Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2020

Virtual birthday party unites patients Originally from El Paso, Colton Higgins was at Methodist Children’s Hospital for a bone mar- row transplant as part of his fight against cancer. Our Child Life Special- ists helped to coordinate a virtual 7th birthday celebration with Colton’s other Child Life friends at Providence Children’s Hospital in El Paso. Colton felt the love near and far. The Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive at Methodist Children’s Hospital took on new meaning this year. Named after one of the hospital’s beloved patients and friends, the drive was established to help end child- hood hunger in the San Antonio community by collect- ing boxes of cereal for the San Antonio Food Bank. As the coronavirus pandemic increased food insecurity for families, they turned to the San Antonio Food Bank for help. As a result, the Food Bank’s shelves emptied. This year, the hospital collected funds instead of boxes of cereal. By raising $70,225, the drive generated 491,575 servings of cereal. An important part of the drive this year was a donation of $50,000 fromGeneral Mills - Cheerios ™ . Rowan’s story touched the hearts of General Mills - Cheerios ™ representatives. Not only does this donation bring the hospital and Rowan’s family great joy in know- ing that Rowan’s spirit and mission continue to reach the public, it also means more children in San Antonio will get the food they need through the San Antonio Food Bank’s Million Meals for Kids effort. Rowan was an inspirational patient whose short life touched many people. Diagnosed with a rare genetic disor- der, he spent more than 1,500 days in the hospi- tal, undergoing 100 sur- geries. When he learned of the cereal drive at Methodist Children’s Hospital, he asked the public to donate cereal. Rowan passed away in December 2016 at age 10. Methodist Children’s Heart Institute grows More children will have access to the advanced care that families from across the world seek at Methodist Children’s Heart Institute as a result of the addition of a second pediatric congenital cardiothoracic surgeon. Anastasios Polimenakos, M.D., has been named Medical Director of Methodist Children’s Heart Institute. He joins the Institute from Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. His arrival signifies the beginning of a long-term growth plan designed to continue to meet the needs of children with congenital heart defects. Congenital heart surgery is always a delicate operation. Methodist Children’s Hospital has assembled a team of specialists with exper- tise in all areas to help provide the high quality, compassionate care needed for complex procedures. Methodist Children’s Hospital CEO Court LeMaistre says Methodist Children’s Heart Institute will continue to attract leading cardiologists and intensive care subspecialists to treat the most complex cardiac issues. “The growth doesn’t stop here,” LeMaistre said. “As more and more families move to San Antonio and the surrounding areas, it is not only our priority, but also a necessity that we continue to provide families access to the Methodist-quality pediatric heart care the com- munity has come to know and expect.” Methodist Children’s Heart Institute patients have access to the largest pediatric catheterization service in the region, which provides the latest in cardiac cath technology to perform minimally invasive, routine tests and noninvasive surgical procedures. The Institute also provides state-of-the-art pediatric cardiac radiology services with 3-D reconstruction capabilities. Good to know Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital 210-22-NURSE 210-226-8773 Monday – Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Weekends and major holidays. When your child has a medical need, Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital has specially-trained pediatric nurses to assist you with medical advice concerning your child. HealthBus and Well Waldo’s Wheels 210-MHS-RIDE 210-647-7433 Do you worry about how you will get to your next doctor’s appoint- ment? Do you use a wheelchair and need a little extra assistance getting to the hospital for out- patient testing? Do you have a child with special needs and lack a vehicle that can accommodate your child’s medical transportation needs? Methodist Healthcare has the answer. HealthBus for adults and Well Waldo’s Wheels for children and expectant moms provide trans- portation from your home to your doctor’s office or hospital and then pick you up later and take you home. For information on how to schedule a ride and specific hospitals and ZIP codes served, please call 210-MHS-RIDE. Medical Advice for Adults 210-575-0355 Available 24/7 RowanWindhamMemorial Cereal Drive receives $50,000 donation fromCheerios™ F A L L 2 0 2 0 K E E P I N G W E L L 3 N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S H E A L T H T A L K