Physician
Services team members visit pediatricians and family practice physicians throughout the state and in border states,
in an effort to share information about ACH services and
receive feedback from the local doctors.
“The liaisons have been calling on physicians around
the state long enough that they’re really viewed as partners in the health care process,” says Carole Zylman, chief
business development officer. “I think the physicians are
happy to see them and pleased to find out what new
information they will share.”
In addition to providing information to referring physicians and their staff, the Physician Services team also
works to diffuse negative situations, should they occur.
4
The Physician Services team, from left: Betty Clemons,
Martha Parker, Pam Gazette, Val Segalla, Debbie Hicks and
Susan Henson.
One of the department’s success stories involved a longstanding period of ill-will toward Arkansas Children’s
Hospital on the part of some hospital staff and physicians
in a small Arkansas community.
“They were very unhappy and frustrated with their
interactions between some ACH staff and services.” Val
says. “So we took a team, including administrators, physicians, physician liaisons and hospital staff, and met with
their entire medical community. They were able to explain
to us how they felt, and through the dialogue we were
able to establish a whole new relationship. More than two
years have passed and the physicians and hospital representatives in this community continually say they are very
pleased with the changes and improvements that have
taken place as a result of that initial meeting.”
Another success story for the Physician Services team is
the relationship they have developed with physicians completing residency training programs. At least once a year,
liaisons present to family practice residents in Area Health
Education Centers throughout the state, in an effort to
inform them about the ways in which Physician Services
can help them navigate the ACH system to obtain specialty
care for their patients. Back at ACH, annual presentations
are made to physicians in the pediatric residency training
program to emphasize the importance of good communication back to the referring physicians about their patients
who have received specialty care at ACH or its clinics.
Segalla stresses that the goal of her department is not to
take patients away from local hospitals and local physicians.
“We want to enhance the care that patients receive in
their local hospitals,” she says. “We want to help physicians
in local communities better understand how they can
access Arkansas Children’s Hospital when their patients
need specialized services that aren’t available at home.”
RESEARCH
Researcher at ACHRI Studies
Protective Effect of Soy-Based Diet
■ By Alyssa Anderson
A
t Arkansas Children’s Hospital, physicians and
staff work to “change children’s lives” by treating illnesses and injuries. At the Arkansas Children’s
Nutrition Center (ACNC) and Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), however, a major
goal of researchers is to prevent illnesses and injuries
from ever occurring in the first place.
One researcher doing his part is immunologist
Shanmugam Nagarajan, Ph.D., ACNC investigator and
assistant professor of microbiology and immunology,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of
Medicine. Nagarajan and his assistants, Brad Stewart
and James Wilkerson, are interested in whether or not
diseases that happen in adulthood can be prevented
by providing a certain diet or nutrients early in a
child’s life. Specifically, their goal is to determine if
dietary factors during early development have a protective effect to prevent cardiovascular disease and
cancer.
“Incidences of cancer and cardiovascular disease
are much higher in the United States and European
countries compared with Asian countries,” Nagarajan
says. “The Chinese and Japanese consume a traditional diet high in soy products. It could be genetics or it
could be the diet — nature or nurture. That’s what
we’re looking at.”
Nagarajan and his team are looking at how the
child is affected when a pregnant mother is given a
protective, soy-based diet. They are also looking at
whether or not a child who is prone to developing
cardiovascular disease, either because the mother has
a genetic defect or ate a high fat diet during pregnancy, can prevent the disease from occurring by consuming a protective diet. Preliminary observations
from animal studies seem to point out that the soybased diet does have a protective effect.
This research comes at a critical time: 64 million
Americans are living with cardiovascular disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United
States, and a third of all cancer deaths are due to
nutritional factors, including obesity.
“Dr. Nagarajan is exploring areas of medicine that
are novel and could have a tremendous impact on
chronic inflammatory diseases like cardiovascular dis-
ease,” says Dr. Richard Jacobs, president of ACHRI. “The
questions related to cancer and nutritional factors currently being explored at the Arkansas Children’s
Nutrition Center are equally exciting. Preventing disease
is really the only way to impact large segments of our
population. Advances in treatment do not offer the same
opportunities for impact on our society.”
