Tag Archives: El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation

We at University Medical Center and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations stand in awe, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the two hospitals we serve.

We are deeply proud of our association with the District’s hospital for adults and El Paso’s only not for profit Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for every infant, child and teen.

Every day, these two hospitals support El Paso and the surrounding region with a ferocious dedication represented in their respective missions to heal, serve and educate and to provide compassionate, coordinated family-centered care for children.

On August 3, 2019, our community and peaceful city found itself attacked through a hate crime to leave 23 people dead. Some were shopping for school supplies. Some dashed into Walmart for a last minute item. None deserved death. None of their families deserved losing their precious loved ones. We mourn them all. One year is still too tender.

We remember. We react. We cry and we fall to our knees asking for healing. We revere our associates made up of physicians, surgeons, nurses, administration and more for finding within themselves the light to lead the way in our darkest moment. They worked tirelessly for weeks, around the clock, day after day, minute by precious minute to save lives.

We have made the sign of the heart with our hands for a solid year now. In addition, we will continue never to forget:

We are El Paso Strong.

Thank you, University Medical Center of El Paso. Thank you, El Paso Children’s Hospital. We have never been more proud to say we work for you. We raise funds in your honor; to give you whatever you need to continue to produce the stellar work you achieved then and for what you are doing now and still to do. Our hearts are full in your service.

by Estela Casas, Executive Director of UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations

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With a young family member in the hospital, one local resident – along with his employer- decide to give back to those frontline workers helping all local families.

David Marin, an associate at Lowe’s on Redd Road, is also uncle to 12-year-old Scarlett Orwig, a patient at El Paso Children’s Hospital. Scarlett  is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL leukemia.

Marin requested a donation from Lowe’s for 1,000 N95 masks to be given to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation for the El Paso Children’s Hospital.

While officials with Lowe’s agreed to the donation of the masks, Marin had another request: he wanted his brother, Brian Orwig, Scarlett’s father and Scarlett to make the presentation in Scarlett’s name.

“Giving the masks back to the staff who have helped Scarlett so much through her battle with ALL leukemia, means so much to our family,’” said Brian Orwig.

“We are thrilled to accept this donation,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital and UMC Foundation. “Family is such a big part of our community. What a wonderful Uncle Scarlett has!”

Casas added, “These masks will be put to good use at El Paso Children’s Hospital and we thank Lowe’s and David so much!”

To donate to the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, click here.

Declaring them Unsung Heroes, UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations collected gifts to thank University Medical Center’s Environmental Services (EVS) Department.

The staffers were rewarded for their dedicated and committed work in keeping clean both hospitals and UMC Neighborhood Clinics especially now during the pandemic.

“They are heroes to us,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations.

“They don’t look for glory; they simply do the best job they can in disinfecting everything and maintaining a high level of cleanliness to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Foundation Team wanted to thank them for all their tireless work to keep patients and associates safe.”

EVS received a travel bag of CeraVe products and a $10 gift card to Sonic Drive-In. The donations were made possible by the El Paso Executive Women’s Lion’s Club, CeraVe and CMN partner, Sonic Drive-In through the COVID-19 Compassionate Care Fund.

For those wanting to donate to COVID-19 Compassionate Care Fund, click here. Donations to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation can be made via this link.

On Wednesday, New York Life Insurance Company of El Paso donated $10,000 to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation to help fund a high quality digital forensics camera that costs $25,500 and is suitable for crime scene and evidence for the C.A.R.E.S. Clinic at El Paso Children’s Hospital.

“I am very proud to support the C.A.R.E.S. Clinic at El Paso Children’s Hospital (EPCH),” said Pablo Magdaleno Carlos, Development Manager of the El Paso New York Life Insurance Company.

“Thanks to the $10,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life, the clinic will be equipped with state-of-the-art forensics tools that will allow El Paso Children’s Hospital to care for the most vulnerable patients during this crisis and for years to come.”

