Bike to School

We're huge fans of cycling as a method of transportation and entertainment at TMC for Children. Cycling is a great way to get out and about and experience Tucson and we have a growing network of bike routes in Tucson and an active community advocating for safe bicycle transportation.

We love watching the kids on their bikes making their way to school with helmets on, wearing bright colors and following the rules of the road. The rules of the road apply to cyclists too.

 Does your child have a helmet? Does it fit right?  If not, we can help. The Desert Kids Program provides bike helmets that meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for free. In Tucson and Pima County it is actually a requirement for those under 18 to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling.  This video shares quickly how to check that a helmet fits right. Remember these three rules
1. Eyes - Does the helmet rest two finger width above the eyes
2. Ears - The y-straps should fit right below the ear and not be twisted
3. Mouth - Chin strap should be snug, but child can still open mouth in a yawn.

Back to school and bike to school safely.

Voices of Health - Girls on the Run

We're thrilled to share that we're a Aetna Voices of Health Program" local winner in the Aetna Voices of Health Program and one of 35 organizations in the whole country competing for the national award. It is as the lead organization for the Girls on the Run Tucson program that we are competing for this honor. Please watch and vote for us.

Voices of Health - Girls on the Run

We're thrilled to share that we're a Aetna Voices of Health Program" local winner in the Aetna Voices of Health Program and one of 35 organizations in the whole country competing for the national award. It is as the lead organization for the Girls on the Run Tucson program that we are competing for this honor. Please watch and vote for us.

Miracles do Happen

Brandon Smalling was born extremely premature, weighed 1.5 pounds and spent the first three months of his life in Tucson Medical Center. Two weeks prior to his original due date, Brandon was sent home, but his visits to the hospital didn’t end.

Additional complications led to eye surgery, and Brandon donned his first pair of glasses at just six months old. At two years, Brandon developed sleep apnea and would stop breathing throughout the night, but surgery helped and improved other speech problems. Continued physical, occupational and speech therapy were instrumental over the next few years to ensure that complications related to his birth and subsequent health problems wouldn’t hinder his future.

Today Brandon is a thriving, energetic 15-year-old who this year is beginning his Freshman year of High School.  He will be attending Tanque Verde High School.  2009 CMN Champion Child

Taking on Diabetes

At TMC we treat children that are newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or who are dealing with complications. When a child or teenager is diagnosed with diabetes, the entire family faces many challenges. The interdisciplinary Diabetes Team provides individualized care and attention and includes pediatric endocrinologists, diabetes educators, intensivists, hospitalists, nurses and dieticians who are here to help families cope with all of the questions, concerns and transitions related to diabetes.

Our goal is to help children and teenagers with diabetes feel healthy. We would like them to see themselves as a person first, and as a person with diabetes second. 


As you listen to and read Brody's and Dylan's stories please take a moment to think about them as children, in Dylan's case a teenager, not as patients. We can help make their challenges less so that diabetes does not win, to support them as they meet the challenges that living with diabetes presents. How? We can help by supporting them as they go through challenges by making their experience as pleasant as possible, and by supporting research for a cure. 


Brody:

Dylan is 15 years old, and is a sophomore at Santa Rita High School. In 2009 Dylan was brought to TMC’s Pediatric Emergency Department complaining that he wasn’t feeling well, Dylan has diabetes. Dylan was experiencing complications from a simple cold and fell into a coma. He experienced multiple strokes and damage to his brain stem. Dylan spent a month in TMC’s Pediatric ICU and was in a coma for 2.5 weeks of that month. 



He was released to rehabilitation after a month and today he continues to receive therapy learning to walk and talk again. 

JC - Always a Champion

JC Boyd captures your heart and challenges each of us to reach what sometimes seems unobtainable. Simply, he is an inspiration. 

Though he came into the world 10 weeks early, J.C. Boyd of Tucson, seemed in good health when he went home from the hospital.  His parents didn’t notice anything unusual until J.C. was about six months old and hadn’t started rolling over.  By nine months, he still wasn’t rolling over, so his parents took him to Tucson Medical Center for evaluation.  There they learned J.C. had cerebral palsy.

Although his condition affects him physically, mostly on the left side, J.C. is persistent in facing challenges and doesn’t give up.  At a young age, he set goals for himself to be able to walk, swim, ride a bike, play catch and hit a soccer ball.  He has accomplished every single one.

