Read the Fall 2011 issue of It's About Children Magazine by East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

2. “Dear
Children’s”
April 25, 2011
Dear Children’s Hospital,
I had to send something about
the staff of Children’s Hospital. You
know a parent’s worst nightmare is
to have something wrong with their child and to
have to be admitted to any hospital. However, the
moment we walked in the door, we were put at
ease. We walked into the ER and were almost
immediately sent to the back into a room.The
doctor, the nurses, the assistants all let us know
what to expect and kept us informed every step
of the way.They let us know everything they
were doing and why they were doing it.
My wife and I were terrified to say the least,
but at the same time, we knew he was in the best
of hands.The doctor, Dr. Malik, was incredible.
Never have I met a doctor with such great bedside
manner as him.
The overall experience, aside from Parker
being sick, was incredible. I almost became
annoyed with the question “Can I get you
anything?” It was like we had a new family for
a few days.The staff seemed as concerned about
our son as much as we were.
Blair King, Oak Ridge
On The Cover:
Corey Wright of Morristown.
Read his story on pages 4-6.
Dennis Ragsdale, Chairman • Bill Terry, M.D., Vice Chairman
Michael Crabtree, Secretary/Treasurer • John Buchneit, M.D. • Debbie Christiansen,
M.D. • Dawn Ford • Keith D. Goodwin • Steven Harb • Lewis Harris, M.D.
Dee Haslam • A. David Martin • Larry Martin • Christopher Miller, M.D.
Steve South • Laurens Tullock • Danni Varlan • Jim Bush, Chair Emeritus
William G. Byrd, M.D., Chair Emeritus • Don Parnell, Chair Emeritus
Lise Christensen, M.D., Chief of Staff • Mark Cramolini, M.D., Vice Chief of Staff
Lori Patterson, M.D., Secretary
Ken Wicker, M.D., Chief of Medicine • Cameron J. Sears, M.D., Chief of Surgery
Keith D. Goodwin, President/CEO • Bruce Anderson, Vice President for Legal
Services & General Counsel • Laura Barnes, R.N., M.S.N., NEA-BC, Vice
President for Patient Care • Joe Childs, M.D., Vice President for Medical Services
Zane Goodrich, CPA, Vice President for Finance & CFO • Carlton M. Long,
Vice President for Development and Community Services • Rudy McKinley, Vice
President for Operations • Sue Wilburn, Vice President for Human Resources
Ellen Liston, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of Community Relations
Wendy Hames, APR, Editor • Neil Crosby, Contributing Photographer
www.etch.com
Board of Directors
Medical Staff
Chiefs of Services
Administration
It’s About Children Staff
A quarterly publication of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, It’s About
Children is designed to inform the East Tennessee community about the hospital
and the patients we serve. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s vision is Leading
the Way to Healthy Children. Children’s Hospital is a private, independent,
not-for-profit pediatric medical center that has served the East Tennessee region
for nearly 75 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive
Regional Pediatric Center.
“Because Children are Special…”
…they deserve the best possible health care given in a positive, family-centered
atmosphere of friendliness, cooperation and support -- regardless of race, religion
or ability to pay.”
…their medical needs are closely related to their emotional and informational
needs; therefore, the total child must be considered in treating any illness or
injury.”
…their health care requires family involvement, special understanding, special
equipment and specially trained personnel who recognize that children are not
miniature adults.”
…their health care can best be provided by a facility with a well-trained medical
and hospital staff whose only interests and concerns are with the total health and
well-being of infants, children and adolescents.
Statement of Philosophy
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital is
a Tobacco-Free and
Smoke-Free Campus
April 28, 2011
Dear leaders and providers at East TennesseeChildren’s Hospital in Knoxville,
We hope you will accept our letter as a morepersonalized way to say thanks, in place of completinga Share a Compliment card. We certainly want torecognize all the team members involved with our child’s care who made the
difference and no doubt we will have inadvertently left someone out (please
forgive us for that). We greatly appreciate and wish life’s blessings to… RNs Sarah S., Michelle K., Jessica D. and Ben (forgot Ben’s last initial).
These first-rate professionals further exemplify that nursing is a profession with
genuinely compassionate people. Seemingly all these nurses are concentrated at
ETCH! All of you were absolutely wonderful, and we couldn’t have imagined
any better care than what you provided. Shannon with the Child Life department, who was absolutely terrific,
“spot-on”with entertaining our child during a critical and painful medicalintervention. She knows exactly how to relate to a little person in a very difficult
time and exact a smile under circumstances that normally wouldn’t produce one.
All this from a most capable and caring individual. And there’s Teresa B. in Environmental Services.Teresa, you made us feel
welcome, even “at home”by your very pleasant nature. Your outlook on life is
positive and that certainly helped us during our stay. These caregivers and support team members consistently demonstrateda genuine dedication to service, providing high levels of compassion andskill always needed to ease the pain and emotional stress our child and weexperienced recently while he was hospitalized for a week. We were also most
impressed that every staff member we encountered asked,“Is there anything
I can get for you?”And they meant it! Again, we say thank you and wish Children’s Hospital and its outstanding
staff the very best.
Cordially,
Sonya and Pete Prins, Knoxville
2