In the investigation of a charge of child abuse, a picture can determine the eventual case result. Child abuse investigators require the right tools and the right techniques. Photo documentation is one of the most important of these tools.

C.A.R.E.S. is the only facility that provides Pediatric SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) services to the community by pediatric specific trained nurses in child abuse evaluation and reporting.

“When El Paso Children’s Hospital first opened its doors, it quickly became a landmark event for El Paso and the surrounding communities as the first not-for-profit freestanding Children’s Hospital,” said Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital. “Over the past eight years, we have become rooted in the community, changing children’s healthcare for the better.”

C.A.R.E.S. is fully funded by El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“New York Life’s El Paso General Office is a perfect example of community helping community,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director for UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are so grateful to Pablo Magdaleno Carlos and his team for bringing these vital forensics resources to the C.A.R.E.S. Clinic. New York Life is El Paso Strong.”

C.A.R.E.S offers proactive prevention programs, including the Period of Purple Crying (PPC) to create awareness of Shaken Baby
Syndrome, also known as Abusive Head Trauma. These services include patients admitted in the pediatric unit, five months and
younger, regardless of diagnosis

The GECU Foundation has granted $50,000 to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation to purchase a high-level sterilization unit needed to quickly and efficiently clean patient rooms that have been occupied by children who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“El Paso Children’s Hospital is doing an outstanding job caring for our community during a crucial time and we are honored to help. We are extremely thankful for the work of all of the medical staff and hope that this donation will make a difference for healthcare practitioners, families and our community,” said Crystal Long, Chairman of the GECU Foundation.

The high-level sterilization machine utilizes an effective Ultra Violet solution that kills pathogens that can exist in the hospital setting, to include coronavirus. The machine simply cleans more quickly and effectively.

“Working together with strong community partners like GECU, we can ensure El Paso Children’s Hospital continues to make history in the region by giving children access to high quality, familycentered care,” stated Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital.

“GECU has been an incredible partner over the years, and GECU’s motto of ‘We’re With You’ is even more apparent with today’s donation,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital and UMC Foundation.

“Their generous donation is evidence that their members and employees stand with us, as our healthcare heroes work to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help heal our community’s youngest residents suffering from the vicious virus.”

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our community, El Paso Children’s Hospital continues to see children presenting themselves with COVID-19 symptoms.

To donate to the El Paso Children’s Hospital Fund, click here.

If ever there was a time to show a nurse how much they are appreciated, now’s the time.

To that officials and volunteers with UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundations made care packages to 1,250 nurses at both hospitals as a token of appreciation.

The Foundation collected items for the care packages, with goodies donated by individuals and companies from across the Borderland.

Those who contributed include: Georgina Williams, Western Tech, Pepsi Beverage Company, Superior Health Plan, El Paso Health, Whataburger, Walgreens, Red Lobster at Joe Battle, L’Oreal and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

“To know a nurse is to a love a nurse,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of UMC and El Paso Children’s Foundation. “These women and men are selfless healers and we’ve never been more proud of our nurses at University Medical Center and El Paso Children’s Hospital during this pandemic.”

“Thank you to everyone who gave to this project,” said Casas. “It shows our nurses how much the community respects and cares for our healthcare heroes.”

On Tuesday afternoon, El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation officials announced a $15,000 donation from Becton Dickinson.

“Becton Dickinson is committed to advancing the world of health,” said Enrique Aviles, Vice President of Manufacturing Management. “Our team is proud to provide funding for El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation to ensure children in our community are cared for during a time in which our nation is faced with an unprecedented tragedy.”

The donation to the Foundation will help purchase a vital piece of equipment – Bronchoscopes – to help patients at El Paso Children’s Hospital who are exhibiting respiratory problems due to COVID-19.

Bronchoscopes are used by a pulmonologist who specializes in lung disorders; the bronchoscope is passed through the nose or mouth and into the lungs to check for abnormalities.

