Ham Smythe, Chairman of the Board, The MED Foundation, Georgia Gilbertson, Donor, Dr. Richard Gilbertson, Donor, Tammie Ritchey, Executive Director, The MED Foundation

By Georgia Louise Gilbertson and Dr. Richard Gilbertson

Shelby County has a higher infant mortality rate than many third-world countries. A great deal of that is due to sick or prematurely born babies. The MED does an incredible job saving many of these lives – some 1,400 babies a year – but they don’t all make it. And, once those babies go home, they don’t always have the basic necessities they need for a safe and healthy start on life.

But there’s something we can do to change this. The city of Memphis is already a world-class medical center, led by The MED in caring for premature and sick babies. Now we need to take steps to make sure moms-to-be have access to the prenatal care they need in order to give birth to healthier babies as well as the basic necessities for infant care.

We’ve already made a start with our Small Beginnings Fund. This fund provides basic necessities like diapers and infant clothing to families of premature babies who do not have what they need to adequately take care of their newborns.

It also provides vouchers for transportation and taxis so new moms can get to and from The MED to nurse and bond with their babies. This has helped hundreds of babies get a better start in life, but so much remains to be done.

This is why we have agreed to assist The MED Foundation’s Healthy Newborn Campaign as a way to reduce Shelby County’s horrendous infant mortality rate.

On November 17th the Healthy Newborn Campaign began raising vital funds as well as collecting infant necessities, from cribs to diapers. For a full six months, a team of dedicated volunteers and healthcare professionals will work to make a genuine difference.

The funds raised through this effort will not only be used to bring even more advanced equipment to The MED’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but they will also be dedicated to educating moms-to-be about healthy habits and diets to give their babies a better start.

The campaign will also be collecting donations of important new baby necessities some parents don’t have and cannot afford on their own, such as diapers, bottles, clothing, cribs, car seats, blankets, and more.

You can help us give more babies a healthier, more promising start to life by contributing to this Newborn Campaign. Your help is needed.

Click here to find out exactly how to donate or lend your support to this important cause.

Nicole Gates, Infant Mortality Campaign Coordinator at the Shelby County Office of Early Childhood & Youth Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative

By Nicole Gates, Infant Mortality Campaign Coordinator

I had only recently moved to Memphis when I heard the shocking news on the radio that Shelby County had the highest infant mortality rate in the country; and that one of the main causes of infant death was premature birth.

At that time, my premature-born twins had just turned six months old, and this information hit me hard. Something needed to be done. So I decided to become an advocate for infant health, eventually founding the Infant Mortality Force, which currently has over forty volunteers and is still going strong. Now, I work full time to reduce infant mortality in our community.

As of September 1st, 2011, 66 babies have died in Shelby County alone. This amounts to one infant death every three days, and the majority of those deaths are in the African-American community –largely the babies of women in poverty who have no access to prenatal care and don’t have the financial means to provide a safe home environment.

One of the finest neonatal intensive care units anywhere is right here at The MED – available to everyone. But when a mother walks into this hospital with no prenatal care and already in labor, her baby is probably already in crisis.

Not only is the loss of a baby a huge emotional burden to families, it is a major cost to a community as well. In addition to every infant that dies after medical teams work long and hard to save it, there are many others who need massive medical attention to survive.

My twins were only in NICU for two weeks, yet it cost $179,000 – and that was six years ago. Fortunately, I had excellent health insurance. But for all those that don’t, the cost falls to all of us, and a preterm or low birth weight baby can cost our community up to $1,000,000.

So many of these premature births, as well as infant deaths, could be prevented through better maternal care, education about risky lifestyles, and simply putting basic necessities such as car seats and cribs into the right hands. There are a number of programs already in place to offer assistance like this. Unfortunately, far too many of the people who need help don’t know these programs exist.

We’re reaching out to people with this information, but there’s so much more that needs to be done. Shelby County has a booklet called the ABC Resource Guide that lists all the community resources available for everything from diapers to cribs. The Infant Mortality Campaign – All Babies Count – canvasses neighborhoods and holds events for moms-to-be to make sure they realize how vital prenatal care is to their babies’ health. But there is still so much to be done.

The Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center at The MED works miracles every day, caring for more than 1,300 premature or critically ill babies each year.  Despite their valiant efforts, Shelby County still has the highest infant mortality rate in the country. That indicates our community’s overall health status, which means it is something we must all work to change.

If you would like to join Nicole in making a difference in the Memphis community through The MED Foundation, please click here.

(From left) Natalie Steinfeld, Terri Purvis, Brenda Hackworth and Erica McNeil pose in front of contribution received from Susan Komen Foundation

By Natalie Steinfeld, Manager of Radiology Services

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but here at The MED, we’re aware of breast cancer every single day. That’s why we put an emphasis on early detection through regular mammograms.