For the past 12 years, J.C. has been joined in his fight with cerebral palsy by his second family, the staff at TMC’s Pediatric Therapies.  In particular, Charlene Fregosi has been his physical therapist the entire eight years.  His therapy becomes sessions working on the things he wants to achieve.  When its soccer season, Charlene and J.C. work on running and changing directions and for baseball, swinging the bat and staying balanced. 

J.C. is a bright, imaginative young man who knows how to achieve his goals.  He will go far in his life because he knows all about hard work and isn’t afraid of it.  This year he will be a junior at Sabino High School.  He was the 2005 CMN Champion Child

A Family of Miracles

Over the past few days Jennie and Chris of 92.9 The Mountain have stressed how integral Tucson Medical Center and TMC for Children are to our community, and how close the Tucson community is during The Mountain of Miracles Radiothon. Moments like this where Scott, a former TMC NICU baby from 1970 meets Baby Ryan are a particularly magical example of that community.

(L-R Scott, Cheryl, Ryan and Erika)

Forty-one years separate them, they met for the first time yesterday, but they are part of a family of miracles. As Scott shared, both were born via an emergency Cesarean section, both lived in the NICU, both were not expected to survive and yet here they both were.

Scott has kept TMC part of his life. In high school he volunteered here, then worked for Rural Metro, then the Department of Homeland Security and is now back at TMC. We're so pleased to have both Scott and Ryan as part of this family of miracles

Each Child, A Warrior - Nicole's Story

Many, if not all, of the children's stories we hear on the The Mountain of Miracles Radiothon tell of an incredible fighting spirit. Nicole's story as told by her family is the story of a warrior. 

"Nicole is a very sweet, happy, smart, and sociable four year-old who loves her friends, family, and playing hard. The casual observer would never know what a warrior she is.

Before Nicole was even born, we knew she had a tough road ahead of her. When her mom was 19 weeks pregnant, Nicole was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a life-threatening condition that affects roughly 1 in 2500 babies. With this birth defect, the diaphragm fails to close, allowing the stomach and other abdominal organs to crowd the developing lungs. We also knew, though, that Nicole was one tough cookie, and so we named her Nicole, the root of which means to overcome. And that's what she's done. When she was four days old, Nicole had surgery to close her hernia and move her stomach, intestines, spleen, and part of her liver back where they belonged. She was almost three months old when she finally came home from the hospital. Nicole has had several challenges since then. She has severe reflux and Eosinophilic Esophagitis, making eating and swallowing difficult, so she uses a feeding tube while she's learning to eat. She receives therapy services to help her catch up with her speech and other skills. Her biggest challenge these days, however, is her severe scoliosis. After trying to control her worsening curves with a brace for over a year, she finally had to have extendable rods placed in her back. She has further surgery every six to ten months to extend those rods, and will until she's finished growing. Despite all of this, Nicole has a phenomenal attitude and bounces back a little faster every time. She amazes us with her genuinely grateful and fun spirit."

Sharing Brian's Story - "The bigger he could crash, the bigger his laughter."

During the 92.9 The Mountain Mountain of Miracles Radiothon we hear amazing stories of strength, perseverance, hope and finding joy amid adversity. We are honored that the families and children share their stories, they inspire and humble us. 


This is Brian's story as told by his mother Christie:

"Brian was born at Tucson Medical Center (TMC) in 1987, and is quite a celebrity at TMC. The brown eyed happy-go-lucky baby was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Spina Bifida is the number one crippling birth defect, and Hydrocephalus is a secondary condition known as “water on the brain”. Additionally, Brian suffers from another secondary complication known as an Arnold Chiari Type II malformation of the brain stem, where breathing, heart rate, and upper body strength are affected. Due to many complications associated with his conditions, Brian has been through over 27 operations ranging from major brain surgeries, to orthopedic surgeries, to many others. Despite all the surgeries, countless hospital stays, near death experiences, he somehow pulls through every time, amazing everyone around him. Although Brian walked by the age of 3, he eventually became wheel chair bound by the age of 11, and even that did not hold him back. The faster he could go, the bigger he could crash, the bigger his laughter. Brian was lucky to see graduation at Cienega High School in 2006, as he took a turn for the worst after a shunt revision and became dependent on a ventilator and trach. He wasn’t expected to live past his next winter.