“Our foundations are working hard during this crisis to generate donations so our team can continue to provide the best care for children locally,” said Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to Becton Dickinson who donated a significant amount of funds for much needed bronchoscope equipment, a tool that will be used by our pulmonology team in the endoscopy lab to evaluate patient’s lungs.”

To date, El Paso County has more than 93 children under the age of 18 with COVID-19, some of whom have required hospitalization.

“We are determined, as a Foundation, to bring in the funds needed to purchase necessary equipment to face the challenges brought on by COVID-19.” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital and UMC Foundation. “Thank you Becton Dickinson for your generous donation.”

To donate to the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, click here.

In recent weeks, at least 79 children under the age of 18, have tested positive for the coronavirus. On Friday, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation provided support to the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation to help purchase bronchoscopes for pediatric patients suffering respiratory distress at El Paso Children’s Hospital (EPCH).

“We are grateful for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s generous grant,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital and UMC Foundation.

“These funds benefit the community in a dynamic and focused way by helping patients with COVID-19 at El Paso Children’s Hospital.”

Bronchoscopes are an important tool that pulmonologists use in respiratory exploration. They have microscopic cameras that allow a physician to explore the windpipe and lungs. This piece of equipment, appropriately sized for pediatric patients, determines if the airways are blocked, narrowed or look abnormal.

To help advance local organizations’ coronavirus response efforts and recognize their dedication to serving their communities, Bank of America awarded Community Response Funding to several El Paso organizations to support medical needs, vulnerable populations and address food insecurity throughout the city, including a $20,000 grant to the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Dr. Endy Dominguez is one of several pediatric pulmonologists at El Paso Children’s Hospital who continues working to establish a strong respiratory practice for children suffering severe respiratory disorders.

With the recent introduction of coronavirus to our community, the need for a pediatric pulmonologist is critical, and the bronchoscopes purchased through the grant will be a vital tool in addressing the respiratory concerns.

“The El Paso Children’s Hospital staff is working tirelessly to keep our community as safe and as healthy as possible,” said Kristi Marcum, Bank of America El Paso Market President. “By supporting the hospital’s equipment needs for pediatric patients, Bank of America hopes to help our local medical staff continue to provide life-saving services and show our deep appreciation for the important roles they play during this coronavirus pandemic.”

“Partnerships such as the one with Bank of America are instrumental in helping the community understand the level of services provided here,” shares EPCH’s CEO Cindy Stout. “We continue to grow our services to ensure that the level of care we offer is what we need for all the children of our community.”

To donate to the fund, click here.

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation has awarded the Brave Beginnings Grant in the amount of $43,908 to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The funds will be used to purchase a Draeger BabyLeo incubator bed in order to care for the smallest and most premature babies being cared for in The Laura and Pat Gordon Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“The generous donation of funds for a Draeger BabyLeo incubating bed from Brave Beginnings for our Level IV NICU, allows our team to ensure our most critical patients’ temperatures are regulated while improving our team’s workflow, which is very important to us at this time,” said Cindy Stout, President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital.

“I am blessed to be part of such a generous community. We must continue to make miracles happen.”

The Draeger BabyLeo is the first device to provide three synchronized heat sources, a heated mattress and convective heaters to help improve the patient’s temperature.

“We are committed to a Foundation to make sure every baby that arrives at our NICU unit is afforded the proper space and equipment in order to thrive,” said Estela Casas, Executive Director of El Paso Children’s Hospital and UMC Foundation. “Brave Beginnings cares about premature babies and we are grateful and we are pleased to receive this in credibly important bed.”

El Paso Children’s Hospital is the community’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, and this week (April 6 – 12, 2020) El Paso Children’s Hospital is celebrating Children’s Hospitals Week.

This week celebrates the importance of children’s hospitals and the funds that they need in order to care for more than 10 million children per year across the nation.