3. Children’s Hospital NOTES
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children (NCMEC),800,000 children ages 18 and younger go
missing each year.For the 16th
year,Shoney’s Restaurants and
NCMEC are partnering to sponsor three KidCare ID events at
area malls.
The KidCare ID program offers parents the opportunity to get an
official photo identification of their child.A KidCare ID includes a
color photograph,fingerprints,height,weight,date of birth,medical
profile and a 24-hour NCMEC hotline number. A KidCare ID can
expedite the process of finding a missing child,and all parents are
encouraged to have photo identification for each of their children.
Also,the Knoxville Police Department will be available for
fingerprinting,and representatives from Children’s Hospital and
Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area will be on-site to provide
children’s safety information. ID cards and fingerprinting are
provided free at all KidCare ID events.
Volunteers recognized for exemplary service,
commitment to Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital celebrated the many volunteers who donate
their time,efforts and love to our patients,their families and the
Children’s Hospital staff at the annual Volunteer Appreciation
brunch April 16.The first awards were presented to volunteers
who had achieved their milestone hours of service.In addition to
these awards,four volunteers received special awards for exemplary
service and commitment.
The Edna H.Duncan Award honors a volunteer who shows
“personal and professional excellence in volunteer service”to the
hospital.This year,the Edna H.Duncan Award went to David
Haun,who began calling on Children’s Hospital 35 years ago as
a business forms sales representative.Haun is a past president and
currently an executive committee member of the Committee for
the Future and has served as president of the Volunteer Services
Council during 2010-2011.He has logged many hours helping
with special events like Camp Eagle’s Nest and Jammin’ in Your
Jammies.One of the highlights of his volunteer service is guiding
the pre-admission tours in preparation for surgery.
The second award,the Anne D.Regas Award,is presented to
a volunteer for “exemplary commitment,courage and perseverance
in volunteer service to Children’s Hospital.”This year’s recipient was
Debbie Roberts,who began her volunteer service in 2008.Roberts
regularly works in the gift shop and surgery lounge,and she is
consistently one of the first volunteers for any special event,such
as the Valentine kisses sale,Fantasy of Trees,Star 102.1 Radiothon
and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon.Roberts
also recently organized the first Children’s Hospital uniform sale.
The only time you hear the word “no”from Roberts is when it is
followed by the word “problem”– as in “No problem,I’ll do it.”
Co-sponsors with Shoney’s Restaurants for the 2011
KidCare ID program include Children’s Hospital,Star 102.1
radio,WVLT-TV 8/Volunteer TV,the Knoxville News Sentinel,
the Knoxville Police Department,Walgreens and Safe Kids of
the Greater Knox Area.
The KidCare event times and locations are as follows:
• Friday,August 19,1-7 p.m.at Knoxville Center Mall
(Knoxville)
• Saturday,August 20,11 a.m.–5 p.m.atWestTown Mall
(Knoxville)
• Sunday,August 21,12-6 p.m.at Foothills Mall (Maryville)
For more information,contact Annie LaLonde at Shoney’s
at (865) 690-6331.
KidCare ID Program
Articles by Megan Helvey, student intern
The third award presented was the “24 Karat”Award,given to
a volunteer who demonstrates “enthusiastic participation in volunteer
service to Children’s Hospital.”The recipient of this year’s “24 Karat”
Award was Don McWilliams,who has accumulated more than
2,000 hours of volunteering since July 2004.McWilliams most often
can be found in the surgery lounge,where his attention to detail and
organization mixed with a lighthearted sense of humor makes him
a perfect fit for Children’s Hospital.
The last award was the Shining Star Award,established to
recognize dedication to evening and weekend volunteer service to
Children’s Hospital.This year John Eblen received the Shining
Star Award.Eblen began his volunteer service in the summer of
2003 and has since dedicated more than 1,000 hours of service to
the hospital.He volunteers every minute he can,making sure patients
have the best experience possible at Children’s Hospital.For example,
Eblen spent hours working on the hospital’s in-room video system
so patients can watch their favorite movies.
2011 volunteer
award honorees
(left to right):
David Haun,
Debbie Roberts,
John Eblen,
Don McWilliams
3

4. For Corey Wright, a 13-year-old boy from
Morristown, the night of October 13, 2010, started
off like any other autumn evening. After school,
Corey did homework, talked on the phone, played
Xbox and ate dinner with his family. Corey’s parents,
Carrie and Shane Wright, were not concerned
when he complained of a stiff neck since he had just
returned from a weekend camping trip with the Boy
Scouts. “We thought it was a muscle spasm or the
result of an active weekend with the boys, not anything
serious,” Carrie said. Despite his discomfort, Corey
continued his normal activities and even jumped on the
trampoline with his brothers and sisters. When his pain
progressed after dinner, his parents gave him pain reliever
and told him to lie down.
Suddenly Corey started screaming and complaining
of shooting pains throughout his body. “Corey is not a
complainer, so I knew something must be terribly wrong,”
Carrie said. Corey insisted on taking his shirt off but realized
he was not able to raise his right arm.
While the Wright family waited on an ambulance, Corey
began to slur his speech. “Within 30 minutes, he had lost
complete control of the right side of his body. Within an hour
and a half, he was not able to speak at all and had lost control
of his arms and legs,” Carrie said.
An ambulance rushed Corey to Jefferson Memorial
Hospital in Jefferson City. Corey underwent a spinal tap and
several scans, but the results were inconclusive. “Corey was in
so much pain. I just kept asking ‘where has my child gone?’
He was perfectly healthy just hours before,” Carrie said. Corey
was then transported by ambulance to the Emergency
Department at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. A team
of doctors, including pediatric neurologist Dr. Karsten
Gammeltoft, were waiting on the Wrights when they
arrived. After examining Corey, Dr. Gammeltoft immediately
suspected transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder caused
by the inflammation of the spinal cord. Corey underwent
several scans and soon was diagnosed with idiopathic
transverse myelitis and admitted to the Goody’s Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital.
Symptoms of transverse myelitis develop rapidly and
include limb weakness, sensory disturbance, back pain and
bowel/bladder dysfunction. Corey’s case of transverse myelitis
was idiopathic, meaning the disorder occurred without an
apparent underlying cause. It is assumed to be the result of
abnormal activation of the immune system against the spinal
cord that could potentially have been caused by an underlying
virus or an environmental factor.
Corey
The section of Corey’s spine that was inflamed affects
breathing, so Corey had to rely on a breathing tube. “We knew
it was going to be a long road of recovery.The doctors told
us to expect months or maybe a whole year of recovery. We
decided we weren’t going to let this beat us,” Carrie said.
Corey was initially treated with a high dose of steroids
to reduce the inflammation in his spinal cord. His body did
not have a response so doctors looked for other options.
Corey’s primary care physician, Dr. Regina Phillips, knew
Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, a pediatric transverse myelitis
specialist, in Dallas,Texas, who suggested a treatment called
plasmapheresis.The team of critical care doctors at East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital decided to try the treatment,
which removed Corey’s blood through a small tube in his groin
and separated blood cells from the plasma.The blood cells
were returned to his body immediately while the plasma was
treated and then returned. “They could only do the treatment
every other day, and the doctors told us we would be able to
see noticeable improvement after four treatments,” Carrie said.
“The morning after the fourth treatment he was able to move
his legs and squeeze my hand; it was a miracle.”
Despite Corey’s improvement, his family was worried
they were going to have to travel to another city for further
treatment and rehabilitation. “The team of critical care doctors
fought for us to stay here. It was wonderful to be able to stay
close to the whole family. We were incredibly thankful that we
could receive treatment at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
and at the Rehabilitation Center,” Carrie said.
Corey improved after each plasmapheresis treatment
and completed seven treatments before he was released from
Left:The entire Wright family traveled from Morristown to visit with
the big brother of the family during his stay at Children’s Hospital.
Right:The Wright family, from left: Sidnee (10), dad Shane holding
Gracee (1), Peyton (12), Hansen (2), Corey (13), mom Carrie and
Presley (5). Credit: family photo by Vicky Bacon.
4

