STORIES from the
HEART INSPIRING STORIES OF PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE The life-changing care Ascension Sacred Heart provides has touched the hearts of many who strive to ensure that this incredible mission of care continues for future generations. Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation is proud to be a partner in this endeavor. Please enjoy these “Stories from the Heart.”
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S T O R I E S from the
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ELLIOT ROWELL We see most clearly through the heart
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Running through the Mother Seton Garden playground at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, you’d never know 6-year-old Elliot Rowell was once a patient here. When he was only 3, Elliot was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. After surgery to remove the tumor along with his eye, his family thought they were out of the woods. But his cancer returned, so Joe, Heather, Elliot and his brother John traveled to Miami, where he would undergo radiation for three months. “It was very difficult being away from home. Every day was spent figuring out how to be there for Elliot, the logistics of his treatment and where we would stay,” says his father, Joe. “It was a blessing when we found out we could come back home to our local Children’s Hospital with a world-class oncology team.” Once back in Pensacola, Elliot began chemotherapy. Immediately, he went from being a child with boundless energy to one bound to a hospital bed. Throwing up all day and night, Elliot lost one-third of his body weight and required a feeding tube to receive the nourishment he desperately needed. Then came Mark, a physical therapist on Elliot’s team. “Watching your child deteriorate so quickly at the age of 4, there’s no way to describe what that’s like,” says Elliot’s mom, Heather. “He was so weak. I remember Mark coming in, and he was just like sunlight. He knew how to help
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him, but he also knew how to become a friend.” The entire team became Elliot’s friends, from Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz to Christy, “The Pokey Nurse” — who received her nickname thanks to all the poking Elliot had to go through to get well. Elliot didn’t like being left alone for a second. One time, when his mom stepped out for a drink, she saw the nurses gathered around the phone listening to a small voice, and they were all smiling. It
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was Elliot asking someone to come and sit with him. Prior to their experience, the Rowell kids didn’t even know the word “cancer.” His parents explained it from a clinical standpoint, telling the boys it was something going wrong inside Elliot’s cells that could be fixed with special medicine. “Dr. Schwartz could answer any question — no matter how bizarre,” Heather says. “He was a huge comfort to us when we returned home to start treatment.”
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A MESSAGE FROM CAROL CARLAN
The family was overjoyed to be home and to have the support of their loved ones and the entire community. “The effort and the technology that’s gone into this place is amazing,” Joe says. “It’s a fantastic thing for families in the region that they don’t have to travel to receive the level of care that they want and that their children deserve.” As a mother, Heather quickly noticed how kid-centered the new hospital is. “There’s so much for kids to do here at the hospital, whether it’s the patient or their siblings or friends who come to visit,” she shares. “You can tell it was made for little hands and little feet.” As for the staff, Joe says there was not a single person they came into contact with that wasn’t nurturing, caring, attentive and professional. “They made you feel like you were the only person they had to take care of.” Many times, unexpected complications can arise during treatment. “We didn’t know what to do when things fell apart, but the nurses knew their protocol,” Heather says. “For every problem there is a solution … there is always something they can do to help.” The doctors and nurses did help, and Elliot is now a strong and (strong-willed) little boy. “They became family to us. I remember leaving, looking around and going, ‘Y’all aren’t coming with us?’ ” Heather shares. “Having this hospital in our community means we can keep that relationship going.”
To the more than 12,000 people who donated to help create the new Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, Joe says: “Thank you for making this place accessible — and for the vision you have for the children and families of this community.” Heather, too, is grateful for what this hospital means to families in need. “To be able to come here and see the love and the attention and the huge support there is for serving and caring for our children, it’s super encouraging,” she says. “I’m a teacher, and I know that children really are the future. This whole hospital is a testament to our community loving our children.” Mom and Dad both have big dreams for Elliot, though Joe says he can’t dream anything bigger for his little boy than he can dream for himself. “My dream for Elliot is that he wouldn’t think of himself as a victim or a cancer patient … that he would figure out what he’s great at and just run,” Heather says. “I can’t wait for the day that he’s known more for what he’s accomplished than what happened to him.” Elliot has his own plan in mind. “I want to be what Mr. Mark was. He helps people get strong, and he makes people laugh.” There’s no doubt Elliot keeps people laughing. Every time his family drives down 9th Avenue in Pensacola, he shouts, “That’s my hospital!” Yes, it is..