Nutrition Center Expansion
In spring 2004, construction began on a 23,904-square
foot, second-floor addition to the Arkansas Children’s
Nutrition Center (ACNC). The ACNC is one of six centers
in the National Human Nutrition Research Centers
Program funded through the USDA’s Agricultural
Research Service and only the second to be devoted to
children.ACNC researchers conduct research on diet and
dietary factors that optimize the nutrition and health of
children from conception through adolescence, with
objectives to maximize their health as adults. The new
floor allows all ACNC research to be housed in the same
building and allows for better collaboration between
investigators. The second-floor addition to the ACNC,
which will open soon, will provide new state-of-the-art
laboratories and office space to house the existing basic
science program now located in the Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Research Institute.
5
GIVING
AN
Endowment
IS Forever
A
t Arkansas Children’s Hospital, an endowment is a fund that is never spent, yet it provides
ongoing financial support for a cause the donor
cherishes. While the principal remains intact, the
earnings from the endowment enable the fund to
provide income...forever. Endowments can support the well being of children in many ways.
Some provide income for whatever needs are
greatest; some support research that looks to the
future health of children; some provide for immediate use for the care and healing of children
within specified areas. Whatever the program, all
endowments benefit our children.
Each year, the ACH Investment Committee
sets the percentage of interest (historically four to
five percent) to be used for hospital programs so
that additional earnings can roll back into the
endowment. This allows the endowment to grow
through the years, thus securing a hedge against
inflation. As the endowment grows, it can produce greater income for the care of children.
Many friends of Arkansas Children’s Hospital
A Forever Gift...
An endowment is an
investment in the future
ability of Arkansas Children’s
Hospital to provide excellence
in health care for our children.
6
From left, David Jessup, president and CEO of DeWitt
Bank and Trust Company, and Nancy Rasco, chairman
of the board at DeWitt Bank and Trust, present a check
for $100,000 to Ashley Coldiron, ACH Foundation director of development. The donation was a bequest from
the estate of longtime ACH supporter Elmer Ferguson,
who passed away in October 2000. Rasco is the daughter
of Gladys and Elmer Ferguson. The bequest will be
placed in unrestricted endowment, where the principal
will remain intact, while the spin-off interest will be
used for areas of greatest need as determined by the
ACH Foundation Board.
also appreciate the opportunities that endowment
giving provides them. Because an endowment gift
remains in perpetuity, the donor may specify the
name of the endowment, whether it be in the
donor’s name or in the name of a family member or
others held dear. Also, the endowment may be set
up to benefit any program the donor wishes.
Because endowments are forever, donors are
asked to make a minimum gift of $25,000 to name
an endowment. This may be reached through a
pledge over several years, and it can continue to be
built through any number of years with additional
contributions added. Endowments also can be created or enlarged with an estate gift. An endowment of
$25,000 or more will provide income for programs
to benefit children each year, and any extra income
earned will increase the principal so that it can produce a greater gift each year.
It is more important than ever for ACH to have a
strong endowment to guarantee future success during trying times. We believe an investment in
endowment is an investment in the future ability of
Arkansas Children’s Hospital to provide excellence
in health care for our children.
DONORS
NAMED
ENDOWMENTS:
T
he purpose of an endowment at ACH is to create
permanent financial resources with which to generate
annual funds that benefit patients.These named funds
listed below identify endowments for programs, services and staff at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Arkansas
Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
ACH Auxiliary Fund for Greatest Need
Mamie S. Ainley Fund for Greatest Need
Don and Dianne Allen Family Fund for Greatest Need
Alpe Fund for Cancer Research
American Management Corporation Fund for Neurology
Ted Bailey Fund for Greatest Need
Ball Family Fund for Pediatric Psychiatry
Harold and Allyn Barrett Fund for Greatest Need
James Battaglia (1888-1963) Fund for Greatest Need
Lee Roy and Melba T. Beasley Fund for Greatest Need
John Bell Fund for Greatest Need
Mai Banks Blackwell Foundation Fund for the Craniofacial
Reconstructive Program
John Boyd Family Chair for Pediatric Nursing
