February 8, 2012

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Vanderbilt Offers Summer Sports Safety Tips

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Dr. Alex Diamond

Dr. Alex Diamond

With temperatures on the upswing and youth sports in high gear, many young athletes are at increased risk for injury and heat illness. With more children than ever playing organized sports, an estimated 3.5 million young athletes receive medical treatment for sports-related injuries each year.

In an effort to reduce this number, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is offering safety tips for parents and coaches, and partnering with Safe Kids Cumberland Valley to offer free youth sports safety clinics this summer. The educational clinics will cover topics such as: overuse and acute injuries, hydration, heat-related injury, concussion and safety equipment.

“We know most coaches and parents are concerned about the issue of sports safety, but lack the skill set to prevent and recognize important injuries and emergencies,” said Alex Diamond, D.O., M.P.H., assistant professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics and project coordinator for the sports safety clinics. “The welfare of our children is a shared responsibility, and we hope to put ourselves in a unique position to really provide a direct benefit to our community on a regional and national level.”

In order to keep child athletes safe, Diamond offers the following tips to parents and coaches:

  • Ensure that a pre-participation physical exam, meeting updated national recommendations, is performed each year
  • Create a plan on how everyone should respond in case of an emergency
  • Maintain proper hydration to avoid heat-related illness
  • Provide appropriate periods for rest and recovery to prevent overuse injuries

Diamond also says it is crucial for parents and coaches to recognize signs of a concussion, and to make sure children receive proper medical treatment if one is suspected.

Some additional sports safety tips for children include always wearing the right protective equipment for your sport, such as pads, helmets, face guards and eyewear, and following all safety rules of the sport in both practices and games.

Safe Kids Cumberland Valley, the local Safe Kids coalition representing 41 counties in Middle Tennessee, was one of 50 sites nationwide to receive grant funding to support sports safety clinics. Organizers plan to host two clinics in Davidson County and one in Williamson County in the coming months.

At the clinics, community safety experts as well as staff from Vanderbilt Sports Medicine and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt will discuss key sports safety messages with youth athletes and parents as well as coaches, school personnel and health care professionals. The clinics are free and open to anyone.

For dates of upcoming sports safety clinics and detailed sports safety information, visit http://www.childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/sportssafety

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Vanderbilt Pediatric Interventional Cardiology

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital

Everyone in Cool Springs should be inspired by what the Champions for Children’s Health are doing to mend little hearts at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Save the date Wednesday, March 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to join the fellow Champions for Children’s Health for “Pediatric Interventional Cardiology: An Introduction to a New Frontier”.

Special guest for the evening is Tom Doyle, M.D., Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Associate Professor and Clinical Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

This special evening will tale place at the First Tennessee Theater within the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  The address is 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37232.

Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt South Garage at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.

The event is being hosted by Camille and George Crawford, Beth and Paul Frankenberg, Liza and Jay Graves, Nichole and Craig Huseby, David King, Curt Revelette, Josephine and John Smithwick, and Kristen and Will Weaver.

Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital

Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital

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Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital New CEO

January 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
CEO Luke Gregory

CEO Luke Gregory

After serving since September as interim chief executive officer for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Luke Gregory has been named to permanently fill the role, effective immediately. The appointment was announced to hospital faculty and staff by C. Wright Pinson, MBA, M.D., deputy vice chancellor for Health Affairs and chief executive office of the Vanderbilt Health System, at a town hall meeting held Wednesday.

“Luke has served in an exemplary manner and in many roles since joining Vanderbilt,” Pinson said. “He is supportive of our Children’s Hospital team, tested and experienced in leadership, and lives Vanderbilt’s caring attitude in all he does. His values, wisdom and congenial personality inspire confidence and trust.

“I am delighted to have him in a permanent capacity as chief executive officer for Children’s Hospital at this important juncture as the hospital is poised for expansion,” said Pinson. “His selection and appointment to this position is supported unanimously by Dr. Balser and the hospital’s entire senior leadership team.”

Gregory’s appointment comes at an important period in the hospital’s history. With the announcement last fall for a multi-phase, multi-year expansion to the facility, Children’s Hospital is poised to begin a phase of strategic growth as inpatient bed space and services are increased.

“Luke has extensive experience and enjoys an excellent reputation in health systems management. After vetting this appointment with colleagues across the country, I concluded we are most fortunate to have Luke Gregory,” said Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

With a distinguished career in health care administration, Gregory joined Vanderbilt in 2007 as senior vice president and chief business development officer in the Office of Business Development.

While in this role, Gregory was active in the development of Vanderbilt Health at One Hundred Oaks, the acquisition of Franklin Bone and Joint, and was instrumental in the partnership expansion of Vanderbilt Home Care with Walgreen’s to include home infusion services.

Gregory was also named chief business development officer for Children’s Hospital in July.

