Diagnosis: Mono-mono Twins

Parents: Betsy and Brent Taylor

Hometown: Lookout Mountain, TN

Grace and Elise Taylor are a very rare form of identical twins called mono-mono twins.  That means they shared both a placenta and a single amniotic sac during development.  The shared sac means there was no barrier between the two babies, and about 50% die because of cord entanglement.  After intense management of the pregnancy here at Erlanger, Grace and Elise were born 8 weeks early on Valentine’s Day of 2005, and spent 5 weeks in the NICU.  This September, Grace was diagnosed with a congenital brain tumor that had to be removed before it threatened her vision, hearing or mobility.  She had surgery on November 11 of this year, and 100% of the tumor was successfully removed.

“Grace and Elise are our miracle girls,” said their mom, Betsy.  “When diagnosed with this challenging pregnancy, an employee of Erlanger said to me, ‘If God can put them in there like that, He can get them out of there like that.’  It became our mantra, and we are incredibly grateful for all Erlanger has done to give us two happy, healthy little girls who are the greatest blessing in our lives.”

On January 8, 2011, after Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the tragic shootings in Tuscon, the first trauma surgeon to treat her, Dr. Randall Friese, struck a chord when he stated to the press that his most important actions that terrible day were “holding her hand, speaking to her, and reassuring her that she was in the hospital and would be cared for.” 

One year later, on February 14, 2012, medical schools and institutions across theU.S.andCanadawill again stand in solidarity to pay tribute to all compassionate care givers like Dr. Randall Friese and the University Medical Center team in Tuscon who cared for the wounded and dying that day. 

To honor this 2^nd Annual National Day of Solidarity for Compassionate Patient Care, established in 2011 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and its national Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapters, the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, its 2012 Transitional Year Residents, and UT Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapter, are distributing gold ribbon lapel pins with a gold “H” (for Humanism and compassionate care in medicine) to many of their colleagues.  Also, an annual award to recognize a member of the health care team was presented to someone who exemplifies the ideals of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.   This year’s recipient is William C. Crowe, MSN, ACNP, an Erlanger Nurse Practitioner working with the Department of Internal Medicine.  Mr. Crowe is being honored at a noon presentation on the 14^th for his consistent demonstration of high touch skills of communication, empathy, and compassion. 

Commenting about Mr. Crowe, his nominators stated that, “Bill has given himself selflessly to the service of patients and physicians alike. He not only exemplifies compassionate patient care, he enables other to give it as well. He has shown a willingness to fulfill duties that are vital to patient care but that are often not in the spotlight. He has shown patience and compassion in caring for patients with extremely difficult social problems and on multiple occasions he is involved in their care and post-hospital planning for long periods of time before they are discharged. These patients are often the ones who are the most discouraged and are most in need of the empathy and care that Bill gives. He has also been willing to be inconvenienced by flexing his schedule in difficult ways, coming to the aid of both residents and attendings when extra hands are needed to care for patients often late into the night. Bill has given quality, compassionate, patient-centered care to innumerable patients during his tenure. We are grateful to him as are his patients.”

William C. Crowe, MSN, ACNP, (center) an Erlanger Nurse Practitioner working with the Department of Internal Medicine washonored today with the Gold Humanism Honor Award for his consistent demonstration of high touch skills of communication, empathy, and compassion.  Congratulating him are members of the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga Transitional Year Residency Program, (clockwise from bottom left):  Genevieve Maass, MD, William Whitmire, MD,  J. Bradley Allen, MD, Aaron Kline,  MD, John Hungerford, MD, and Diana Tamboli, MD.

This was the first year they visited the pediatric patients on Valentine’s Day, and it was a tremendous treat. 

“Many of the children are missing their Valentine’s Day parties at school because they are staying at the hospital,” said Child Life Director Wallis Davies.

“So, we bring the party to them,” said Dave, one of the Ambassadors of Laughter clowns.  “We think laughter is the best medicine!”

Dave and Cherie participated as clowns in the circus for five years before “running away” and becoming Ambassadors of Laughter.  For the last six years, they have traveled from state to state promoting the upcoming circus.  The circus will be in Chattanooga March 15-18 at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga McKenzie Arena.  Visit www.ringling.com for more information. 

Two-year-old Brooklyn Eakins from Dayton,Tenn. reaches for a bubble as Dave and Cherie entertain her. 

Lacey Banther laughs after placing a clown nose on her son, five-year-old Tucker from Harrison,Tenn.  Staff members at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger say it was possibly the first time they saw Tucker smile after the clowns put on an impromptu show.

Age: 2 years old

Diagnosis: Profound Hearing Loss

Parents: Jessica Moses and Antonio Akridge

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

At 3 months old, Anastasia developed seizures. A spinal tap revealed she had meningitis, and she was put on a feeding tube and breathing machine.The sounds of her cry then revealed another complication: she had lost the hearing in both ears. Now, with the help of cochlear implants, Anastasia goes to  preschool, communicates in sign language, and dances with the radio turned on full blast. “She has amazed me with the progress she has made,” says her mom, Jessica. “She went from hearing nothing to responding to everything.”

