Healthy Futures 2025
Auto Group’s generosity supports Child Life Services and patient smiles. Learn more on page 4.
COVER: Balise
INSIDE: Superheroes surprise patients at Hasbro Childrens thanks to Fish Window Cleaning.
A Message from Leadership
At Hasbro Children’s—ranked one of America’s Best Children’s Hospital for 2025 by Newsweek—we are reminded every day that healing can take many forms. We see it in the quiet bravery of a child undergoing treatment, in the compassion or creativity of a clinician, and in the community that ensures that no family walks alone.
What makes Hasbro Children’s so extraordinary is not just the world-class care delivered within our walls, but also how that care expands outward—through research and clinical trials that open doors, through programs that comfort and uplift, and through the belief of people like you who stand with us. Healing, in all its forms, is truly a collective effort.
As you read this issue of Healthy Futures, we hope you feel the strength of this community and the incredible impact of your support. We are shaping a future where every child who walks through our doors receives the compassionate care that makes healing possible.
Together, we are building a future filled with hope for patients and their families. Your support is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for it.
PHYLLIS A. DENNERY, MD
Pediatrician-in-Chief and Medical Director, Hasbro Children’s Sylvia Kay Hassenfeld Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
FRANÇOIS I. LUKS, MD, PHD
Pediatric Surgeon-in-Chief, Hasbro Children’s Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics Chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Purpose, Philanthropy, and a Life Well-Built
For longtime volunteer and Foundation board trustee Sheryl Amaral, giving back to Brown University Health is both personal and purposeful—a way to carry forward the life she built with her late husband, Everett.
The couple’s connection to the health system runs deep. As Everett Amaral grew his construction business, he partnered with Brown Health to develop healing spaces for patients and families. Sheryl brought her expertise in healthcare and communications to national advocacy efforts while supporting programs at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam, and Hasbro Children’s. Their shared belief in access to exceptional care shaped much of their work and their giving.
Following Everett’s passing from cancer, Sheryl’s connection with Brown Health, and Hasbro Children’s, specifically, grew. This involvement became a lifeline as Sheryl built a life of purpose without her husband by her side, continuing to lead, volunteer, and give in ways that reflect the values the couple held together. Her longtime involvement with the Heroes Ball holds special meaning and gives her a chance to introduce others to the work she’s most passionate about. “It’s the most magical event in the state,” she says.
Sheryl has deepened her commitment to Hasbro Children’s by including the hospital and, specifically, the Child Life Services endowment, in her estate plans. “I’ve known deep loss,” she shares. “But I also believe in hope and in doing what we can for the people who come next.”
To learn more about including Hasbro Children's in your will, trust, or beneficiary designations, visit brownhealth.org/HCLegacy or contact Chris Josephson at 401-444-6412 or chris.josephson@brownhealth.org.
Sheryl with 2024 Hasbro Children's Champion Child, Ethan
Balise Auto Group Drives Healing Forward with a $1 Million Gift to Child Life Services
Balise Auto Group has been a trusted name in automobile sales and service in New England for more than a century. Still, their dedication to the community extends far beyond cars. In a remarkable demonstration of that commitment, Balise has pledged a $1 million gift to Hasbro Children’s to establish The Balise Family Endowment, ensuring compassionate, child-centered care for future generations.
These highly trained professionals are vital members of the care team, using developmentally appropriate, evidence-based strategies to support children and families through illness, injury, and hospitalization. Despite their critical role, Child Life positions are not covered by insurance, making philanthropy essential to sustaining and growing the program.
This endowment will provide sustainable funding for Hasbro Children’s nationally recognized Child Life Services program. These services are considered essential to the hospital’s comprehensive whole-child approach to care, helping young patients feel safe, seen, and supported during some of their most vulnerable moments.
From therapeutic play to emotional support, Child Life Specialists use evidence-based techniques to ease anxiety and foster resilience in children of all ages. They help explain medical procedures in age-appropriate ways, offer distraction during treatments, and give children tools to express and process their emotions.
Hasbro Children’s Child Life Services team includes eight full-time, one part-time, and three per diem Certified Child Life Specialists, along with a full-time secondary school teacher, a dedicated manager, and a clinical lead.
“Child Life Services brings comfort, play, and joy into the hospital,” says Alex Balise, Director of Marketing for Balise Auto Group. “We’re honored to help make hospital experiences a little less scary and a lot more hopeful for local kids and their families.”
The decision to support Child Life Services was a natural extension of Balise Auto Group’s ongoing commitment to community and care. Balise Auto Group’s relationship with Hasbro Children’s spans more than a decade and includes generous annual contributions through its Share the Love campaign and the creation of the Balise Healing Garden.
