Summer 2024 2024 | Vol. 38 | No.2
SUMMER 2024
SUMMER 2024 Vol. 38 No. 2
Board of Directors Bob Parker, Board Chair Mary D. Clark, Vice Board Chair & Secretary Lenora Keas, Past Board Chair Mulukutla Ramakrishna, MD Past Chief-of-Staff Chris Comstock, MD, Chief-of-Staff Diane DeCou President, Development Foundation Eric Hamon, President & CEO, Driscoll Health System Mike Carrell Paul Daniel Chapa Jim Devlin Tom Dobson Diane D. Gates
Welcome from Matt Wolthoff President, Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley
Wes Hoskins Alex Kirkland Val LaMantia Reba Cardenas McNair Philip Ramirez Bob Shockney León I. Smith Harrison, MD
It has been an extremely exciting time in South Texas for Driscoll, and I am thrilled to announce the opening of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley - the only freestanding designated children’s hospital in the Rio Grande Valley. It’s the fifth of its kind in the state and thirty-third nationwide. This is a pivotal moment for our community, marking a tremendous enhancement in the accessibility and quality of specialty acute care for our children in deep South Texas. We have built a world-class team dedicated exclusively to the needs of children, ensuring that they receive the specialized care and attention they deserve. This team is composed of the best and brightest in pediatric healthcare from South Texas and beyond. In fact, now that the hospital is open, we are seeing more and more talented healthcare professionals, including pediatric specialists, looking to return home to the Rio Grande Valley to serve in our mission. Access to industry-leading quality care close to home for the children of the Rio Grande Valley is the cornerstone of this mission. We are committed to making this care accessible to all families in South Texas regardless of their ability to pay or travel. Our facility offers a wide range of services and specialties, some that have never been available in the Valley, and we’ll continue to grow those services to meet the needs of our growing community. In the first two months of operation, Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley has accepted 185 transfers from RGV acute care hospitals, admitted 293 children as inpatients,
performed 593 surgeries, and seen a total of 1,660 children in our emergency department. This did not include the NICU for the first month of operation, which as of this writing has a census of 50 babies, as we brought those 63 beds on three weeks after opening the tower. The community’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, validating the need for our facility and services. We recognize this is a starting point and to truly meet the needs of our community, we will need to grow and expand capacity in the near future. I feel truly blessed and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this initiative alongside so many dedicated professionals. The Driscoll Way is alive and well in the Rio Grande Valley, and we will continue to work tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence and to ensure all children in South Texas have access to the healthcare that they deserve. I hope you enjoy learning more about this historic milestone in this Special Edition. Thank you for your support as we embark on this important journey together. I look forward to working with you and our whole community to create a brighter, healthier future for our children.
Development Foundation Board of Directors OFFICERS Diane DeCou, President Laurie Lozano Vice President & Chair, RGV Committee Susan Bonner, Parliamentarian Blaire Turnbull, Secretary Kenny Polk, Treasurer DIRECTORS Ruben Bosquez
Janie Hoskins Juli Lowry Emil Milano, MD Karen Muehlbauer Andy Saenz Evelyn Sames Paul Serafy Laura Nassri Warren
Leah Cohen Ryan Frazier
David A. Garza Barbara Guerra Stacey Hall Bruce Harvey Ambrosio Hernandez III, MD Kevin Hopkins, MD
TRUSTEES EMERITUS Mary D. Clark
Manette Scanio Bob Shockney
Diane D. Gates Nancy Hawn Marc Layton
Roger Timperlake, MD
Rich Tuttle
Together, we heal.
EX-OFFICIO Eric Hamon, President & CEO, Driscoll Health System
Sean Pieri, Vice President of Development & Marketing, Driscoll Children’s Hospital
Driscoll Children’s Hospital 3533 South Alameda Street Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 694-5000 TTY Deaf Messaging (800) 735-2989 driscollchildrens.org
Matt Wolthoff
In this ISSUE
The Driscoll Children’s Hospital Development Foundation is dedicated to advancing the mission of Driscoll Children’s Hospital through fundraising efforts that support patient experiences, training and education, community support and health advocacy, research, the children’s fund and future initiatives. As the region’s only nonprofit, freestanding pediatric hospital, Driscoll Children’s Hospital is fueled by giving. Together, we can ensure all children have access to the best medical care, regardless of ability to pay. Because of your support, lives are being transformed and miracles are happening.
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Special Edition Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley is open!
