Pediatric Resource Center Newsletter Fall 2023

Pediatric Resource Center

Celebrating 30 Years of Hope and Healing: A Milestone for the Pediatric Resource Center

I am excited to share that this is the 30th anniversary of the Pediatric Resource Center’s service to abused and neglected children in central Illinois! For three decades, our commitment to improving the health, safety, and advocacy for children impacted by child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect has remained unwavering. Thanks to supporters like you, the Pediatric Resource Center has positively impacted the health and safety of over 10,000 central Illinois children from over 69 counties! We hope you will join us in celebrating this milestone by attending our Hope for Kids fundraiser on October 21st (see details inside). If you are unable to attend, consider making a donation to support these vital services at https://go.uic.edu/PRCGiving.

Looking back over the past three decades, it’s awe-inspiring to see the progress we’ve made. Our journey has been fueled by dedicated professionals, passionate volunteers, and unwavering community support. The heartwarming stories of healing and resilience we’ve witnessed remind us that even in the face of darkness, hope can flourish. Sadly, some children in Illinois do not have access to specialized medical services, like the Pediatric Resource Center. Many drive hours to receive our services. Others receive care from medical providers who are not experts in the assessment and treatment of child abuse, sometimes with tragic outcomes for the child. Some families simply do not have access to child-friendly medical care at all. With your support, we are working to ensure that every child receives expert medical care when they need it most.

Medical Director

Channing Petrak, MD

Executive Director

Stephanie Johnson

Medical Staff

Shilpa Hari, MD

Claudia Plumer, APRN

Carrie Watt, APRN

Case Coordinators

Taryn Dunlap

Amanda Thomison

Support Staff

Danielle Keime

Carole Siefken

Community Board Officers

Jason Killion, President

Jennifer Flexer, Vice-President

Cory Winstead, Treasurer

Frank Perino, Secretary

Board Members

Debbie Bart

Justin Bolkema

Brian Card

Jill Dodaro

Jenna Grimm

Talbert Houle

Danielle Jepson

Emily Norris

Amy Paul

With your support, the future of the Pediatric Resource Center is brighter than ever. We have recently welcomed Dr. Shilpa Hari, a board-eligible child abuse pediatrician, to our team. Dr. Hari’s expertise, compassion, and dedication will undoubtedly enhance our ability to provide comprehensive medical care and support to children in need. With her arrival, we are poised to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and continue to be a beacon of hope for children and families in crisis.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Board Members (cont.)

William Reimers

Rene Rosiak

Chris Rothan

Seth Uphoff

Alicia VanRheeden

Kim Walker

Rebekah Williams

Ex-Officio Members

Susan Grebner

Stephanie Johnson

Channing Petrak, MD

Kay L. Saving, MD

Stephanie Johnson, PRC Executive Director

Editor Danielle Keime

Contributing Writers

Jason Killion

Stephanie Johnson

Danielle Keime

Photography

Stephanie Johnson

Danielle Keime

Newsletter Layout

Susan Galloway

In affiliation with The Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, a supporting member of the National Children’s Alliance.

meeting the medical needs of abused and neglected children.

Record Impact by the Numbers

July 2022 through June 2023

502 children received PRC’s specialized, child-friendly evaluations

97 children were examinated at local hospitals by PRC medical and social services staff

96% of children evaluated by PRC were in a safe environment after direct services by PRC staff

Neglect - 7%

Sexual Abuse - 28%

Physical Abuse - 65%

Sadly, some young children served by the Pediatric Resource Center do not survive the abuse or serious neglect they have endured, while others may remain in environments that we consider “unsafe” despite our best advocacy efforts.

Welcoming Dr. Shilpa Hari to the Pediatric Resource Center!

We are thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our Pediatric Resource Center team, Dr. Shilpa Hari! Dr. Hari joined our staff in July 2023, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of pediatric medical care, with a specialization in child abuse pediatrics.

Dr. Hari’s journey in the world of medicine began at Richmond Gabriel University, where she earned her medical degree. Her commitment to pediatric care led her to complete her pediatric residency at the esteemed Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital in June 2020. Her passion for advocating for the most vulnerable in our society led her to pursue further specialization in child abuse pediatrics.

Dedicated to honing her skills, Dr. Hari recently completed her child abuse pediatric fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in July 2023. This rigorous training equips her with the latest advancements in identifying, preventing, diagnosing, and treating child abuse, making her an invaluable asset to our team.