John Boyd Family Chair for Pediatric Surgery
John Boyd Family Fund for Child Life
William Bushman Fund for Cardiac Anesthesia
Horace C. Cabe Chair for Infectious Diseases
Florence Char, M.D. Fund for Genetics Education
Children's Library Fund for the Medical Library
Amy and Eric Chilton Fund for Cancer Treatment and Research
Circle of Friends Fund for a Future Endowed Chair
David Clark Fund for Pediatric Cardiology
David and Stephanie Clark Chair for Pediatric Cardiology
Hillary Rodham Clinton Fund for Neonatal Research
CMN Fund for Helicopter Transport
Committee for the Future Fund for a Future Endowed Chair
Phil DeNoble Fund for Asthma
Dungan Fund for Pediatric Research
Ruth Erp Fund for Greatest Need
Alice J. Faust Fund for Research
Elmer Ferguson Fund for Greatest Need
Edward Raley Maier Fincher Fund for Greatest Need
Robert Fiser, M. D. Lectureship
Alan & Dana Garland Fund for Heart Research
Millie Garrison Fund for Neurology
General Fund for Programs
George Family Fund for Asthma
Sue and Camden Greene Fund for Medical Technology
Gerald Hamra Fund for Therapy Pool
Curtis and Bernice Harris Fund
Lynn Harris Lectureship for Developmental Psychology
William Randolph Hearst Foundation Fund for Children's Cancer
Anne Hickman Lectureship on Children's Issues
B. Cooper and Daisy T. Jacoway Fund for Child Life
Harvey and Bernice Jones Chair for Developmental Pediatrics
Harvey and Bernice Jones Chair for Pediatrics
Providing Current Income
and Protecting Future Resources
Harvey and Bernice Jones Fund for Family Health
Frances T. Kemp Memorial Fund for Greatest Need
Dr. and Mrs. Leeman King Chair for Allergy
Kinley Fund for Child Life
Kohl’s Care for Kids Community Outreach Fund
Latta Fund for Heart Research
Log A Load For Kids Chair for Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
Log A Load For Kids Fund for Transport
W.H. Lott Fund for Greatest Need
Betty Ann Lowe, M.D. Chair for Pediatric Education
Betty Lowe, M.D. Fund for Arthritis
Lowe Fund for Medical Library
Winnie M. Lowe Fund for Medical Library
Marion B. Lyon Fund for the Young Investigator Award
Nell S. Martin Fund for Greatest Need
Alyson Dyan Masters Fund for Child Life
Helen H. McGuire Fund for Research
John and Mary McKay Fund for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Inez Meadors McNeal Fund for Developmental Pediatrics
Merrill Lynch Fund for Greatest Need
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Miller Fund for Child Life
W. C. and Sandy Mills Family Fund for Child Life and Education
Jane Dills Morgan Fund for Greatest Need
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Oakley Chair for Critical Care Medicine
Katherine Ragan Patterson Fund for Greatest Need
James Penick Memorial Fund for Greatest Need
B. C. Pickens Fund
Powell Family Fund for Cancer
Mary Dean Pugh and John Tipton Pugh Sr. Family Fund
for Cardiology
Reese Fund for Cardiology
Research Fund for Research
Reynolds Foundation Fund for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Dorothy and Frank Robins Fund for Peanut Allergy Research
Rockefeller Chair for Children with Special Healthcare Needs
Schmeiding Fund for the Developmental Center
Sam Schubert Fund for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Family Support
Margaret E. Smith Fund for Greatest Need
Stella Boyle Smith Fund for Nursing Scholarships
Stella Boyle Smith Fund for Greatest Need
Soroptimists Fund for Infant Toddler Unit
Gene Stanford, M.D. Fund for Child Life
Pamela D. Stephens Chair for Birth Defects Research
W. H. Sturgis Fund for Research
Dr. Charles Taylor Memorial Fund for Child Life
Charles and Hazel Thrasher Fund for Uncompensated Care
Tom Ed Townsend, M.D. Fund for Cancer
Roger R. and Jo Anne Utley Fund for Audiology
Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Fund for Patient and Family Assistance
Benjamin and Milton Waner, M.D. Chair for Pediatric Facial Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery
Nell Rose Wilson Fund for Greatest Need
Charles Preston Winters Foundation Fund for the Dental Program
Charles Preston Winters Foundation Fund for the Medical Library
Charles Preston Winters Foundation Fund for Pediatric Nurse Training
David H. Wylie Memorial Fund for Pastoral Care
Ann Yarbrough Fund for Cardiology Research
7
DONORS
CHILDREN’S CIRCLE OF CARE
Leadership Donors
Form a Circle of Care
A
Circle of Care members and ACH staff attending the 2005
Leadership Conference were, from left: Libby Smith, Jim McClelland,
Pam English, Pat McClelland, Frank and Dorothy Robins, Sam
Richardson, Frances and Sam Buchanan, Sara Richardson, Judy
Bel, Drs. Sally and Jonathan Bates, Helen Sharpe, Anna Kay and
Brad Williams and John Bel.
group of Arkansas Children’s Hospital contributors recently traveled to San Diego, Cal., to take part in
the Children’s Circle of Care 2005 North American
Leadership Conference and Gala.