In April 2025, Balise Auto Group also donated a fleet of four ride-on vehicles—a black GMC Sierra HD Denali, a red Toyota Tacoma, a pink Volkswagen Beetle, and a yellow Chevy Camaro—to help young patients “drive” into surgery, bringing smiles and easing their anxieties.
The cars allow kids to feel empowered in a moment that might otherwise feel scary or overwhelming, turning a potentially stressful day into one with a happy memory of driving a car.
The Balise Family Endowment helps move Hasbro Children’s closer to its broader $10 million goal to fully endow the program, ensuring its long-term future.
The endowment will help fund staff positions, therapeutic programming, and beloved events like summer garden cookouts, and so much more. Each year, hundreds of patients and families will benefit from these meaningful moments of connection and empowerment. These experiences not only bring joy, they also support developmentally appropriate interventions and milestones, strengthen coping strategies, and build a foundation for emotional healing which extends beyond their visit.
“Balise Auto Group is proud to continue supporting the incredible work being done at Hasbro Children’s,” says Jeb Balise, President and CEO. “We hope this contribution brings joy and comfort to families during challenging times for generations to come.”
This gift ensures that Child Life Services won’t just exist today; but will continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of future patients and families, thanks to the power of philanthropy and its lasting impact on Hasbro Children’s.
“This gift is an investment in the emotional well-being of every child who walks through our doors,” explains Micaela Materne, Manager of Child Life Services. “It’s about creating moments of normalcy and joy during what can be a challenging experience in a child’s life. We’re so grateful to Balise Auto Group for recognizing just how essential that is.”
A Legacy of Support: Balise Auto Group and Hasbro Children’s Through the Years
2016
Balise Auto Group begins a philanthropic partnership in 2016 with Hasbro Children’s through annual giving and cause-marketing efforts, including the Subaru “Share the Love” campaign.
2018
The first fleet of ride-on cars is donated to Hasbro Children’s, giving young patients a chance to “drive” into surgery and easing anxiety on treatment days with a little joy and imagination.
2019
Balise Auto Group pledges $750,000 to create the Balise Healing Garden, a tranquil, outdoor space where patients and families can rest, reflect, and recharge. The project also includes a fully reimagined, inclusive playground.
2020–2024
Annual “Share the Love” contributions continue in support of compassionate care. The Balise Healing Garden opens, becoming a beloved part of the Hasbro Children’s campus.
2025
Balise Auto Group pledges $1 million to establish the Balise Family Endowment, ensuring long-term support for Hasbro Children’s Child Life Services. A new fleet of ride-on vehicles rolls into Hasbro Children’s, continuing the tradition of smiles and empowerment.
A New Space for Healing Minds
It begins in the same way for so many families: a terrifying moment, a child in distress, and the rush to the emergency room, feeling afraid and desperate for help. For more than a generation, Hasbro Children’s has been there for kids in crisis.
Home to the only pediatric emergency department in the region and in close collaboration with the experts at Bradley Hospital, Hasbro Children’s is a leader in responding to both medical and mental health emergencies in children and adolescents. However, even the most dedicated care teams can be limited by the physical space in which they practice.
And when it comes to behavioral health, the right environment can be the difference between escalation and calm, between trauma and trust.
This delicate balance is why Hasbro Children’s is further stepping up to meet the mental health crisis head-on. The hospital is opening a new, dedicated space to provide emergency behavioral health services in a way that brings comfort, safety, and hope to kids and families in crisis.
Across the country, an increasing number of children arrive at emergency departments not for broken bones or high fevers, but for panic attacks, suicidal ideation, psychosis, and trauma responses. In Rhode Island, the
Family Room
Emergency Behavioral Health Services
pattern is no different. Nearly 20 percent of adolescents ages 12–17 now experience a diagnosed behavioral health condition, and one in eight report having serious suicidal thoughts.
“We know families are experiencing more stress than ever and that rates of depression and anxiety are way up among young people,” says Kathleen R. Donise, MD, Director, Brown University Health Child Emergency Psych Services. “And when you’re in an emergency or crisis, the ED feels like the right place to go— it never closes.”
Adds Erica Iafelice, DO, Medical Director, Hasbro Children’s Emergency Department, “At the same time, it’s so important for us to remember that we’re seeing these children and families on the worst day of their life, which is why it’s crucial to have the right space to deliver the care for what they are presenting with.”
