Levine Children's Hospital
By: Jill Santuccio
    
                          
Clay Locklear of the Levine Children's Hospital (LCH) took us on a virtual tour of the 234-bed facility that welcomed its first patient on December 3, 2007. Since 1992, there had been only a single floor at Carolinas Medical Center dedicated to children. After a needs/market assessment in 2001 showed this region would support a children's hospital, work on the facility began.
 
Serving a 31-county region, a full 44 percent of patients seen at LCH come from outside Mecklenburg County, and Clay later said that no child is turned away due to a lack of insurance. The average daily population of the hospital (146.3) is higher than Duke, UNC, ECU and NC Baptist Children's Hospital and is more than double than Presbyterian and other local pediatric units.
 
LCH is an academic medical center featuring pediatric residency and research programs. It houses the region's only pediatric cardio-ICU and is best known for its transplant services, especially bone marrow and kidney transplants. It was recently recognized as one of US News and World Reports' Best Children's Hospitals.
 
The Junior League of Charlotte Family Resource Center inside of LCH provides 2,500 square feet of library and quiet space where parents can research diagnoses, have a cup of coffee and check their e-mail. There are more than 1,000 pieces of commissioned, donated and children's art throughout the hospital, which also provides music and pet therapy for patients.
 
Family-centered care is the hallmark of LCH, emphasizing collaborative relationships between patients, family members, doctors and other health care providers. Family members are encouraged to be present for doctor's rounds so they can hear firsthand what treatment is recommended.
 
The children's emergency department is quickly outgrowing its size, with more than 30,000 visits per year in just 12 beds. Those numbers make it the busiest emergency room of any kind in the nation.
 
Other outpatient services include a specialty center for highly-specialized medical issues such as Down Syndrome, a pediatric hematology and oncology unit separate from the hospital, specialty centers in Gastonia and Hickory and at NorthEast Medical Center - now a part of CMC, Teen Health Connection on Randolph Road for issues including anorexia/bulimia and Pat's Place on East Boulevard where physically- and sexually-abused children are cared for.
 
LCH took $85 million to build, $66 million of which was raised through individual gifts, including the $10 million contributed by the Levines for the naming rights. A recent $500,000 endowment from the Tanksley Foundation in honor of five-year-old cancer survivor Adam Tanksley will enable pediatric cancer trials to begin years ahead of schedule at LCH.
 
More than 400 active volunteers help with games, visits from celebrities and performances such as the Nutcracker at holiday time. LCH also boasts the third-largest child life program, where patients have a stuffed toy "buddy" that "undergoes the same treatment" as the child, thus illustrating what the procedures or surgeries will be like.
Clay invited all of us to come take a tour of their facility any time.
  
 
Head Table: Cindy Wolfe, Tom Worth, John Snyder, Kelly Osborne, Bob Barber, Bryan Adams;
Invocation: Jessica Brasington;
Visitors & Guests: Lynn Wheeler; Health & Happiness: Mac McCarley; Song: Terri DeBoo; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel
 

• Bill Constangy had the honors of introducing the newest Rotarian, Eric Levinson. Eric has recently been reappointed to the bench as Superior Court Judge after serving as Justice Attache in Iraq. Contact Eric at judgelevinson@aol.com. Welcome!
  
• Saw it in the Charlotte Business Journal: David Norman commented on how to go about choosing a board of advisors; several shared their Thanksgiving blessings: Janet Fortner, Lynn Wheeler, Tony Zeiss and Rich Campbell.

• Ron Campbell was on his mark while attending the Clemson/USC game over the weekend. He was selected to try and catch the ball during a between quarter competition. You guessed it - he caught the ball. See the action for yourself at http://spursupblog.com/2009/12/01/catch-a-stay-promotion/.
                   
CLUB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Congratulations to the following officers and directors elected to serve the club:
Directors serving 2010-2012: Benton Bragg, Mary Ciminelli, Tom Cottingham, Liz Irwin, Jim Kelley, Ed Lewis, Nancy Roberson.
Treasurer serving 2010-2011: Paul Schmidt; Secretary serving 2010-2011: Steve Meckler; President serving 2011-2012: Ron Kimble

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
    
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing: The 2009 Bell Ringing schedule is available here.
Mark Norman has a full slate of volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. If you missed securing a spot, you are encouraged to stop by the Kettle, which will be set up at the corner of Trade & Tryon Streets, to cheer on your fellow Rotarians and make a donation. Come on by...11:30 to 1:30, November 23 through December 11 (excluding Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday).
 
• Warm Clothing Drive: IT AIN'T OVER TIL IT'S OVER! Jim Adams is so pleased with the outpouring of warm clothing, blankets, etc. for men, women and children that he's giving you ONE MORE CHANCE to drop off your donations. Jim, Chris Kemper and Marcus Lee will be in the hotel parking lot on Tuesday and are happy to take your donations over to Crisis Assistance Ministry.
 
• Junior Achievement Biz Town: Volunteers are needed to work at JA's Biz Town on Friday, January 29 or Thursday, February 25. Contact Jay Westmoreland, jay.westmoreland@smithbarney.com, for additional information.

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 12/07/2009.