Jeanne and Kevin Hartzog, from Ringgold, Ga., welcomed their new baby boy into the world at 2:30 a.m. Graham Hartzog is 19.5″ and weighs 8 lbs.

 ”He was a very unexpected surprise,” explained Jeanne. “We were actually scheduled for a c-section on January 5.”

Jeane went into labor around 11:40 p.m. on New Year’s Eve; right after Auburn won their football game and just before New York’s ball dropped.

“Graham knew what his priorities were,” said Kevin. “He actually waited till the end of the game.”

Graham is the couple’s second child. Big sister, Jillian, is three-years-old and is very excited to have a brother.

Graham celebrates the same birthday with his uncle who was also born on January 1.

When asked what the family hopes for in the new year, Jeane said she wishes for a healthy family.

She is just as friendly and sweet in person as she seems on TV. We all appreciated her coming by and welcome her back any time.

Go to our Facebook page to view the photos: http://tinyurl.com/7brfqwz

While you’re enjoying the pictures, please take a minute to watch the video explaining how you can be a part of the Miracle this season.

Click on any image below to view the slide show.

The check presentation took place during the Kohl’s Safe and Sound for the Holidays fair.  Kohl’s A-Team, Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments, and Children’s Hospital Safe and Sound staff shared safety tips, decorated cookies and made snowflake ornaments with several hundred families who attended the fair.

Kohl’s has been a proud partner of Children’s Hospital since 2000 donating $230,127 to educate the public about pediatric healthcare and safety.

“Kohl’s is a proud supporter of giving back to the community,” said store manager, Chip Greene.  “We know the customers like the fact the donations from specific purchases stay local.”

Kohl’s commitment to Children’s Hospital is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million dollars through this merchandise program. In addition, Kohl’s Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,100 young volunteers with a total of $410,000 in scholarships and prizes.  Through Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 385,000 associates have donated more than 1.2 million hours of their time since 2001 and Kohl’s has donated more than $35 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

Cindy Jackson, Children’s Hospital Safe and Sound program coordinator, watched Olivia Harney from Ooltewah, Tenn. as she shook purple glitter on her snowflake ornament.

Terrell, Angela, Acima, Takia and Azana Smith from East Ridge, Tenn. took a break from their holiday shopping to visit Lt. David Cowden and Abdul Swafford from the Chattanooga Fire Department.

Kristin and Claire Taylor and Ashley Nelson from Harrison, Tenn. decorated gingerbread reindeer cookies with the help from Hannah Headrick, Kohl’s supervisor of the junior department.

Avery and Parker Mixon of Lookout Mountain both took a turn sitting on Officer Eddie Mansell’s bicycle.

Children’s Hospital at Erlanger representatives Cindy Jackson, Cindy Rhodes, Betsy Taylor and Clay Carlton accepted a check for $56,300 from Kohl’s Gunbarrel Road Store Manager, Chip Greene.

Maddie King from Dalton, Ga. experienced what it feels like to have a cast on her arm with the help from Clay Carlton with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger Safe and Sound Program.

 “Kohl’s Safe and Sound for the Holidays guarantees to be a festive holiday safety fair featuring bike and helmet safety, fire safety with the Chattanooga Fire Department, toy and battery safety and information on poison prevention,” said Cindy Jackson, Safe and Sound Program Coordinator for Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. 

The Kohl’s A-Team will also be on hand with activities for children such as snowflake crafts and ginger cookie decorating, addedJackson.

A check presentation from Kohl’s for $56,330 to Children’s Hospital representatives will take place at noon.  Kohl’s has been a proud partner of Children’s Hospital since 2000 donating $230,127 to educate the public about pediatric healthcare and safety.  This year’s donation will go towards Children’s Hospital’s injury prevention program, Safe and Sound, to educate families about the importance of keeping their children safe with prevention tips and educational opportunities. 

Kohl’s commitment to Children’s Hospital is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million dollars through this merchandise program. In addition, Kohl’s Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,100 young volunteers with a total of $410,000 in scholarships and prizes.  Through Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 385,000 associates have donated more than 1.2 million hours of their time since 2001 and Kohl’s has donated more than $35 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

 About Children’s Hospital at Erlanger

As the only medical center in theChattanoogaand tri-state region devoted solely to children, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger provides the best in children’s healthcare by viewing the world from a unique perspective of children and understanding what they need. Children’s Hospital is aComprehensiveRegionalPediatricCenter, the highest designation in the state for pediatrics.  The hospital offers a full range of pediatric subspecialists, as well as a pediatric ER, ICU, and Level III neonatal intensive care unit, providing the highest level of care in the region for premature and sick infants.

About Kohl’s Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,097 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.