This edition of Stories from the Heart is centered on how a loving, gifting community responded to need and made a life-changing difference for so many. Consider little Elliot Rowell. Diagnosed with eye cancer at the age of 3, he underwent treatment from the worldclass, pediatric oncology team at Ascension Studer Family Children’s Hospital. We learn in Elliot’s story that he is now a healthy 6-year-old, and his father Joe is forever grateful for the 12,000 community members who gave of their money and time to make our Children’s Hospital possible. Another story brings to life how hotelier Frank Flautt envisioned and then developed the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. But he did more than that: He pioneered a premier resort area and a whole community that thrived, ultimately donating to and helping build Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Though we faced many challenges recently, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation continued working to fulfill its mission. We are dedicated to ensuring that the doors of our region’s Ascension hospitals are open to all, including the poor and most vulnerable, and we are most grateful for those who served within those doors during a time of great need. Ascension doctors, nurses, caregivers and support teams put in long hours and made sacrifices to bring healing and hope to their patients. They persevered on the front lines of healthcare during most difficult circumstances. They are our community’s heroes — yours and mine and our families’. We sincerely thank each and every one of you.
Carol Carlan President, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation
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A VISIONARY WHO GIFTED THE EMERALD COAST
It was Frank Flautt’s vision that helped pioneer the Emerald Coast as a premier resort area. In 1982, he acquired beachside property in the Sandestin Resort that had limited development and grew it into the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. The hotel was originally developed as a 400-unit condominium structure. It was only in 1998, after 200 rooms and additional amenities were added, that the hotel transformed into its current form. Frank, then, was pleased when plans were announced for construction of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. The Hilton Sandestin was continuing to attract countless tourists to the area year-round, and having medical care close by made the hospital a valuable asset from a business standpoint. He also knew it would contribute significantly to the community’s development and economy. He is a generous philanthropic contributor to the ministry, saying “I can’t think of too many things more worthwhile than supporting the hospital.” Its chapel was funded by the Hilton in honor of his employees. Yet he believes the rewards far outweigh the donations he’s been responsible for, knowing that his staff, their families and he himself have received outstanding care there. Over time, he has watched Ascension Sacred Heart’s Emerald Coast hospital grow to meet expanding community needs, which he credits to wise management. Today, the Hilton Sandestin employs 500 people year-round, which grows to 750 during the peak season; it has few vacancies from June to August. It weathered the 2010 oil spill that prompted grantmoney advertising to help bring back the area, which ultimately helped the resort by opening up markets unfamiliar with the Emerald Coast. Frank says, “God blessed all the efforts we made here, because it’s been one of Hilton’s most successful properties.” When his company surveyed those who have bought local homes, one of the questions asked about their fi rst exposure to Sandestin. A little over 70 percent answered that they came for a meeting or vacation at the Hilton — and decided to stay. “I was sitting on the beach one day,” he shares, “and I asked, ‘What are all these people doing here?’ My wife turned to me and said, ‘Well you brought them here, so don’t complain.’ ” At age 78, he continues to serve as president of his company, hoping to be remembered as a “kind and generous” employer. His goal was “never about making money. It was about product. If I could, I would come to work and do it for nothing because I just love it.”
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Frank Flautt
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THANK YOU
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The past several months have been a time of fear and uncertainty. However, it is during these times that we see the community come together the most. This generosity and commitment truly shows how much our community cares for one another. Local businesses, organizations and individuals have united to help one another in so many ways, both big and small. From businesses providing food to those on the front lines, to monetary donations to help purchase supplies,
and PPE donations to keep our hospital fully stocked and prepared, we witnessed a community band together to help those in their greatest time of need. We sincerely thank each and every one of you who contributed, whether it be donated time, money, food or supplies to the sta and patients at Ascension Sacred Heart’s Hospitals along the Gulf Coast. We are blessed to live in and serve a community who stands by one another through the good times and the bad.
