Find out how an experience at Children’s Hospital deeply impacted a young couple who’ll begin their journey as husband and wife this spring. Meet Elise McDaniel, an energetic young woman who makes being healthy a priority. Saying goodbye to Laura Barnes after nearly 41 years; welcoming Hella Ewing to Children’s Hospital. Read more at http://www.etch.com/about_us/its_about_children.aspx

2. 4
1
6
CPR class for parents and
teens age 14 and older
Donate to
Children’s Hospital
MEDIC blood drive
MAY
JUN.
MAY
TODAY
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building
(Meschendorf Conference Room)
Class costs $25.
Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn CPR so you
can respond to emergencies in your home.
Supporters like you are the
backbone of the hospital,
providing the necessary
equipment to care for
thousands of children each
year. Visit www.etch.com/
ItsAboutChildren to
learn how you can support
Children’s Hospital.
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building
(Meschendorf Conference Room)
It’s free.
Call 865-541-8165 for more information. All
blood used at Children’s Hospital is provided
through MEDIC. One donation can help up to
three people. Donors must be at least 17 years old,
weigh more than 110 pounds and have an ID.
Mark Your Calendar
2 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

3. 8
4
13 Change in leadership
Through it all
Living well
Saying goodbye to Laura Barnes
after nearly 41 years; welcoming
Hella Ewing to Children’s Hospital.
Find out how an experience at
Children’s Hospital deeply impacted
a young couple who’ll begin their
journey as husband and wife this
spring.
Meet Elise McDaniel, an energetic
young woman who makes being
healthy a priority.
It’s About Children is a publication
of the Marketing Department at
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Editor: Paul Parson
Designer: Deborah Hosterman
Cover photo by Michael Dayah
Connect with us:
www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
ItsAboutChildren@etch.com
Spotlight
20
9
22
Safe Sitter class for children
ages 11 to 14
Peyton Manning Golf Classic
JUN.
MAY
JUN.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building
(Meschendorf Conference Room)
Class costs $25.
Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn correct
babysitting techniques, emergency responses
and how to use babysitting as a business.
Morning round begins at 8 a.m.;
afternoon round begins at 1:30 p.m.
Fox Den Country Club
Sponsorship packages range from
$500 to $25,000.
Call 865-541-8441 or visit www.etch.com/
GolfClassic to register for the event or for
sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds go
toward the purchase of equipment in our
Emergency Department.
3Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

4. 4 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

5. Together…
Through it all
Story by E. Anderson
and Cassidy Duckett
continued on page 6
5Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
Photo by Stephanie Hatcher

6. 6 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015
As teenagers, Jacob Standridge and Tracey Jaynes
spent countless hours at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
while Jacob battled cancer. It was an experience that
deeply impacted the young couple who’ll begin their
journey as husband and wife this spring.
In 2010, Jacob, then a sophomore in high school, was
playing baseball when he noticed a pain in his left arm.
“I thought it was a pulled muscle, but it got really
bad one night,” Jacob said. “My mom took me to our
pediatrician who did an X-ray. When he got the results
back, he said he’d never seen anything like it in his life.
He said it looked like mud.”
Doctors diagnosed Jacob with osteosarcoma, a rare
bone cancer. The 15-year-old immediately began treatment
at Children’s Hospital—an hour away from his hometown
of Sweetwater, Tenn. It was there that the course of Jacob’s
life was changed forever.
Though he had a tough fight against cancer, Jacob’s
experience at Children’s Hospital is full of memories of
those who cared for him and eased his anxiety through
humor and compassion. Jacob fondly remembers
joking with his doctors, surprising a nurse with a fake
snake and even taking part in water-filled syringe wars
with his patient care assistant.
“My experience with the staff was amazing,” said
Jacob, now 20 years old.
Jacob’s experience at Children’s Hospital inspired him
to pursue a nursing degree at Tennessee Technological
University.
“I want to become a pediatric oncology nurse and care
for children like I was cared for. My experience showed me
that you never know what could happen in your life, so I
try to live my life to the fullest,” said Jacob, who’s already
worked with young patients as a volunteer at Children’s
Hospital.
Similarly, Jacob’s fiancée, Tracey, is studying to be a
child life specialist. The couple had been dating for nearly
PhotobyMichaelDayah

