Winter 2015

s hodair children’s hospital HElping Children. Healing Families.

WINTER 2015

Jack’s Desk

Change Is Inevitable

There are those who resist and those who embrace change, but no matter how you slice it, it’s going to affect us all at some point. I choose to roll with it.

There have been many changes since Shodair Children’s Hospital was established 119 years ago as an orphanage. This nonprofit organization transitioned into a medical facility treating children with polio and later into a facility caring for Montana’s youngest citizens who, because of their emotional and medical challenges, are often the most vulnerable.

It’s grown from a downtown receiving home operating with a few dozen employees in a multi-story brick building with less than 10,000 square feet to a 104,000-square-foot psychiatric children’s hospital with a state-of-the-art genetics lab nestled on the southeast edge of Helena, on a 26-acre campus employing more than 300 people.

That’s growth, which equals change.

The time has arrived for yet another transition at Shodair to a new, modern, and symbolic logo and incoming new leadership.

For nearly 30 years I have worked alongside a long list of brilliant, dedicated, and compassionate professionals, board members, and volunteers who have helped children and their families through their own personal challenges and transitions. It is because of these fine, hard-working individuals that I have enjoyed coming to work every day. I couldn’t be prouder of the obstacles overcome, the positive impact made to families, and the commitment to Montanans through those three decades. That’s not to say there weren’t hard days, because there were. It’s within those challenging times those details define the rich truth of real life. Not to be forgotten are the countless supporters of Shodair who have lent financial support in order to better the lives of children and families.

Change can be frustrating and test our patience. But remain steady. Stay the course. Be kind. Have faith in each other.

I am fortunate the majority of my career was at Shodair.

I’m blessed for all the support shown to this Anaconda kid.

So much of who I am today, I give credit to those who believed in me; at work and at home.

These are exciting times at Shodair Children’s Hospital. I’ve loved having an up-close perspective, but I’m confident I’ll cherish a bird’s eye view just as much.

Carry on.

Jack

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Joe Shevlin, Galen Hollenbaugh, Ed Tinsley, Joel Maes, Janet Hedges, Jack Casey, Bill Hasquet, Beth O’Halloran, Rita Gowen, and Moe Wosepka.

Not pictured: Rich Bruner, Bob Lemm, David Lemm, Fr. Dan Shea, and Ed Surbrugg

Craig Aasved takes over as CEO of Shodair on Dec. 7 “The children of Shodair deserve to be treated with compassion & respect. They also deserve to have someone advocating for them. After touring Shodair, the children pulled at my heart. I want to be part of Shodair to make a difference for these children and continue to build upon the legacy that has been established.”

Craig Aasved CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

“I personally want to thank all of you for your continued support. Your support allows Shodair to continue to meet the needs of the children being served. I look forward to working with all of you for years to come.”

Give to Shodair using AmazonSmile

You shop, Amazon gives.

You shop, Amazon gives.

That’s the idea behind AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for online shoppers to support their favorite charitable organization every time they shop, at no cost to the customer. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same prices, convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Shodair Children’s Hospital was recently added to the list of organizations customers can donate to, and we ask that you consider showing your support by asking Amazon to donate a portion of your total to Shodair Children’s Hospital.

TO DESIGNATE SHODAIR AS YOUR SUPPORTING CHARITY, GO TO SMILE.AMAZON.COM. AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE YOU WILL SEE SUPPORTING - CLICK ON AND TYPE IN SHODAIR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. TO MAKE FUTURE DONATIONS THROUGH AMAZON, JUST LOG ON TO SMILE.AMAZON.COM. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SHODAIR! NEED HELP SETTING IT UP? Call Becca at 406.444.7548

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Metabolic Days Change in venue is big hit

This year’s Metabolic Days was held at Camp Mak-A-Dream in Gold Creek and attendees were thrilled with the venue of rustic cabins surrounded by majestic mountains and lush grasslands.

T

he annual event provides education and hands-on learning opportunities for families dealing with a family member with a metabolic disorder.

Being around others who face the same challenges can be tremendously helpful and the exact reason that Shodair Children’s Hospital began Metabolic Days. It’s also a time for clinical staff to connect with patients in a non-medical atmosphere.

Sara Boutilier, coordinator for the Newborn Screening Program, said these interactions during the event benefit the care provided for the rest of the year.

active lifestyles, and the value in embracing differences. They attended cooking classes, made crafts, and played games creating a family-like community.