Last year, more than 5,000 pediatric patients presented in the Hasbro Children’s ED in need of urgent behavioral health care. But until now, the hospital lacked a specialized space to meet the unique needs of these patients.
That’s why, two years ago, plans began to transform the ED’s existing six-bed clinical decision unit from a stopgap to a destination for stabilization, comfort, and care. Opening in December 2025, the new Emergency Behavioral Health Services space features eight private patient rooms and a dedicated quiet, de-escalation area designed with safety, privacy, and dignity in mind.
There are specialized doors and advanced safety features; dimmable lights; calming colors, wall art, and furniture patterns; dedicated space for clinicians to do interviews; a modified nurse station with enhanced visibility and accessibility, and more. And being located adjacent to the ED allows for a seamless transition from emergency triage to therapeutic care.
“A lot of thought, care and effort went into improving the patient experience—some may seem like small things, but they make a large difference,” comments Dr. Donise. “We’ve been ‘making it work’ for years and we now have a physical space that matches the clinical expertise we provide to children and families.”
As with so many behavioral health innovations in Rhode Island, the powerful partnership between Hasbro Children’s and Bradley Hospital is at the core.
The two institutions work hand-in-hand to support the most vulnerable children, with most patients eventually transitioning to ongoing care at Bradley.
The bold move to create this new, specialized space for emergency behavioral health care was rooted not only in compassion, but also shaped by a community of philanthropic supporters who recognize the urgent need and want to be part of the solution.
A transformational lead gift from the Collis Family Foundation—directed by longstanding and steadfast supporters Ellen Collis, Astrid Womble, and Kim and Frohman Anderson—was instrumental in making the space possible. Their generosity was joined by significant contributions from the Busby Family Trust, Beth and Michael J. Huber, Cathy and Tom Lawson, and the Timothy M. O’Neil Family.
“Until you’re confronted with the data on the rise in young patients with behavioral trauma, it’s not something you’d associate with the emergency department of a children’s hospital, but it’s the reality we’re living in,” says Frohman. “Understanding the gravity of the need and seeing the plans this new space made it an easy decision for us to get involved and lend our support.”
“ ...it’s so important for us to remember that we’re seeing these children and families on the worst day of their life, which is why it’s crucial to have the right space to deliver the care for what they are presenting with.”
Erica Iafelice, DO
“We have tremendous confidence in the leadership of Hasbro Children’s and Brown University Health. They continue to show boldness and creativity in meeting the changing needs of our community,” adds Kim. “This new space will change lives for the better and stands as a model for how children’s hospitals can respond to a growing national need. Rhode Islanders are fortunate to have such a strong healthcare system, and it’s important that we continue to support the excellence we have right here.”
AThe Art of Healing at Hasbro Children’s
t Hasbro Children’s, healing doesn’t stop at clinical care. The Healing Arts program offers young patients outlets for expression, calm, and creativity during some of life’s most challenging moments. Entirely funded by philanthropy and not reimbursable by insurance, the program integrates music, visual arts, dance and movement, yoga, massage, and even acupuncture into everyday care across the hospital.
Healing Arts is led by a team of four staff members and supported by more than 35 contracted artists, musicians, and therapists. Services reach every inpatient unit, including intensive care, behavioral health, the emergency department, ambulatory clinics, and the partial hospitalization program. Whether a child is waiting to be seen in the ED or staying for a month-long course of treatment, the program meets them where they are with age-appropriate, therapeutic engagement.
Live music, art activities, and magic shows provide relief and distraction for children undergoing procedures or facing long waits. In outpatient clinics, patients can learn simple breathing techniques or pick up a paintbrush.
“The goal is to create moments of normalcy and support emotional wellbeing,” says Kyle McDonald, manager of Healing Arts. “It’s about treating the whole child, body, mind, and spirit.”
The behavioral health unit is home to some of the program’s most immersive work, offering music therapy, dance and movement sessions, yoga, origami, and more. For patients like Mia, who spent nearly one year in the unit—and then several months in an intensive outpatient program—at age sixteen while she was treated for functional neurological disorder, these activities
became an important part of her care. Unable to tolerate touch for years due to severe pain and hypersensitivity, Mia began to trust Healing Arts therapist Stella Moreira to gently massage her hand—the only place she could tolerate contact—eventually working up to both hands and even one foot. She practiced yoga, meditated, and later discovered a love for painting once she regained her vision. The Healing Arts program offered comfort, connection, and a path forward.
“They gave Mia her future back,” says mom, Jennifer. “She has dreams again.”