Brian has beat many odds thanks to Tucson Medical Center and the care he received from the nurses and doctors from the Nursery ICU, Pediatrics, Pediatrics ICU, and has recently graduated to the Adult ICU. Brian has been followed by many specialties including neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonary specialists, urology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, radiology, children’s rehabilitative services, and let’s not forget the Child Life Specialists who make it possible to make his stays at TMC as comfortable as possible with help to pass the time with the video games, movies, and the play room.

He loves playing tricks on his nurses, and gets the biggest kick out of beating anyone at his favorite WII video game, Mario Sports Mix. In addition, Brian enjoys watching TV, listening to country music, especially KIIM FM, going to the movies, casino slot machines, and visiting with friends and family. Brian has a younger sister Stacy, a younger brother Jason, a younger step sister, Ashley, a younger step brother Devin, and has a pet Yorkie, Max. Watching Brian go through all his struggles and triumphs has been an inspiration to everyone who knows him."


Your donations to the Children's Miracle Network via the Radiothon go directly toward services and equipment that help children here in Tucson and across Southern Arizona.

Art in a Place of Healing

Healing isn't just surgery or medication, it requires more that that, often things that are not as tangible or as obvious. Being in a calm, beautiful as well as functional, and modern environment was an important part of the design of TMC for Children. We've mentioned the artwork on the walls before, amazing pictures by young Tucson artists, fanciful pieces by more seasoned (adult) artists too, grace our walls. The TMC's Children's Miracle Network has been instrumental in creating the place for this art.

More recently, TMC for Children is proud to be the home to nine of the 74 Congressional Art Competition award winners presented in the Congressional District 8 Art Competition, hosted by the staff of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. They are stunning images. A reminder that looking at or creating art is a valid part of the healing process.

2011 marks the 26th anniversary of the Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus. The competition recognizes the creative talents of young high school age Americans

Using the Power of the Hashtag -#TucsonCMN

Here is an incredible opportunity to help local Tucson & Southern Arizona kids by just typing #TucsonCMN. 

This is how it works.

1. Are you or anyone you know on Twitter?  How about the company or group you work for? 

2. On Wednesday (or even before if you using a scheduling program like Hootsuite or Postling) tweet the hashtag #TucsonCMN during the 92.9 The Mountain's Radiothon power hours.  

Power Hours:
12:30pm-2pm

and

4pm-5pm

Just tweet #TucsonCMN. That is it. Of course, you could always say "We love @TMCChild #TucsonCMN"  and that would work too :)

3.  At the end of the power hour we'll add up how many #TucsonCMN hashtags there are and for every #TucsonCMN that appears on Twitter during those power hours a dollar will be donated to the Radiothon. It doesn't cost you money. Just tweet #TucsonCMN. That is it. 

We'd love it if you would share this on Twitter or Facebook or just chit chatting by the water cooler before Wednesday.

Thanks. Let's make this Radiothon the best ever. 

*TucsonCMN stands for Tucson Children's Miracle Network. The Children's Miracle Network and the TMC Foundation are pivotal in financially supporting TMC for Children's mission. 

Bear goes to Surgery - Countdown Day Two

Nobody likes having surgery, but understanding the process helps make the experience a positive one- especialy for children. Whether inpatient surgery or ambulatory (same-day) surgery, children and their parents can tour the hospital to gain an understanding of how things will proceed. If your child requires sedation, surgeons work closely with dedicated pediatric anesthesiologists and a child-life specialist is available too! 

The child-life specialists play an important role in developmentally appropriate terms for your child. They make use of teddy bears and special dolls to explain what will happen. Monies from the Radiothon have gone directly to provide some of the specialized toys that help ease a child's worries about surgery and equipment for pediatric patients. On our website we have instructions and suggestions for parents and children, check them out here. Below are some of the suggestions for a child who is about to have ambulatory surgery:

A Child's Guide to Surgery 

No bears were harmed in this enactment. 

The best way to find out about your surgery is to come visit TMC. You can see the different rooms you'll be in. You can find out what to expect. And you can ask questions.

Even if you can't come visit, you can find out what the day of your surgery will be like. Just keep reading.

Surgery Day

On the day of your surgery, you'll travel to TMC, to Ambulatory Surgery. You're expected to arrive at TMC one hour before your surgery starts.

In the reception area, your parent will sign in for you. Then you'll wait in the reception area while some paperwork gets done. What are you going to do while waiting? Because waiting can be boring, bring something to do. Read or have someone read to you. Color in a coloring book. Play a quiet game, like a card game. Ask your parent to bring an activity bag, or pack one yourself.