7. 7Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
Photo by Stephanie Hatcher
two years when Jacob was diagnosed
with cancer.
“She was there through the
whole thing,” Jacob said of Tracey.
“And when she saw child life
working with me, she was inspired
to become a specialist.”
As part of her program at
Tennessee Tech, Tracey worked as
a practicum student with the Child
Life Department at Children’s
Hospital.
“I intentionally applied here
because this hospital has the best
care for children,” she said. “It’s
absolutely amazing how the staff
cares about helping their patients.”
The couple plans to wed in
May 2015 at a barn in Tracey’s
hometown of Philadelphia, Tenn.
And both hope Children’s
Hospital—the place that saved
Jacob’s life and made a lifelong
impact on both of them—will
remain an important part of
their future.
“This hospital is a huge
part of this region,” Jacob
said. “I’d recommend a family
to the hospital not only
because it’s just for children,
but for the outstanding care
your child receives and for
the employees’ love for
helping children.”

8. 8 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015
Story by E. Anderson
Photos by Michael Dayah
continued on page 10
Taking charge.
Living well.Elise McDaniel makes being healthy a priority.

9. 9Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

10. Still, Elise remained physically active—participating on
a swim team and taking several dance classes. When she
continued to gain weight, Chris addressed the problem with
Elizabeth Wirthwein, M.D., Elise’s pediatric endocrinologist
at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Wirthwein had been treating Elise
since she was 8 years old for hypothyroidism, a condition
in which the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid
hormone. Though this condition, often referred to as
underactive thyroid, can lead to weight gain, Chris discovered
that wasn’t entirely the case with Elise.
“I thought it was something having to do with her
Down syndrome. But really, it was that we weren’t limiting
what she was eating,” she said.
The discovery was eye-opening for Chris, who never had
to watch her weight. Her husband, Lee, and Elise’s younger
brother, Cole, both maintain healthy weights as well.
“I wasn’t necessarily serving my family diet meals, but I
tried to serve healthy food to my family,” she said.
In 2012, Elise’s weight hit an all-time high of 134 pounds,
a significant amount for her small, 4-foot-10-inch frame to
handle. She was often winded and made her parents take
breaks even on short walks around the neighborhood.
Chris decided to take action.
With the help of her mom, Elise began cutting
carbohydrates and limiting portions. She continued being
continued from page 9
Elise McDaniel is full of energy—rarely sitting still.
Most days you’ll find the 17-year-old shaving seconds off
her freestyle time at swim team practice. Or perfecting her
tango in ballroom dance class. Or riding a tandem bicycle
with her father, Lee.
But having the energy to do the things she loves
wasn’t always easy for Elise.
Though always physically active, it wasn’t until Elise
combined that with smart food choices that she was able
to take charge of her health—ultimately improving her
quality of life.
Born at just 4 pounds, 1 ounce, Elise spent the
beginning of her life in the East Tennessee Children’s
Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Elise’s low
birth weight—typical for babies with Down syndrome—
required her to stay in the NICU for nine days.
“The nurses, especially, were so kind, patient and
compassionate when we were learning to care for our
firstborn,” said Elise’s mother, Chris. “Elise was so teeny.
I couldn’t even imagine her ever getting big.”
But as Elise grew, so did her appetite—and her love
of unhealthy foods. Pasta, biscuits with honey and
pancakes were among her favorites.
“By the time she was 10, she’d started to gain weight,
and by 12 she’d gotten a lot bigger,” Chris said.
10 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

11. continued on page 12
physically active—like swimming several days a week. The
weight began to fall off. And soon Elise was making her
health a priority.
“She really took ownership of this,” Chris said. “She
knew what she could and couldn’t have. She plans ahead.
She’d ask me what we were having for dinner, and if it was
something with carbs, she’d have a diet lunch. I never wanted
to be the one pointing fingers at her. Now I don’t really have
to say anything to her. She’s the one who regulates it.”
Six months after she’d began her weight-loss journey,
Elise had an appointment with Dr. Wirthwein. The Knoxville
teenager had lost nearly 20 pounds.
“I remember the nurse weighed her and did a double
take,” Chris said. “And Dr. Wirthwein was so excited. She’s
really been a cheerleader for Elise.”
In the 10 years that Dr. Wirthwein has been affiliated
with Children’s Hospital, she’s seen a dramatic increase in
childhood obesity. But patients like Elise give her hope for
other children she treats, she said.
“It’s just so great to see her living a healthy lifestyle and
making changes. You want that for all your patients, so to
see someone be so successful is really rewarding,” she said.
People with Down syndrome often have a slower
metabolism, Dr. Wirthwein said. And with hypothyroidism,
Elise’s immune system actually attacks her thyroid, which
manufactures the hormones that help control metabolism
and growth.
“She’s had a lot more health battles than most people,
so her success is even more of an inspiration,” Dr. Wirthwein
said.
Elise has lost a total of 30 pounds. Her energy is better.
And instead of pasta and biscuits, she now counts broccoli,
asparagus and tomato soup among her favorite foods. She
no longer has to take breaks when walking the family dog,
Bingo, and her weight loss has allowed her entire family to
be more active together. Elise recently shared her weight-loss
story in a speech at her 4-H Club.
“She’d tear up when she was talking. It’s such a personal
thing, and she gets really emotional when she talks about it,”
Chris said. “I’m just so proud of her.”
Chris, too, gets emotional when thinking about how
far her daughter has come. She remembers Elise’s junior
cotillion dance, a few months after her daughter began
losing weight.
“She had this long black gown on, and she looked
stunning,” Chris said. “She just looked happy and healthy.”
11Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
to learn about programs at Children’s
Hospital that can help your child
achieve a healthy weight.