Donor support has also transformed the physical environment. Artist Liz Kelley recently added colorful murals and design elements throughout the behavioral health unit. Soft colors, playful artwork, and interactive chalkboard nameplates now make the space feel more inviting. The newest addition is an 8-foot-long painting donated by world-renowned contemporary artist Brendan Murphy.
“It’s amazing to watch a child who’s been through so much begin to laugh, create, or just take a deep breath,” says Kyle. “Sometimes that’s the moment the healing really begins.”
Mia, patient
Brendan Murphy painting
Liam’s ‘Just Do It’ Journey Through Leukemia
When seven-year-old Liam Chapman began complaining of stomachaches, parents Stacie and Lincoln chalked it up to a virus or perhaps growing pains. An active kid who loved flag football, basketball, and baseball, Liam rarely sat still … until the pain kept him out of the games that he enjoyed so much.
But when the pain grew worse, his family visited Hasbro Children’s emergency department, where everything changed. After a series of tests, Liam was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and immediately admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
“The emergency department just had a feeling something wasn’t right and ordered blood work” says Dana EganSherry, MD, Liam’s pediatric hematologist/oncologist.
“That decision saved his life. T-cell leukemia is incredibly aggressive, and even a few more days could have left him much sicker.”
“It felt like an out-of-body experience,” says mom Stacie. Hearing the diagnosis was life-changing, thrusting little Liam into a two-year journey of treatment.
Liam spent 29 days in the PICU before transitioning to outpatient visits at Hasbro Children’s Tomorrow Fund Clinic for ongoing chemotherapy and checkups. Through every stage of their journey, the Chapmans felt supported.
“They didn’t just take care of Liam,” Stacie says. “They took care of all of us.” Staff helped them explain Liam’s diagnosis to him in age-appropriate terms and connected them to services that eased both the emotional and financial toll of treatment, including support navigating insurance coverage.
One thing that sets Hasbro Children’s apart is that every child is assigned not just a primary doctor but also
“Liam came to us terrified and anxious, but step by step he found his courage . . . Together we created a routine that gave Liam control— countdowns, music, even dancing . . . ”
—Glenna Swann, RN
a primary nurse, ensuring consistent, trusted faces throughout treatment. Liam built a strong bond with his nurse, Glenna Swann, RN, who helped ease his anxiety about chemotherapy port access. What began with tears, long countdowns, and overwhelming anxiety gradually transformed into dance breaks and laughter, all thanks to Glenna’s calm presence and creative approach. With music blasting and unit nurses dancing to Liam’s favorite hype-up song, “Crank That” by Soulja Boy, port access went from dreaded to doable.
“Liam came to us terrified and anxious, but step-by-step he found his courage,” shares Glenna. “Together we created a routine that gave him control—countdowns, music, even dancing. Before long, he didn’t need the countdown at all. He’d just shout, ‘Just do it!’ while the song played. Watching him grow into such a brave, resilient kid has been one of the greatest joys of my career.”
There were bright spots that Liam looked forward to as well, including foot massages, art projects, and yogurt treats when he came to clinic, and a 3-on-3 basketball fundraiser organized by staff. When the Boston Celtics won the championship, Liam—an avid fan—celebrated with the team, who had become like family.
Now nine, Liam is nearing the end of his 25-month treatment plan. His hair is growing back, and he’s back on all the sports fields where he belongs.
For the Chapmans, care at Hasbro Children’s has meant more than medicine. “People assume you have to go to Boston for the best care,” Stacie shares. “But we received top-notch, superior care right here in Rhode Island. We’ll never forget that.”
World-Renowned Care Gives Alba a Smile and Hope
We trusted him completely, right from the beginning,” recalls Phoebe Livingston, on the moment her newborn daughter Alba was urgently referred to Albert Woo, MD— an internationally recognized leader in cleft and craniofacial surgery, chief of pediatric plastic surgery at Hasbro Children’s, and director of its Cleft and Craniofacial Center. Dr. Woo is not only known for pioneering innovative cleft palate repair techniques that optimize speech and improve function, but also for volunteering around the globe to provide lifechanging surgeries for children who otherwise would not have access to care.
That trust would prove essential for Phoebe and her husband, Sergio Lopez, because Alba’s condition was far more dangerous than it first appeared. She had Pierre Robin sequence, a rare craniofacial condition marked by an extremely small lower jaw that causes the tongue to fall backward, often blocking the airway. Like many babies with Robin sequence, Alba also had a cleft palate.
“What sounds like just a small jaw can be, in reality, a life-threatening condition,” Dr. Woo explains. “Babies with Robin sequence and cleft palate often cannot breathe safely while lying on their backs, and they
struggle to feed without specialized techniques. In a newborn, this can lead to airway obstruction, choking, and malnutrition within days.”