Mammograms can help detect up to 90 percent of all breast cancers at stages so early you can’t even feel a lump. And, the earlier a cancer is detected, the more effective treatment can be.

Four generations of women in my own family have had breast cancer, so we’re very conscious of the benefits of early detection through mammograms. My grandmother had to have very radical surgery to treat her cancer, but more recent generations had the advantages of mammograms for earlier detection and less invasive treatments. We know from experience how important annual mammograms are and what a difference they can mean in treatment. The women in my family all make sure they get them.

To help even more women receive the benefits – and the peace of mind – mammograms provide, The MED applied for and received a grant from the Susan Komen Foundation to provide free mammograms to women without health insurance who couldn’t afford to pay for them. We knew from experience that less privileged women take care of their families’ health as much as possible, but seldom take care of their own. This grant would help change that.

We were able to provide 369 women with mammograms – most of them for the first time in their lives. Fortunately, only three had positive results and were referred to the care they needed. All of the women received helpful educational materials about self-exams and the importance of continuing to get mammograms on an annual basis.

It’s an important step toward better health for these women. And, we’re applying for another grant to continue this life-saving service.

There are still so many women who resist getting a mammogram because of past painful experiences, or even plain fear. Please allow me to make this clear: the mammograms of today are nothing like years past. The pain is almost completely gone because the visualizing technology has gotten so much better and not near the amount of compression is needed. The radiation involved now is far, far below what was required 20 or more years ago – it’s now a mere two rads or less. This is no more than a dental x-ray and less than a chest x-ray, so any radiation fears should be forgotten.

Today’s mammograms are quicker and easier, plus you get your results faster. The MED has a new, up-to-date digital mammography unit that eliminates the waiting that came with the old film type mammograms. Additionally, we’ve set up our mammography screenings to be comfortable and self-contained in one area, so they’re easier to access.

Breast cancer is very treatable – especially with early detection. We’re proud of our ability to help more women preserve their health through the Susan Komen Foundation grant as well as our regular mammography services. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. But, with early detection like The MED provides, that one in eight can be a cancer survivor.

Nancy Coffee, President & CEO of The Leadership Academy

By Nancy Coffee, President and CEO of The Leadership Academy

I would like to personally congratulate The MED’s Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood – this year’s recipient of the Award of Administrative Excellence by the Memphis Business Journal at the newspaper’s annual Health Care Heroes event on August 31st.

Dr. Coopwood and I first met when he joined The Leadership’s Academy Board of Trustees, one of the several community organizations in which he is active.

From the time that Dr. Coopwood joined The MED as President and CEO, he has excelled in every challenge faced in guiding the hospital through exceptionally tough economic circumstances. Since accepting the position, he has been able to propel the hospital to success in both quality of care and fiscal astuteness. Possessing an endearing, quiet charisma coupled with an incredible intellect, Dr. Coopwood has gained the trust and respect of his co-workers and the community.

Dr. Coopwood has guided the hospital through a complete financial and operational turnaround during his short 18-month tenure as CEO. The hospital was $20 million in the red in fiscal year 2009, and as of fiscal year 2011, The MED is $17.7 million in the black. This unbelievable turnaround is due, in large part, to Dr. Coopwood’s vision for the hospital and his uncanny ability to bring together various constituencies with differing viewpoints.

The collaborative spirit that Dr. Coopwood inspires in those at The MED and across our city is remarkable. His giving, compassionate approach has had a positive impact on both the city of Memphis and the hospital that serves it.

Since joining The MED, it has been Dr. Coopwood’s vision that The MED will one day be seen as a “hospital of choice.” His enthusiasm behind this vision is contagious.

In addition to leading the helm at The MED, Dr. Coopwood is currently active in several other community organizations, including the Tennessee Hospital Association, where he serves as a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Diversity Committee. Through his community involvement, he not only works tirelessly to improve healthcare for Memphians, but for citizens across our state and nation.

Dr. Coopwood’s tranquil enthusiasm and keen discernment have transformed The MED over his tenure. He has applied true humility to the enormous challenges he has shouldered. His faith is the backbone of his leadership, and his coined phrase “It’s a new day at The MED” has turned out to be prophetic.

Dr. Coopwood models a collaborative, results-oriented, no-nonsense leadership style that is part of a new installment of Memphis leadership talent that is making our city a better place to live. It’s not just a new day at The MED. It’s a new day for Memphis.

If you would like to join Dr. Coopwood in serving the Memphis community through The MED, please click here.

Dr. William L. Hickerson, Medical Director of the Firefighter’s Regional Burn Center at The MED

By Dr. William L. Hickerson, Medical Director of the Firefighters Regional Burn Center at The MED

Everyone realizes that fire is dangerous. But that’s not the only thing that can cause a serious and very painful burn. At the Firefighters Regional Burn Center at The MED, we often have to treat bad third-degree burns from scalding water and even common household products.