“I think Montana Metabolic Days provides an opportunity for families to connect and share regarding the unique experience of raising a child with an inborn error of metabolism,” Boutilier said. “The event provides a platform for the ability to relate to coping with a child’s diagnosis early in infancy to having reassurance/perspective as to how the future can expect to look.”

Tyler Setlock is a dietician at Shodair and also taught Children played, adults visited, and smiles could be the cooking classes at Metabolic Days. seen all around as they learned about meal planning, “We want Metabolic Days to be more about what

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opportunities we can supply to the family and less about what they should have to give,” he said. “Metabolic patients in Montana represent a small group and as such, a rich community with families who work very hard to do the best for their children. As such, they are the ones who deserve some rest and relaxation while they are truly the ones who give the most.”

Boutilier says Shodair really seems to exhibit a holistic approach to patient care and provides this opportunity to travel and participate to families covering all expenses.

“I think the commitment demonstrates that all facets of a patient (and a patient’s family) must be attended to in order to assure the best success for patient care and outcomes,” Boutilier said.

Setlock said that because Montana is such a huge state with patient families in all corners, it’s important to have an opportunity to come together.

“We think it’s important that families know there are others out there who share the same struggles and the same triumphs, too,” he said.“Metabolic Days is a chance for families to recognize this and build a community.”

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Miracle Musings

Your gifts help children

Thank you for your gifts that help us care for Montana’s Children.

In our lives, we balance so many things — work schedules, tires, checkbooks, meals and more. For all we so carefully keep aligned, charitable giving is one aspect out-of-balance for many of us. Just like everything else that runs better when balanced, charitable giving can be more powerful and effective when it takes into account today and the future.

If you already make annual gifts to Shodair Children’s Hospital, you may be interested in ways to extend your giving into the future. One of the most effective but simple ways you can support children in need — and create a lasting legacy — is by including Shodair in your will. Also known as a charitable bequest, making your gift in your will benefits both you and a cause that speaks to your heart and mind.

• You make a direct and positive impact on the lives of children in Montana, today and in the future. The care provided at Shodair changes their lives.

• You can give as much or as little as you want without impacting your lifestyle today.

• It’s flexible. Your gift bequest merely requires a will provision, which can be changed any time in the future.

• There is no impact to the assets you utilize today (home, stocks, IRA, etc.) since the gift is made when you pass away.

• Typically there is no cost associated to add a charitable bequest in a will.

If you have given to us primarily through annual fund donations, thank you. Additionally, please consider a planned gift such as a bequest. It costs nothing, but may touch your heart by bringing more meaning to the annual gifts. People often tell us they find it more fulfilling when they balance their annual and future giving.

Another option for giving, and some find it the ideal balance, is a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder unitrust that pays money back to you each year. Through this option your planned gift could help fund your lifestyle, and allow you to continue your annual gifts for the rest of your life.

We are grateful for all gifts no matter the size, but when donors create a balanced plan, we are better able to plan for the needs of Shodair Children’s Hospital today knowing we will meet the goals of tomorrow.

Most importantly, we can help find the mixture that is right for you.

If you are interested in learning more about creating a planned gift, please visit our website at http://www.shodairlegacy.org.

You will find a free guide to planning your will, helpful bequest language and other tools designed specifically to assist you and your attorney.

If you do not have a will, or if your will needs updating, please contact me for a free estate planning attorney referral. Call (406) 444-7560 or email baslin@shodair.org if I can be of assistance in any way to you in your planning.

Please accept my sincerest gratitude for your generous support of Shodair Children’s Hospital!

Warmly,

Bart

helping Children

can secure your future There is a way to make a gift while creating security for you and your loved ones called charitable gift annuity. What’s more, it’s as simple as transferring cash, CDs, or stocks in exchange for fixed lifetime payments.

People are often surprised at how high their return is and feel confident knowing their payment rate will never change.

Call or email today to learn more about receiving fixed payments from a charitable gift annuity!

Bart Aslin | 406-444-7560 | baslin@shodair.org

Dear Shodair Family, I am writing to say thank you!

Because of your support of Shodair Children’s Hospital, my son, Jason, is alive and well, despite having been diagnosed as a baby with a rare condition called Phenylketonuria (also known as PKU).

Due to PKU, Jason’s body cannot break down amino acids and therefore he can’t eat the diet so many of his friends, and so many of us, take for granted.

Rather, Jason’s diet is highly regimented, requiring him to ingest special medical formula to stave off ill effects of his condition and closely monitor his health.