When the time is right, you'll go to the pre-op room. "Pre-op" means before surgery. In pre-op, you and your parent(s) will be in a room by yourselves. Pre-op is where you get ready for surgery. A nurse will take your temperature and blood pressure and weigh you. You'll change into hospital pajamas (a hospital gown). You'll be able to change back into your own clothes later.

You'll have a clip put on your finger or a heart monitor attached to your chest with sticky pads. These tell the staff about your heart rate. It doesn't hurt. Remember, ask questions whenever you want to!

When the surgeon is ready, you'll get a ride on a bed with wheels (it's called a gurney) to the operating room. Before the surgery starts, a doctor will give you anesthesia. It's a gas that makes you sleep during your surgery.

You get to choose your own flavor! You breath in the gas through a mask the doctor puts over your nose and mouth. The flavors you can choose from include bubble gum, strawberry and more.

Next, you wake up in the recovery room. The nurses there will make sure you are doing fine. In a little while, your parent(s) will be there, too. After a while, you'll be able to change back into your own clothes. Then you can go home. When you get home, you'll need to rest up. For one thing, the anesthesia takes a while to wear off.

Surgery almost always causes some pain. If you hurt, be sure to tell your parent(s). There will be medicine that should make most the pain go away.

You also need to follow the instructions your doctor gives you. That way, you can get back to normal as fast as possible.

Taking steps to control asthma

It is day three in the countdown to 92.9 The Mountain's Radiothon. The Radiothon raises funds through the Children's Miracle Network for TMC for Children.

Tucson was historically where people suffering from asthma came to recuperate and find relief from their   symptoms. Today, Tucson is an asthma hotspots. We partner with pulmonologists to work with families to provide training and education that families need in order to recognize triggers, manage symptoms, and control asthma.

Does your child have asthma? The following is a guide to help. If you are not able to answer any of these questions, check with your TMC provider.

• Be able to name your child's medications and describe what each medication does
• Know how and when to give your child the medications
• Know what to do when your child has symptoms
• Know how to inform your child's school nurse about any medications that your child needs to take while a school or in child care or before participating in gym or sports
• Be able to identify actions that you may need to take at home to decrease your child's exposure to triggers such as secondhand smoke, animals and dust

Where do TMC Moms take their Kids when a Health Emergency Strikes?

Today is Day Five in the countdown to 92.9 The Mountain's Radiothon which benefits TMC for Children, part of the Children's Miracle Network. Today we're meeting some TMC Mom's and asking, where do they take their children when a health emergency strikes.

"It's Friday at five o'clock when all of a sudden fever spikes." Isn't that the truth?!

TMC for Children and the Pediatric Emergency Department was Tucson's first Pediatric Emergency Department exclusively for kids, available 24/7! It is staffed by specialty physicians and nurses trained in emergency and pediatric medicine in a family-friendly environment. With child-size equipment and a dedicated child-life specialist on hand,parents can rest assured the full spectrum of TMC's top-level Emergency and pediatric diagnostic team are ready and waiting to care for their child's every need. 

 

Share Your Smiles

TMC for Children is looking for photos of Tucson children who make us smile! We will use the photos as part of a special collage of our TMC for Children logo!


Oh, and the prize. All individuals who submit photos will be entered into a contest to win a Family Photo Package from local photographer, Eric Suhm, Braindance Productions. Share your smiles, capture more for the future. It’s a pretty good deal!


What we need from you?


* Please send a photo of your child by September 1st to communications@tmcaz.com. Please only submit photos of your own children because we will follow up with you for written permission to include the photo in our advertising effort.




* Please include your name and contact information so we can let you know if your photo was selected and where you can look for it.


Share your favorite photo with us and watch the TMC for Children logo light up with hundreds of watts of smile power!

Countdown to a Mountain of Miracles -What is a hospitalist?

We're counting down to the 92.9 The Mountain's Radiothon - A Mountain of Miracles. The Radiothon benefits our local Children's Miracle Network hospital, TMC for Children, and so the children of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Each day we're taking time to recognize some aspect of TMC for Children that the funds raised have an impact on. Today is day six and we're meeting one of our hospitalists, Dr. Villar.

That's Dr. Villar blowing the bubbles to distract Arian while Nurse Penny takes his blood pressure. Making the new TMC for Children especially child-friendly has been a goal of the Children's Miracle Network funds.