At Hasbro Children’s, Dr. Woo and an integrated team of specialists were ready. From ENT to feeding therapists, eye doctors to speech pathologists, the coordinated team created a care plan that addressed every aspect of Alba’s condition.
Early genetic testing also revealed Stickler syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder often associated with Pierre Robin sequence. Stickler can affect the joints, ears, and especially the eyes, increasing the risk of retinal detachment and vision loss. Alba was referred to pediatric ophthalmologists immediately for ongoing monitoring, where her care team will track and respond to any emerging issues as she grows.
But in those first weeks, feeding was the greatest concern.
“We’ll never forget how supported we felt. We weren’t just treated like a case . . . Hasbro Children's saved our daughter’s life and gave her a future.”
— Sergio Lopez
Because of her cleft palate, Alba was not able to drink from a regular bottle. A Pediatric Feeding Specialist worked extensively with Phoebe and Sergio to teach them to use a specialized bottle and to feed Alba upright to help coordinate swallowing and breathing. Alba also needed a feeding tube for many months to supplement her nutrition, adding another layer of complexity to her care at home. “We were exhausted and so afraid we were doing it wrong,” Phoebe said. “But the nurses were amazing. They stood next to us, showed us everything, and never made us feel like we were failing.”
Dr. Woo’s team offered a solution to these challenges. He suggested a special operation to lengthen Alba’s lower jaw and open her airway and allow her to breathe and feed better. A small metal pin came out of the skin, which was manually turned slowly stretching the jaw. What
Alba
was extraordinary is that, at home, Phoebe and Sergio used a tool to advance the hardware in the jaw to lengthen it millimeter by millimeter under Dr. Woo’s guidance.
“Most families do not perform these adjustments at home,” shares Nurse Coordinator Julie Piotrowski, NP, who worked with Alba’s parents. “But Phoebe and Sergio were incredible. They learned quickly, stayed calm, and never missed a step. Their dedication is a big reason Alba did so well.”
Once Alba grew strong enough, Dr. Woo repaired her cleft palate using his advanced muscle-repair technique with fine dissolvable stitches. This approach not only gave Alba the best chance at normal swallowing and speech
Fdevelopment but also reduced the need for multiple additional surgeries that children often face with more traditional methods.
“We’ll never forget how supported we felt,” Sergio says. “We weren’t just treated like a case. Every nurse, every surgeon, every specialist cared about her like she was their own. Hasbro Children's saved our daughter’s life and gave her a future.”
Today, you would never know that Alba was born with a life-threatening condition; and she is more than just thriving. “Alba is fun, she’s sassy, and she’s full of life,” Phoebe smiled. “After everything she’s been through, to see her spirit shine … It’s the greatest gift.”
Extending Healing Across Borders
or many families in Honduras, the only thing standing between their child and a future full of possibilities is access to a surgical team.
In Santa Rosa de Copán, nestled in the western highlands, those possibilities arrive once a year when a small team from Hasbro Children’s steps off a plane with a singular purpose: to heal what has long been left untreated.
“These surgeries are common here in the U.S., but in many parts of the world, children wait years for care or never receive it at all,” says Dr. Albert Woo.
Through a partnership with Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO), Dr. Woo and Rhode Island Hospital nurses
Erika Ahern and Tracie Truesdell provide cleft and craniofacial surgeries to children and adults who would otherwise go without.
The work is intense because the team is there to make the most of their limited time. On screening days, the team often evaluates more than 70 children. One face that stayed with Dr. Woo: Mileyda, a four-year-old girl with a large facial tumor that grew rapidly over one year. In the U.S., Dr. Woo would not have operated without a prior biopsy and much more
information; but he knew that if he did not operate during that trip, Mileyda might not survive another year. After a careful team review, Dr. Woo moved forward. The tumor turned out to be an aggressive cancer and a team of specialists volunteered their time to treat this needy child. CAMO coordinated her follow-up care, and after nearly 50 rounds of chemotherapy, she returned one year later to greet Dr. Woo and his team, radiant and full of life. A life she might not have had without her surgery.
The team pays their own way, and the nurses bring extra suitcases of toys and comfort items for the children. Philanthropic support helps extend the team’s reach; a generous gift from Bob and Sally Gilbane helped cover travel costs for the nurses in 2025.
Each year the team comes back from Honduras and wonders who got more out of the trip: the patients whose lives are changed or the caregivers returning with exhausted bodies but full hearts. Says Erika, “We go to give, but we always come back changed in the best ways.”