Thanks to the Medical Genetics Department at Shodair, which has provided Jason and my family with support and care, he is conquering what would otherwise be a debilitating condition!

Once again, I want to thank you for for your support. Your generosity allows Shodair Children’s Hospital to provide life-changing treatments for other Montana kids like Jason.

Michelle Albin

Shodair’s historical vision fits with change People with complex medical conditions benefit from a medical team that can rely on powerful technologies to help patients learn about what they have, and overcome what they can.

There is a long history at Shodair Children’s Hospital of working to bring cuttingedge technology to Montana for individuals of all ages with genetic disorders, according to Shodair Hospital Administrator Jack Casey.

Shodair’s collaboration of lab and clinicians dates back more than 28 years ago, when he helped get the initial lab off the ground.

“The sole purpose of the genetics lab is to support the clinical side,” Casey said. “And in order to do that, you have to have the best possible technology available. There is no reason why the citizens of Montana deserve anything less than anywhere else in the world.”

Four years ago, before Next Generation Sequencing was a possibility, Shodair launched Chromosomal Microarray under the leadership of Dr. John Johnson. It was the new genomic technology at the time that became the driving force at Shodair when not many labs had it. Shodair’s track record of collaborating to take on new technologies has historically been first-rate.

Medical geneticists are becoming involved in the management and care of patients across all age groups, often in close collaboration with other specialists and subspecialists. An example of these developments is the involvement of geneticists in the management of individuals with neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, genetic epilepsies, and geneticmetabolic disorders for which targeted therapies are possibly within reach.

Such shifts have particular impact in the health care setting of Montana, with its rural communities and high prevalence of underserved communities and low-income populations. Yet Montana has a robust primary care-based model of health care delivery, which is enhanced by a growing number and diversification of specialists and subspecialists, Medical Geneticist Dr. Abe Elias said, allowing for the local management of patients with complex health problems.

In a setting where availability and geographic distances can impede timely specialist evaluations, using NGS early in the diagnostic process will be a more cost efficient and rapid approach than before while improving patient care, Elias said, and it helps avoid exhaustive diagnostic odysseys.

Jason Albin, 2014 Montana Champion.

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Thank YOU!!!

To All of Shodair’s Generous Donors: You Are, “Caring for Montana’s Future!”

We make every effort to ensure our donor listing contains accurate information. If you see an error or omission, please call the Foundation Office at (406) 444-7548. This listing includes donors who gave to Shodair in the calendar year 2014.

Miracle Makers Dolores Aadsen A.D. and E. M. Ackels Marjorie Akrep Marion A. Alberts Francis and Helene Allaire Dick Allen Sherman Allen Tom Allen Vera Allen Jim Allison Myrna J. Alme Alpha Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Ron Alsager American Funds American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Hardin Post #8 American Legion Lincoln Post #9 American Legion of Belgrade #30 American Legion of Chester Post 88 American Legion of Harlowton Wheatland Post #15 American Legion of Lolo #135 Edithe Anderson Lonnie and Donita Anderson Loraine Anderson Norma Anderson Ruth Anderson Anonymous Willard and Peggy Arnold ASCLS Bart Aslin Charles R. Aumell Doris Ayyoub Donald and Donna Babcock Dorothy M. Baber Ernest Bacon Darwin Bailey Richard W. Bailey Robert A. Bakke Cyndi J. Balkovetz David C. Balkovetz Eric Ball William Ballard George H. Bandel Thomas W. Bangs Barkell Trucking, Inc. Kathleen Barker Richard D. Barker Robyn and Jason Barker Sandra Barney Edna E. Barnhart Terry and Teri Bartle Richard or Joann Bartsch Sheila Bason

Elmer Bastrom Herbert and Lorraine Bauer Ivan R. Bauer Victor and Val Bautista Bays Living Trust Karly Beattie Bennie Bechtold Leon Begeschke Harold J. Bell Hilary J. Benbenek Penny Benbrooks Esther Bender Otto Bendewald William P. Berg Ralph W. Bergantine Suzanne Berger Patsy J. Berkeley Raymond Berntsen Donna Best Bethany Chapter #42 OES Charles Bethke Joanie Betschart Robert and Linda Beyer Big Timber Women’s Club BioMarin John R. Blanchet Evelyn Blaskovich Mike Blessinger Judy Blevins Richard Blossom Blue Rock Products Co Louis Bondurant Arnette R. Borden Mary C. Bosanatz Richard C. Bossard Sandra Bossell Joy Bossert Carley Boule Louise Bowdish Mark or Laurie Bowlds Enda C. Bowman M.J. and Margaret Boyd Lester and Carol Braach James R. Bradley Ray S. Bradley Arnold and Shirley Breck Bertan C. Bridger Rick and Cheryl Brilz Leora Brinig Tamara Brothers Hugh P. Brown June Brown Mary A. Brown Richard Brown