Dr. Villar is one of our excellent hospitalists. Like our other TMC Pediatric Hospitalists, Dr.Villar specializes in the care of newborns and hospitalized children. Hospitalists are experts in the care of inpatients, from the most common diagnosis to the most complex cases. Our pediatric hospitalists can focus solely on caring for children and families while in the hospital since they do not have private practices or other clinics outside the hospital.

If your child has to come to the hospital, your child's pediatrician will work with our hospitalists to make sure that your child receives the very best care. While a child is hospitalized at TMC for Children, our hospitalist partners with the community pediatrician to arrange specialty consults and rounds with other interdisciplinary team members to provide comprehensive, family-centered care to patients and assure quality clinical outcomes.



We are proud to work with some of the best community pediatricians and the relationship between them and our hospitalists is vital. Dr.Villar demonstrates his dedication and passion for serving our young patients daily and he and his family have shown this passion for making TMC for Children a child friendly, beautiful environment by donating the frames for much of the stunning child art we have in TMC for Children.

Survive and Thrive - Go Kierstyn!

"On April 23, 2009, our daughter, Kierstyn, was born 3 months premature and weighed just over two pounds. I was medevac’d from Sierra Vista Regional Health Center on April 21, 2009 because I was having contractions that could not be stopped. I did not have any symptoms of being ill, but when I arrived at TMC, the doctor placed me on an antibiotic IV as a precaution and ran a battery of tests the following day. One of the tests came back positive. I was in premature labor due to a fatal bacteria in the uterus – fatal to both me and the baby. 

Having been proactive with the antibiotic, the doctor saved my life. And, because I was not symptomatic, doctors felt they had time on their side, monitored the baby very closely, and wanted to get the four steroid shots in to me to give the baby a fighting chance. The following day, Kierstyn was delivered. She was in the NICU at TMC for 62 days. During that time, the staff at the NICU along with the monetary support of CMN worked miracles. 

Kierstyn was in an incubator that would help regulate her body temperature as well as oxygen levels and over the course of the next two months, many other apparatuses were used so that her body would not have to work too hard. After some research, we found that approximately 96% of babies born with the bacteria do not survive. Beyond that, two percent contract any number of infections, subsequently die and others are born with disabilities. Kierstyn was one of the 2% who survive and thrive. It is because of the equipment given by CMN and expertise of the staff in the NICU that our daughter is alive and is developing normally today."

Much gratitude to Kierstyn's mom for sharing this miraculous story. Do you have a story to share?  The Children's Miracle Network page has a  link to share your story.

A Five-Star Hotel -Countdown to Mountain of Miracles Day Eight

The monies raised by the Children's Miracle Network for TMC for Children often go to many tangible things: specialized beds for newborns, specialized thermometers for children, toys to entertain and distract, helmets for heads and fire alarms for the Desert Kids Safety Program. Over the past few years the focus developing a comfortable environment that meets the vast range of our pediatric patients needs in the new expansion. The new unit is kitted out with toys and pictures, games and books, things to make it feel as homey as possible for our young patients.


“The care has been good,” said Claudia, as she sat next to Carlos, who was resting comfortably by the afternoon. “The nurses and doctors have been great.”
Claudia brought her son Carlos to TMC for Children after he had been sick for several days. They moved quickly from the TMC Pediatric Emergency Department to the pediatric medical floor where he received the medical attention he needed from the nurses and physicians. “It feels like we are in a five-star hotel.” Claudia said of the new unit. A five-star hotel made specially for kids.

Ten, Nine, Day Nine in Our Countdown to a Mountain of Miracles

Today is day nine in our countdown to the 929 The Mountain Radiothon which benefits TMC for Children via the Children's Miracle Network and this video is why we're here, kids.

We love this video of TMC kids sharing their thoughts on community hospitals. Kids say the funniest things, don't they? As a community hospital we focus not only on hospital services, but much further outreach. Children's Miracle Network & TMC Foundation aide TMC for Children's mission in numerous ways from contributing isolates that provide safe environments for newborns in the NICU, Zidy Dolls that help explain procedures to our young patients, to bike helmets to protect tender noggins when kids are at play. You can join us in helping the youngest Tucsonans here.

Ten, Nine, Eight- Ten Days and Counting to a Mountain of Miracles

The countdown is on for the 929 The Mountain's Mountain of Miracles Radiothon which benefits the Children's Miracle Network of TMC for Children. Just ten days to go. Who does the Radiothon help? Where does the money go?