With Dr. Hari’s arrival, the Pediatric Resource Center is poised to expand its capabilities in addressing child abuse and

neglect throughout the region, ensuring that each child receives the specialized, child-friendly medical care they deserve. Her expertise and passion align seamlessly with our mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based care to every child and family we serve.

As we welcome Dr. Shilpa Hari to our team, we invite you to join us in celebrating her commitment to pediatric care and her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of children in need. We are excited about the contributions she will undoubtedly make to our center and the broader pediatric community.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Hari and stay tuned for the incredible work she and the rest of our team will accomplish here at the Pediatric Resource Center!

Our Exams for Concerns of Sexual Abuse Are:

• Child-friendly and pain-free

• Evidence-informed

• External only - no speculum

• Supported by a Case Coordinator, always in the room providing comfort, distraction, and guidance

Right: The colposcope PRC medical providers use for a magnified, well-lit external look at possible injuries

Our New Staff

We are excited to introduce you to our newest additions to the Pediatric Resource Center:

Taryn Dunlap

Taryn Dunlap joined us in April 2023 in the role of Case Coordinator. She has over 12 years’ experience in child welfare and social services, having previously worked as a Child Protection Specialist for The Department of Children and Family Services and Child Welfare Specialist for The Center for Youth and Family Solutions. Her clinical responsibilities include medical case management in child physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect cases.

Shipla Hari, MD

Shilpa Hari, MD joined us in July 2023 in the role of physician. (Additional info for Shilpa Hari, MD on pg. 3)

Special thank you to PRC’s Community Partners

Midwest Food Bank

Since 2016, the PRC has participated in Midwest Food Bank’s Snack Pack program, accepting donations of snacks and drinks to provide to our patients during visits to our clinic.

J&J Cleaners in Morton

J&J Cleaners became a community partner of PRC in 2020 and have been a tremendous help to the preservation and care of our street banners that are installed around Peoria during April, Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The Pediatric Resource Center is very appreciative of the long-standing relationships we have had with the following agencies that have supported PRC with grant opportunities:

• Department of Children and Family Services

• City of Peoria

Memorials & Honoraria

Memory of Ryne Hofmann Rolin and Deborah Hofmann

Honor of my nephew, Jason Killion’s birthday

Janea Gabel

In Honor of Dr. Channing Petrak by Nexstar Media Group

Honor of Jennifer L. Flexer’s birthday

Linda Lehman

Taryn Dunlap

Hope for Kids

Celebrating 30 Years of Hope

October 21, 2023

Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center-OSF

Doors open at 6:00pm

Entertainment by Johnny Walker

Cocktails & Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres

Silent & Live Auction Raffles

Attire: Cocktail Casual

Individual Tickets: $100 Reserved table of 8 - $800

RSVP online or QR code: https://go.uic.edu/HopeforKids2023

Event Sponsors and Underwriters:

Caleb and Marci Sturges

Sign Up for Mobile Bidding Today: www.go.uic.edu/Hope2023Gala

NAME Address Phone Email

$_________Table Reservation ($800/table of 8)

$_________Individual Reservation(s) ($100/person)

$_________Additional Contribution (Thank you!)

$_________I am unable to attend, but enclosing contribution

Checks should be made out to UIF/ Pediatric Resource Center. Per IRS guidelines, $25.00 per ticket may be tax deductible. Questions? Contact us at 309.624.9595

To pay by card, please visit go.uic.edu/HopeforKids2023 or call PRC at 309-624-9595

$_________TOTAL Please respond by October 9, 2023

RACE and Fun WALK

Our 11th annual Kick Abuse 5K Race and Fun Walk in April was a success. We had beautiful weather for the runners and walkers at our new venue, Donovan Park. Sponsors and participants raised over $21,000 to provide child-centered medical care for abused and neglected children in Central Illinois.

PRC NIGHT WITH THE CHIEFS

August 25th was the annual PRC night at the Chiefs. Events to benefit specialized childcentered care to abused and neglected children included Pitch in for Charity tennis ball toss, jersey auctions, and Strike Out Child Abuse.

Giveback Nights

On May 7th the East Peoria Noodles & Company hosted a Giveback night from 4-8pm that brought in $101.95 to benefit PRC services.

