CLEVELAND -- University Hospitals Health System today announced a $10 million gift from The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation.  The Foundation has designated $7 million to support the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and $3 million for further development of The Neurological Institute at University Hospitals.

"The plans that UH has outlined for the future of the hospital system in its Vision 2010 growth strategy are among the best we have ever seen," said Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation trustees in making this gift. "We hope our philanthropic investment will inspire others in the community to step up and join us in supporting University Hospitals in its efforts to raise healthcare to new heights in Northeast Ohio."

Cleveland — Over the river and through the woods…that trip to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner can mean snow, ice, wet roads, and lots of traffic. As the holiday travel season approaches and winter kicks into full gear, it is more important than ever for parents to think about how they are transporting their littlest family members. As cold, wet weather forces families indoors, it is also a perfect time for parents and children to visit The Children’s Museum of Cleveland (CMC) and learn about staying safe in and around cars in a brand new interactive transportation safety exhibit to be unveiled in a ceremony at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 20.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children over the age of one,” notes Kathryn Wesolowski, Manager of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center. “Being restrained in a vehicle—with car seats for infants and toddlers, booster seats for other young children, or seat belts for older children and teens—is the best means of reducing risk of injury, yet only 1 in 3 children treated in Ohio trauma centers for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes is restrained.”

CLEVELAND – On Thursday, January 11, 2007, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital at University Hospitals Case Medical Center will host a Town Hall Meeting, as part of a national series of Town Hall Meetings to be held on the same day, addressing the issue of health coverage for children and the pending Congressional decision about whether to reauthorize the successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Rainbow is hosting the Town Hall Meeting in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Columbus Children’s Hospital, The Center for Community Solutions, Dayton Children’s, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Toledo Children’s Hospital, and Voices for Ohio’s Children.

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Case Medical Center’s Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital has appointed Edward M. Barksdale, Jr., MD as the new chief of pediatric general surgery. Dr. Barksdale will be the first holder of the Robert J. Izant, Jr., MD Chair in Pediatric Surgery.

“We are honored and fortunate to have Dr. Barksdale join our team and lead the pediatric general surgery division. He is the perfect candidate to be the first physician to hold the Izant chair,” said Jeffrey L. Ponsky, MD, chairman of surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center. “He brings tremendous talent and passion with him, and he will help take Rainbow’s surgical expertise to an even higher level of patient care and service.” Dr. Barksdale’s recruitment is consistent with University Hospitals’ investment in surgical innovation as a component of the Vision 2010 strategic plan.

CLEVELAND – Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital at University Hospitals Case Medical Center announced today the creation of the Jennifer Ferchill Brain Tumor Center, established through a significant leadership gift from the John and Sharon Ferchill family. The hospital will honor the Ferchill family for their generosity and officially launch the Jennifer Ferchill Brain Tumor Center with a reception on July 17, 2007 at Rainbow.

“We lost our daughter, Jennifer, 25 years ago to a brain tumor,” said Cleveland-based real estate developer John J. Ferchill. “With this center dedicated to her memory, Jenny’s legacy will inspire hope for patients and their families for generations to come.”

Brain tumors are the most common form of pediatric cancer, and despite advances in recent years, brain tumors have surpassed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer death in children.

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospitals has ranked best in the Midwest and #5 in the country in U.S.News & World Report’s first stand-alone “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” issue which features a detailed ranking of the finest pediatric facilities in the United States. The exclusive data will be published in the magazine’s September 3 issue, on newsstands Monday, August 27, and is available online today at health.usnews.com/pediatrics.

While, in the past, pediatric hospitals have been ranked based on reputation alone in the magazine's annual America’s Best Hospitals issue, this expanded children's hospital ranking is based not only on reputation, but also on data and statistics about hospital performance and quality of care.

“We are very pleased and proud to be consistently ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the country,” said Fred C. Rothstein, MD, president & CEO of University Hospitals Case Medical Center. “The changes in methodology this year, and the new stand-alone issue make this honor even more prestigious, and we know ranking among the top five is truly a testament to the compassionate care and dedication of the talented staff at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.”