With scalding water burns, it’s particularly heartbreaking because too often the patients we see are small children.

Anytime a pot on the stove has its handle sticking out in the room, a child’s natural curiosity can lead him or her to grasp the handle to see what’s inside. The result is often terrible burns when that pot spills its boiling contents right onto the child.

People love their hot baths, but hot water heaters should never be set higher than 120º F. After all, third-degree burns result from just a second of exposure to water that’s just 160º. Longer exposure at somewhat lower temperatures can cause the same painful outcome. It’s safer for everyone in the family to just use more hot water to achieve that warm soak than risk anyone suffering from burns.

Microwaves can also quickly heat liquids to the scalding point. Sometimes these super-heated liquids can actually explode in your face if you haven’t followed directions properly.

Hot coffee also presents a lot of problems. Typically restaurants heat their coffee to 190º and serve it at 180º – which is well above the instant third-degree burn level. You need to treat that to-go cup of coffee with all the care of a burning coal. It’s every bit as dangerous.

We also see a lot of chemical burns in the Burn Center, caused by common household products. People tend to think that cleaning solutions and other chemical products they buy at the store are safe, but that isn’t the case. Bleach, drain and toilet bowl cleaners, metal cleaners, pool chlorinators, and even concrete mix can all cause painful chemical burns.

It’s crucially important to read and precisely follow the safety guidelines on the package for any of these products. Wear those protective gloves when it says to, and follow other instructions exactly. While many chemical burns can be easily treated, some chemical agents can cause deep tissue damage that’s not readily apparent.

And, it goes without saying that all these substances – as well as other household cleaners and chemicals – should be stored well out of the reach of children.

Every year more than 500,000 Americans suffer from burns so bad they require medical treatment.  And 4000 of them die as a result of their injuries. Here at the Burn Center, we’re doing everything we can to reduce those fatalities, but stopping burns from happening starts with you.

To support the cutting-edge treatment research conducted at the Firefighters Regional Burn Center, make a contribution to The MED Foundation today.

Sharon Parker, Marsha Evans, Kay Shepard and Tammie Ritchey gather at the 2011 Elvis Reception

By Tammie Ritchey, Executive Director, The MED Foundation

They met in Illinois, “through Elvis.” That’s how Sharon Parker and Kay Shepard explained it from the fluorescent-lit room in The MED’s basement, stacked to the brim with Elvis memorabilia. They were sorting through collectibles for a special reception, just for Elvis fans and donors, to be hosted by The MED Foundation a few days later.

When I asked if they had found anything interesting among the artifacts, they both gestured toward two towering stacks in the corner of the room. “It’s such a treasure-trove! You have very rare Elvis books here; many that have been out of print for who knows how long,” Kay said. Their enthusiasm was downright contagious.

The Elvis keepsakes were offered for sale to benefit the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center. This year’s “Elvis Week” marked the 34^th anniversary of the death of the king of rock and roll, and for us it means a chance to visit with friends, thank our longtime supporters (many of whom are Elvis fans) and even make new acquaintances.

The Elvis collectibles that were offered for sale at our annual Elvis Fan Reception August 11^th were, in large part, due to the generosity of Elizabeth Portolano, who amassed an extensive and rare collection of Elvis artifacts before her passing last December. Her best friend, Joann Passalacqua, decided to donate the items to The MED Foundation in Elizabeth’s honor.

Joann and Elizabeth have been coming to Memphis since 1980, even though both called New York home. A plaque will be hung in Elizabeth’s honor on The MED’s Donor Wall of Honor in the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center. The “Wall” recognizes donors who cumulatively contribute $1000. Nearly 300 plaques hang there today, each dated and inscribed according to the donor’s wishes.

Dr. Reginald Coopwood, CEO of The MED, had an exciting announcement to make at this year’s reception. The MED will pay tribute to Elvis by re-designing the entrance to the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center in a way that honors him. The design process has already begun, with work to be completed later this year.

The Elvis Fan Reception drew fans from as far away as Brazil and Japan this year. Some are faithful attendees, having attended The MED Foundation’s annual Elvis Fan Reception for over two decades – since the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center opened in 1983. Others are new to The MED Foundation’s tradition.

Kyle Timm, a Colorado resident, proudly sported a tattoo of Elvis on her forearm. “I think the reception is just awesome! It’s a great opportunity to meet people, and support the Elvis Presley Trauma Center.” This was her second year to attend, and she’s sure she’ll continue to make it a tradition.

Everyone in the room had an interesting Elvis story to tell, and there was a spirit of camaraderie lingering long after the event. With over $4,000 contributed by Elvis fans during the reception, Elvis’s spirit of generosity lives on.  Next year’s event will be even more spectacular, as 2012 marks the 35^th anniversary of Elvis’s death.

Click here to make a special donation in Elvis’s name to the Trauma Center or to learn more about the Donor Wall of Honor.