Highlights of the day-long event included the
Leadership Conference held at Copley Symphony Hall,
featuring philanthropy keynote speaker Lisa Peckham,
and presentations by three prominent physicians selected based on their leadership in research and clinical
care. The group heard from Dr. John Bradley, director
of the division of infectious diseases at Children’s
Hospital and Health Center in San Diego; Dr. Lori West,
section head for the cardiac program heart transplant
unit at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children; and Dr.
James Stein, leader of a physician team at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles who successfully completed the
separation of conjoined twins in 2003.
A private luncheon on the flight deck of the USS
Midway aircraft carrier was hosted by actress Jamie Lee
Curtis.
Later that evening, a black-tie gala dinner was held
at the San Diego Convention Center and featured musical entertainment by Kenny Loggins.
Next year’s Leadership Conference will be held in
Chicago. Locally, Children’s Circle of Care members
gather for several social and educational events and
have opportunities to interact with ACH and ACH
Research Institute staff.
Children’s Circle of Care members are individuals
and couples who support their local children’s hospitals
with annual gifts of $10,000 or more. Contributions may
be made personally or directed through a qualifying
family foundation or privately held corporation.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is one of 22 North
American children’s hospitals that participate in the
Children’s Circle of Care program. Last year, Circle of
8
Care members gave $3.9 million to Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. These contributions help support the hospital’s
clinical care, research, education and advocacy programs.
For more information about the Children’s Circle of
Care, or to become a member, contact Libby Smith at
(501) 364-5309.
2005 CHILDREN’S CIRCLE OF CARE
Leadership Conference Sponsors
Founding Sponsors
Costco Wholesale
The Oki Foundation
Signature Sponsor
Cardinal Health Foundation
Platinum Sponsor
Cinergy Foundation
Gold Sponsors
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Qualcomm
Silver Sponsors
Astorino
The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation
Paul L. ComstockCo
dj Orthopedics
Gallagher Healthcare Insurance Services
Wells Fargo
In-Kind Sponsors
Kintera
Bentz Whaley Flessner
PEOPLE & NEWS
N E W L Y E L E C T E D*
ACH Board
ACH Board
Greg Barnes
Beverly Keener
Audit Partner,
State Board President-elect,
Moore Stephens Frost PA CPA
Circle of Friends
Little Rock
Russellville
ACH Foundation Board
Sue Cooper
Realtor, Adkins McNeill
Smith & Assoc., Little Rock
President-elect,
ACH Auxiliary
ACH Foundation Board
Stan Roberts
Associate, Irwin Partners
Little Rock
President,
Committee for the Future
*Leadership of ACH groups Circle of Friends, Committee for the Future and Auxiliary rotate service on the ACH and ACH Foundation boards.
The following members rotated boards in July: Susan Adam to Foundation; Michael Cronkhite to hospital; and Larcie Burnett to hospital.
Professional Advisory Council (PAC)
Central PAC Chair
Jay Critz, CFP
Associate Vice President/
Financial Advisor,
Morgan Stanley
Little Rock
Northest PAC Chair
Stacey Paudert Harral
Associate Vice President/
Retirement Planning Specialist,
Morgan Stanley
Jonesboro
South PAC Chair
Gina Williams, MBA, CPA, CFP
Vice President &
Trust Officer,
Simmons First Trust Company
El Dorado
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Recognized by U.S. News and
World Report as One of America’s Best Hospitals
A
rkansas Children’s Hospital was recognized in the July
18 issue of U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s
best hospitals. U.S. News ranks America’s medical centers
based on accomplishments in 17 specialties, rather than
specific procedures, in an effort to “identify hospitals that
excel in a variety of tough cases across a specialty,” according to the publication.
In the specialty of pediatrics, hospitals are ranked by
reputation among board certified pediatricians. Surveys conducted by U.S. News in 2003, 2004 and 2005 asked physicians to list the five hospitals they consider best in their
specialty, without regard to cost or location. Hospitals that
were recommended by at least three percent of those board
certified physicians were among the finalists. Twenty-five
pediatric hospitals were named in this year’s list.