Over the next ten days we're going to share some stories from TMC for Children, how your support helps the children of Tucson and Southern Arizona. We'd love to hear your story too, share your story here. A huge thank you to Alicia for sharing her family's story.

Day Ten

"After my youngest daughter was born, we knew that we would be spending a bit of time in the hospital over the next year of her life. We just didn't quite expect to be there so soon, or for so long. At just five weeks old, she contracted an infection that landed us at TMC for Children's pediatric emergency room. We had been told by her specialist that if she were to ever get a fever, we needed to take her there immediately, as he felt this was the best place for her.

He was right.

From the moment we walked in the door, we were taken care of. What was especially nice was that EVERYTHING was geared toward kids--from the paintings on the wall, to the ER staff...everything. For that first visit, we ended up staying at TMC for 21 days. Twenty one days in the hospital with an infant is a scary and exhausting experience, but I have to say that everything about TMC for Children made it bearable and even comfortable. The nursing staff was wonderful--caring, competent and adaptable to my family. They really made themselves flexible for our needs, which allowed us to take care of our baby while maintaining life's other responsibilities that don't stop just because your child is sick.



When we found ourselves again at TMC for another infection and a subsequent major surgery to remove part of my daughter's kidney, it was like coming to a second home. We settled back into "our" room, and the nurses remembered my baby's name and our schedule. I can't express how the support that TMC for Children gave to our family made all the difference during a very difficult time. This is a very important place for Tucson."

A Surprise Miracle - Baby Ryan

They're all around us, everyday heros and miracles. Most of us have a few stories within our families to share, stories that give you pause to reflect on the wonder of life and the kindness of others. We'd love to hear how TMC for Children has helped your child and family, please share your story. 

The story below is truly wonderful, as is Baby Ryan. Thank you Cheryl for sharing.

"Funny how life can change in an instant.  Imagine walking into a hospital thinking you were having one medical procedure done only to find out that you were going to have a baby first. And boom there he was not even 24 hours after finding out about him!  My little miracle baby Ryan was born at 25 weeks, weighing in at only 1 pound 9 ounces.

 Ryan fought for his life for over five months.  If it weren't for the staff at TMC & modern medicine Ryan never would have survived.  Ryan's first stay in the hospital was four 1/2 months.  During this time he endured several surgeries, seven blood transfusions, broken ribs & a broken right femur.   Exactly one month later Ryan quit breathing while in bed one night due to complications with his trachea.  If TMC had not prepared me to handle such a situation Ryan would not have survived that incident either.  We then spent another three weeks at TMC.  Ryan now has a Trachea and a Feeding Tube. 

TMC helped transform a woman who NEVER considered having children & had no medical knowledge, nor experience, into a loving mother whose entire life is dedicated to taking care of her medically challenged infant. I never expected to have children and never realized what a blessing they are.  I thank God every night before I drift off to sleep that he felt I was deserving and capable enough to be given such a miracle.  I am the luckiest mom alive."

TMC for Children is part of Children's Miracle Network. Since 1984, the Children Miracle Network has raised more than $11 million for the TMC Foundation Children's Fund.  Every dollar raised in Southern Arizona stays here to benefit local programs for infants and children - to support wellness programs, purchase life-saving medical equipment and provide vital health services for kids at Tucson Medical Center. This August  24th, 25th, and 26th, Jenny and Chris from 92.9 The Mountain will be holding their annual Mountain of Miracles Radiothon. This is an incredible time to contribute and share. 

A Mountain of Miracles and Firsts

As we gear up for the Mountain of Miracles which benefits TMC for Children we're taking time to look back at our pediatric firsts. Being a community hospital is not only about serving the community, but being of the community. We can not take credit for our accomplishments in pediatrics alone - they are accomplishments of our larger Tucson community. Thank you Tucson. 