5. Pediatric physiatrist Dr. Nadine Trainer has more than 25 years
of experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As Medical
Director for Children’s Hospital’s rehabilitation services, she provides
clinical oversight of outpatient, inpatient and Home Health Care
rehabilitation services.
Physiatry focuses on treating all aspects of a child’s development
and establishing a treatment plan that incorporates physical,
occupational and speech therapy goals. Patients often have a
developmental disability, problems with fine or oral motor skills,
or complaints of muscular pain or discomfort.
Children today increasingly survive chronic and acute illnesses,
leading to a growing population of children who need the unique
elements of physiatry care. Along with providing inpatient
consultation, assessment and care planning services, Dr.Trainer
manages a seating/wheelchair clinic, working with specialists in
physical therapy and medical equipment to design individual
plans for wheelchairs, bath chairs and other devices to improve
independence and function.
Dr.Trainer also manages the Children’s Hospital developmental
follow-up clinic which monitors the health and development of
children birth to two years old at high risk for developmental delays.
In addition, she admits and supervises the care of patients in
Children’s Corner, an intensive day treatment program.
Rehabilitation staff members treat 50-75 patients each weekday
at the outpatient Rehab Center located in West Knoxville and see all
Children’s Hospital inpatients who need rehab care. Evaluation and
treatment services are child and family-focused, multidisciplinary and
comprehensive.
Physical therapy focuses on development of skills needed to
functionally move in the environment, such as walking or using a
wheelchair.The Rehab Center’s therapeutic pool offers a setting for
practicing physical therapy skills through aquatic rehabilitation.
Physical therapists also cast custom shoe inserts and fabricate splints
to assist in reaching therapy goals.They play an important role in the
Healthy Ways and Rx: Fitness programs, as well as rheumatology,
cystic fibrosis and hematology/oncology clinics.
Occupational therapists focus on fine motor skills and
improving a child’s daily living activities through therapy. Services
are provided in therapy rooms, the pool and the sensory integration
room, which is equipped with specialized equipment to help children
process sensory input.
Speech therapy services include oral motor development and
feeding, development of receptive and expressive communication
skills and access to technology that assists a patient during therapy.
Speech therapy sessions also may be held in the pool to improve a
child’s breath capacity, vocalization and volume. Speech therapists
participate in the cleft lip and palate clinic and work with radiology
staff to perform modified barium swallow studies.
Social workers address family needs, including resource
coordination, education, behavior management, interpretive services
and advocacy. Social workers work with families to help them access
public school services required for achievement of educational goals.
Good nutrition is critical to health and development.
Nutrition services are an integral aspect of rehab services and
support occupational, physical and speech therapy goals.
Nursing services are key to Children’s Corner. Patients receive
at least three hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy
daily, interwoven with nursing, nutrition, social work, educational
and developmental play services.
by Hayley Martin,Public Relations Specialist
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Age: 13
School and grade: Upcoming eighth grader at Lincoln Heights Middle School in Morristown, Tenn.
Fun fact: He is the older brother to five brothers & sistersPersonality traits: Smart, quiet, dependable, loyalFavorite color: Green
Favorite food: Lasagna
Favorite movie: Avatar
Favorite TV show: Wrestling
Favorite school subject: Science
What I do for fun: Play basketball with friendsWhat I want to be when I grow up: Neurologist
5

6. his teeth and dress himself for school. “I didn’t realize what an
occupational therapist did, but it was fascinating. She worked
with him on his handwriting, schoolwork and even taught him
how to transfer money from one container to another. She also
had him work with play dough to strengthen the palms of his
hands,” Carrie said.
Since Corey relied on a breathing tube while in the
hospital, his voice was very weak. A speech therapist worked
with Corey on many exercises that required him to project
his voice. During the hardest projection exercise, Corey sat
on one side of a closed door and the speech therapist sat on
the other. Corey had to speak loud enough so that he and the
therapist could have a conversation through the closed door.
The therapist also had him do breathing exercises like blowing
bubbles and blowing a whistle to strengthen his lungs. Corey
excelled in speech therapy and soon his voice was as strong as
it was before he became sick.
Corey was released from intensive rehabilitation therapy
the day before Thanksgiving. “God really performed a miracle
when he healed Corey so quickly. We were prepared to
continue treatment and therapy for a year, and he was healed
within a month,” Carrie said. “We only notice every now and
then that the right side is still a little weaker. We are so grateful
that Corey is healthy and happy,” Carrie said.
by Hayley Martin, Public Relations Specialist
Corey
Children’s Hospital.Transverse myelitis usually does not
reoccur in patients, and Dr. Gammeltoft firmly believed Corey
would not have a relapse. “By the time I left the hospital, I
was able to walk a little bit and my tolerance level was up,”
Corey said. Corey required three types of rehabilitation therapy,
and the Children’s Corner program at Children’s Hospital
Rehabilitation Center was able to meet all his medical needs.
Corey’s first day of intensive therapy at Children’s Corner
was on November 15, 2010, almost exactly a month since he
was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. Corey worked with
a physical therapist several times a day to build his strength.
“The physical therapist made it fun. My favorite thing was
strength training in the pool. I swam laps, played games and
even lifted water weights.They were hard at first, but as I
got my strength back they became easier,” Corey said. He
also played basketball, walked on the treadmill, played Wii
games and walked outside for terrain training. Each exercise
was designed specifically for Corey to build his strength and
endurance.
His physical therapist also worked to strengthen Corey’s
right side, which was considerably weaker than his left and
affected the way he walked. “I told my physical therapist that
I wanted to be able to run again, and on the last day of my
training I was able to run down the hall,” Corey said.
The teenager also worked with an occupational therapist
to help him learn how to do everyday activities again like brush
Top left: Corey with one of
his neurologists, Dr. Anna
Kosentka.
Top, middle: Corey with some
of the pediatric intensive
care unit staff before he was
discharged.
Top, right: Corey enjoyed
some time with his sister,
Sidnee, and brother, Peyton,
while at Children’s Hospital.
Bottom, left: Corey washed his hands
with his occupational therapist,
Stephanie, as part of his therapy to
regain strength in his hands.
Bottom, right: Corey engaged in
some Xbox therapy during his
hospitalization.
6