Community Children’s Miracle Network campaigns Tribute Giving Honoring and remembering friends and loved ones through a gift to Driscoll
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Donor Spotlight Dancing to Donate - Aarthi’s story of giving
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Driscoll Marketing Campaign Together, we heal.
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@DriscollChildrensHospital
@DriscollTX
@DriscollChildrensHospital
@DriscollChildrensHospital
@DriscollChildrensHospital
Healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley changes forever
This spring saw the official opening of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, bringing acute pediatric specialty care where the need is greatest. The $100 million, eight-story building is the first freestanding designated children’s hospital in the Valley – a region home to more than half a million children. “From this moment on, children in the Rio Grande Valley with complex medical conditions will have access to care here at home, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Matt Wolthoff, President of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley. For years, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi has been a lifeline for families in South Texas, starting as the region’s first freestanding pediatric emergency room in 1953.
Now, with this new location in the vibrant Valley, Driscoll’s legacy of compassionate care reaches even further.
“This is just the beginning; we will continue to grow our services and capacity,” Wolthoff said.
Families from near and far will experience support from a dedicated team of medical professionals, specialists, administrators and volunteers. Together, they’ll ensure that every child, no matter the challenges they face, gets expert care. “This has been a calling,” said Wolthoff. “It’s really been a blessing to me and my family to be part of such a significant health care milestone in the Valley and to be devoted to Driscoll’s mission of caring for all children in South Texas.”
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NOW OPEN! Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley
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Opening day
Close to home
“We are thrilled that Driscoll has opened its doors and we are helping kids,” said Dr. Ana Almeda, chief medical officer for Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley. This milestone highlights the hospital’s impact on a region where specialized pediatric care has long been fragmented and scarce. Dr. Almeda, a pediatric intensivist, knows the struggles families in the RGV face when accessing pediatric services. Growing up in Brownsville and training in San Antonio, she returned to the Valley to provide critical care. “I’ve seen the challenges our patients and families have had to face without having a designated children’s hospital,” she said. “Some facilities may have certain specialties or services, but never has it all been in one place.” Services and treatment offered by Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley include acute inpatient and outpatient surgery with pediatric anesthesiologists; emergency services and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; imaging and laboratory services; and more.
Before Driscoll Children’s Hospital opened in the RGV, families often had to travel long distances for specialized care. That reality hit close to home for Dr. Almeda. “My own son had a medical need, and we had to drive four hours to San Antonio for an outpatient procedure,” she said. “He woke up from anesthesia, nauseated and just wanting to see his dogs. It’s really hard when you’re far from home and without your support network.” Driscoll sees more than 150,000 patients a year, and many regularly made the journey from the Valley to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi to receive specialty care. The new hospital aims to eliminate these challenges by providing comprehensive pediatric services locally. Hayden Featherstone Wilson, a longtime patient of Driscoll who is now receiving care at Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, is one such patient whose journey of healing has been made easier. Her mother Karen Featherstone shared her daughter’s medical journey with a rare spinal condition called Sacral Agenesis. “It’s been a whirlwind from the moment she took her first breath,” Featherstone said of her daughter, now finishing her first year of high school. “Although things are steady at this stage of life, it obviously hasn’t been an easy road.”
Scan the QR code to watch us welcome our first patient!
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119 pediatric beds, including Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (63 beds) Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (8 beds) 8 surgery suite operating rooms Acute inpatient & outpatient surgery with pediatric anesthesiologists Imaging, including MRI with anesthesia Rehabilitation & laboratory services 175,000 square feet, $100 million in construction and equipment cost Generates $124.7 million per year in economic growth to Texas Child Life Program with a facility dog named Tesla Facts & Figures
“I know this new hospital will make that road easier for other kids and moms going through the same journey,” Featherstone said.
Scan the QR code to watch our building timelapse.
“The need for patients and their families to be close to home, that is why this hospital exists today,” said Driscoll President and CEO Eric Hamon. “Proximity and accessibility to our kids was at the forefront of our mind before we ever broke ground or drew up blueprints.” “Pediatric healthcare in the Valley is changing forever,” said Hamon. “This wouldn’t be possible without our patients, their families, and members of the community that believe in our nonprofit mission."
Together, we heal.
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Aarthi’s Story of Giving Veterans Memorial High School dancer donates paycheck to Driscoll patients
High school senior and Driscoll volunteer Aarthi Palaniappan loves to dance.
