We Are Children's http://www.wearechildrens.org Celebrating the Successes, Great and Small, of our Patients Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:28:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 3 Things Pediatric Surgery Patients & Pro Athletes Have in Common http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=872 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=872#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:31:45 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=872 When L.A. Laker Pau Gasol visited us to observe Isabelle Shattuck’s spine surgery, ESPN.com took the opportunity to compare professional athletes to orthopaedic surgeons. But when we took a second look, we realized 13-year-old Isabelle has a lot more in common with the championship-winning basketball player than it would appear at first glance. The most successful surgery patients and [...]]]> When L.A. Laker Pau Gasol visited us to observe Isabelle Shattuck’s spine surgery, ESPN.com took the opportunity to compare professional athletes to orthopaedic surgeons. But when we took a second look, we realized 13-year-old Isabelle has a lot more in common with the championship-winning basketball player than it would appear at first glance. The most successful surgery patients and  pro athletes all seem to have these three important things going for them: physical endurance, courage and loyal fans.

Courtesy of Lisa Shattuck
13-year-old spinal surgery patient, Isabelle Shattuck.

Physical Endurance
The kind of physical therapy scoliosis patient Isabelle has undergone before and after surgery is comparable to the rigorous training of professional athletes. It requires passion, stamina and intense self-motivation. Just three weeks after her major surgery, Isabelle was able to run and proudly stands two inches taller.

Courage
Isabelle graciously agreed to allow Pau to observe the surgery she would undergo to correct the curvature of her spine. Casting aside any fears she might have had about the procedure, brave Isabelle enthusiastically agreed to literally show off her backbone to the world!

Loyal Fans
Where would a rock star athlete be without his or her fans? While Isabelle faced her surgery with dignity and poise, her family was never far from her side. In fact, the Shattuck family has been cheering Isabelle along every step of her journey. It’s clear where she gets her winning attitude!

So many of our patients inspire our staff every day with their determination and spirit. They truly are the real champions!

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]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=872 0 Camila Goes Platinum With a Heart of Gold http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=865 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=865#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:19:33 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=865 Mexican music sensation, Camila played a surprise performance at our hospital on Aug. 9. All three members, Mario Domm, Pablo Hurtado and Samo were eager to meet our patients, some of whom are their biggest fans! See More Pics on Flickr…Click the Picture Below (Left to Right) A patient poses with Samo, Mario Domm and Pablo Hurtado. It was [...]]]> Mexican music sensation, Camila played a surprise performance at our hospital on Aug. 9. All three members, Mario Domm, Pablo Hurtado and Samo were eager to meet our patients, some of whom are their biggest fans!

See More Pics on Flickr…Click the Picture Below

(Left to Right) A patient poses with Samo, Mario Domm and Pablo Hurtado.

It was no surprise, however, how the Latin superstars were received–especially considering the news that their hit album, Dejarte de Amar, went Certified Platinum last week here in the United States. In fact, the musicians planned this special serenade as a thank you to their young fans for their unwavering support.

As a special treat, the recording artists also visited those kids who were unable to leave their rooms to attend the performance.

View a Slideshow of Camila’s Visit!

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=865 0 ‘American Idol’ Alum Alex Lambert Visits Our Hospital http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=856 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=856#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:44:28 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=856 On Thursday, August 5th, Season 9 American Idol contestant, Alex Lambert, stopped by our hospital to sing for patients.  See More Pics on Flickr…Click the Picture Below Alex Lambert poses during his visit to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Lambert, a 19-year old Texas native, is currently a castmember of Simon Fuller’s If I Can Dream (www.ificandream.com). View a slideshow [...]]]> On Thursday, August 5th, Season 9 American Idol contestant, Alex Lambert, stopped by our hospital to sing for patients. 

See More Pics on Flickr…Click the Picture Below

Alex Lambert poses during his visit to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Lambert, a 19-year old Texas native, is currently a castmember of Simon Fuller’s If I Can Dream (www.ificandream.com).

View a slideshow of Alex Lambert’s visit!

A special thanks to The Reality Cares Foundation for arranging the visit.

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=856 0 Healing Haiti: 6 Months Later http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=838 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=838#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:31:19 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=838 It’s no secret that our Chief of Surgery, Henri Ford, MD, has been very active as a volunteer during the rebuilding of Haiti after the earthquake in January 2010. Most recently, he shared with ABC7’s David Ono during one of his many visits back to the island nation. This video profiles stories of triumph—a premature baby surviving in [...]]]> It’s no secret that our Chief of Surgery, Henri Ford, MD, has been very active as a volunteer during the rebuilding of Haiti after the earthquake in January 2010. Most recently, he shared with ABC7’s David Ono during one of his many visits back to the island nation.