7. Leading The Way
“Have you washed your hands?”
This is a question being asked with greater frequency
these days at Children’s Hospital. Last fall, Children’s
Hospital employees participated in a hand hygiene survey
that highlighted the impact our employees’ attention to good
hand washing and alcohol hand cleaning has on the safety of
patients and their families, hospital visitors and coworkers.
The survey showed that our employees already do a great
job of hand washing and believe it is important to educate
patients, families and visitors on good hand hygiene. Of
course, however, there is always room for improvement.
Darci Hodge, R.N., Director of Infection
Control, said creating greater awareness of hand
hygiene among patients, families and visitors is
an ongoing effort at Children’s Hospital. Some
examples:
• Signage in all patient rooms requesting
the sink area remain clear of personal
items and patient equipment.This allows
easy access to the sink area for hand
washing.
• A patient and family hand hygiene
education program in Children’s Corner
at the Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation
Center.
• Expanded availability of alcohol-based hand cleaning
products throughout all buildings on the hospital’s
campus, including at all elevators.
• Multi-level support so employees feel more comfortable
in politely asking others to wash hands. According to
the handwashing survey, Children’s Hospital employees
do not mind being asked to wash hands; however, some
staff members are uncomfortable asking others to wash
their hands.
To continue improving good hand hygiene at Children’s
Hospital, a new program will be available to employees this
fall. Staff will have the opportunity to answer questions about
their personal hand hygiene, then choose three
goals to work toward based on the results.The
program will provide tips on how to accomplish
these goals, with a reassessment after 30 days.
Children’s Hospital recognizes the impact
hand hygiene has on safety and encourages
employees, patients, families and visitors to
continue to pay special attention to good hand
hygiene. Keeping everyone safe and healthy is
in your hands.
by Megan Helvey, student intern
Children’s Hospital’s vision statement is “Leading the Way to Healthy Children.” In this series in It’s About Children, we are
sharing with our readers some of the many ways we are “Leading the Way.” Outstanding practices by Children’s Hospital departments
are highlighted – things that are, although quite commonplace at our pediatric medical center, actually rather unique.This series
showcases the exceptional work done at Children’s Hospital and demonstrates how the hospital is a great place to work.
Hand hygiene an important focus at Children’s Hospital
7

8. Subspecialist Profile:
Susan Spiller, M.D.
A college course in the genetics of cancer and
a desire to help people led Susan Spiller, M.D.,
into the field of pediatric hematology/oncology,
while a love for the mountains brought her to East
Tennessee and Children’s Hospital. In June, Dr.
Spiller joined the pediatric hematology/oncology
practice of Ray Pais, M.D.; Shahid Malik, M.D.; and
John Stephen Corns, D.O.; at Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Spiller was drawn to pediatric hematology
because she felt there was a tremendous need in the
field to help these very sick young patients. Unlike
adult oncology, however, the majority of children
with cancer are long-term survivors. She also liked
the aspect of being able to work with parents.
“Parents are advocates on your side,”she said.“Even if a patient doesn’t
want to do what you are asking, you have a cheerleader at home on your
side”– the parents who want their child to be cured.
Dr. Spiller grew up in the mountains and hills of upstate New
York and loves that area of the country. But much of her family is in
the South, so that drew her to this region.When she met with the
hematology/oncology practice here, she was impressed with how
happy everyone seemed.“I want to raise my children where people are
happy, where I can have job satisfaction, and where we can go to the
mountains whenever we want to,”she said.
Diagnoses for patients referred to a pediatric hematologist/
oncologist include all types of cancers and blood problems, such as
neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and sickle cell
disease. Some patients’needs involve making a diagnosis and providing
education, while others require significant care. Children with sickle
cell disease, for example, require ongoing health maintenance to prevent
such serious complications as infections and strokes. Most cancer
patients require treatment and long-term follow-up evaluations.
The most common types of cancer in children are leukemias,
lymphomas, brain tumors and other solid tumors, rather than common
adult cancers of the lung, breast, prostate and colon.Treatment for
cancer has improved in recent years due in large part
to cooperative groups working together to share
information and ideas for making treatments more
effective and less toxic. Additionally, better imaging
techniques using CT, MRI and PET scans enable more
precise staging and earlier detection of recurrence. New
cancer drugs are being developed every day that target
cancer cells and spare normal tissue, yielding better
success rates. Better antibiotics to fight risky infections
and improve prevention in individuals with decreased
immunity due to chemotherapy, and safe, available
blood for transfusions are also helping to improve
cancer care.
The flip side of improved care is the challenge
of telling parents their child has cancer.“It’s always difficult because
it’s devastating to the parents, whether the cancer is treatable or not,”
Dr. Spiller said.“I work hard to provide parents with really good
information so they understand their child’s diagnosis and know
what to worry about as well as what they don’t have to worry about.”
Dr. Spiller is particularly interested in brain tumors.“I have done
a lot of research in brain tumors, which has helped me to understand
the unique challenges that face this population of patients,”she said.
“I like to think this helps me anticipate potential problems that can be
prevented or prepare families if prevention isn’t possible.”
The pediatric hematology/oncology group at Children’s Hospital
is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).This
organization of more than 200 member institutions worldwide
conducts clinical trials and performs research to identify cancer
causes and pioneer treatments and cures. Because of this affiliation,
Children’s is able to offer the same treatment regimens as other
Children’s Oncology Group institutions for most types of childhood
cancer. Among the more well-known of the COG member institutions
are Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City;
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; and St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital in Memphis.
B.S. (Molecular Genetics) – University of Rochester, Rochester,
N.Y., 1988
M.D. – Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y., 1995
Internship (Pediatrics) – Brooke Army Medical Center,
San Antonio, Texas, 1995-96
Residency (Pediatrics) – Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical
Center, Hershey, Pa., 1999-2001
Fellowship (Pediatric Hematology/Oncology) – Children’s
Hospital and Regional Medical Center/University of Washington/
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Wash.,
2001-04
About Dr. Spiller
Other – United States Navy, Medical Corps, 1996-99; clinical/
research junior faculty position, Children’s Hospital and Regional
Medical Center/University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Wash., 2004-06; assistant
professor of pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital at University of
Alabama, Birmingham, 2006-11
Family – Husband, Richard Spiller; four children: Brennan (8),
Jalen (6), Molly (4) and Megan (2)
Personal interests – Hiking, biking, running, baking, spending
time with family
8