12. 12 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015
Key points:
Caring for Elise
Pediatric pulmonology
As a child, Elise was treated for reactive airway
disease—an asthma-like narrowing of the airways
that can cause wheezing, coughing and shortness
of breath.
Pediatric otolaryngology
Elise had her tonsils and adenoids removed
when she was 6 years old. As a young teenager,
she also underwent auditory processing testing
at the request of her speech pathologist.
Pediatric endocrinology
Since age 8, Elise has been treated for
hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid
gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.
Pediatric dentistry
When she was 10, Elise had several baby teeth
extracted.
Elise McDaniel has been a patient at Children’s Hospital since birth.
The care Elise has received at Children’s Hospital includes:

13. Pictured:
Laura Barnes (left)
Hella Ewing (right)
13Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
Change in
leadership
When Laura Barnes retires this year, she’ll
take with her the memories of the thousands of
patients who’ve left their handprints on her
heart. And in turn, Barnes will leave a legacy for
hundreds of Children’s Hospital staff members
who’ve been inspired by her dedication.
For nearly 41 years, Barnes has
demonstrated an unrivaled passion and
commitment for the patients at Children’s
Hospital. In her journey from nurse to chief
nursing officer and vice president for patient
care services, Barnes helped create many
programs focused on child health and well-
being, including the Child Life Department
and the Childhood Obesity Coalition.
“Children’s Hospital has a special place in my
heart,” Barnes said. “It’s been an amazing time
here filled with wonderful people and unique
experiences I’ll never forget. Each person I’ve
met—whether a patient or employee—has left
a lasting impression on my life.”
Barnes passes the leadership torch for
nursing and patient care services to Hella Ewing,
who had a similar role at All Children’s Hospital in
St. Petersburg, Fla. Ewing also served as project
director for the Florida Division of eQHealth
Solutions and executive director for the Women’s
and Children Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
“I’m so excited to be joining the staff at
Children’s Hospital. I believe it takes a special
person to work at a pediatric hospital, and I’m
looking forward to meeting the wonderful
people at Children’s Hospital who combine
clinical care with loving hearts,” Ewing said.
Ewing will oversee the nursing staff at
the hospital in addition to areas such as
the Social Work and Interpretive Services
Department, Pastoral Care Department
and the Rehabilitation Center.
News

14. The 30th
annual Fantasy of Trees was a record-
breaking event, with more than 60,500 people in
attendance and more than $360,000 raised for
Children’s Hospital. Thanks to attendees like you, we
will be able to purchase a new OPMI Pentero microscope,
which provides neurosurgeons with clearer and more
powerful magnification during surgery.
This year’s Fantasy of Trees featured children’s
activities, gift shops, appearances by Santa Claus and
273 Christmas trees—many of which were designed and
donated by local businesses, schools and community
organizations. Major sponsors were Cumulus
Broadcasting, Delta Dental, Emerson Process
Management, Knoxville News Sentinel, Regal
Entertainment Group, Regions Bank, Shoney’s,
The William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, WBIR-TV
and volunteers from Children’s Hospital.
Your Dollars at Work
A fantasy comes true
14 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