Aarthi’s parents, Devanayagam Palaniappan and Archana Krishnagiri, brush off the long drives. The lessons helped Aarthi learn about her culture. After years of practice and performance, Aarthi found herself wanting to teach Bharatanatyam. Three years ago, she began instructing children, passing along the movements she had devoted herself to. “They come to our house, which is about a 15-minute drive for them,” mom said of the students. “They come, they dance, and they go. We keep the culture. And it continues.” Aarthi has been volunteering at Driscoll for two years, one of the many activities that keeps her busy, like presiding over the school’s National Honor Society, being Vice President of Chemistry Club, and being one of the top students in her graduating class.
Skilled at Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance, she says the art is a way of conveying a story and a journey of healing. It requires mental and physical discipline to tell that story, as performances can go on for hours. Aarthi saw her first Bharatanatyam performance at the age of four when her parents took her to a dance in San Antonio. “It was just a beautiful art that was eye-opening for me,” Aarthi said.
Inspired and committed to learning, she would make the drive to San Antonio again and again to receive expert lessons.
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Thank you for bee-ing a Miracle Maker
“Way to go Aarthi, we wish you all the best in the future and I am proud to be your pediatrician.” - Dr. Rama
It has been an incredible summer for the Miracle Maker campaign, and the buzz is all good! The Miracle Maker Program, an exclusive Driscoll employee giving society, includes Driscoll employees who choose to donate back to the hospital. More than 2,000 Driscoll team members help support our children and families by participating in our Miracle Maker Program. To show off their membership in the program, Miracle Makers wear special t-shirts that change every year. Driscoll Miracle Makers have raised over $3 million since the program’s inception in 1989. Together, we will continue to make a positive, lasting impact on our South Texas community.
Before going off to college, Aarthi has donated her dancing lesson paychecks— totaling $3,500— to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
“I felt that it was most appropriate to donate it here, since I earned that money through teaching children,” Aarthi said.
“A lot of us are born lucky,” Aarthi explained, “but there are some kids who unfortunately aren’t. We need people to help them in that way, to get them started so they can build their own future.”
As for her own future, Aarthi hopes to explore a STEM-related field in college.
A family friend, Dr. Ramakrishna Mulukutla, or “Uncle,” will match Aarthi’s donation. Both Aarthi’s parents teach at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The gift will benefit the education of resident physicians.
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Driscoll is excited to launch a new campaign: Together, we heal.
The campaign features posters, billboards, commercials and more across our South Texas service area. In addition to generating awareness for Driscoll’s nonprofit mission, the campaign helps highlight Driscoll employees and patients with a simple and beautiful message: When a child gets sick, the community gets sick with them. When a child is healed, a community is healed. Together, we heal.
to watch Driscoll’s newest commercials. Scan the QR code
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Kids Helping Kids
Plan Now to Support the
As we began the 2024 South Texas Cattlemen’s Roundups season this summer, we were gifted a reminder of the start of this special opportunity for kids to help kids. The original poster reminds us of our beginnings and is part of celebrating where we are today. Roundups started in 1987 to benefit children’s healthcare, and they are still happening in seven locations today: Alice, Beeville, Cuero, Edinburg, Hallettsville, Rio Grande City, and Three Rivers. Since the beginning, over $4 million dollars has been raised to benefit Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Local 4H and FFA students and their families bring baked goods and ranch items to the auction, and local businesses contribute items as well. Lyssy & Eckel Feeds and Whataburger provide support for the event. It’s a community effort that shows "Together, we heal."
You may pledge cattle to Ada Wilson Hospital at the Auction Barn of your choice on or before the date of the sale. TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Ralph R. Meuth Alice LeBlanc
Hoyte Gentry
LYSSY & ECKEL FEEDS
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SHOP TO SUPPORT DRISCOLL
Now - August 27 Donate $1 at the register or round up your purchase at participating 7-Eleven ® and Stripes ® stores to help provide needed treatments for patients at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
August 1 – September 30 When you visit your local JOANN you will have the option to donate $1, $5, or $10 and receive a 40% off coupon for your next visit.
Driscoll cancer survivor attends Miracle Tournament & Celebration
Driscoll patient, Paislie, recently traveled to Ohio to raise funds for Driscoll at the 33 rd Miracle Tournament & Celebration.
August 23 – 27 During Love's Travel Stop’s annual balloon campaign, you can donate a $1, $5 or round up at all locations. September 29 Celebrate National Coffee Day! On September 29, redeem $1 large hot coffee drinks through the Love’s Connect app. For every $1 large hot coffee purchased, $1 will be donated to Driscoll.