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is hosting a health forum with Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Saturday, September 15, 2007 from noon until 2:00 p.m. to discuss with parents and children “the trinity issues” of obesity, diabetes and nutrition. The program will feature Rainbow’s Healthy Kids Healthy Weight program in an interactive exercise session with the Congresswoman and participating children and families.

“We are so pleased to be teaming up with Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones to help educate children and families about the obesity epidemic that is adversely impacting our youth,” said Fred C. Rothstein, M.D., President, University Hospitals Case Medical Center. “Rainbow’s Healthy Kids Healthy Weight is a premier program in the area that makes it fun for kids to change their diet and start exercising, and our team of superior physician scientists is leading the way in obesity and diabetes research with projects like the TODAY study. We are proud to participate in this educational and informative session with the Congresswoman and the community.”

CLEVELAND – The Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland want to remind parents that October 31 is one of the most dangerous days of the year for child pedestrians. The combination of darkness, costumes that can obscure vision and general excitement can lead to heightened risk for child pedestrians. To keep kids safe, parents should remind them about the rules of the road and ensure that they will be seen by drivers this Halloween.

A study of child pedestrian deaths from 1975 through 1996 by the Centers for Disease Control found that fatalities were four times higher on Halloween evening (4 pm through 10 pm) compared to all other evenings. Thanks to coordinated injury prevention efforts nationwide, heightened public awareness, and the increased use of safety materials like retro reflective tape on bags and costumes, the child pedestrian fatality rate has dropped from the 1970s and 1980s, but a review of national crash data from 2000 through 2005 by researchers at Rainbow still found that the average number of child pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night is three times the average for all other evenings.

“Parents need to remind kids about safety while walking before they go out trick-or-treating,” says Dr. Walter Chwals, Director of the Rainbow Pediatric Trauma Center. “Children should bring flashlights or glow sticks with them, carry reflective bags or have reflective tape on their costumes, and not wear masks that may inhibit their ability to see hazards. Ensuring kids are seen this Halloween is essential to keep this holiday fun for everyone.”

CLEVELAND – As the holiday season kicks into full gear, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles will be scouring toy stores for the perfect gifts for the children in their lives. With the recent wave of toy recalls—including some of the most trusted brand names in the toy world—buyers may be wondering how to make safe choices, but lead-related worries are only one issue in toy buying.

According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 20 children under the age of 15 died of toy-related injuries during 2005. Half of all fatalities involved choking or asphyxiation related to small toys or pieces that broke off from toys. “When shopping for children under age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking,” advises Dr. Edward Barskdale, Division Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Shoppers should read labels carefully and heed age recommendations: if a toy is labeled ‘not recommended for children under age three,’ parents need to take that warning seriously. “You may think your two-year-old is more advanced than the average child,” notes Kathryn Wesolowski, Manager of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center, “but even the brightest babies and toddlers explore by placing things in their mouths. Thinking that your child is the exception to the rule can lead to tragedy.”

For the first three years, these women worked by aiding “worthy” destitute families, furnishing them with food and clothing, and helping them to pay rent and find employment. In 1891, they raised enough money to fulfill their dream and opened Rainbow Cottage, a healthy place for children to recover from illness. Rainbow Cottage changed its name to Rainbow Hospital for Crippled and Convalescent Children in 1914.

CLEVELAND – Holiday feasts and cookie making with the kids are part of many family traditions for celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwaanza. Parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles are keen to pass along their holiday traditions and children are eager to lend a hand with the holiday preparations, but University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital experts wants parents to remember it is important to practice some basic rules for keeping children safe in and around the kitchen.

Children in the kitchen need close adult supervision at all times, whether they are helping to cook or just watching. “Simply being in the same room as a child is not necessarily supervising,” notes Walter Chwals, MD, Director of Rainbow’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. “An actively supervised child is in sight and in reach at all times.”

CLEVELAND – Leona Cuttler, MD, Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and Director of the Center for Child Health & Policy at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital has been appointed as the inaugural chair holder of the William T. Dahms Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology.

Dr. Dahms worked at Rainbow as a pediatric endocrinologist for 28 years, before passing away in 2006. His career was dedicated to clinical research, primarily in childhood diabetes, and he was division chief of pediatric endocrinology for several years. The chair was established in recognition of Dr. Dahms’ long-standing commitment and devotion to caring for children with endocrine disorders. Dr. Dahms recruited Dr. Cuttler to Cleveland in 1990.