Richard and Drea Brown Richard L. Brustkern Gloria Ann Buck Harold R. Budd Fred and Kathleen Bull Richard Cameron William E. Campbell John Camper Norman Carey M. Carlson Ruth Carlson Duane and Cynthia Carlton Dale Carpenter James L. Carrico Ann Carter Cascade Chapter No. 101 O.E.S. John P. Casey Patricia M. Casey Richard Chamberlain Curtis and Evelyn Chamberlin Melvin A. Champion Chandler Communications Charity Chapter #60 OES Andre and Juanita Chovanak Thomas J. Christensen Larry and Darlene Christiansen C.E. Christianson C.E. and Arloene Christianson Marion A. Christnach Clarence A. Clark Clarence and Ramona Clark Marcella Clark Robert Clarke Clement D. Clemencig CMNH Bonnie Colby Jim Cole Tim and Pamela Cole Clarence Comes George Conklin Bryan and Jenny Connelley John and Janet Connole Heath and Tammie Cooper Larry P. Cooper Marie Corcoran Roland and Janet Cortese Helen Cory Costco Wholesale Northwest Adele Couglin Percy T. Craddock Delores Crane Donald Creel Rose Crocker Ted and Susan Crossman

Crowley Dentistry LLC Dixie Cummings Clay Cummins Cindy Dabbs William Dakin John C. Dale Ken Dana Richard Daniels John Davis Norman and Glenda Davis Lloyd Davison George L. Day Mary-Lou Day Betty Dean Cheryl Deats Susan or Barbara Debree Richard and Nancy Deden Gary Dees Leo and Joan Deichl Stephen and Amalie Dell Joaquim Demagalhaes Clara DenHerder Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Alfred and Helen Derks Leo Detling Dale Devault Thomas A. DeYoung Donald and Sandra Dick Allen and Sandra Dickey Duanne E. Diers Gary and Deanna Dietz Robert D. Dillard Kurt and Lynn Doherty John Donovan Tom Dooper Harry and Elizabeth Downs Lise Drake Mary C. Dudley Nancy Duncan Dennis W. Dunne Kenneth and Beverley Dusko Scott Eadon Eagles Lodge #16 Una Earl Alyce Eastman Jack and Susan Eaton Richard D. Ecklund Joanne Ecret Eddy Foundation Jeff and K. Jolene Ehlert Marvin and Betty Jo Eldridge Mary G. Eliason Neil H. Eliason Leona Elings

Mark and Susan Elings Glen Elliot Dale and Edith Enerson Mary Engebrecht Duane Enger Alan and Jane Erickson George Erickson Karen Sue Erickson John L. Esp Esther Chapter NO.3 OES Delores Etchart Evangelical Lutheran Church Women Shirley Eye F.O.E. Ladies Auxiliary NO. 166 Joseph Fahn Mark and Therese Fairbanks Jim Falk Harry Faroni Rae Marie Fauley Patricia Fauth Robert or Susan Fauth Virginia Feightner Mike and Dawn Feldt David and Sharon Ferguson Ferndale Sewing Circle Fidelity Investments Mamie Fiers Alfred L. Finch William Jr. and Georgia Fine Dorothy J. Fink Rosanna Finley Fred and Amanda Finneman First Church of Christ, Scientist First National Bank of Montana Allen Fischer Shirley E. Fisher Lori Fitzgerald Audrey Flansaas Rex J. Flansburg Jerry Fleege Irene Flesch-Waling William S. Flynn

Ford’s Department Store William Fortune Keith and Susan Foster James and Diann Fradette David and Susan France Todd and Michelle France LaVerne Frank J. R. Frazer Mike Fretheim Shirley Friederick Friendship Lodge No. 37 AF & AM Charlene Frojen Betty Rose Fulford Richard Funk Larry D. Funston Harold Gaarder Gary G. Gallaher Gallatin Delivery Debra Gallegos Jim and Lynne Gamble Marlene F. Garrison Henry Gates Frank H. Gebhardt Herman Gee Elsie Geirke-Locke Frederick Gerlach Beverly Gibson John and Annette Giop Gladys Grimm Trust Duane and Janet Goicoechea Edward and Laura Gonzalez Walter and Kathleen Goodman Berniece Goodwin Richard Gordon Rita and William Gowen James J. Graham Lily Graham Terry J. Graham James and Evelyn Grant Gary G. Gray Great Falls York Rite Bodies John Greer