15. Many local businesses and community
members like you helped make the holidays
brighter for our patients and their families.
TEDDY BEARS: Hoping to brighten the
days of children in the hospital with a hug
from a furry friend, 9-year-old Emilie Gregg
collected 644 teddy bears for Children’s
Hospital patients. Emilie knows firsthand
the power of a stuffed bear while in the
hospital; she’s been treated here for the past
five years for a rare blood disorder.
SANTA COPS: Through the generosity of
the 134th
Air Refueling Wing Security Forces
Squadron’s Santa Cops program, 79 patients
at Children’s Hospital were surprised with
holiday gifts. The annual event provided toys
to children who spent the holiday season in
the hospital.
PETS: Thanks to local shoppers, more than
4,000 cats and dogs have new homes. The
stuffed pets, Lucky the Cat and Chance the
Dog, were purchased by shoppers at
Knoxville PetSmart stores and donated to
Children’s Hospital. Children in the hospital
and those visiting for appointments received
one of these stuffed friends.
TINY TREES: Patients at Children’s Hospital
received a special holiday treat, thanks to
160 3-foot Christmas trees that were placed
in their rooms. Volunteers from various
organizations, including the Monroe County
Sheriff’s Office, church groups and Girl
Scouts and Boy Scouts troops, purchased,
decorated and donated the trees—many with
a specific theme such as superheroes and
cartoon characters.
Holiday highlights
15Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

16. A reason to smile
Thanks to a $250,000 donation
from Delta Dental of Tennessee,
Children’s Hospital will be able to
enhance the dental care we provide
to thousands of children each year.
The donation will enable us to install
new equipment and create a pediatric
dental care area in our new surgery
center. Most of the dental procedures
done by Children’s Hospital involve
young patients who have serious
dental problems.
Your Dollars at Work
Playing for children
From the comfort of their own
homes, 290 participants—58 more than
in 2013—played video games, board
games and more to raise $15,207 for
Children’s Hospital through the Extra Life
event. Gamers like Nicholas Bashore—
better known as Avialence in the video
gaming world—played their favorite
games with a purpose. Bashore, who
has a devoted following through both
YouTube and Twitch.tv, hosted a 24-hour
live stream of the event and raised $535.
Funds raised will help purchase medical
equipment for our patients.
16 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

17. For our courageous patients
Jewelry Television donated $25,000 to enable
Children’s Hospital to begin a Beads of Courage
program. Through Beads of Courage, children
with cancer and other serious illnesses receive
colorful beads that symbolize their treatment
milestones. Each of our patients has a story to
tell—and these beads allow them to tell their
stories in unique ways. Each bead marks a triumph
or tough fight. Thanks to Jewelry Television, this
program will be provided free of charge to all
eligible patients.
17Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren
to watch our Beads of Courage
celebration, featuring UT football players.

18. Your Dollars at Work
Volunteer spirit
Children’s Hospital volunteers scored a game-
winning touchdown during the recent University
of Tennessee football season. Volunteers raised
$48,245 for Children’s Hospital by manning the
hospital’s employee garage and adjacent lots
during UT home football games. Charging $10
to $20 per car based on parking area, volunteers
directed as many as 650 vehicles to parking per
game. Our Security Department monitored the
parking areas for safety.
Great way to raise money
Great Clips stylists had
a hair-raising time helping
Children’s Hospital at the 95th
annual Tennessee Valley Fair
in September. As part of Hair
at the Fair, dozens of stylists
provided hundreds of free
haircuts to fairgoers in exchange
for donations to Children’s
Hospital. The event raised
$4,704, which will be used to
purchase pediatric medical
equipment for the hospital.
18 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2015

19. Much-needed equipment
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation awarded
a $50,000 grant to Children’s Hospital to
allow us to purchase a cardiac monitor and
install oxygen/suction equipment in the 11
exam rooms in our Hematology/Oncology
Clinic. Currently, a patient who needs oxygen
or suction during a clinic visit is treated
using a portable cart that’s shared among
exam rooms, which can be dangerous for
cancer patients who have a decreased
immune system. The addition of the
equipment to the clinic rooms will greatly
enhance the capabilities of our staff to care
for our patients without compromising their
immunity.
Special services
for families
New York Life Insurance
Co. awarded Children’s Hospital
a $25,000 grant to establish
food pantries to provide free
and nutritious food options to
patients and their families as
needed during their
hospitalization—like when our
cafeteria or other restaurants
are closed. The grant will also
provide a slushy machine for
each patient floor and the
Emergency Department; cool
treats often have soothing effects
for children in the hospital.
This grant was made possible
through the support of Tim
Mahoney, a New York Life
employee and member of the
Children’s Hospital Committee
for the Future.
19Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

20. Nothing puts a smile on aNothing puts a smile on a child’s face quicker than getting a gift— child’s face quicker than getting a gift
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