“William Dahms was a wonderful person and a great endocrinologist. I have unbounded respect for what he brought to Rainbow, to the Division of Endocrinology, and to the field.” said Dr. Cuttler. “This chair, in his name, is a great honor for me.”

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is expanding its services for psychiatric patients, thanks to a $5 million grant from The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation. The gift, received in 2004, included funds for an inpatient psychiatric unit in the Horvitz patient tower at Rainbow and for research to advance treatment. The inpatient unit construction is now complete, and ready to serve this important patient group.

The new 14-bed unit led by Noah Miller, MD, director of inpatient psychiatry, will feature a partitioned activity/dining area, group therapy room and two patient lounges to be used in a variety of program tracks depending on patient need. Admission to the unit requires patients to meet specific diagnosis and acuity criteria and/or court-ordered inpatient treatment.

“The inpatient unit adds significant opportunity for us to help those children most at need for psychiatric help,” said Dr. Miller. “Unfortunately, more and more children and teens are requiring more in-depth psychiatric services and hospitalization. We know this unit will fill-up quickly, and adding this hospitalization option to our current psychiatry program integrates superior patient care, training of future mental health professionals and pioneering evidence-based clinical research to advance treatment outcomes.”

CLEVELAND – President George W. Bush announced the appointment of Michael R. Anderson, M.D., pediatric critical care specialist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, as a member of the National Commission on Children and Disasters.

The Commission, established in 2007, will be comprised of 10 members and is charged with conducting a comprehensive study to examine and assess the needs of children in preparation for, response to and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies. A final report will be submitted to the President and Congress with specific recommendations to address the needs of children.

“It is imperative that we take a closer look and become more adequately prepared to handle the unique needs of children in future disasters, and I am honored and thrilled to be named by the President to this Commission,” said Dr. Anderson. “This crucial initiative by the Bush Administration and Congress will help insure the safety and future of our nation’s most important asset – our children.”

CLEVELAND – Cleveland philanthropist Iris S. Wolstein has donated $1 million to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center to endow a physical fitness program for children with cancer. It is the largest gift the hospital has ever received to address physical fitness in chronically ill children.

In recognition of Mrs. Wolstein’s gift, the new physical fitness program will be named, “Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein’s Kids Kicking Cancer.” The gift allows Rainbow, in partnership with the Ireland Cancer Center, to offer a quarterly series of athletic skills clinics for children on and off treatment for cancer. In addition, Kids Kicking Cancer will offer programs to encourage physical activity and fitness at home year-round, as well as athletic conditioning by Rainbow’s pediatric sports medicine experts. Kids Kicking Cancer is one of many programs offered by Rainbow’s Center for Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital knows that kids aren’t just small adults. When ill or injured children reach Rainbow’s emergency department or Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, they get the benefit of equipment and supplies designed specifically for children of different ages and sizes, and medical staff with extensive training and experience in treating children from infancy through adolescence. Now the hospital is taking an extra step to ensure that this unique child-oriented care starts before children reach Rainbow’s front doors by providing more than 30 local EMS squads with specially designed ambulance child restraints created especially for the transport of ill or injured children.

On Friday, August 8, 2008, staff from University Hospitals’ EMS Training and Disaster Preparedness Institute and the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center will demonstrate the new equipment and provide training for EMS personnel from across Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties.

CLEVELAND – The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust has awarded University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital a gift, with a double-impact twist. The Lennon Trust will match any individual’s contribution to Rainbow up to $1,000 until the total amount of the $2 million challenge is raised. The funds donated by the Lennon Trust will support the continued development of the highly specialized Children’s Heart Center at Rainbow.

“We wanted to give this gift in a way that inspired others to support one of our region’s greatest assets – Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital,” said Christopher P. Hitchcock, executive director of The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust. “This challenge provides an opportunity for people to make an even greater impact in supporting the very best care for the babies and children of our community.”