9. What’s New at
Neonatologist Buchheit joins Board of Directors
As Chief of the Medical Staff for Children’s Hospital in 2009 and
2010, John Buchheit, M.D., had a seat at the table with the hospital’s
Board of Directors. Once his two-year term as Chief of Staff ended, he
took a six-month “break”and now returns to the Board of Directors as a
regular member.
Dr. Buchheit is a neonatologist and has been director of the
Neonatology Department at Children’s Hospital for the past eight years.
“Sixteen years ago I was taken in by a wonderful group of neonatologists
and nurses,”he said.“They have loved me, mentored me and been very
supportive. I appreciate them all for this – it’s a great place to work!”
During his two years on the Board of Directors as Chief of Staff,
Dr. Buchheit was deeply involved in quality initiatives, and he hopes to
continue this important work. He also is involved in strategic planning.
“We are completing a cycle of work as we look to the future of what
Children’s Hospital needs to be for Knoxville and the entire region of
East Tennessee,”he said.“We have a lot to offer.”
He pointed out that the NICU receives and cares for babies from
throughout East Tennessee. More than half of the NICU’s admissions
are for babies born at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, which
has a major perinatal program that works closely with the Children’s
Hospital neonatologists. However, many of the mothers giving birth
at Fort Sanders are from areas outside of Knox County who are being
treated at Fort Sanders due to pregnancy complications or expected
birth complications.The NICU also sees admissions of babies born
at hospitals throughout the region, who are transported to Children’s
Hospital via the Lifeline Neonatal Transport Service.
Dr. Buchheit brings unique expertise to the Board as a physician
who practices here on a daily basis. He knows the hospital’s culture
well.“The medical staff and everyone are so positive,”he said.“We’re all
working toward the same goal.We may be trying to do different things
in our different roles, but it works because we are all headed in the same
direction to provide the best care we can to our patients.”
Dr. Buchheit’s first real experience with neonatal intensive care
came as a parent, although not at this hospital.While he was in
fellowship training in Louisville, Ky., to become a neonatologist, his
newborn son Quincy was hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care
unit there.“It had a big impact on me and on my wife,”Dr. Buchheit
said.“We both learned a great deal about how to be supportive during
the difficult times we go through here.”Besides that one experience,
the Buchheits are thankful to have only needed Children’s Hospital for
minor and routine care for their children over the years.
Originally from Jamestown,Tenn., and a 1984 graduate of the
University of Tennessee, Dr. Buchheit completed medical school at
the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1988 before moving to
Louisville, where he completed his pediatrics residency and
neonatology fellowship at the University of Louisville School of
Medicine over the next six years. He was pleased to be able to return
to his native East Tennessee once he completed fellowship training.
Dr. Buchheit and his wife, Sabra, are the parents of Quincy, now
18, and Rachel, 14. Both Quincy and Rachel served this summer at
Children’s Hospital in the Volun“Teens”program.The family is active
with their church, where Mrs. Buchheit, a musician, is an organist and
pianist, while Dr. Buchheit sings in the choir. Dr. Buchheit has also
been involved in the community through such organizations as the
March of Dimes (he previously served on its board) and Boy Scouts
(he served as a den leader for a few years when Quincy was younger).
These days, other than church activities, Dr. Buchheit is focused on
parenting his two teenagers and caring for this region’s premature and
sick newborns.“The NICU is busy and time-consuming, so I choose
my outside activities carefully,”he said.
One of the issues keeping Dr. Buchheit and his colleagues so busy
in the NICU is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), which is the
term used to describe the health issues addicted babies experience after
they are born. In the past year alone, the Children’s Hospital NICU has
seen about 70 infants admitted for drug withdrawal (around 600 infants
are treated in the NICU each year), and the neonatal team has cared for
many other babies in the nurseries at Fort Sanders Regional Medical
Center and Parkwest Medical Center whose symptoms were not severe
enough to warrant NICU admission. Dr. Buchheit and his colleagues
believe this problem has become epidemic in East Tennessee.
“We are pleased that John has agreed to return to the Board of
Directors,”said Keith Goodwin, Children’s Hospital President/CEO.
“His love for Children’s Hospital is evident in his many years of
dedicated service here. He was a valuable asset to the board during
his tenure as Chief of Staff, and I know he will continue to contribute
greatly to the board in the coming years.”
Quincy, Sabra, John and Rachel Buchheit (left to right)
9

10. What’s New at
Go online as you get ready
for ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’
Preparations for the 2011 Fantasy of Trees are well underway,
and an exciting change for this year’s event is a new event website –
www.fantasyoftrees.org!
Children’s Hospital worked with In10sity Interactive-Advertising-
Consulting of Lenoir City to develop the new Fantasy of Trees
“microsite”to spread the word about Fantasy of Trees. In time for the
planning of this year’s holiday show, this microsite features a festive
design that is all about the holidays, as well as a clearer way to find
important information about the annual Thanksgiving-week event for
Children’s Hospital.We hope you will check it out to get answers to
any questions you have about Fantasy of Trees.
In 2011, this special holiday event will showcase a theme of “Rockin’
Around the Christmas Tree,”highlighted with nostalgic decorations and
designs that celebrate and showcase the simple pleasures of the holidays
from the 1950s, complete with classic cars, a kaleidoscope of colors
reflecting on silver trees and the many sights, colors and sounds of a
vintage holiday celebration.The proceeds from this year’s Fantasy of Trees
are financing a wide variety of purchases and projects for the Radiology
and Pharmacy Departments and the Lifeline Transport Service.The 2011
Co-Chairs are Todd Heptinstall and Genia Jackson, and the Assistant
Co-Chair is Janice Davis.
Last year, the 26th
annual Fantasy of Trees was once again an East
Tennessee holiday tradition – it raised $351,405, the second highest total
ever for this event. Over the past 26 years, the Fantasy of Trees has raised
more than $5.7 million for Children’s Hospital.
For more information on how to volunteer for the 2011 Fantasy
of Trees or to be a sponsor, visit www.fantasyoftrees.org, contact the
Children’s Hospital Volunteer Services Department at (865) 541-8385
or email fot@etch.com.
10