This video profiles stories of triumph—a premature baby surviving in the face of daunting odds and a young girl who smiles despite the loss of an amputated leg—but it’s clear that much work is still needed.

That’s why Dr. Ford is so committed to the rebuilding process. He plans to continue making regular trips back to Port-au-Prince, as he has done since the quake hit.

Dr. Ford says, “To the extent that I have a heartbeat and I can still speak, I’m going to continue to be hopefully a force, an instrument for progressive change here because there is no other choice.”

Links at Our Hospital

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]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=838 0 The Briseno Family’s Dodger Reunion http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=799 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=799#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:02:58 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=799 On Wednesday, July 7th, the Briseno Family returned to Dodger Stadium a month after their 3-year-old daughter, Janelle, sustained injuries from a stray line drive at a game on June 7th. The little girl was rushed to our hospital’s Emergency Department to receive treatment for her fractured skull. Surgical intervention has resulted in a positive prognosis [...]]]> On Wednesday, July 7th, the Briseno Family returned to Dodger Stadium a month after their 3-year-old daughter, Janelle, sustained injuries from a stray line drive at a game on June 7th.

The little girl was rushed to our hospital’s Emergency Department to receive treatment for her fractured skull. Surgical intervention has resulted in a positive prognosis for Janelle, who is expected to make a full recovery.

See More Pics on Flickr…Click the Picture Below

(L to R) Janelle Briseno, Jose Briseno (father), Elizabeth Lopez (mother) and Russell Martin

On this post-op visit, Janelle and her parents, Jose and Elizabeth Briseno, received free tickets to the July 7th Dodgers game.  Additionally, the Dodgers provided 100 of our hospital’s staff complimentary tickets to the game as a “thank you” for treating Janelle.

After the game, Janelle met Russell Martin, the Dodgers catcher who felt “terrible” about hitting the ill-fated line drive. It was all smiles as Martin met the family, posed for pictures and presented them with an custom jersey for Janelle and an autographed Dodger dog.

View a Slideshow of the Briseno Family Visiting the Dodgers on Flickr!

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]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=799 0 Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ Handprint Ceremony http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=807 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=807#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:07:38 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=807 Anat Erdreich-Epstein, MD, PhD, accepted a $50,000 check during the Hope on Wheels™ Handprint Ceremony held on July 5th at Dodger Stadium Lot N. Childhood cancer patients were also in attendance. They dipped their hands in fingerpaint and applied colorful handprints to a white Hyundai Santa Fe, adding to the collection of children’s handprints from all [...]]]> Anat Erdreich-Epstein, MD, PhD, accepted a $50,000 check during the Hope on Wheels™ Handprint Ceremony held on July 5th at Dodger Stadium Lot N. Childhood cancer patients were also in attendance. They dipped their hands in fingerpaint and applied colorful handprints to a white Hyundai Santa Fe, adding to the collection of children’s handprints from all over the country.

Earlier this month, our hospital received the exciting news that oncologist, Robert J. Brown, MD, received an award for translational research in pediatric cancer from the Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ program. Since Dr. Brown was unavailable to attend the ceremony, Dr. Erdreich-Epstein attended in his stead.

See more pics from the Handprint Ceremony…click the photo!

Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein accepts the $50,000 check for pediatric cancer research on behalf of our hospital.

Let’s give those kids a hand for their creative car-detailing services!

Hope on Wheels™ is the united effort of all 780 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of children battling the disease.

View the Flickr slideshow of the Handprint Ceremony!

Related Links at our Hospital

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=807 0 Our Nurses Return from Haiti http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=775 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=775#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:26:55 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=775 As part of our hospital’s ongoing effort to provide medical relief to victims of the earthquake in Haiti, 5 nurses from our hospital’s NICCU returned for a week-long stay from May 19th until June 5th. See More Pics of our Nurses in Haiti…Click the Picture Below (L to R) Kolette Sheppard, RN; Nhu Tran, RN; Leslie Hall, [...]]]> As part of our hospital’s ongoing effort to provide medical relief to victims of the earthquake in Haiti, 5 nurses from our hospital’s NICCU returned for a week-long stay from May 19th until June 5th.

See More Pics of our Nurses in Haiti…Click the Picture Below

(L to R) Kolette Sheppard, RN; Nhu Tran, RN; Leslie Hall, RN; Lori Bustamante, RN and
Brooke Sanders, RN all sporting Children’s Hospital t-shirts while hard at work in Haiti.

