I agree with this above statement totally. I have been very fortunate to not need to use the services of a pediatric treatment facility but having grown up in the Hampton Roads area, I know valuable CHKD is to so many people. And the fact that Richmond does not have anything like this is pitiful. However, I wouldn't even know where to start, so my question is what can moms like myself, who want to help but don't know how, do to help?

With (5) kids under the age of 9 it is quite possible that I will require the needs of a pediatric hospital. A pediatric hospital that specializes in pediatrics – Not treating kids like 'little adults' – a concept drilled into me 24 years ago when I started my EMS career. Re-emphasized while as the State Critical Care Coordinator the Commonwealth saw fit to hire a liaison for pediatric care. Why there are separate Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support classes.

To me, a pediatric hospital admits ONLY patients under the age of 18. They have dedicated equipment and specialists on-site for their Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Unit, OR's etc. – not a room for kids in the regular hospital departments.

I am extremely fortunate in that I have 5 healthy kids who haven't required long-term or high-need care; I need a hospital where I can take my kid if he breaks his arm or heaven forbid is in a car accident or manages to get hold of something out of the cleaning cabinet.

Right now, there is nowhere to take that kid except to a hospital where it is likely that he will be treated as a little adult.

VCU needs to stop trying to convince Richmond that they are a pediatric hospital until they exhibit the facilities, equipment, staff and dedication to the project.

Mike Semp

Here are some things I learned:
1. The word stand-alone can be confusing to moms. Does it mean no associations? Does it mean it's not a building?
2. Not having sick kids, it's not top of mind. They aren't saying it's not important, but they don't realize what the benefits are vs. the CHR on Brook Road.
4. The moms who get the "pros and cons" of stand-alone vs. teaching hospital are the ones who need it most: I did talk to one mom who spent years traveling to DC for her kid's cancer treatments. Also talked with a friend whose brother was in CHKD in Norfolk for the first 6 months of his life (they lived there) and she doesn't know what they would have done with out it.

It seems like an opportunity to gather the moms who have the most need. They are the ones who understand why it's important. They have specific needs and want those top specialists to be drawn to Richmond. I think moms with well kids are "for the idea" of a hospital, but get lost in the details.

As one mom said, "Sure they'll vote yes from the carpool lane, but will they get out of their cars to help?" Perhaps if we break it down even more for them, they might.

Happy to help further in any way.

Call your own child's doctor and ask what he or she thinks and WHY? Ask if your pediatrician would support the construction of this beautiful new facility in our city. Ask yourself…if the best hospital for children were built across the river from where you lived, would you drive to it to be seen in a state-of-the-art facility by the best specialists? Think about what you would be willing to do to make this hospital a reality for your children.

I've been thinking about it for twenty years, writing about the need for a Children's Hospital for about five years, and praying for a miracle for oh, I don't know…forever? Mothers are in the business of pulling off miracles every day though, and if anyone can work miracles, it's us. Let's get started!
Gayle Schrier Smith, MD
Partners In Pediatrics, PC

It's time to begin fundraising and organizing and figure out how to have what our children need to have the best health care possible.