Made possible by 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes, the annual golf tournament sees businesses come together to raise funds and celebrate children who directly benefit from donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This summer, Paislie was among 55 Champion Children and their families invited to represent their local member children's hospital at the Miracle Tournament & Celebration. The brave children met and interacted with participants, shared their personal stories and had fun! Paislie, 7, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after suddenly losing movement in her leg three years earlier. As with any child with cancer, Paislie experienced highs and lows throughout her treatment and even came close to losing a kidney. Thankfully doctors at Driscoll were able to provide her with lifesaving care and send her on a path to create more milestones. Nearly 1,000 supporters including franchise owners, vendors, suppliers, and employees rallied in Ohio to raise $3 million. Paislie got to know incredible supporters, cheered golfers on, enjoyed Slurpee drinks and had fun raising money for Driscoll. For more than 30 years, 7-Eleven, Speedway Stores, and Stripes Stores have helped kids at Driscoll Children’s Hospital to receive the care they need to be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. We look forward to next year’s tournament!
September 1 – 30 For the month September, all Club Car Wash locations receive co-branded air fresheners to sell for $1 with 50 cents going back to Driscoll Children’s Hospital! This is a FUN competition- based campaign that the locations love participating in.
September 1 – 30 At participating Dairy Queen locations customers can DQ Round Up their purchase to the nearest dollar at checkout to support Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
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Honor Giving February 16, 2024 - June 21, 2024
Dr. and Mrs. Sanjay Agarwal Lisa Strickhausen
Anna Khayyat Hayde Gutierrez
Luke Renken Alicia and Edsel Renken
Daphne and Bryan Black Marsai Bass
Kathy Kramer Janice and Randy Bailey Dana and Fred Broussard Pam and Steve Fieldcamp Louella Wallace Melissa and Ray Welch
Dr. Billy Rios Jane and Michael Martin
Clif Alexander Attorney at Law, PLLC Lauren Brekken
Simonsen Solo 401K Plan Trust Marsai Bass
Gary Travis Cochrane Wende Dlabaja
Helena Solis Ana Almeda, MD and Jose Almeda, MD Bob Almendarez Muhamad Almouie, MD Amber DeSutter Sarah Garza and Robert Guerra Amy and Michael Gonzales
Susan and John Lamb Mary Beth Delano
Pushpalatha Damaraju Shamim Mawji
Todd Lee Marsai Bass
Wende and Brandon Dlabaja Wende Dlabaja
Hannah and Ryan Marsh Lisa Strickhausen
LaHuan Guthrie John Kittleman Maria Lozano-Gorena Jane and Michael Martin Shamim Mawji Sarah and Ryan Meyer Yvette Padilla Alma Rigonan, MD Rebecca and Billy Rios, MD
Elsie Rose Ferguson Rosa Maria and Guadalupe Delgadillo
Sophia Massad Phillip Massad
Hannah Galloway Mary Beth Delano
Sherri and Nolan McCool Laura Sandoval
Ciara Garcia Antonio Garcia
Elizabeth and Ronald McGee Mary Beth Delano
Billy Rios, Jr. Rebecca Ruiz Rebecca and Ryan Solis Catherine and Sam Susser Karen Williams Marilia Zambrano Gomez and Juan Gomez Modern Pharmacy
Harriet Greenlee and Will Greenlee Mary Beth Delano
Hunter Miller Tracie Romel
Dr. Gary Guest Nancy Harwell
Esther Minten Pamela McGonagill
Jennifer Hale Carter Wende Dlabaja
Lochlan Spears Janice Spears
Janie Minten Pamela McGonagill Melinda Minks
Richard Harris Ticia and Marty Hanisch Amy H. McCoy Linda Weil
Jerry Susser Linda Weil
Melanie and Dillon Moseley Wende Dlabaja
Aiden Clay Wiggin Monica Carranza
Ryan Jakob Harris Amy H. McCoy
Pamela and Dave Mote Beverly Dirks
Azali Homes, LLC Sara Azali
Aaron Harvey Lisa Strickhausen
Carolyn Ochs Cil Pesek
Robert Hays Cil Pesek
Nancy Puzio John Kosciolek, Jr.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these lists, errors sometimes occur. If a mistake has been made, please accept our apology and notify the Development Foundation at (361) 694-6419.