Gary and Alberta Grefsrud Monte and Sabrina Grove Francis and Beverly Guerin John and Kathleen Gummere Timothy Haas Dixie Hall James W. Hall Peter Halpin Patricia Halse Myrtle Halvorson Charlotte Hambley Albin and Maxine Hammond Judy Hammond Roger O. Hancock William Handsaker C.E. Hansen Kenneth C. Hansen Charles and Claire Harball Anne Harbeck Harlowton Kiwanis Club, Inc. Barbara Harris Willard Harris Clarice S. Harrison Frederick and Beverly Hartline Marvin Hartze John Hasquet William Hasquet Fred anhd Helen Hass John C. Hauck Joan Hawkins Don Hawkinson Robert C. Hayes Leo A. Heath Barrie Heinecke Helena Area Community Foundation Patricia Hennessey Stephen Henry Patti Hickel Paul Hicks Jack Hihnala Lowell Hildreth Carol Lee Hill Sandra Hill Gary H. Hines Kevin and Martha Hintt Barbara Hoag William Hoagland Kirk Hodges Helen M. Hoffman Alfred and Marlene Holbrook Lee Holden Robert and Mary Holt Kevin Houck Jefri Houston Bud Hubbard Dale Hubing Judy D. Hughes Roy and Kay Hughes Catherine Hutchens George Hutchens Jane Hutchinson Lael Iannucci

Erik and Miriah Idland Edean A. Ihlanfeldt Stephen Immenschuh Lynn Ingham Mike Inman David and Jan Irvin Leona Irvine Julia and David Jackson Arden Jacobs Ronald L. Jacobsen Daniel Jacques Jade Lynn Mlynarek Endowment Randall and Tracy Jellison Lorraine Jenkins Roy and Elsie Jimmerson Ardith Johnson David and Dolores Johnson Don and Cheri Johnson Frank and Linda Johnson Liane Johnson Phyllis Johnson Kenneth Jolley Jefferson Jones L. T. Jones Sarah J. Jones Valdean L. Jones Larry Juhl Marie E. Kadillak Janis Kaiser James and Esther Kalitowski Jack M. Kambich Bert and Harriet Kamps Karen Flynn Insurance Bertha Kasper J.M. Kavanaugh Mick Kavran Virginia Keck Mark and Lynn Keller James and Joan Kelley Jeanette Kelly Delores Kembel Dorathy Kendall Elsie Kennedy Kerry and Doris Keyser Bruce King Stuart Kinney Douglas Kirkham Gerald Kitchin Roland and Pauline Klahre Selma Klein Mary Lou Klemo Theodore R. Kline Harold M. Klinker Laverne Knowles Anna Knudson Carl Kochman Beth Kordonowy James and Dolores Koski Jane E. Kountz

Edward Kovelsky Raymond and Judy Kramer Loretta Kuczaj Donald W. Kude Peggy Kude Warren Kukay Philip and Gloria Kumm Edward and Bonnie LaBrie Mary Laible Robert A. Lake Tillie Lakner Laura Lambert Wendy A. Lambert Susan Lane Lee Langhus Calvin Lantz Gerald E. Larsen Nancy Larsen Donald R. Laubach Norma Layton Jack or Judy Lazier Margo Leavitt Vern Ledoux Dorothy Leischner Howard Lemm Theresa Leone James E. Lewis Jane Lewis Judy Lewis James P. Lincoln Betty Lindeman Robert Lindstrom James and Sheila Loewen James E. Lombardozzi Norma Long Ruth Long Elsie Lorenz Steven and Shelley Lowe Betty Jean Lowell Kyle Luckow Michelle Luckow Jack Lund Raymond and Bertha Lunnen Robert and Virginia Lutz Paul and Geraldine Lyman Helen Mace Mabel Macer Blake R. Mackin Joel Maes Mary Anna Magnante James A. Maierle Luke Maierle Helen Manaras Ralph Mannix Vivian Manuel