Mileyda before surgery
Mileyda with staff one year after surgery
Enduring Legacies: Celebrating a Lasting Impact of Generosity
Hasbro Children’s proudly honors the remarkable legacies of three visionary individuals—James L. Carr, Jr., Alan Hassenfeld, and the Honorable Bruce M. Selya—whose generosity and selflessness has left an indelible mark on our hospital and community.
Through their profound commitment, these philanthropists have advanced healing, championed innovation, and brought comfort and hope to patients and families. Their support was more than a gift, it was a reflection of their deep compassion and belief in a brighter future.
As we reflect on their many contributions, we also celebrate the enduring power of giving. The inspiring legacies of these three leaders remind us that true generosity extends well beyond a lifetime.
Alan Hassenfeld
As the former CEO of Hasbro, Inc. and a member of its founding family, Alan Hassenfeld was a true champion of children and community. He believed deeply in “living charity”—doing good and witnessing its impact—and he lived that belief every day until his passing on July 9, 2025, at the age of 76.
Among his greatest legacies is the role he played, alongside Al Verrecchia, in leading the effort to build Rhode Island’s only dedicated pediatric hospital. Hasbro Children’s opened its doors on Valentine’s Day in 1994, and has since touched countless lives.
Over his 30-year relationship with Hasbro Children’s, Alan helped to raise tens of millions of dollars and became a catalyst for corporate philanthropy in the United States. His passion inspired others to give, lead, and care.
“Alan will forever be remembered as someone who wanted to make the world a better place,” said Al Verrecchia, former chairman of Brown University Health. “He was happiest when he was helping people, especially children.”
For decades, Alan led annual holiday visits to the hospital, handing out gifts and cookies with Hasbro team members— moments he cherished deeply.
“Alan was the pied piper of Hasbro’s Global Day of Joy, showing his generosity and deep care for children,” said Phyllis A. Dennery, MD, Pediatrician-in-Chief and Medical Director at Hasbro Children’s. “His kindness and commitment to the health and well-being of kids will be deeply missed.”
Alan also served as a governor of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation and a board member of The Miriam Hospital Foundation, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and impact.
Alan Hassenfeld
Hasbro Children's
The Honorable Judge Bruce M. Selya
The Honorable Judge Bruce M. Selya passed away on February 22, 2025, at the age of 90. But his extraordinary story did not end there. Rather, his legacy lives on through the many contributions he made to society over his long and distinguished lifetime.
Judge Selya was a founding chair, longtime trustee, generous benefactor, and steadfast supporter of the academic health system that began as Lifespan and would become Brown University Health. He was also among the most celebrated federal appellate judges in the nation, as well as the longest serving federal judge in Rhode Island history.
Those who knew Judge Selya remember him for his remarkable intellect, quick wit, generosity, and compassion. But above all, he was deeply community minded. He cared profoundly about people, especially children and adolescents, and was committed to advancing the health of those around him.
Together with his wife, Cindy, Judge Selya took particular pride in the Judge Bruce M. Selya and Cynthia M. Selya Special Integrated Care Unit. Affectionately known as “Selya Six,” this nationally recognized program at Hasbro Children’s provides integrated care for children with co-occurring medical and psychiatric needs. The couple also funded The Judge Bruce M. and Cynthia M. Selya Employee Wellness Center at The Miriam Hospital.
Collectively, the Selyas have contributed nearly $1 million in philanthropic support to Brown Health hospitals. Judge Selya’s extraordinary commitment to our mission—and to the people we serve—will remain an enduring part of his legacy. Henry T. Sachs III, MD, President, Bradley Hospital, Medical Director for Child Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Brown University Health remembers The Judge: “Judge Selya was, by any measure, a remarkably impressive individual. His thoughtfulness, passion, and sincere interest in our work was very much appreciated by staff. Moreover, his philanthropy made much of it possible. Judge Selya’s humility was another thing that always stood out. With all he’d accomplished, he could have put on airs. But he did not. He couldn’t have been more grounded, gracious, or supportive. We are deeply grateful for all he did for us and continue to miss him dearly.”
James L. “Jamo” Carr Jr.
With deep sadness and lasting gratitude, we remember James “Jamo” Carr, who passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2025.
A beloved leader, philanthropist, and friend, Jamo served as cochair of the Hasbro Children’s Golf Invitational, since 2007, helping to raise more than $5 million to support care for children across our region. For nearly two decades, he brought his signature passion, generosity, and larger-than-life spirit to every aspect of the tournament. He also was a dedicated trustee of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation, inspiring those around him with his unwavering commitment to community and care for children.