The nurses provided aid at the same Project Medishare hospital in Port-au-Prince our hospital staff visited earlier this year.  A day after the devastating earthquake, a tent hospital was erected.

Leslie Hall, RN (the nurse in pink above) reported that the day after her group’s departure, the hospital was moved to a permanent building a few miles away.  Here’s what she asked us to share with you:

We had many obstacles during the trip including extreme heat and rain that flooded the field hospital almost every day.

I was the only one from the group who had been to Haiti previously, so I was able to tell the rest of the members a little bit of what to expect. I was part of our hospital’s first group team #1 that went to Haiti from March 13th – March 20th.

We coordinated with Mary Dee Hacker, RN, MBA [Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer] and central supply here at the hospital to send us with some needed supplies.

Thanks Leslie!

View a Flickr slideshow of our Nurses in Haiti!

Related Links at our Hospital

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=775 1 Three Things We Like about “Hang On Tucker” http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=636 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=636#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:21:38 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=636 On his ambulance ride to our hospital, Tucker had to be resuscitated three times. He then spent his 1st week of life at our hospital on a special system, ECMO, a heart-lung bypass system that takes over circulatory and respiratory functions in infants whose systems fail.  Tucker had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, a rare condition, but one that we regularly [...]]]> On his ambulance ride to our hospital, Tucker had to be resuscitated three times.

He then spent his 1st week of life at our hospital on a special system, ECMO, a heart-lung bypass system that takes over circulatory and respiratory functions in infants whose systems fail. 

Tucker had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, a rare condition, but one that we regularly treat.  He was diagnosed prenatally and physicians were ready to take care of him from the moment he was born. 
Lisa, Tucker and Rob Knox

Although we were proud to send Tucker home to grow big and strong under the care of mom and dad, we are delighted to find that his loving parents created a blog, Hang on Tucker!,  in honor of his fight for life in our hospital. 

Here are the things that we love about this blog:

1.  The Title

Hang on Tucker is a great title that let’s you know immediately what the blog is about. 

2.  The Photos

Dad provided frequent updates about Tucker’s progress including:

  • Photos of Tucker in and out of the hospital crib
  • Photos of supporters sporting, “Hang on Tucker” T-shirts
  • Photos of life from Tucker’s point of view (so clever)
  • Photos that one would normally take of an infant’s “firsts”

3.  The Message

A YouTube message of a crowd of supporters saying, “Hang on Tucker!” conducted by his Uncle Craig

Of course, we couldn’t help but notice their shout-outs for our staff and for our NICCU in particular (May 3, 2010):

“There are no words adequate to express the vast and profound gratitude we feel for the work done in the NICCU to save Tucker and make him well.  Since his arrival at just one day old, the amazing people there dedicated themselves to his cause 24/7.”

We loved seeing the Knox family use their talents to share their experiences during this crucial time in their lives with their friends and family, as well as with us.

Links Related to Tucker’s Care at Our Hospital

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=636 1 ThinkCure! 2010 Weekend at Dodger Stadium http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=749 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=749#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:52:16 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=749 We’re so happy our patients, doctors and nurses were able to participate in the ThinkCure! Weekend. It’s clear from these pictures just how excited everyone was to be able to participate in this fantastic event held at Dodger Stadium. Be sure to check out our Flickr slideshow to see photos of some of very happy baseball [...]]]> We’re so happy our patients, doctors and nurses were able to participate in the ThinkCure! Weekend. It’s clear from these pictures just how excited everyone was to be able to participate in this fantastic event held at Dodger Stadium. Be sure to check out our Flickr slideshow to see photos of some of very happy baseball fans!

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=749 0 Pictures from Celebrate Life with Hope 2010 Event http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=753 http://www.wearechildrens.org/?p=753#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:50:45 +0000 admin http://www.wearechla.org/?p=753 On June 6, 2010, our hospital hosted the annual Celebrate Life with Hope events as part of National Cancer Survivors’ Day. The event: Provides patients, caregivers and former patients the chance to reunite with their medical “family” at the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Is the largest event for pediatric cancer [...]]]> On June 6, 2010, our hospital hosted the annual Celebrate Life with Hope events as part of National Cancer Survivors’ Day. The event:

  • Provides patients, caregivers and former patients the chance to reunite with their medical “family” at the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
  • Is the largest event for pediatric cancer survivors and former patients in the Western United States.

Attendees of the event included:

  • American Idol contestant Luke Menard
  • Singer Teairra Marí
  • World Boxing Champions Walt Sarnoi and Genaro Hernandez

]]> http://www.wearechildrens.org/?feed=rss2&p=753 0