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CAROL CARLAN A LEADER DEDICATED TO ENRICHING HER COMMUNITY
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Carol Carlan has forged a career path of leadership success. She’s held many titles in the business world, achieved extraordinary goals and merited widespread recognition for her talents. Through it all, her guidepost has been her passion for giving back to the community, for helping others. Carol serves as president of Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, a philanthropic organization she now has guided for eight years. Her remarkable tenure is described by Wes Reeder, former Foundation board chairperson: “Carol Carlan has many extraordinary talents that contribute to her and the Foundation’s success. She is bright, well organized, savvy with her business practices, and a terrific people manager and motivator. But to me, what sets Carol apart is her compassion for the Foundation’s mission and her never give-up attitude and work ethic with respect to accomplishing the Foundation’s goals.” The Studer Family Children’s Hospital was built on Carol’s watch after she launched a capital campaign that raised $85 million dollars for the project. She worked tirelessly to ensure it became a reality, able to provide world-class care for the region’s children, turning away no one in need. It was an amazing accomplishment, yet she will tell you, “I am most proud of the team, the board members and the community we pulled together to grow the Children’s Hospital. I didn’t do it all. I led the effort, but I had a lot of people supporting me.” Carol also credits the partnership with Ascension as playing a big role in making it possible for the hospital to open its doors. “Ascension has brought extraordinary resources to our community that we wouldn’t have otherwise. To have Ascension as a partner is a blessing in itself.” She accomplished yet another of the Foundation’s major goals: A second capital campaign that raised $30 million for the expansion of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Carol came to the Foundation from presiding over her own successful leadership development company. She valued the
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opportunity to coach and mentor community professionals, motivating others to achieve their full potential. She was a founding member of the John Maxwell Team, a global leadership training organization of 25,000 members. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Carol enjoyed a 30-year career in the banking industry. She started in an entry-level job after graduating college and quickly advanced in leadership positions to eventually become the fi rst female president of a large regional bank (Wachovia). Throughout each phase of her career, Carol has devoted considerable time and energy to guiding not-for profit organizations in the community, serving from the heart as a board member for more than 35 charitable concerns.
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CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
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The 2020 Charity Golf Classic is quickly approaching! The Charity Golf Classic Committee, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast would like to thank our sponsors, golfers, donors, volunteers and attendees for an outstanding event in 2019 and excitedly look forward to an even greater day together on September 20, 2020, at Burnt Pine Golf Club. Bill Tate and Cory Fosdyck, Charity Golf Classic Committee co-chairs, are working with their esteemed committee members to choreograph a satisfying day for all area golfers. Burnt Pine Golf Club is a golf experience unrivaled on the Florida Gulf Coast. Rees Jones,
one of the most respected golf architects in the world, continues to inspire players with the beautiful fairways along Choctawhatchee Bay, making every day on this course a treat. Delicious food, refreshing beverages, laid-back live music, camaraderie and great competition … sounds like a perfect day! Through our community’s generosity, the tournament has supported a variety of areas at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast through the years, raising more than $3 million to expand critical areas of need, including the Olson Women’s Diagnostic Center, the Family Birth Place, the ICU and Heart and Vascular Services, as well as the Comprehensive Spine Program.
To register for the Charity Golf Classic, visit SacredHeartCharityGolf.com.
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S T O R I E S from the
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UWF DANCE MARATHON On Feb. 29, students at the University of West Florida set a record high in fundraising for their Dance Marathon movement by raising $87,838.21 #ForTheKids at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The students put in hard work and dedication over the past year to make this night a success. We are forever grateful for their caring hearts and passion for children’s hospitals.
GULF WINDS Thanks to Gulf Winds Credit Union for their generous donation of $65,000 to Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola to help the hospital purchase personal protection equipment (PPE) for its staff. This donation is equivalent to the cost of one month’s worth of PPE under normal circumstances at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital. “During this difficult time, we are grateful to have companies like Gulf Winds Credit Union who are willing to use their resources to fund support of personal protection equipment. Their gift will help hundreds of employees and patients who are impacted during this time of greatest need.” — Carol Carlan, President of Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation
PANDA EXPRESS We are overwhelmed by the love and support the Pensacola community has to offer. Team members from Panda Express gathered to donate over 200 meals and 30,000 personal protective masks to Ascension Sacred Heart. Thank you, Panda Express, for always going above and beyond to care for our hospital and community. #PandaCares
ABOUT THE ASCENSION SACRED HEART FOUNDATION Since 1915, Ascension Sacred Heart has been at the heart of healing for Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Like our founders, the Daughters of Charity, Ascension Sacred Heart is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate healthcare to the citizens of our regions, regardless of their ability to pay. This steadfast commitment to our community could not have been achieved without the support and generosity of the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations that have donated to Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. Through this charitable giving, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation has been able to provide millions of dollars of free and low-cost healthcare to the poor, uninsured, under-insured and low-income families. With the help of generous donors, we are proud to partner in Ascension Sacred Heart’s mission of care along the Gulf Coast.
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