“This tells us our accomplishments are helping children beyond the borders of our state,” says Jonathan
Bates, M.D., president and chief executive officer of
Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Many hospitals on the list
are referral centers that take part in advanced treatment
guidelines, new technologies and bench-to-bedside
research. In addition to pediatrics, a few of the other 17
specialties include cancer, heart and heart surgery,
orthopedics, otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), neurology and neurosurgery.
“We are fortunate and gratified to have an outstanding health care team including an elite group of pediatric physicians, who are faculty members at the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of
Medicine,” says Bates.
9
AUXILIARY GROUPS
Circle of Friends
State Conference
A
baby boy weighing only 11.6 ounces came to Arkansas
Children’s Hospital after being born at 24 weeks gestation. After
months, thanks to doctors and equipment specialized for the
tiniest patients, he went home and is now a healthy, active
infant.
The baby, Logan Villines, is one of he smallest babies ever to
survive at ACH. His grandmother, Debi Mundy, and great-grandmother, Donna Olsen, shared Logan’s story with the 122 members gathered for the Circle of Friends State Conference at ACH
in June.
During breakfast, Mundy and Olsen told the story of Logan as
just one illustration of the amazing care, love and hope provided
by ACH and supported by dedicated donors like Circle of Friends.
It is the shared stories and experiences, and the singular
sense of purpose, that brings together more than 700 members
in 18 statewide chapters of Circle of Friends in their efforts to
raise money and awareness for the hospital.
If ACH is a place where miracles happen, then the ACH
Research Institute (ACHRI) is the place where miracles begin.
That was the message shared by Dr. Richard Jacobs, ACHRI president, as he addressed the group during lunch, speaking about
the work ACHRI does to unlock the mysteries to help cure and
prevent childhood illness and injuries.
After lunch, participants toured the hospital and then met
later for an awards ceremony.
Highlights of the awards presented:
Highest per capita revenue, population over 50,000 —
Garland County Chapter
Highest per capita revenue, population under 50,000 —
Harrison Chapter
Highest dollars raised overall — Harrison Chapter
Outreach Award — Arkansas River Valley Chapter
Outstanding Growth Award — Northwest Arkansas Chapter
State Member of the Year — Beverly Keener,
Arkansas River Valley Chapter
Goal Buster Chapters (those exceeding their fundraising goal):
Arkansas River Valley, Batesville, Central Arkansas, Carroll
County, Faulkner County, Garland County, Harrison, Izard
County, Jefferson County, Lawrence County, Magnolia,
Northwest Arkansas, Paragould, Spring River, Union County.
10
Following the speaker presentations, members of
the Circle of Friends State Board presented a
check representing the combined fundraising
efforts of all chapters. The Circle of Friends leaders were thrilled to later learn that the amount
presented was under-estimated and the actual
amount raised was $590,705 — an amount 123
percent of their projected goal. Pictured are, (from
left): Fred Scarborough, ACH Foundation vice
president; Cristy Holland Sowell, Circle of Friends
director; Tami Underwood, Circle of Friends State
Board president; and John Bel, ACH Foundation
president.
Harrison Chapter Breaks
$1 Million Mark
A
t 22 years old, the Harrison chapter of
Circle of Friends is one of the original chapters of the organization and this year has
passed a huge milestone.
Since 1983, the efforts of these grassroots
volunteers have raised more than $1 million
for ACH and ACHRI. This year, for the first
time, the chapter also surpassed the $100,000
mark in a single fundraising year, with a final
total of $109,000.
The Harrison chapter currently has a membership of 35 and conducts fundraising events
such as a radiothon in collaboration with
KHOZ, a “Kampaign for Kids” corporate campaign and “Morning with Santa,” in addition
to their commitment to provide community
outreach activities and information.
“The Harrison chapter is our capstone;
they set the standard and the level of enthusiasm for the other chapters statewide,” says
Cristy Holland Sowell, Circle of Friends director. “Other chapter leaders look to them for
the model of success they present, and it is
this dynamic exchange that has enabled other
chapters to make dramatic strides in building
their campaigns from year to year.”
Auxiliary Leaders
Celebrate Past,
Plan for the Future
S
eventeen of the past presidents who have led
the ACH Auxiliary in its 33 years attended a reunion
in May, along with current Auxiliary president Larcie
Burnett and president-elect Sue Cooper. During
lunch at the home of Belinda Shults, the group celebrated last year’s fundraising success. Projects for the
year, the Playaway Gift Shop, Star ACHievers,
Holiday Cards and the Taste of Arkansas, made it
possible for the group to donate $284,000 to the
hospital.