“It is indeed an honor for me to welcome Luke into his new role with Children’s Hospital. I have had the great pleasure of working with him and have found him to a man of integrity and compassion,” said John Brock III, M.D., the Monroe Carell Jr. Professor and surgeon-in-chief for Children’s Hospital. “Luke has a wealth of knowledge in the management of hospitals and he will be an outstanding asset to the Children’s Hospital enterprise. We are very fortunate to have someone of his character and leadership skills to take this position.”

Gregory earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and holds multiple master’s degrees, including a Master in Religion from Vanderbilt; and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration from Georgia State University. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“We are indeed most fortunate to have Luke Gregory with us. I am completely confident in his passion and commitment to the mission of Children’s Hospital and delighted to have him as a partner,” said Jonathan Gitlin, M.D., the James C. Overall Professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. “Luke understands our devotion to families, patients and community, and entirely supports our academic mission that is so essential to benefit our children. He will be an extraordinary leader.”

A longtime Nashvillian, Gregory served as senior vice president of Operations with Baptist Hospital and was CEO for the Blakeford Inc. His current community service appointments include: vice chair for the Tennessee Association for Homes and Services for the Aged; the Tennessee Board of Licensure for Healthcare Facilities; the Board of Visitors with Vanderbilt University Divinity School; and an executive board member with the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America.

“Luke’s rich background in health care administration has enabled him to quickly step in and understand our hospital. He has embraced every opportunity to learn about caring for children and families even as he has taught our team new ways to approach a challenge,” said Margaret Rush, M.D., chief of staff for Children’s Hospital. “It has been a true pleasure to work with him as he has engaged with leaders, faculty and staff to further our mission of providing excellence in children’s health care. I look forward to continuing to support him as he leads our team in this important work.”

Gregory and his wife Susan, who also works in health care as a social worker, are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this year. They have two children, Kate and Ben. Kate is employed by Emory University’s Department of Development and Alumni Relations. Ben is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to permanently join a community resource with such a rich legacy. The success of Children’s Hospital has been through the passion of our community, the hard work of so many current colleagues and the vision and commitment of my predecessors,” said Gregory.

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Stuffed Bears for Leukemia

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Leukemia survivor Katie Vacanti-Mitchell

Leukemia survivor Katie Vacanti-Mitchell

Leukemia survivor Katie Vacanti-Mitchell of Katie’s Helping Hand will deliver nearly 200 stuffed bears today at 1:30 p.m. to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  The gift was coordinated by LifeWay Christian Stores in Nashville, Tenn., and donated on behalf of Katie’s advocacy group for families, Katie’s Helping Hand, which has raised more than $100,000 to provide meals to parents at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  Katie formed the Katie’s Helping Hand organization in 2004 after receiving life-saving treatment at Children’s Hospital.

What: Holiday Donation to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

When: Friday, Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN

The generous gift underscores the need for holiday donations at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.  The hospital’s Volunteer Services department will be collecting holiday gifts until 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 17.

Although donations are accepted year-round, gifts are especially important to families weathering unexpected hospital stays over the holidays, says Stephanie VanDyke, director of Volunteer Services at Children’s Hospital.

“Because of the generosity of the community, patients and families in the hospital during the month of December, as well as throughout the year, experience the joy of receiving gifts,” Stephanie VanDyke said.

“Our community plays an important role as we strive to normalize a child’s health care experience through play and other age appropriate activities. Donations make a difference, and we are most grateful for everyone in our community who gives to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.”

Donations of toys and other wish list items are coordinated through Volunteer Services. People interested in making a holiday donation should contact Vanderbilt Volunteer Services at 322-2379.

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Bald Moms for Childhood Cancer

September 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
46 Mommas to shave heads in support of childhood cancer research

46 Mommas to shave heads in support of childhood cancer research

Dozens of moms whose children have been touched by cancer will be shaving their heads and appearing on a television special to support childhood cancer research. The “46 Mommas”, including women from the Nashville area, will participate in the shaving event September 7, 6 p.m., at the Center Court of the Hollywood and Highland Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The 46 Mommas will then appear onstage during the Stand Up To Cancer live telecast, September 10, 7 p.m. Stand Up To Cancer will be broadcast live on all of the major television networks and several cable outlets.

Tiffany Beamer of Bellevue is the driving force behind the newly-formed 46 Mommas childhood cancer organization. The group adopted the name 46 Mommas because 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every day.

Beamer’s daughter, Miranda, was just three years old when doctors at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt diagnosed the youngster with cancer.

“My family was out of town in September 2007 when we noticed a lump on our youngest daughter Miranda’s back,” said Beamer. “After we returned home to Nashville, doctors at Vanderbilt told us Miranda had Ewing’s Sarcoma of the soft tissue of the chest wall.”

The toddler spent months at Children’s Hospital and went through six rounds of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery to remove the tumor.

More rounds of chemotherapy followed before Miranda was finally pronounced cancer-free. She spent the next 15 months in physical therapy to treat nerve damage in her legs that was a side effect of chemotherapy.