Here is to another year of miracles and firsts. Join Jennie and Chris, by listening in, calling in and following along with TMC for Children and 92.9 The Mountain for the Radiothon on Facebook August 24th-26th

·         First polio ward in Southern Arizona, designated as a diagnostic and treatment facility. (1948)

·         First poison control center in Southern Arizona. (1957)

·         First in Tucson to give prenatal blood transfusion to mother of unborn RH negative baby. (1965)

·         First Intensive Care Nursery in Southern Arizona, and the eighth in the nation. (1967)

·         First in Arizona to use fluorescent lights to treat jaundice in newborns. (1967)

·         First in the nation with a baby who survived a one-pound birth weight. (1968)

·         First quadruplet birth recorded in any Arizona hospital. (1970)

·         First program in Tucson for testing hearing of newborns. (1970)

·         First home visit program of its kind in Arizona for children with cystic fibrosis. (1971)

·         First Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Tucson. (1972)

·         First free-standing Ambulatory Surgery Center for outpatients in Southern Arizona. (1974)

·         First in Southern Arizona with a long-term Pediatric Special Care Unit. (1984)

·         First Antepartum Program in Southern Arizona. (1989)

·         First in the nation to offer patients and visitors the New Parents Network computer data bank. (1992)

·         First in Tucson to open lactation clinic to help breastfeeding moms. (1993)

·         First hospital-based pediatric Respigam infusion program in Southern Arizona (1997)

·         First hospital-based mother-baby follow-up program in Southern Arizona. (1997)

·         First in Southern Arizona with 24-hour perinatology coverage in labor and delivery. (1998)

·         First in Southern Arizona with a boutique dedicated to breastfeeding support and supplies, the Desert Cradle (1999)

·         First in Arizona to use digital photo system for newborn portraits, offering proofs and prints to families before they leave the hospital (2000)

·         First in Southern Arizona to open a Children’s Emergency Center with dedicated facilities and staff (2001)

·         First in Southern Arizona to join Andrea’s Closet, a Phoenix-based charity that connects pediatric patients with a new toy (2003)

·         First in Tucson to create a free family event, Be Safe Saturday, to offer vital safety information with community partners (2004)

·         First in Southern Arizona with associate membership in the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (2007)

·         First in Southern Arizona to join a NICU quality initiative applying evidence-based practices to improve care for 100,000 premature babies nationwide (2010)

·         First in Southern Arizona to join Cord Blood Registry program “Newborn Possibilities,” which saves cord blood of at-risk newborns for potential treatment of neurological injury (2010)

·         First in Southern Arizona to earn the Care Award from the International Lactation Consultant Association for support of breastfeeding (2011)

Week at a Glance August 8th- 14th

Each week we look ahead to events that TMC for Children is presenting, participating in or sponsoring. This is not an all inclusive listing.
August is Drowning Impact Awareness Month - Remember the ABC's of Water Safety

Wednesday, August 10th, 6:30pm -9:00pm Extended Breathing and Relaxation Techniques Fee $25 

A one-night class for couples who have completed the Preparation for Childbirth Class. This explores extensive coping, breathing and relaxation techniques for labor including breathing patterns, massage, visualization, labor aids, and coaching skills. Registration here

Thursday, August 11th, 10:00am-11:30am Breastfeeding Support Group FREE
Peer support is all important when you face the challenges of breastfeeding. Join other breastfeeding moms and one of our amazing lactation consultants and find that support and help. No registration needed, every Thursday in the Fireplace Room of the Patio Building, first building on the NE corner of Beverly and Grant.
Saturday, August 13th, 9:30am-11:00am Big Brother/Big Sister Class Fee $15

A class for 3-11 year olds about to become siblings and become a big brother or sister. The class covers safety issues, holding and diapering. Bring a stuffed animal or doll for diapering. Registration here

World Breastfeeding Week

 

Does it seem like breastfeeding is in the news a lot recently? The First Lady, Michelle Obama, has spoken out about the need for our community to support and all new mothers to breastfeed, the U.S. Surgeon General recently issued a "Call to Action", and the news is peppered with commentary on whether such encouragement is necessary for a natural act.

There are a multitude of studies that provide evidence that babies that are breastfed receive health benefits that extend in to adulthood, from reduction of ear infection, childhood obesity, to rates of adult diabetes and high blood pressure. The projected benefit to our community is also dramatic in both public health and healthcare costs (1). Despite the evidence, the number of women who continue to breastfeed to at least the six month mark is low.  Our TMC lactation consultants state that the vast majority of women giving birth at TMC start breastfeeding, but those rates are not maintained to six months or a year. The IBCLC Lactation Consultants at TMC work with women not only to support initial breastfeeding, but also provide support and tips as women transition back to the workplace and want to continue to breastfeed.  

In 2010,  The Lactation Department ( Breastfeeding Support Program) has: 

 

-provided 8,456 bedside patient consults
-served 413 mothers in our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group
-answered the questions of 1,726 Mothers  through our Warm Line
-and reached out to 4,574 mothers by phone following their hospitalization to see how they were doing with breastfeeding. 