11. What’s New at
Information Services prepares for Electronic Medical Record
One of Children’s Hospital’s strategic initiatives is the
establishment of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for patient
information over the next two years. All documentation will become
automated in patient care departments throughout the hospital,
Children’s Home Health Care and the Children’s Hospital
Rehabilitation Center. Children’s Hospital will also electronically
connect with its medical staff as well as to other health care
institutions in the East Tennessee region and, eventually, across the
state. This will help provide necessary health information as quickly
as possible for the patients that Children’s Hospital serves.
For the past year, the Information Services (IS) Department at
Children’s Hospital has been replacing all necessary hardware to
transition to the newest software. Over the next two years, IS will
finish integrating other systems to the new software to give medical
staff and families access to appropriate medical information from off
campus.To achieve these goals, Children’s Hospital has hired a Chief
Information Officer (CIO) to manage the complex new system.
John Hanks was named Co-Director/CIO for IS at Children’s
Hospital in May. In his position, Hanks will be responsible for
strategic IS planning, Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
and physician documentation, budget development for the EMR, and
serve as representative with the Health Information Network for East
Tennessee. He also will be
responsible for meeting the
requirements for Meaningful
Use of the hospital’s Electronic
Medical Record over the next
several years and for obtaining
federal reimbursement of several
million dollars for Children’s
Hospital. An East Tennessee
native, Hanks served in a
similar role at Blount Memorial
Hospital for 12 years and
has more than 25 years of
experience in Information
Systems management.
The current Director of Information Systems, Barbara Wilson,
will continue her director role as Co-Director of Information
Services with the responsibility of focusing on department
operations, planning and coordinating schedules, infrastructure/
network, and information access and security.
byTaylor Griffin, student intern
Regional officials certified in child passenger safety
• City of Oak Ridge
Fire Department
• Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
• Soddy Daisy Police
Department
• Tennessee Highway Patrol
• University ofTennessee Medical Center
In addition, City of Oak Ridge Firefighter Eric Rackard
participated as a course assistant in preparation of becoming a
National Child Passenger Safety Certification instructor. Once
Firefighter Rackard completes the requirements, he will be the
first firefighter in our area to become an instructor.
In coordination with the National Child Passenger Safety
Certification training, State Farm held its 11th
annual Child
Safety Day on June 16 at Oak Ridge High School. State Farm
agent Rudy Miller provided support for a State Farm grant
that helped pay for the weeklong course. Miller gave out State
Farm bears, prizes and safety information to those attending the
checkpoint.The newly certified car passenger safety technicians
provided free inspections of child safety seats and addressed
common mistakes on proper child safety restraints.
For more information on upcoming car seat checkpoints,
visit http://www.etch.com/safe_kids/ car_seat_check_points.aspx.
by Megan Helvey,student intern
On June 13-16, Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area
sponsored National Child Passenger Safety Certification
training at Oak Ridge High School.The City of Oak Ridge
Fire Department hosted the 32-hour training program to
educate individuals who want to become certified child
passenger safety technicians. An eight-hour recertification
course took place June 17.
The training course focused on hands-on practice and
group discussion on topics such as relevant federal and state
passenger safety programs, correct installation of child restraints,
organizing and coordinating a child seat checkup event, and
ethical considerations related to child passenger safety.
Written and performance examinations were required to
become a nationally certified child passenger safety technician.
In total, 24 participants represented these regional
organizations:
• Campbell County Schools
• Claxton Volunteer Fire Department
• City of Clinton Fire Department
• City of Harriman Fire Department
• Knox County Sheriff’s Office
• City of Knoxville Fire Department
• Lisa Ross Women’s & Birthing Center
• Marlow Volunteer Fire Department
• City of Maynardville Police Department
• City of Pigeon Forge Fire Department 11

12. Please let us know if you have included Children’s Hospital in your estate plans
or if you are interested in doing so. We wish to honor those individuals who have
included Children’s Hospital as a beneficiary in their will or who have established
life income gifts such as charitable gift annuities or charitable trusts that will
benefit Children’s Hospital. For more information on estate planning, please
contact Carlton Long, Vice President for Development and Community Services,
at (865) 541-8172 or at cmlong@etch.com.
SIX QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WILL
Use this checklist to make sure your last will and testament is current.
Is My Will Valid?
Laws differ from state to state. Have you moved since you last updated your will?
It makes sense to review your current will or draft a new one.
Is My Will Up To Date?
An out-of-date will actually causes more problems for your loved ones than not
having a will at all.Tax laws change and the size of your assets may have changed
as well. Updating your will allows you to take advantage of recent tax
developments and the new techniques in estate planning.
Is My Will Safely Stored?
Where do you keep the original copy of your will? This valuable document
should be kept in a bank safety deposit box or some other location
where it is protected from fire and theft.
Does My Will Represent My Wishes?
Your family situation may have changed since you created your will.
Perhaps your estate has grown beyond your earlier estimates.
You might have changed your mind about earlier bequests.
Does My Representative Know
Where I Store My Will?
Be sure that after you select a safe place to store your will, you tell
your personal representative where to find your will, as well as a
list of your personal accounts, assets and instructions.
Have I Included Children’s Hospital
In My Estate Plans?
If you update your will, we hope you will consider adding a
bequest to Children’s Hospital.This is a wonderful way to create
a lasting legacy, as well as to ensure that Children’s Hospital
will be able to continue to fulfill its mission to provide
quality health care to the children of East Tennessee.
Planned giving
Have you included Children’s Hospital in your estate plans?
12