Looking to the future, the same group of past
presidents met in June for a creative planning session to develop a five-year plan for the organization.
First row, from left: Pat McClelland, Flo Deer, Sharon Lamb,
Belinda Shults, Susan Johnson. Second row: Frances
Buchanan, Martha Stephenson, Trudy Baxter, Anne Hickman,
Terri Irwin.Third row: Rosie Wilson, Jane Arthurs, Scott Mason,
Barbara Moore, Pam Ford, Brenda Ashmore, Wanda Hoover.
Auxiliary Event Offers
Award Winning Menus,
Premier Food-Themed Auction
T
ake 25 of Arkansas’ finest restaurants, a beautiful Country Club,
and great music, add a Premier silent and live auction all to benefit
Arkansas Children’s Hospital and you’ve got the makings for a funfilled evening. The ACH Auxiliary and Chenal Country Club are
teaming up for “Arkansas a la
Carte” at Chenal Country Club
in Little Rock on Tuesday,
October 18. The evening will
feature a bounty of tasty treats
from an array of Arkansas
restaurants and caterers. The
fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $75 per person
and may be purchased by calling 501-364-1420. The event is sponsored by OneBanc, Advanced Tissue and Riceland Foods. Sharon
Lamb is chairing the party and Janet Alley is auction chair.
Arkansas a la Carte
Menu Selections from:*
Aydelottes, North Little Rock
Don Bingham
Cajun’s
Capers
Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets, Scott
Chenal Country Club
Cotham’s in the City
Cozymel’s
The Flying Fish
Gaucho’s
Iron Skillet, Mountain View
Jasmine’s
Johnny Carino’s
Market Place, Conway
Piero’s, Joneboro
On the Border
Red Apple Inn, Heber Springs
Red Lobster
Savanna’s, Dardanelle
Sesame’s
Simply the Best
Terrace on the Green
Tony Roma’s
Vermillion Italian Bistro
* participating restaurants as of 8/1/05
11
AUXILIARY GROUPS
Calling All
Golfers &
Castaways
W
hether you are a golfer or just like to have a
good time for a good cause, the newly combined
Arkansas Children's Hospital Today’s THV Classic has
something for you.
This premier event is held each year to promote
Arkansas Children’s Hospital and raise funds in support of
the state’s only pediatric hospital. The event is sponsored
by Committee for the Future, an organization of young
professionals and community leaders in the central
Arkansas area who support ACH through fundraising, educational and community projects. This year, two Committee
for the Future events, the former South of the Border party
and a golf tournament, are being combined into a two-part
event to maximize participation and support.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital has partnered with Today’s
THV for this prestigious event. Today’s THV has been the
hospital’s local Children’s Miracle Network television sponsor for 21 years and is committed to the hospital’s mission
to provide care, love and hope for young patients.
Both events will be held at Pleasant Valley Country
Club in Little Rock. The Castaway Party is scheduled for
Sunday, September 11, 2005, 6 p.m., and will feature live
and silent auctions, live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres. Music will be provided by the band “Mr. Happy.”
A highlight of the auctions, and the inspiration for the
theme, will be cast art, actual hand casts decorated and/or
signed by kids, artists and celebrities. Tickets are $75 per
person in advance.
On Monday, September 12, 2005, the golf tournament
will kick-off with morning and afternoon shotgun starts.
The four-person scramble is expected to involve more than
200 players. Team slots are still available; the cost for a
team is $1,500.
In addition to Today’s THV, the Classic events are supported by media sponsors Arkansasbusiness.com, B98.5
radio and KARN News Radio. Headline sponsors are Isle of
Capri Casino, Nabholz Construction, Northland Hyundai
and Southland Hyundai.
For more information about the Castaway Party or the
Arkansas Children's Hospital Today’s THV Classic, contact
Carissa Wagnon, 501-364-1250.
12
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Corporate Partners ROUND-UP
C
orporate Partners give to ACH in a variety
of ways, including employee campaigns,
cause-marketing promotions, or donation of
goods and services to the hospital. Here’s what
a few Corporate Partners have been doing in
the last quarter.
