Children's Hospital gala - SCOPE, Spring 2002

Children’s Hospital gala

LLUCH Foundation presents $160,000 to pediatric emergency department

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]

Nancy B. Varner (second from left), chair, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation board, and Zareh Sarrafian, MBA (right), LLUMC senior vice president and LLUCH administrator, present a replica of a check in the amount of $160,000 to Thomas S. Sherwin, MD, director of pediatric emergency medicine, and Jennifer Dearman, RN, BSN, nurse manager, emergency services.

In the midst of a medieval castle courtyard, guests were greeted royally at the Ninth Annual Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation gala on February 24.

Proceeds from the gala were dedicated to Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency department, the only Level I regional trauma center in the Inland Empire accredited by the American College of Surgeons. This accreditation represents the highest level of medical care possible. LLU graduate Thomas S. Sherwin, MD, director of pediatric emergency medicine who has been at the hospital since the department’s origin in 1991, was presented with a check for $160,000. (The final count raised that evening exceeded $200,000.) These funds will more than double the number of patients to whom they can give care.

Currently the pediatric emergency department receives 25,000 patients each year in its seven-bed facility—a great leap from the near 9,000 children served its first year in 1992. Now, with proceeds from the gala, plans are under way to improve the existing department, expanding it to 18 beds. Dr. Sherwin is very appreciative of his staff and the support from administration and those at the gala.

Once complete, the new pediatric emergency department will also benefit from at least two state-of-the-art pediatric cardiac monitors. The heart monitors will allow physicians to keep track of blood pressure, heartbeat, and oxygen levels on the go.

Mary Parks, an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been covering news in the area for a decade, presided as master of ceremonies for the event and showed a glimpse of some of the lives affected by the pediatric emergency department. Ms. Parks interviewed Samuel Cruz, a 16 year old who was the victim of a car crash. His father, Ildefonso, told of how his son arrived at the hospital showing no signs of brain activity, breathing, or pulse. But young Samuel walked up on stage unassisted.

Twin sisters Samantha and Noelle Hartwig brightened the stage with their smiles as their parents, Mark and Holly, told how LLUCH’s emergency department saved each of them from respiratory synctial virus within days of each other.

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation board chair Nancy B. Varner congratulates Hometown Heroes Elna Yates of Apple Valley, and Brian Christensen of Loma Linda.

Mark Schenfeld, a professional auctioneer from the Stokes Auction Group in Washington State, helped bring out the best as guests bid for 11 different items in the gala’s first-ever live auction. The hot item on the list was the chance to name a street in the city of Loma Linda, donated by mayor Floyd Peterson and the City of Loma Linda. But the real success of the auction came from the fund-an-item bid donations. Guests pledged $45,000 for the sole purpose of equipping the new pediatric emergency department with state-of-the-art pediatric heart monitors.

Entertainment for the evening included violinist Jaime Jorge. Mr. Jorge began studying under the eminent violinist Cyrus Forough when he was 10 years old. Since 1988, Mr. Jorge has played in all parts of North, Central, and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the former Soviet Union. Mr. Jorge delighted the audience with songs including the inspirational hymn “Great Is the Lord,” “I Did It My Way”—one of his favorite fun pieces— and a patriotic medley.

Since September 11 and the nation’s emphasis on heroes, one of the highlights of Sunday’s gala was the presentation

of the Children’s Hospital Foundation Hometown Heroes award to two people. Brian Christensen and Elna Yates are committed to making a difference, and these honorees have distinguished themselves by their giving to improve the lives of children.

In its sixth year, the Foundation’s “Hometown Heroes” award program chooses heroes who have been nominated by individuals in the community and selected by a panel of judges composed of 10 previous Hometown Heroes. The gala celebrated their passion for children and their efforts to enrich the quality of life in their communities.

When Brian Christensen of Loma Linda walks through the halls of LLUCH with his bottle of bubbles, he is welcomed with shouts of “The bubble man is here!”

United States Congressman Jerry Lewis leads gala participants in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

A retired firefighter, Mr. Christensen has been a full-time volunteer with the LLUCH child life department for many years. He is a snuggler on the pediatric acute care and rehabilitation unit, providing emotional support to infants and toddlers when their own families cannot.

Mr. Christensen also plays board games and interacts with children in the pediatric playroom. While parents and nurses benefit from Mr. Christensen’s presence, his mission is to bring comfort and hope to the little patients at the Children’s Hospital.

Elna Yates, of Apple Valley, had a vision to improve her community by establishing Sontown Kids Club in 1995. The club, supported by The Church of the Valley, conducts classes and activities for under-privileged children in the upper desert.

As program director for the past seven years, Ms. Yates spends her Saturdays with an average of 30 to 45 children who participate in activities as varied as Bible lessons, music, crafts, gymnastics, field trips, and holiday parties. They also receive lunch.

The children who attend the club are considered at high risk—70 percent come from homes in the area once known as “felony flats.” Here, at least one parent in each family has been incarcerated.

Ms. Yates has also involved others in the community to improve the lives of these children, including the local police department and Wal-Mart, which donated bicycles last year. Ms. Yates’ foresight, desire, and ambition have brought about a positive change in these children’s futures.

The final presentation of the evening was the Shirley N. Pettis Award, recognizing outstanding service in improving the status of children.

Mark and Holly Hartwig tell the audience how the LLUCH emergency department saved their twin daughters, Samantha and Noelle, from respiratory synctial virus within days of each other.

This year’s award went to John W. Mace, MD, director of pediatrics. For 26 years, Dr. Mace has served as chair and professor of pediatrics at LLU. Starting with a full-time faculty of 16 members, the department has grown to 65 full-time faculty. Dr. Mace has served as physician-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital since 1992. He is a major contributor to its success.

Dr. Mace is no stranger to the world of medicine. He is a recognized authority on pediatric medicine with many scientific publications. Numerous committees, professional organizations, societies, and community organizations have benefited from his knowledge.

His residents and peers, however, see more than just a skilled and published physician. “The essence of Dr. Mace is a man who lives his faith on a daily basis,” comments pediatric residency director Richard E. Chinnock, MD. “Dr. Mace is known to say ‘we have a redemptive residency’ because his goal is to help his residents succeed.”

In her introduction of Dr. Mace, B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president of LLUMC, called him a “leader’s leader.” His “vision, passion, persistence, and an indomitable will with a mark of humility,” according to Dr. Behrens, is more than enough to qualify him for such a designation.

Dr. Mace accepted the award, thanking the “best faculty in the world” for their support. He also thanked the audience for their generous gifts and encouraged those working in pediatrics toward “making man whole” to continue their good work.

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]