Fall 2005 - Memorial Hospital of South Bend

A Systemwide Approach
As with any successful health care
venture, the developmental pediatric
clinic doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Developmental services through
Memorial’s Newborn Intensive
Care Unit, as well as the many
long-standing programs offered
through the Memorial Regional
Center for Children’s Services, will
continue to provide family-oriented,
individualized assessment for children
diagnosed with developmental delays.
A Local Approach
“One of the hardest things to do is
to have to travel so far out of the
area,” said Hill Hake. After traveling
to Chicago and Indianapolis to seek
treatment for their son, the family
is glad to have local access to worldclass
care.
Getting children with suspected
developmental delays timely care
is more than simply convenient—it
can make a world of difference. The
sooner children can be evaluated, the
sooner they can receive treatment,
and that can mean better outcomes.
With a six- to eight-month waiting
list in other areas of the state, this
program offers world-class treatment
options, resources and specialized
care close to home.
“As a parent, I’m absolutely thrilled
to have Dr. Mize here,” said Hill
Hake. “Now we, and other local
families affected by autism, have
access to a great developmental
pediatrician, right here in the area.”
Hill Hake’s involvement in autism
awareness reaches further than her
own family. Aside from her role as a
mom, she also works at First Steps,
an Indiana-based program that
provides early-intervention strategies
for families with infants and toddlers
experiencing developmental delays.
She also serves as the President
of the Regional Autism Center at
LOGAN, which links families with
autistic children with educational
and treatment resources.
Those involved with the development
of Memorial’s program anticipated
the need would be great. With
a waiting list 90 people strong a
full two months before the clinic’s
official opening in September, that
expectation has certainly been met.
The Schwartz family’s generous
donation, Notre Dame’s research
expertise and Memorial’s innovative
culture created the perfect
combination for bringing this
dream to fruition.
“Children are our most valuable
resource and our community
recognizes this,” said Dr. Mize.
“We’re taking the steps to ensure
that this generation and those to
come are as healthy as can be.”
For more information about
Memorial’s pediatric developmental
clinic, call 574-647-7300 or
800-444-3637. ■
A communitywide planning effort is under way to establish
the Memorial Children’s Hospital. The initial steps involve
working with members of the medical staff, parents, children’s
health care providers and educators to develop a specific,
detailed plan for services and facilities.
As part of this journey to enhance pediatric care, Memorial
was recently approved for membership in the National
Association of Children’s Hospitals. Memorial becomes one
of 200 members of the nonprofit association of health
systems devoted to the well-being of America’s 70 million
children and their families. Member organizations include the
highly respected children’s hospitals operated by Loma Linda
University, Riley, St. Jude’s, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic and
Shriners’ Hospitals throughout the country.
The current Memorial Regional Pediatric Center cares for
more than 1,000 children each year. Memorial also operates
the state’s second-largest Newborn Intensive Care Unit,
the region’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the region’s
only pediatric oncology service, and a pediatric emergency
transport service covering 18 referral hospitals.
Expansion plans will likely include new outpatient clinics,
all-private patient rooms and educational programming.
A dedicated Web site, www.childrenshospitaldesign.org,
allows anyone interested to submit ideas on services, facilities
and experience enhancements in pediatric care. Memorial
will be gathering input, and all responses will be considered
in the design and future construction of the hospital. ■
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