Pumping Miracles Campaign
Exxon, BP and Conoco stations around Arkansas
teamed up to raise money for Arkansas Children’s
Hospital during their Pumping Miracles campaign in April.
Together, the stores raised more than $29,000 for the hospital. Since 1996, the Pumping Miracles Campaign has
raised almost $300,000 for programs and services at ACH.
Special thanks to the following campaign leaders for
their hard work this year: Glenwood TigerMart, which
raised $2,700, and Family Stop C-3 in Sheridan, which
raised $1,600.
Hank’s Fine Furniture Promotion
June visitors to Hank’s Fine Furniture stores saw featured artwork by Arkansas Children’s Hospital patients.
Hank’s locations across the state also donated a percentage of June sales to the hospital.
Pizza for Kids
Pizza lovers have received a special treat this year
with the addition of Papa John’s Pizza to the
Corporate Partners program. Many Papa John’s locations designate certain times throughout the year as
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Pizza day or week.
When customers mention ACH while ordering during
these times, ACH receives 20 percent of the net
sales. For details about upcoming Papa John’s Pizza
Days, or for coupons, call or e-mail the contact listed
below.
If you are interested in learning more about the
Corporate Partners program, or for details on how to
join the program, call Carissa Wagnon at 501-3641250 or e-mail [email protected] .
The Gift That
Keeps On Giving
R
emember a relative, friend or colleague’s birthday, anniversary or special
Rob Turner, floor manager at the Hank’s Fine
Furniture location in West Little Rock, with ACH patient
art that was on display at Hank’s during June.
accomplishment with a donation in his or
her honor to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Simply send your check or credit card
information in the envelope provided in
this magazine or mail to: ACH Foundation,
800 Marshall St., Slot 661, Little Rock, AR
72202. You may also make a tribute gift
online at www.archildrens.org. Let us
know for whom and for what occasion
the gift is made and we’ll send an
acknowledgment to the appropriate
person or persons.
Your tribute gift honors someone
special in your life and provides the gift
of hope and healing to our most precious
resource...our children.
13
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Community & Children’s Miracle Network Events
Ash Grove Cement Company Golf Tournament
The second year of the golf tournament coordinated
by employees at the Ash Grove Cement Company in
Foreman was held on May 21 at the Texarkana Golf
Ranch and raised $31,021, $10,000 more than last
year’s event.
Members of the 2005 golf tournament committee at
Ash Grove Cement Company presented a check during
a luncheon at the plant in June. Pictured are, (back
row, from left): Rendall Irwin, Frank Plummer, Mike
Strouse, David Davis, John Tyler, Mike Mason; front row,
Tillie Lile, ACH Foundation senior community development coordinator Amy Brantley and Cathy Lisenby.
Tom’s Tavern Golf Tournament and Cookout
Tom’s Tavern in Little Rock hosted its third annual
golf tournament on April 23 and ninth annual cookout
on May 14. The tournament took place at Hindman
Park golf course in Little Rock, and the cookout was
held at Tom’s Tavern. Together the events raised $8,159
to support the Burn Center at ACH. Pictured at the
event are (from left): Tom’s Tavern owner, Tom
Folkner; Debbie Covey; Jimmy Parks, RN, ACH Burn
Center outreach coordinator; and (in back) Tim Covey.
Phone Phrenzy Events
Phone Phrenzy is an event where volunteers gather
for an evening of food, fun and phoning on behalf of
the patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. All callers
are encouraged to contact only friends and family —
no cold calling is allowed.
A Phone Phrenzy held in Arkadelphia in April raised
more than $8,000. This was the first Phone Phrenzy
event for the community. The chair for the event was
Mary Elizabeth Eldridge. Pictured working the phones is
Jim Andrews, whose grandsons are both ACH patients.
England’s 3rd annual Phone Phrenzy was held in
late March, raising $5,606. Most of the volunteers for
England’s event were students involved in FCCLA and
Renaissance at England High School.
Arkansas Ford Dealers Big Bass Bonanza
This Arkansas River bass tournament has supported
ACH since 2000, donating a cumulative total of $64,145.
Hundreds of anglers fish hundreds of miles of river,
vying for big cash prizes. Henry Trotter with the
Arkansas Ford Dealers presented a check for $10,000
to ACH at the wrap-up celebration on June 26.
Blevins Benefit BBQ
Community volunteers came together for the 19th
year to serve barbeque and all the fixings to their
neighbors at the Blevins Community Bar-B-Que May 7
in Blevins. This year’s event raised $7,378, bringing
their 19-year total donation to $142,573.
