Loma Linda University Children's Hospital News
January 27, 2000
- U.N. Under-Secretary-General makes gift to LLU Children's Hospital
- LLU Children's Hospital gala features reunion of heart transplant children
- Renowned pediatrician speaks on 'Our Children, Our Future'
U.N. Under-Secretary-General makes gift to LLU Children's Hospital
On Thursday, January 6, the director and case manager of the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital spina bifida clinic delivered a big surprise to young patients at the Laurel Park House special care home in Jurupa.
The surprise, a new Dell computer, was purchased with a portion of a $50,000 donation given to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Joseph Verner Reed. The computer generated great excitement among the residents of Laurel Park House.
The children hovered nearby while spina bifida clinic director Ravindra Rao, MD, and case manager Kim Rawson hooked up the various cords and cables and finally turned on the power.
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Kim Rawson, LLUCH spina bifida clinic case manager, helps 14-year-old Jesse through the initial set-up of the new Dell computer at Laurel Park House, part of a $50,000 donation. |
"He takes learning really seriously," says Joni Petersen, RN, BSN, nurse administrator and co-owner of the special care children's homes. "I just think that we don't really understand what a difference it makes in his life, that it gives him the ability to learn some computer skills. I think this really provides some long-term opportunities for him."
Ms. Peterson also believes that the computer will make learning fun for the rest of the children and help encourage their academic skills.
Another of Dr. Rao's patients from San Bernardino also received a computer thanks to Ambassador Reed's donation. According to Ms. Rawson, the remainder of the money will be reserved for patients who, for example, need new prostheses or braces that are not covered by their insurance companies.
"Children with spina bifida have multiple medical problems needing lifelong follow-up," says Dr. Rao, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics in the School of Medicine.
"They have multiple needs, sometimes requiring expensive equipment or intervention. The donation made by Ambassador Reed allows us to meet the needs of these children, whether they be medical or educational."
Ambassador Reed served as ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Morocco from 1981 to 1985. In 1985, he was named representative of the United States to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In 1987, he was appointed Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political and General Assembly Affairs.
In early 1989, President George Bush appointed Ambassador Reed to the position of White House Chief of Protocol, a position he held until late 1991. In 1992, Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali appointed Ambassador Reed as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and special representative for public affairs. He held this appointment until February, 1997.
In June, 1997, Secretary-general Kofi Annan reappointed Ambassador Reed as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and president of the staff management coordination committee, the highest-ranking internal secretariat body of the United Nations.
LLU Children's Hospital gala features reunion of heart transplant children
On Sunday, February 6, the 7th Annual Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation gala, "Big Hearts for Little Hearts," will pay special tribute to the infant heart transplant program with a reunion of more than 100 children who have received heart transplants at Loma Linda since the program began in 1985.
The gala will feature a special presentation by Leonard L. Bailey, MD, professor and chair of the department of surgery, and pioneer of infant heart transplantation.
The family of Hannah Grinnan will share the story of how she received a heart transplant on April 17, 1998, when she was only 11 days old. The events surrounding Hannah's birth and heart transplant were featured on ABC's "Public Eye" with Bryant Gumbel.
Many children who have received heart transplants at LLUCH will join Dr. Bailey and the Grinnans onstage to receive special recognition.
At the time of their transplants, many of these children received particular media attention, including Eddie Anguiano, recipient of the first successful infant heart transplant; Krysta Falloon; Raechel Neufeld; Daniel Vaccaro; and Aaron Banta and his infant daughter, Gabriella Haddad, both of whom have received heart transplants at Loma Linda.
Guests Jack Palmer, Marisa Simpson, and Timothy Soodsma will be traveling from Canada for the event.
The children will also greet guests and present awards during the program.
World-renowned Hollywood songwriter, producer, and composer David Foster and his wife, Linda, will serve as masters of ceremonies for the event. Mr. Foster will accompany vocalists performing two of his songs, "The Prayer" and "The Power of the Dream," both of which have been popularized by Celine Dion.
Mr. Foster and his wife have a special connection to children who have received organ transplants. Their Canada-based organization, The David Foster Foundation, has assisted 137 families from British Columbia with children in need of major organ transplants. The organization is a last resort for families who have no other means of financial support for non-medical expenses when a child must be sent to Vancouver, British Columbia, or out of the province for medical treatment. The assistance can range from mortgage or rent payments during the time the family is away to the cost of day care for siblings left behind while the parents are with their sick child.
Entertainment for the evening will include violinist Jaime Jorge, who trained under Cyrus Forough and has given performances around the world; and vocalist Tim Davis, a session singer in Los Angeles and former member of the Heritage Singers.
Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Hometown Heroes awards. This year's selected heroes include a wide range of professions. As part of the Foundation's Hometown Heroes award program, they have been nominated by individuals in the community and selected by a panel of judges composed of previous Hometown Heroes. The Foundation gala will celebrate their passion for children and their efforts to enrich the quality of life in our communities.
Proceeds from the gala will be dedicated to the infant heart transplantation program. To purchase gala tickets ($150 per plate), please call (909) 558-8008.
Renowned pediatrician speaks on 'Our Children, Our Future'
The Wong Kerlee International Conference Center was full to capacity on Tuesday, January 11, and Wednesday, January 12, as community members turned out to see a man known as the modern-day Dr. Spock.
Parents and professionals who work with children packed the conference center for a chance to hear the wisdom of renowned pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, MD, during a two-part seminar titled "What Matters Most: Our Children, Our Future." The seminar was sponsored by the City of Colton Community Childcare and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
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| You may recognize Dr. Brazelton's smiling face from PampersTM commercials or child care videos. He also hosts a cable television series, called "What Every Baby Knows," and writes a syndicated column for the New York Times. |
Dr. Brazelton's presentation on January 11 focused on the many stresses parents face today, and the pressures imposed on them to perform. Based on his many interviews with patients, he offered solutions for relieving these stresses. He based his talk on an attachment model, with the goal of establishing healthy self-esteem in both the parent and the child.
Wednesday's seminar featured several discussions presented by Dr. Brazelton and his colleagues. Topics discussed included how to help children cope with stressful events, and emotional competence in infants and children.
Dr. Brazelton explains development as continuing "touchpoints" or milestones of bio-behavioral shifts, accompanied by frustration, regression, and growth.
During the seminar, he discussed how his concept of touchpoints can be used to help parents and children through difficult and predictable stages of development.
Dr. Brazelton is a clinical professor emeritus of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Child Development Unit at Children's Hospital in Boston. He is professor of psychiatry and human development at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Dr. Brazelton is also the author of 26 books on children and child rearing, including Touchpoints: Your Child's Emotional and Behavioral Development and What Every Baby Knows.
Finally, one of his foremost achievements is the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, published in 1973. This evaluation tool is used worldwide to assess not only the physical and neurological response of newborns, but also their emotional well-being and individual differences.
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