During this season of giving, Thomas F. Zenty III, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals, is taking time to give back to the health system he has led over the past five years. Mr. Zenty announced a personal gift commitment of $1 million in support of University Hospitals Vision 2010 strategic plan. This generous gift, made in honor of his parents, Edna and Thomas F. Zenty, Jr., will establish two endowed funds in support of University Hospitals and UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (Rainbow) is once again ranked second in the nation for care of newborns by U.S. News & World Report. Rainbow also ranked among the top 30 children’s hospitals in the country in eight out of ten medical specialties.

“We are pleased and proud to be ranked so highly among our peer pediatric institutions,” said Michael Farrell, President of UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.  “These rankings are an honor and tribute to the dedication of our talented and caring staff, and mean that children and their families in Northeast Ohio have access to the highest quality of care in the United States. The outstanding NICU ranking is especially exciting for our team.”

In addition to the Neonatal care ranking, Rainbow ranked in the following specialties: Cancer (#30), Diabetes & Endocrine Disorders (#13), Digestive Disorders (#25), Kidney Disorders (#19), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#18), Orthopedics (#13) and Respiratory Disorders (#10).

CLEVELAND –  Hoping to make healthy lifestyle habits a part of every kid’s life at an early age, three Cleveland institutions are joining forces to teach pre-K and kindergarten students about physical activity, good nutrition, and healthy behavior.  

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District have been awarded a $340,000 grant from the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation to create and implement a prevention plan for the district’s youngest students to address the escalating rates of childhood obesity and the problems that go along with them.

“A great deal of attention has been focused on obesity in older children and teens.  But obesity starts in young children and programs for young children are needed,” said Mitchell Balk, President of the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation. “The Foundation believes it is most impactful when its dollars are used for very early prevention efforts.   This project has excellent potential to help young children learn and develop healthy routines that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Thea Wilson, Ed.D., Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Department with the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, said, “The plan is that an actual curriculum for physical activity, nutrition, and healthy living will be developed to be embedded into the existing pre-K and kindergarten curriculum.  It will not require extra time in the school day or take time away from other basic lessons, such as math. For example, lessons would be incorporated into math lessons, such as counting broccoli, or counting jumping jacks, things like that. It is our hope that this project can support the knowledge base for children and their families on the subject of nutrition of physical activity in Pre-K and Kindergarten.”

The first year of the project will be devoted to planning and piloting the program.  The pilot will roll out in autumn 2010 at the school district’s Early Childhood Development Center (the former Charles Orr School, 9711 Lamont Avenue).  

Sandra Redmond, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Children’s Museum, said, “The new curriculum we are developing will be hands-on and interactive so that it will create memorable experiences for young children. We have created a great project team and look forward to working with the CMSD and Rainbow on this important project.”

Leona Cuttler, M.D., Director of the Center for Child Health and Policy at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, said, “Data indicate that rates of obesity in 2 to 5 year-olds are already about double expected rates across Ohio.  Nationally, about one out of every four children at this age is overweight or obese.” 

She added that although the risks of obesity are greater for children who are ethnic minorities and children living in poverty, the problem of childhood obesity is pervasive across all demographic groups.

The program also calls for a companion series of session for parents of these children to reinforce the lessons taught at school.

“We hope we can make the curriculum fun and memorable for kids and parents to form a foundation for healthy lifestyles that become a permanent part of their lives,” said Dr. Cuttler.

For the third consecutive year, Rainbow ranked in the Top 5 for the care of newborns by placing #4 in this year’s survey. Rainbow also ranked among the top 30 children’s hospitals in the nation in seven out of ten medical specialties.

What do the rhinoceros, fruit bat and gorilla have in common? They are all herbivores at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with a diet and exercise program specially designed to keep them healthy. Zoo animals are not the only ones who need to maintain good health and nutrition – kids do, too.

Join University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital for Diabetes Discovery Day. Come learn with us!

Join us as we celebrate Mother’s Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Sunday, May 8

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Welcome Plaza 3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, Ohio 44109

Information and Activities 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Visit the University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital booths for fun, hands-on activities for parents and children.

In memory of their daughter, Angie, who died of melanoma at age 14, Char and Chuck Fowler have donated $17 million to establish the Angie Fowler Child & Young Adult Cancer Institute at University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Their daughters and sons-in-law, Chann and Ed Spellman and Holley and Rob Martens join them in making this transformational gift.