13. Butterfly Fund 5K
The second annual Butterfly Fund 5K is set for Saturday, August
20 at Cherokee Boulevard in Sequoyah Hills at 9 a.m. Proceeds
benefit the Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic to
assist with services for families and children dealing with childhood
cancer.The Butterfly Fund was established after two young Children’s
Hospital patients, Emily Barger and Maddie Harrill, were diagnosed
with a rare form of pediatric cancer in 2007 and died within three
weeks of each other during the summer of 2008.The fund raises
support and awareness for pediatric cancer research, treatment and
services.Title Sponsor for the event is Brogan Financial Inc. For
details, contact the Development Department at (865) 541-8441.
Bluegrass Festival
The 2011 Bluegrass Festival is set for Saturday, September 10,
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church in
Farragut. Food and crafts vendors will be set up, and live music will
be featured. Proceeds will benefit the Open Door Fund, which allows
Children’s Hospital to provide quality care for children in families
with financial limitations. For more information, contact Judy Perkins
at (865) 966-9040.
CureSearch Walk
The Knoxville CureSearch Walk is Saturday, September 17, at
Volunteer Landing. CureSearch for Children’s Cancer is a non-profit
organization that funds the efforts of the Children’s Oncology Group,
the world’s largest children’s cancer research organization, and is
available to Children’s Hospital’s pediatric oncologists through grant
funding.To register, go to www. Curesearchwalk.org.
Phonathon
Children’s Hospital’s 20th
annual Phonathon will take place
September 15 through October 28. Previous donors will be asked to
consider renewing their pledges for 2012. Last year, the Phonathon
raised more than $70,000 with the help of businesses, professional
organizations and University of Tennessee student groups who
donated their time to call donors.To volunteer to make calls, call
the Development Department at (865) 541-8441.
Articles byTaylor Griffin, student intern
Calendar of Events
In the early 1980s, a few years after
the Haslam Family Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU) opened, Children’s
Hospital added an important service
to transport premature babies from
hospitals in surrounding areas.This
service consisted of a transport team
and one ambulance called Lifeline.
Now, nearly 30 years later, the Children’s
Hospital transport service has multiple
dedicated neonatal and pediatric teams
available 24/7 and two Lifeline ambulances,
including a new highly advanced, custom-
made neonatal/pediatric transport
ambulance acquired just a few months ago.
Funded by a generous donation from this area’s 24 Walmart
and Sam’s Clubs, the new Lifeline ambulance cost $250,000.The
inside of the RV-sized ambulance is equipped like an intensive care
unit. Because of its size, the new Lifeline ambulance can bring more
of a child’s family members on the transport. It can also fit up to
two transport teams (made up of nurses, neonatologists, nurse
practitioners and respiratory therapists) when transporting more
than one child. Enough supplies are on the ambulance that any size
patient, from a premature infant to a 21-year-old, can be cared for
upon transfer to Children’s Hospital.
“Parents have told me many times how thankful they are that
their child can be transferred to the hospital in such a high-tech
ambulance,” said Greg Bohanan, Children’s Hospital’s Lead
Transport Tech responsible for
upkeep of the ambulance and
driving it on transport calls.
“Having an ICU room on wheels
is critical and can even make the
difference between life
and death.”
The new Lifeline
ambulance is as high tech on
the inside as it is visually
appealing on the outside.
Another important aspect of
the new ambulance is the fact that it goes on
over 365 calls each year, an average of more than one transport per
day. A transport run made by the Lifeline ambulance may last up
to four hours each way, while a typical ambulance only goes on a
20-minute run. Each year, transport teams travel about 40,000 miles
to 25-30 hospitals within a 100-mile radius of Children’s Hospital.
“Lifeline is an invaluable resource for East Tennessee. It gives
quick access to Children’s Hospital for the region’s most fragile
patients,” said Sheri Smith, R.N., Nursing Director for Critical
Care Services at Children’s Hospital. “As the only Comprehensive
Regional Pediatric Center in East Tennessee, it is our role to make
sure these children receive the best possible pediatric care.”
Special thanks goes to Walmart and Sam’s Clubs, which raised
the money for Lifeline through employee fundraising, community
events and the sale of paper balloons at store locations.
Custom-made Lifeline added
to Children’s Hospital transport service
13

14. Q&A
As children reach their pre-teen and teenage years, many
become increasingly concerned about their weight and appearance.
This concern is a normal occurrence, but it can sometimes result
in damaging disorders involving crash diets, excessive exercising,
overeating and a distorted perception of the child’s appearance.
Nicole Swain, Psy.D., pediatric psychologist at Children’s
Hospital, discusses children and their evolving body image, and what
parents can do to help.
What can I do to boost my child’s body image and
self-esteem?
At the pre-teen and teenage stage in a child’s life, it is important
for parents to be accepting and supportive, providing positive
messages, and encouraging other qualities that keep looks in
perspective. It is important to:
• Accept and understand. Recognize that being concerned
about looks is as much a part of the teen years as a changing
voice and learning to shave. You know that in the grand
scheme of things, your daughter’s freckles don’t matter, but
to her they might seem like a huge issue. Avoid criticizing
your children for being concerned about appearances. As they
grow, concern will stop dominating their lives.
• Give lots of compliments about looks and personality.
Provide lots of reassurance about children’s looks and about
all their other important qualities - like your son’s generosity
to his younger sibling or the determined way your daughter
studies for her test. As much as they may seem not to notice
or care, simple statements like “you’ve got the most beautiful
smile” or “you are such a hard worker” really do matter.
Compliment them on other physical attributes such as
strength and energy, as well as what’s inside, too.
• Set reasonable boundaries. Be patient, but also set
boundaries on how much time your children can spend
on grooming and dressing.Tell them it’s not OK to
inconvenience others or let chores go. Limits help children
understand how to manage time, be considerate of others’
needs, share resources, exercise a little self-discipline and keep
appearances in perspective.
• Be a good role model. How you talk about your own looks
sets a powerful example. Constantly complaining or fretting
over your appearance teaches children to cast the same critical
eye on themselves. Almost everyone is dissatisfied with certain
elements of their appearance, but talk instead about what your
body can do, not just how it looks.
What is an eating disorder and what are common variations
of eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious clinical problems involving
self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight, and
food and eating habits that disrupt normal body function and daily
activities. While more common among girls, eating disorders can
affect boys, too.They’re so common in the U.S. that one or two out of
every 100 children will struggle with one, most commonly anorexia
or bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an extreme fear of weight
gain and a distorted view of body size and shape. As a result, people
strive to maintain a very low body weight. Some restrict their food
intake by dieting, fasting or excessive exercise.They hardly eat at all
and often try to eat as few calories as possible, frequently obsessing
over food intake.
Bulimia is defined as habitual binge eating and purging.
Someone with bulimia may undergo weight fluctuations, but rarely
experiences the low weight associated with anorexia.This disorder
can involve compulsive exercise or other forms of purging food they
have eaten, such as by self-induced vomiting or laxative use.
Although anorexia and bulimia are very similar, people with
anorexia are usually very thin and underweight while those with
bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight. Binge eating
disorders, food phobia and body image disorders are also becoming
increasingly common in adolescence. Eating disorders require
professional treatment by doctors, therapists and nutritionists.
How can I tell if my child has an eating disorder?
It can be a challenge for parents to tell the difference between
a child’s normal self-image concerns and warning signs of an eating
disorder. Children with eating disorders do show many abnormal
behaviors and physical signs.
A child might be struggling with anorexia if he or she becomes
very thin, frail or emaciated; becomes obsessed with eating, food
and weight control; weighs himself or herself repeatedly; counts or
portions food carefully; only eats certain foods, avoiding foods like
dairy, meat, wheat, etc.; exercises excessively; feels fat; withdraws from
social activities, especially ones involving food; becomes depressed or
lacks energy; and feels cold often.
A child with bulimia will show signs that include fear of
weight gain; intense unhappiness with body size, shape and weight;
making excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals; only
eating diet or low-fat foods (except during binges); regularly buying
laxatives, diuretics or enemas; spending most of his or her time
working out or trying to work off calories; and withdrawing from
social activities, especially ones involving food.
Body image and your child
Q:
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Nicole Swain, Psy.D.
14

