Winter 2009 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

DONORSFormer Employee andAuxiliary Member Leavesa Legacy for ACH■ Kila OwensPat WigginsKristiWigginsPat Wiggins is leaving a legacy – not only with the children’slives she has touched during her lifetime, but also with thechildren’s lives she will touch when she is gone.As a former ACH employee who has included a gift to the hospitalin her will, Wiggins has always had a soft spot for children.She grew up in Crossett as the middle child of five. After graduatingfrom high school, she headed to the University of Arkansasto study home economics education. She worked at a power companyafter college, but eventually decided she wanted to teach.For five years, Wiggins taught ninth and 10th grade students inPine Bluff the basics of home economics, but then she started toyearn for something different.“I enjoyed teaching, but I recognized that itwas time for a change,” she says. “With mybackground in home ec, I had always beeninterested in nutrition. I decided I couldmake a career out of that interest.”She earned her master’s in clinical nutritionand became a registered dietician. Herfirst job in her new field was working at St.Jude in Memphis.“This was my first experience working indirect patient care and I just loved it,” Wigginssays. “My job was to go with the doctors on theirrounds to see the patients, and advise the doctors onwhat kind of nutrition each patient needed.”After a few years in Memphis, Wiggins was ready to move toLittle Rock.“I loved my job, but I wanted to be back in Arkansas with myfamily and friends,” says Wiggins. “I wanted to work at ArkansasChildren’s so badly, but they didn’t have a position open. I accepteda job with another hospital to get to Little Rock, but I just keptwaiting for a nutrition position to open at ACH.”Her wish came true in 1980, when the director of the clinicalnutrition department at ACH called and asked her to come in foran interview. Wiggins was so determined to work at ACH that sheaccepted a part-time position, which was the only one available atthe time.“I knew – I just knew – that I belonged in pediatrics,” she says.“I knew it from the start.”Several months later, her job became full-time and Wiggins wasecstatic. She loved the challenges and rewards that came from workingwith children, and she continued working at ACH for 24 years.During that time, she worked with children all over the hospital. Herlast seven years at ACH were spent at Arkansas Children’s NutritionCenter, a research facility that focuses specifically on diet and nutrition.“Working at the Nutrition Center was both challenging and rewarding,”Wiggins says. “Working there was a great way to cap off my yearsat ACH.”After many years of working in health care, Wiggins experienced afamily member’s illness personally in 1999 when her brother’s daughter,her beloved niece Kristi, was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwentsurgery and chemotherapy.“Kristi’s diagnosis was such a shock to us all,” says Wiggins. “She wasonly 27 years old, and so young and full of life. It was very hard.”Three years later, Kristi passed away peacefully. Through her sadness,Wiggins saw an opportunity to help others in Kristi’s name.“For a while, I grappled with exactly how to properly memorializeKristi,” she says. “And then it hit me – I’ll give the inheritance shewould have received from me to causes I hold dear. Once I decidedexactly what I wanted to do, I felt so good about it. I think this wouldhave really pleased Kristi.”Through her will, Wiggins is creating an endowed fund in Kristi’sname to benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital. As per her wishes, thefunds will benefit hematology/oncology services and the clinical nutritionprogram at ACH.“I have a strong commitment to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, so Iknew I wanted to give back to them,” she says. “I am just so happy tobe able to do this in Kristi’s name.”Even after she left ACH, Wiggins remained committed to the hospital.She began volunteering in 2003, and in 2005, she joined the ACHAuxiliary, a group of volunteers who work together to support the hospital.“Joining the Auxiliary has been a very rewarding experience,” shesays. “I just love it. It is such a wonderful group of women who arewilling to give their time to help others. I am just happy to be a part ofthe group.”To learn more about creating an endowed fund or including ACH inyour will, please contact Mary Starr Brock at 501-364-5308 orbrockms@archildrens.org.12