Press release from the Lutheran Children’s Hospital:
Lutheran Children’s Hospital Celebrates 10 Years with an Enormous Community Party
Lutheran Children’s Hospital has established itself as a valued treasure in our back yard
Lutheran Children’s Hospital celebrates its 10-year anniversary as only it can with a party as big as its caregivers’ hearts. The entire community is invited to Foellinger Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a free birthday party. This historic milestone celebrates a decade of expanded access to specialized pediatric care.
The birthday party will include live entertainment and many other activities suitable for school-age children as well as games and crafts for younger children. Lunch and birthday cupcakes will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while supplies last.
Regional and local acts performing on stage at Foellinger Theatre include:
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. M C Axe & the Firecrew, with the Firedog (audience participation)
11:40 – noon Hoffman Karate
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Kekionga Steel Drums
12:50 – 1:10 p.m. Hoffman Karate
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Keith Conner (audience participation)
2:30 – 3 p.m. Kekionga Steel DrumsOther activities include a bungee run, moonwalk, giant slide, hoops challenge with IPFW men’s and women’s basketball teams, K-9 demonstrations with the Fort Wayne Police Department, tattoos, arts and crafts. A mobile intensive care unit, an ambulance and a fire truck will also be on-site. Even a rabbit and hedgehog will join in the festivities, courtesy of Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
For years, Lutheran has hosted a private birthday party for all of its past neonatal intensive care unit patients. Historically, it has been a much appreciated opportunity for nurses, physicians and families to reunite and see the progress of its youngest critically-ill patients.
“The NICU families will have a special, private tent at the party so they can still maintain those connections with physicians and Lutheran’s staff and also take advantage of all of the other festivities,” said Judy Wright, NICU nurse manager, Lutheran Children’s Hospital.
As the first children’s hospital in the area, LCH offers the region’s largest pediatric inpatient and intensive care units, the most pediatric subspecialists, a pediatric intensivist and a verified Level II Pediatric Trauma Center featuring a medical director who is board certified in pediatric surgery. The extensive resources available to children range from premature infants to teenagers. It includes 26 specialized areas of care ranging from common conditions such as diabetes to those less common like cystic fibrosis.
“With its first decade under its belt, Lutheran Children’s Hospital has established itself as a valuable treasure in our own back yard,” said Joe Dorko, CEO, Lutheran Hospital. “We are fortunate to have the expertise of many pediatric subspecialists and the extraordinary care our pediatric nursing staff provides on a daily basis. I am proud of the culture created by all of our staff to nurture our patients so they receive optimal care locally.”
A major distinction between Lutheran Children’s Hospital and other hospitals is its philosophy and commitment to creating a family-friendly environment.
“Children are not just small adults, rather their concerns are vastly different and require equal attention as adults,” said Carmen DeBruce, outreach director for Lutheran Children’s Hospital. “We validate those concerns to ensure a high level of trust and comfort is present for everyone, especially the patient.”
Lutheran Children’s Hospital originally developed from passionate physicians and nurses with a desire to offer quality care closer to home for children with cancer and various blood disorders. That effort quickly took hold and spread into multiple disciplines to assist with the care of pediatric patients with other serious conditions.
For more information about Lutheran Children’s Hospital, visit them on-line.
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