15. Upcoming community education classes
CPR Certification Course
Dates: September 12, October 3, November 14, December 5
Time: 6-10 p.m.
This certification course teaches the American Heart Association
chain of survival -- from when to call 911 to how to effectively
administer CPR to an infant, child or adult.This course is designed
for anyone who may be expected to respond to emergencies at
home or in the workplace. Participants must be at least 14 years old.
Following the course, participants will receive an American Heart
Association Heartsaver certification card.This course is $25 per person.
Safe Sitter
Dates: August 27, September 17, October 1, November 12,
December 10
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch is provided)
Safe Sitter is a national organization that teaches young adolescents
safe and nurturing babysitting techniques and the rescue skills
needed to respond appropriately to medical emergencies. Instructors
are certified through Safe Sitter nationally. Participants must be ages
11-14.This course is $25 per person.
Class size is limited, so preregistration is required. All classes are
offered in the Koppel Plaza at Children’s Hospital unless otherwise
noted. For more information, to register for any of these classes or
to receive our free Healthy Kids parenting newsletter, call
(865) 541-8262.
Announcements about upcoming classes can be seen on
WBIR-TV 10 and heard on area radio stations. Or visit our website
at www.etch.com and click on “Health Information.”
Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Kids Campaign, sponsored by
WBIR-TV Channel 10 and Chick-Fil-A, is a community education
initiative of the hospital’s Community Relations Department to help
parents keep their children healthy.
What other disorders are caused by issues with body image?
Other disorders caused by a distorted body image include
compulsive exercise, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and binge
eating disorder.
Compulsive exercise (also called obligatory exercise and anorexia
athletica) is best defined by an exercise addict’s frame of mind: he
or she no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so
and struggles with guilt and anxiety if he or she doesn’t work out.
Exercising takes over a compulsive exerciser’s life because he or
she plans life around it. Although compulsive exercising does not
have to accompany an eating disorder, the two often go hand in
hand. Because exercising too much is bad for a person’s health, it is
important to be sure your child is not suffering from an addiction
to exercise. Some warning signs of compulsive exercise include
not skipping a workout even if injured or sick; seeming anxious or
guilty when missing even one workout; constant preoccupation with
exercise routine or weight; significant weight loss; skipping activities
with friends or responsibilities to make more time for exercise; and
basing self-worth on the number of workouts completed and the
effort put into training.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition that involves
obsessions, which are distressing thoughts that repeatedly intrude
into a person’s awareness. With BDD, the distressing thoughts are
about appearance flaws. BDD is often called “imagined ugliness,”
because the appearance flaws usually are so small that others consider
them minor or don’t even notice them. A person with BDD fixates
on these imperfections, and the obsessive thoughts distort and
magnify the flaw. Because of this, a person with BDD may feel as
though he or she is too horribly ugly or disfigured to be seen. A teen
with BDD may avoid going to school, quit a part-time job or just
stay home all the time. BDD can lead to depression, and in severe
cases suicidal thoughts, if left untreated.
Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by a person having a
loss of control over how much food he or she is eating, feeling unable
to stop. People with this disorder binge frequently—at least twice a
week for several months. At first, food may provide feelings of calm
or comfort, but later it can be the focus of strong guilt and distress.
Most binge eating occurs while a person is alone. While most people
with other eating disorders (like anorexia and bulimia) are female,
an estimated third of those with a binge eating disorder are male.
Signs of a binge eating disorder include a child eating a lot of food
quickly; eating during emotional stress; feeling ashamed by the
amount of food eaten; finding food containers in a child’s room;
and an increasingly irregular eating pattern.
How do I approach my child if I think he/she has an
eating disorder?
If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, it is important
to intervene and help your child get diagnosed and treated. Children
with eating disorders often react defensively and angrily when
confronted for the first time. Many have trouble admitting, even to
themselves, that they have a problem.
Trying to help when someone doesn’t think he or she needs
it can be hard. As hard as it might be, getting the professional
assistance needed, even if your child resists, is the best help you can
give as a parent. Approach your child in a loving, supportive and
non-threatening way when your child feels comfortable and relaxed
and there are no distractions.
Your child may be more receptive to a conversation if you focus
on your own concerns, and use “I” statements, rather than “you”
statements. For example, steer clear of statements like “you have an
eating disorder” or “you are obsessed with food,” which may only
prompt anger and denial. Instead, try “I imagine that it’s very stressful
to count calories of everything you eat” or “I’m worried that you have
lost so much weight so quickly.” Cite specific things your child has
said or done that have made you worry and explain that you want
your child to see a doctor to put your own mind at ease. If you still
encounter resistance, talk with your doctor or a mental health care
professional about other approaches.
Compiled by Taylor Griffin, student intern
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15

16. 2018ClinchAve.•P.O.Box15010
Knoxville,Tennessee37901-5010
Wealwaystrytostaycurrentwithfriendsofthehospital.
Ifforanyreasonyoushouldreceiveaduplicateissueor
needtoupdateyouraddress,pleasenotifythehospitalat
(865)541-8257orwhames@etch.com
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT433
KNOXVILLE,TN
ecause children are in and around water for fun and exercise
throughout the summer months, Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids of the
Greater Knox Area, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Knoxville Pediatric
Associates and Kohl’s Department Stores teamed up again this year
to make sure children and parents were aware of the precautions
that need to be taken to make sure that what begins as summer fun
doesn’t become a drowning statistic.
An informational campaign relating “You Can’t Ever Take
A Vacation From Water Safety” highlighted tips for families on
staying safe in pools, lakes and other bodies of water. The campaign
concluded with the 5th
annual Water Safety Day at Dollywood’s
Splash Country on June 8. This year’s event featured interactive water
safety education stations located throughout the water park. More
than 300 children received “Splash Passes,” which they presented at
every station, and volunteers working with Children’s Hospital, Safe
Kids, the American Red Cross and Pigeon Forge Fire and Police
Departments asked children to answer water safety questions. After
visiting each site, participants redeemed “Splash Passes” for prizes.
The event at Splash Country began with Tennessee State Senator
Doug Overbey presenting a proclamation from Governor Bill Haslam
declaring June 8, 2011, as Water Safety Day in Tennessee. Also
featured during the special safety event was a rescue demonstration by
the water park’s award-winning lifeguards, information on how to be
prepared in a water-related emergency and other water safety tips.
Look for details in spring 2012 on www.etch.com about the 6th
annual Water Safety Day from Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids of the
Greater Knox Area and Dollywood’s Splash Country.
B
5th
annual
water safety day
makes a
splash!