Today, the leg braces are gone and Miranda is doing well. Tiffany, who has three other children, said her family’s experience made her determined to do something for other families.

“I wanted to make a difference for the parents who lost their children to cancer. As a mother I decided to shave my head to show my daughter and the rest of the world that kids get cancer, too,” said Tiffany. “I went online to recruit other “mommas” to support childhood cancer research.”

One of the “mommas” who answered the call was Becky Evreniadis of Nashville. Her son, Jamie, was three years old when the active little boy complained about pain in his legs. Local physicians couldn’t find a cause so Becky and her husband took Jamie to Children’s Hospital where doctors diagnosed their son with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that starts in early nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system.

Nashville moms included in "46 Mommas"

Nashville moms included in "46 Mommas"

“Neuroblastoma was such a scary word. It was even worse when they told us that the survival rate is less than 25 percent,” said Evreniadis.

Jamie, who had tumors in his stomach and leg, went through several rounds of aggressive treatments with setbacks and side effects. He finally appeared to be stabilizing when he developed breathing problems and passed away April 24, 2006.

Evreniadis decided to join the “46 Mommas” in memory of Jamie and “all the children fighting today and the ones who will be diagnosed tomorrow.”

She is apprehensive about losing her hair and appearing on national TV but she hopes the Shave for the Brave will shine a spotlight on childhood cancer.

“I will do whatever is in my power to bring attention to these children,” said Evreniadis.

Money raised during the 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave will be used to support cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, one of the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising programs for childhood cancer research.

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Nashville Girl Hit By Car

June 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Nashville girl hit by car

Pediatric Emergency experts at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt say they are very concerned about the number of children who have been hit by cars since schools let out in the Nashville area.

Between May 27 and June 17, the Pediatric Emergency Department treated 10 children who were hit by cars. Half of those were critically injured and three more had broken bones or internal injuries. The ages and circumstances vary. Toddlers have been backed over and children under age 10 have been hit running into the street without looking, or chasing a toy.

“Even older children are not following safety rules. I almost hit a child around age 12 this morning on my way to work,” said Thomas Abramo, M.D., professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and director of the Pediatric Emergency Department. “The child simply decided not to use the crosswalk, but cut across diagonally across traffic,” he said.

Twelve-year-old Jacey Taylor was a lucky adolescent who made poor choices and skirted rules. On June 11, she and her friend R.J. Harris rode their bikes to a convenience store to get some candy. On the way back home, Jacey was hit by a van.

“She was ahead of me and I noticed that when she went to cross the street, other cars stopped to let her by, but this van driver didn’t see her and just kept going,” R.J. said.

Jacey suffered only scrapes and bruises, but says she knows she made mistakes. She had been riding her bike without a helmet and had been told not to cross the street. She says it was a frightening experience, and she just wasn’t thinking.

“I just kind of let go and relaxed completely. I bounced off the hood of the van, but the bike took most of the force and I hit the ground on my leg,” Jacey said.

Jacey was one of the lucky few who sustained only scrapes and bruises. She was released from the emergency department that same day. Her mother says it was a wake-up call.

“We certainly tell them the rules, but now we will be reinforcing it with them every single time they go out to ride,” said Tracy Miller. “This was very scary. We are very lucky Jacey wasn’t hurt worse.”

Abramo says families need to know that children under the age of 10 are too young to cross streets alone, or play or walk near street traffic without parental supervision. Everyone, young and old, should wear a helmet when using a riding toy or bicycle. For older children, frequent reminders and solid rules are needed to ensure children never ignore pedestrian safety.

“If older adolescents don’t follow pedestrian safety rules, they shouldn’t be allowed to cross roadways on their own until they demonstrate they will follow the rules. Adults also need to be extra alert and careful now that school is out, to observe children at all times especially in their own driveways and neighborhoods,” Abramo said.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Source: Safe Kids

* Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

* Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Do not assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.

* Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.

* Walk; do not run, across the street.

* Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

* Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.

* Parents and children should hold hands in parking lots.

Parent safety tips:

* Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Adult supervision is essential until you are sure a child has good traffic skills and judgment.

* Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, never behind, and to wait for adults on the same side of the street as the school bus loading or unloading zone.

* Teach your child never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet or any other reason.

* Make sure your child plays in safe places away from motor vehicles, such as yards, parks and playgrounds, and never in the street.

* Fence off play areas from driveways and streets.

* Check frequently for children when backing out of a driveway or a parking space.

Key Facts from SafeKids.org (http://www.safekids.org/our-work/research/fact-sheets/pedestrian-safety-fact-sheet.html)

* Each year, approximately 630 child pedestrian fatalities occur.

* Children sustain more than 39,000 nonfatal pedestrian injuries each year.

* The maturity level of a child under 10 years of age makes him/her unable to correctly gauge the speed of vehicles putting them at greater risk for injury and death.

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