At TMC we're focused on providing an environment that encourages and supports families in breastfeeding as we strive to earn the Baby Friendly Hospital designation that reflects an environment that optimally supports breastfeeding. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) recently awarded TMC the IBCLC Care Award. We're the only hospital in Southern Arizona who currently has earned the CARE award. During World Breastfeeding Week we're focusing on continuing to enrich and education staff understanding of breastfeeding so that TMC offers the optimal environment for women to learn and continue to breastfeed for their babies and for our community.  We encourage all to be supportive of women, families and environments that make this dedication to a baby's health and to our community's health. 

1. http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/01.html

Week at a Glance August 1st-7th

What is going on at TMC for Children this week?

August 1 marks the start of: World Breastfeeding Week and Drowning Impact Awareness Month and don't forget to mark your calendars for August 24th-26th

Mark your calendars August 24th-26th for TMC's Children's Miracle Network Radiothon with the fabulous Chris and Jennie from 92.9 The Mountain

***Our Preparation for Childbirth Classes on August 1st, and 2nd are already full. 

Wednesday, August 3rd, 6:30pm-9:00pm Breastfeeding Basics $25

A one-night class specializing in effective techniques for successful and continuous breastfeeding. This is class is taken prior to the birth of your child. Register here. 

Thursday, August 4th, 10:00-11:30am, Breastfeeding Support Group FREE 

Evidence shows that women who have peer support are better able to meet the challenges of breastfeeding than those who don't. Join us for a free support group in the Fireplace Room of the Patio Building, on the NE corner of Beverly and Grant. 

Saturday, August 6th, 9:00AM - 12:00PM Preparation for Childbirth Fee $60

A three-week class series that covers everything! What to expect during childbirth, options regarding labor, birth and postpartum. Understanding and skills will be shared so that you can be a fully active participant in the your baby's birth. This date is the first in three classes. The other twos will be the next two Saturdays. Register here. 

Saturday, August 6th, 10:00am-2:00pm Back to School Immunization Clinic FREE

TMC for Children and El Rio combine forces to provide free back to school immunizations. A parent or legal guardian should be present and please remember your child's shots. Free booster seats from TMC for Children for children who meet the age and weight criteria. 

Sunday, August 7th, 9:00am - 5:00pm One Day Blast!  $60

A special one-day preparation for childbirth class for busy expectant parents that shares techniques and knowledge that will aid you in being an active participant in your child's birth. A tour of our Labor & Delivery and Mom and Baby Units is included.  Registration here. 

Sunday, August 7th, 4:00pm-5:00pm Maternity Services Tour FREE

Ease pre-childbirth jitters by taking the tour of our beautiful Labor & Delivery AND spiffy new Mom & Baby unit. No registration needed, but all adults will need a photo identification to take part. Meet at the Southeast Information Desk. No registration required. 

New and improved - a 3 week class series that covers everything! This series is designed to provide parents with an overview of what to expect during childbirth, and options regarding labor, birth, and postpartum. You'll gain the knowledge you need to be an active participant in your baby's birth and allow practice of the skills that can help make this experience the wonderful memory it is meant to be. Included in the course is a tour of Tucson Medical Center's Labor & Delivery area.

Attendance recommended during the seventh month of pregnancy.

Please bring two pillows and a blanket to class. Classes fill quickly, so register early!

Also note that the days below are your options for the FIRST class in the series. The remaining two classes in the series follow in the consecutive two weeks. Please note there may be some exceptions due to holidays.

As an example if you sign up for Monday, March 1, 2010 you will have two additional courses the next two Mondays.

New and improved - a 3 week class series that covers everything! This series is designed to provide parents with an overview of what to expect during childbirth, and options regarding labor, birth, and postpartum. You'll gain the knowledge you need to be an active participant in your baby's birth and allow practice of the skills that can help make this experience the wonderful memory it is meant to be. Included in the course is a tour of Tucson Medical Center's Labor & Delivery area.

Attendance recommended during the seventh month of pregnancy.

Please bring two pillows and a blanket to class. Classes fill quickly, so register early!

Also note that the days below are your options for the FIRST class in the series. The remaining two classes in the series follow in the consecutive two weeks. Please note there may be some exceptions due to holidays.

As an example if you sign up for Monday, March 1, 2010 you will have two additional courses the next two Mondays.