14
RE/MAX Day 2005
On May 26, 2005, agents from several RE/MAX
offices gathered at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to
celebrate the past year’s accomplishments. Those in
attendance enjoyed an awards program, as well as a
presentation by Jimmy Parks, RN.
Parks, a nurse and outreach coordinator in the
ACH Burn Center, shared a slide show highlighting
much of the fire and burn safety information he
presents to students, adult organizations and health
care professionals throughout the state.
The group heard from Foundation staff members
John Bel, president; Heather Cass, community development coordinator; and Fred Scarborough, vice
president.
Participants had lunch and toured the hospital,
including the helipad, Burn Center and the new
lobby and outdoor play area.
In attendance were agents from RE/MAX of
Conway, RE/MAX Affiliates in Little Rock, RE/MAX
Real Estate Centre in Jonesboro, RE/MAX
Consultants in Little Rock, RE/MAX Executives in
Fort Smith/Greenwood and RE/MAX First in
Russellville.
Pictured receiving their Miracle Office award from
Jennifer Selig, CMN director, are: Jan Barrow, Julie Duke
and Terry Moore. RE/Max is a Children’s Miracle
Network national sponsor, and last year RE/MAX locations in Arkansas collectively raised $67,500 to benefit
the hospital.
GRANT ME STRENGTH
Continued from page 3
Research Correction
In a recent issue of ACHiever, we
printed a synopsis of several
research projects going on at
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Research Institute (ACHRI) and
Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
(ACNC). For space reasons, we did
not include the names and titles of
the principal investigators for each
project. We’ve listed those names
below:
Alcohol and Its Effects
on Metabolism
• Dr. Thomas Badger, director of
the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition
Center and professor of physiology
at the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences College of
Medicine.
• Dr. Martin Ronis, associate director of the Arkansas Children’s
Nutrition Center and professor of
pharmacology and toxicology and
pediatrics at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Medicine.
Study Findings Featured in
The Journal of Nutrition
• Dr. Martin Ronis
Link Between Risks of
Congenital Heart Defects and
Alterations in Maternal Plasma
Biomarkers
• Dr. Charlotte Hobbs, director of
the Arkansas Children's Hospital
Research Institute’s Center for Birth
Defects Research and Prevention,
associate professor of pediatrics at
the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences College of
Medicine and holder of the Pamela
Diane Stephens Endowed Chair in
Birth Defects Research.
ACHRI Aims to Prevent
Injuries in Children
• Dr. Mary Aitken, ACHRI
researcher and associate professor of
pediatrics at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Medicine.
“We have been so blessed by our friends
and family and everyone at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital. It feels great to give something back,” adds Joanie.
The bulk of the money from the Abby’s
Angel Assignments, more than $30,000, has
been spent, and the family’s plan is to use the
remainder for gifts for kids who are undergoing cancer treatments. They will eventually
close the account along with that chapter of
Continued
from
9 “Abby
their lives,
says Joanie,
butpage
she adds,
has a giving spirit, and I’m sure this is only the
beginning of her future work to help others.”
Abby will continue visiting ACH every three
months for an MRI and chest x-ray for about
the next five years, but beyond that, her cancer treatment is behind her.
“The care we received at Children’s was the
best we could have expected,” says Joanie.
“The comment I make to everyone I meet who
is considering going to ACH, is how impressed
I am with the entire staff and their ability to
make children feel empowered. They talk to
kids, explain procedures to them on their
level, and give them choices when possible to
help make them feel like they have a little
control.”
15
Attorney General Mike Beebe Presents
Check to Hematology/Oncology Unit
Attorney General Mike Beebe recently presented the ACH Hematology/Oncology Unit
with a check for $44,188 to use toward treating children with cancer. Dr. Bates (middle) and
cancer patient, Octavio Santillan (left), accepted the check on behalf of the hospital. Staff and
patients from the 3-Gold unit and the Hematology/Oncology Clinic joined in the celebration.
The funds were the result of a 50-state lawsuit alleging overcharges for a specific cancertreatment drug. Last year, consumers and state entities received refunds arising from those
overcharges. Recently, additional money was made available specifically for cancer-treatment
programs, and Attorney General Beebe chose to give the money to ACH.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation
800 Marshall Street/Slot 661
Little Rock, AR 72202-3591
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