Thank You

Thank You

On June 21st one of Peoria’s favorites, Weavers Fresh Food and Drinks, hosted an all-day Giveback that generated $900 to help the children of Central Illinois receive child-friendly medical and social services!

WALZ Label and Mailing

Anonymous

The Killion Family River City Construction

Debbie Bart at Wheel of Wow with kids

Kim Walker and Seth Uphoff selling tennis balls for Pitch In to Charity

A Message from PRC Board President

Hello everyone and welcome to the Pediatric Resource Center’s Fall newsletter! My name is Jason Killion and I’m the President of the Community Board for the PRC. I’m taking the reins from Mitch Gilfillan who did an outstanding job of leading our board over the past two years. The bar has been set high! But people who know me will tell you that I am always up for a challenge and love to take things to the next level. And that’s exactly what I intend to do with the Community Board.

So why am I volunteering my time with the PRC? Because now, more than ever, the children of Central Illinois need the help of the community. Cases of neglect and abuse continue to be significantly higher than previous years which means that the PRC continues to see record numbers of children, providing medical services, social services, and education and training services to those who truly need it the most. I believe that all kids deserve an opportunity to live in an environment free from neglect and abuse. But when neglect and abuse does happen, I also believe that those children need the help of organizations like the PRC to help them recover and get back on track… and to make sure that those who cause or enable the neglect and abuse face the consequences for their actions. My wife and I have been involved with the PRC for the last 10 years with each of us volunteering time and serving in various capacities on the Community Board. We are both passionate about making the world a better place, starting right here in our backyard where we have an opportunity to make an impact where we live and work.

PRC Partners for Kids

You make it possible for more children to be seen, heard, healed and loved. When you support the work of the PRC, abused and neglected children are cared for in a space where healing begins.

Join the PRC Protectors by signing up to give a monthly gift to ensure that our clinics are staffed with caring professionals who have the expertise to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment for child abuse and neglect victims.

PRC Partners for Kids/Sustainable Donors:

Denise Adams, Margaret Burnette

Brian and Katie Card

Kathleen Eichinger

Mitch Gilfillan

Richard and Barbara Johnson

Stephanie Johnson

John LeMasters

Fletcher Summa

Derek and Wendy Van Ittersum

One of the things I’m most excited about this year is the fact that the PRC celebrates its 30th year of providing services to the children and families of Central Illinois! And to celebrate, we will be making our Fall fundraiser – Hope for Kids – the best yet! The event will take place on Saturday October 21st at the Jump Trading Center in Peoria. It’ll be a night to celebrate the PRC and the impact that they’ve had for the last 30 years, to recognize the great staff and local organizations that enables the PRC to make a difference, to raise funds to make sure that the PRC has the resources needed to continue providing services in the future, and to have a great time! We hope to see you there! One final thought… if you believe that all children deserve a chance to grow up in a world free from neglect and abuse… if you believe that children who have been neglected or abused deserve the best support and services to help them cope and recover… and if you would like to join a group of like-minded individuals from our community who want to take action to make sure that the first two things I mentioned come to fruition, please reach out to me about joining our Community Board. We are actively looking for new board members to join the cause – helping to raise awareness and resources to enable the PRC to continue to provide services to the children of Central Illinois.

I look forward to providing you updates throughout the year as we work towards our goals.

Thanks,

Blue Ribbon Society

The Blue Ribbon Society was established as a component of The Foundation for the Endowed Medicine Campaign of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. Gifts to the Blue Ribbon Society are restricted to the PRC Endowment Fund and directly benefit the Pediatric Resource Center’s program for abused and neglected children.

Blue Ribbon Society

Founding Members

Polly & Glen Barton

Cindy & Bill Fischer

Pat & LeRoy Hagenbuch

Theresa & Bill Heidrich

Barbara & Joe Henderson

Lois & Ed Holscher

Lincoln Office Supply

Kay L. Saving, M.D.

Linda K. Simkins

Blue Ribbon Society Members

CEFCU

Mrs. Ellen Foster

Dr. & Mrs. Michael Gootee

Green Chevrolet Hummer

Dave and Tanja Hands

Richard Horndasch, M.D.

Mrs. Patricia Jansen

Mrs. Marjorie Lauterbach

Cynthia McKone

Janet K. O’Neill

Katie & Jim Owens

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Pearl

Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association

Rebecca L. Vasterling

Jason Killion, President, PRC Community Board