“Jamo’s legacy will live on in the walls of the hospital, in the strength of the event he helped to grow, and in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him,” says Lawrence A. Aubin, Chairman of Brown University Health and founder of the golf tournament, who invited Jamo to co-chair with him years ago.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jamo was a civic leader and a quiet force for good who gave back, not for the recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. His memory will continue to inspire us, just as his kindness helped shape a healthier future for so many children.
Judge Bruce M. Selya
James L. “Jamo” Carr Jr.
Johnston Memorial Cancer Events’ Lasting Legacy
It started with two dozen small flames glowing around the pond at Johnston War Memorial Park during the very first Campfires for Cancer. Each one lit in memory of someone loved and lost to cancer. It was that first 2006 campfire that sparked the start of something far bigger than anyone expected.
Over a remarkable 19 years, Johnston Memorial Cancer Events (JMCE), an all-volunteer nonprofit founded by Phyllis Gelsomino, Linda LaFazia, Vin LaFazia, and John Furia, has raised more than $450,000 in support of Hasbro Children’s hematology/oncology department. What began in memory of Sal Gelsomino—a beloved Johnston coach, father, and advocate for kids—expanded to honor the lives of Laura DeAngelis, Anna Mazzulla, Raymond Johnson, John Furia, and Frances Grasso.
The group’s earliest efforts were part of a larger national event, but they soon felt called to create something with a more visible, local impact. After touring Hasbro Children’s, the team knew they had found their mission.
“It was always about the kids,” says Phyllis Gelsomino. “And the community. We didn’t have to ask. People just showed up.”
In its early years, JMCE hosted community walks and memorials before creating Campfires for Cancer, a grassroots event filled with remembrance signs, cookouts, and connection. But it was the launch of the JMCE Hasbro Children’s Friends & Family Golf Event that cemented the group’s legacy. Now in its final year, the tournament has grown into a community celebration that drew hundreds annually. It became so beloved that it sold out every year before flyers even hit the mail.
One of their most memorable fundraisers, the Polar Golf Challenge, invited brave participants, all wearing shorts, to play three holes with three golf clubs on New Year’s Day. The group also funded computers for inpatient rooms and helped build The Izzy Family Room, donated by The Izzy Foundation in 2014.
“It was always about the kids and the community. We didn’t have to ask. People just showed up.”
— Phyllis Gelsomino
“The commitment of Johnston Memorial Cancer Events has strengthened every part of our pediatric hematology/oncology program,” says Rishi R. Lulla, MD, MS, Division Director, Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Hasbro Children’s. “Their support of research, familycentered spaces, and direct patient care has created real momentum toward our long-term vision: to deliver the best possible outcomes for every child we treat.”
JCME will make their final donation this fall, including completion of their $100,000 pledge to support pediatric cancer research, bringing their extraordinary work to a close, though not their bond with the hospital. “We’ll always be connected to Hasbro Children’s,” Phyllis said. “It’s where our hearts are.”
Linda Lafazia agrees. “We thought maybe it would last a year or two. We never expected it to become what it did. But people kept showing up, and we kept going—for the kids, and for each other.”
Record-Breaking 29th Annual Hasbro Children’s Golf Invitational
On July 21, 2025, 115 golfers gathered at the picturesque Rhode Island Country Club for the 29th annual Hasbro Children’s Golf Invitational, an event marked by sunshine, spirited bidding, and heartfelt remembrance. The tournament included a lively auction and fund-a-need, raising an incredible, and recordbreaking, $475,000 for critical patient-focused services such as the Aubin Child Protection Center and Child Life Services.
With 29 foursomes participating, the tournament raised critical funds to support the areas of greatest need at Hasbro Children’s, including patient services, educational programs, and pioneering research. Since its inception in 1996, the event has raised more than $7.5 million to benefit patients and their families. A special thank you to this year’s Presenting Sponsor, University Orthopedics, Inc., Club House Sponsor, Suffolk Construction, and Golf Course Sponsor, Rhode Island Medical Imaging.
This year’s tournament carried a special meaning as James L. “Jamo” Carr, Jr., beloved longtime co-chair of the event, who passed away just weeks before the tournament, was remembered. For more than 17 years, Jamo brought his trademark charisma, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the Invitational, helping raise over $5 million during his tenure. A remarkable $57,000 was donated in Jamo’s memory, with gifts continuing to arrive following a request by his family to support the Invitational in Jamo’s name.
