A letter from Mel Bower, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer at Shriners Children’s
Dear Readers,
When doctors have gone through an injury themselves, they can develop deep empathy for their patients.
We have such a physician profiled in this issue of Leaders in Care.
As you will read, Jason Heard, M.D., was 12 years old when he threw gasoline on a backyard fire, and the can exploded.
Jason was flown to a burn center in his home state of Iowa. He spent five weeks in the hospital and four weeks in a rehab facility. Then he found his way to the Shriners Children’s hospital in Ohio, where he was treated for scarring and had his ear reconstructed.
You might think that a child who had spent so much time in the hospital and had multiple surgeries would flee the site of those tough times.
But at Shriners Children’s, we have many providers who have been our patients. Kandace Stratton, RN, a nurse manager at Shriners Children’s Lexington, was a patient when she was a teenager. Jillian Elwart, who had an above-the-knee amputation, is now a Paralympic rower and a certified prosthetist working in our Shreveport location, the same facility where she received care as a child.
We believe their desire to come back is a grand endorsement, a testament to the quality of the care and the comfort we provide.
Dr. Heard says a huge part of what he can do for his patients is show them a bright future. At a very difficult time, “It can really turn things around,” he has said.
It inspires me to see their level of dedication and care, and I know you’ll feel the same way.
Sincerely,
Mel Bower
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Shriners Children’s
Patient Perspectives
We received this touching note from a patient at Shriners Children’s New England, describing their time at a Shriners Children’s Ambassador event.
Dear Shriners Children’s New England Family – I just wanted to thank you so very much for making my dreams come true and allowing me to sing at such an incredible event. I met so many amazing Shriners kids and families. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope I made you proud, and I hope to attend many more ambassador events in the future.
Love, Andrew