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Memorial Giving February 16, 2024 - June 21, 2024
Moira Arney Anna and Henry Mendoza
Sam Isaacs Claire Spiering
Charles “Charlie” Brown Roberta Hodges
Jannette Jackson Bobby Clark
Robert J. Brysch Beeville Livestock Commission, Inc.
Tom Jeter Roberta Hodges
Lee E. Budin, MD Molly Kane Nancy and Bruce Meyer, MD Kyle Warden
Evangelina S. Lira Rosa and Matias Lopez, Jr.
Lidia Gonzales Lopez Amy H. McCoy
John Wesley “Buddy” Cade Patsie and George Harris
Steven Lopez Thelma and Frank Moreno, Jr.
William Richard “Bill” Carr Beeville Livestock Commission, Inc.
J.R. McMains Kayla and Steve McMains
James Allen Casey Patricia Casey
Marvin E. Mills Raye Ann and Leroy Jendrusch
Juanita (Polly) Pollard Duddlesten El Jardin Partnership
Dorothy Minten Pamela McGonagill
Gerald Eckel Teresa and Fred Dickinson, Jr.
Dick M. Moczygemba Raye Ann and Leroy Jendrusch
Sophia Diane Figueroa John DeLeon III
Milo Moore (Milo’s 3rd Birthday) Kelly Anglero Stephanie Barajas
Molly Jo Fisher Jo and David Newman
Lourdes Barrera Michelle Barron Veronica Barton Adriana Canales Amy Cano Nicole Cardona Lindsey and Chris Castillo Janell Castro
David Galloway Mary Beth DeLano
Betsy Garza Celeste and Crisoforo Garza
Elizabeth Gentry Emily and Casper Wenzel
Elida Coronado Nicole Cuevas Jenika DelAngel Iana Donchenko Ashley Engler Oleg Ermolinsky Amy Fernandez
Hoyte Gentry Emily and Casper Wenzel
Bobby Gomez Jennifer and Raymond Nixon
Ana Garcia Tiare Garcia
Lucille M. Guzman Imelda and Joseph Gregov Rick Guzman
Mikayla Garza Marisela Garza Susana Gea
Julie Gonzales Nidia Gonzalez Tabita Gonzalez and Santiago Moreno
Sonia Hernandez Lilia and Carlos Hernandez, Jr.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these lists, errors sometimes occur. If a mistake has been made, please accept our apology and notify the Development Foundation at (361) 694-6419.
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Milo Moore (Milo’s 3rd Birthday) continued Rohanda Hernandez Jacinto Hinojosa IV
Nelda Perez Utley Rosa and Matias Lopez, Jr.
Areli Hoyos Karla Jiron Jenifer Jones Cynthia Joseph Queta Juarez Jessica Leal Karla Lozano
Leslie Arthur Pfeil Stacey and Rob Hall
Buffy Pickering Sandra and Louis Hickl, Jr.
Diana Schicker Michael Schicker
Danya Martinez Ashley Martinez Melanie Martinez Alexa Medina Esleyda Medina Karina Mejia Jessica Molano Aura Montoya Anne and Bill Moore Mari Nava Jennifer Nino Garcia Savannah Norris Felicia Peace Maggie Petrarca Vikki Presas Barbara Pruneda
Benjamin Shaw Martha and Robert Moseley
Wanda Stanton Donna Hafner NRG Energy, Inc. Global Giving
Jeffrey Strickland Karen F. Strickland
Justin Strickland Karen F. Strickland
W.C. “Billy” Tieken Mary Tieken
Hilda Ramirez Linda Ramos David Reyes
Rose Vanecek Nancy and Willy Toepfer
Alejandra Rodriguez Elizabeth Ruvalcaba Serena and Jonathan Salas
Mr. Walker Ozan Talu
Alma Salazar Alexia Serrata Hanna Sheets
Doris Wanda Wright Amber Crocker Donna Jimenez
Sicilly Silva Gizelle Sosa Cristopher Tobias Erica Trevino Claudia Valdes Mindy Vasquez Christyn Walter Albert Ybarra
Dr. Thomas Morris Kim Juneau and Noorullah Akhtar, MD Celia Reyes-Acuna, MD Benna and Roger Timperlake, MD
Francisco Orta Lourdes Orta
Paula P. Pedraza Amy H. McCoy
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Together, we heal.
To receive this publication digitally or if you wish to no longer receive fundraising mail from Driscoll Children’s Hospital, please call our office at (361) 694-6401 or email at development@dchstx.org. If you receive more than one copy of this publication, please give one to a friend and notify us.
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