“In 2007, I invited my good friend Jamo Carr to join me as co-chair,” said Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr., Chairman of the Brown University Health Board of Directors. “And it’s just not the same up here without him. He was a dear friend of mine, a great friend of the kids at Hasbro Children’s, a friend of many of you, and a kind and generous philanthropist.”
In a moving tribute, Jamo’s son, Jesse Carr, continued his father’s tradition as the leader of the live auction. Following that, Larry Aubin rallied the crowd to give generously to the event’s fund-a-need appeal, benefiting the Hasbro Children’s Pediatric Pulmonary Program in honor of Jamo and the children he cared so deeply about.
In addition to these heartfelt moments, the event included meaningful donor recognition, special giveaways, and a few surprises along the way. The Hart Companies foursome won the title of “Aubin Cup Champions” for a third consecutive year.
“I know what Jamo would want most of all,” Larry Aubin said with a smile. “He’d say, ‘Larry, stop talking! And let’s go raise some money for the kids!’” And that they did!
Hope and Resilience Take Center Stage as Heroes Ball Supports Pediatric Pulmonary
More than 600 guests stepped into a storybook setting at the Rhode Island Convention Center to celebrate the 2025 Heroes Ball and the real-life heroes of Hasbro Children’s on March 8. Donors raised over $1.25 million, including $390,000 dedicated to advancing pediatric pulmonary care.
Under twinkling lights and whimsical décor—and the leadership of event chair Denise Chakoian—the evening honored the strength of Hasbro Children’s patients, the dedication of caregivers, and the generosity of a community committed to ensuring every child has the best opportunity for a happy ending.
The evening began with BalletRI dancers performing Peter and the Wolf, setting a magical tone. Sarah Frost, Chief of Hospital Operations and President of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s, welcomed guests to her first Heroes Ball. She introduced a powerful lineup of patient and family speakers whose stories brought the mission to life.
• Sarah, living with cystic fibrosis, found care and strength at Hasbro Children’s—and went on to earn a PhD in transplant psychology.
• London, the 2024 Champion Child, defied a spina bifida diagnosis and now thrives as a black belt and soccer player.
• Richard and Donte, a father-son duo, shared their multigenerational journey through cancer and rare illness.
• Josh, a high school senior with spina bifida, continues to shine as a performer despite medical challenges.
Each of their stories closed with a shared sentiment: “We are grateful Hasbro Children’s is a part of our story.”
Denise Chakoian, Dr. Phyllis Dennery, Sarah Frost, Tracey Wallace, Dr. Francois Luks
Wayne Charness, Karen Davis, Jeanie Charness, Jeff Davis
One of the most poignant moments of the evening came during the fund-a-need benefiting Hasbro Children’s pediatric pulmonary department. Pediatrician-in-Chief Phyllis Dennery, MD, introduced the segment, sharing how the pediatric pulmonology team provides life-changing care to children facing complex respiratory challenges.
Before the auctioneer solicited pledges, guests watched a powerful video about young DJ and his mother, Matricial, who relocated from South Dakota to access the specialized care available at Hasbro Children’s. Brown University Health employee and patient mom Lenka Casey followed, sharing how Hasbro Children’s saved her infant son, Jasper. Now almost seven years old, Jasper joined his mother on stage, drawing cheers and smiles from the crowd.
The fund-a-need brought one of the night’s biggest highlights. After two guests pledged $25,000, another pledged $33,000 and encouraged the others to match it to get to $100,000. Hasbro, Inc. added to the excitement with a generous $50,000 match, showing the powerful impact of coming together for Hasbro Children’s.
The program closed with a heartfelt reading of Goodnight Heroes by Sarah Frost and 2025 Champion Child Cullen, followed by a surprise musical performance with hospital leaders and a joyful dance party led by the Sugarbabies.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors, Hasbro, Inc. and IGT, and to all our generous donors and sponsors whose support brings hope, healing, and happiness to Hasbro Children’s families.
Lenka and Jasper Casey
1. Emberli and David Pridham
2. Tom Stebbins and Josh
3. London and her mom Crystal 4. Richard and Donte 5. Sarah Frost and Cullen
John and Tricia Ferreira, Jody Bishop, Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. 7. BalletRI
Tom
and Jasper
t this year’s Hasbro Children’s Heroes Ball, our generous corporate partners and supporters helped write a story of hope, strength, and compassion for children and their families.
Not every chapter is easy, but because of you, families facing medical challenges don’t have to navigate their journeys alone. Your support delivers world-class care, vital resources, and moments of compassion when they’re needed most.
Thank you for being part of their story—and for making a real difference when it matters most.