James and Jan March Margaret Cumming Chapter No. 57 OES Daniel and Colleen Marinkowvich Artie Markegard Shaun and Jeanne Marshall-Pryde Joe and Roberta Martin Shari Marx Mary Martha/FCCF Robert Masolo Gerald and Ruth Massee Jackie P. Mathews Patricia Matsko David and Martha Maurer Robert Maxwell Kay Mayer Pamela Mayer Florence McAfee Jimmy McCabe James and Myrtle McCleery Daniel McCourt Jolene McCrea Grace McCullough Audrey McDermott Leah McDonald Wally McManigle Walter L. McNutt Medicine Flower Lodge Richard Meeker Douglas Melton Shirley Menahan Steven Mendenhall Irene Messmer Keith Messmer Bob and Diana Michaels Barbara Mikkelson Eleta Millet Gordon and Irene Mills Waine and Sharon Milmine P and A Mion Missoula Bone & Joint Main Office Missoula Bone & Joint Surgery Center Missoula Federal Credit Union W. A. Mitchell Norma Mitten Derek Mohawk George and Joyce Monson Montana Broom & Brush Montana Logging Association Montana Shares Blanche Montgomery Ralph A. Moody Dixie Moore Gary and Shirley Mooser William R. Morgan Robert and Patricia Morris Willard Mortenson Mona Lou Moulton Irene L. Muchmore H.E. Mueller Florence Mular Bernard Mulder

J.P. Mullenix Mayme Mullis Joseph W. Murray Martin E. Mutch Majorie Myhra Jerry Narancich Gail Neal Willard Neighbors Kevin Neitzling Edward L. Nelson Hazel Nelson Keith and Mary Nelson Robert P. Nelson Wayne and Linda Nelson Ken and Janet Neumiller Alan Nicholson Robert H. Nicol John L. Niemi Conn and Laurie Norling Daniel and Shirley Norvell James and Nancy Nys Terry O’Connor Joseph and Renee Odom Loren L. Ogle Lynn and Bonny Ogle R.J. and W. G. Olds Geraldine O’Leary Martin P. Olsen Donald E. Olson Kenneth Olson Merle and Joyce Olson Robert Olson Joseph and LaVerne One Betty O’Neil Robert and Joy Oostermeyer Order of the Eastern Star Vesper Chapter No. 83 Eileen Orser Ervin L. Osler D.P. Ostermiller James J. Ott Kenneth and Theresa Palagi Douglas Palmer Park City United Methodist Church Parrot Confectionery Charles Parsons Larry Parsons Patricia Pasini Robert and B.E. Passow Ray Patterson Frances Patton Billy and Joanna Paul Peak Restaurant Partners, LLC John and Sue Pearson Mary Pearson Raymond and Dorothy Peete Richard Peluso Sherryl Perdue Louise Perkins Walter C. Perman Antoinette K. Person Gary W. Peters

M.K. and Polly Petersen Charles Peterson Gene S. Peterson Janice Peterson Paul Peterson Phyllis Peterson Phyllis Peterson Ray Peterson Dennis Petty Pfizer Douglas Phair Emily Phillips Rose M. Phyfield Angela Pickens Beverly Pickett Michael Pipp Betty Piskolich Carol Place Phillip E. Pollard Richard A. Porte Norma Power Elizabeth Pratt John E. Prendergast Albena E. Preskar Lamyra and Janet Price Lawrence B. Prince Anthony Puccinelli Nick and Anne Purchio Joseph Purkett Joanne Putzker Lawrence and Mable Pyle Ruth Radonich Rock Rakich Andrea Rankin Richard Raunig William Rebich Doris Rector Lance G. Redden Julie Rees Mark Refling Thomas Regan David Rehbein William Reiling Frances Reilly Gladys Reiman Bonita Reishus Judy Remick Fuller James Ricci Betty A. Rice Francis H. Rice David F. Richards Joan B. Richards Lois Richardson George Richrds Riverview Chapter #80, OES Elaine Robbin John E. Robbins Carl and Nancy Robertson Michelle Robinson Rocky Mountain Engineers, P.L.L.C. Lucille Ronning

Bob & Lydia Rooney James and Clare Root Neal Ross Dustin Rouse John Rowekamp Donna S. Rudiger Emile L. Ruffier Barbara Rumford Dorothea Rummel Russell Country Credit Union John Ryan Joseph Ryan Eddie Rybarski Sacajawea Chapter No.37 O.E.S Mark Salansky Sandra Salibury Keith and Regina Sano James Sather Linda Satterthwaite Dorick and Betty Sauvageau Joan Savage Donna Savochka Terri Schaak Schellinger Construction Co., Inc. George and Frances Schisler Kenneth and Marcia Schmidt Erna Schock Bob and Arlene Schrenk Ramon and Frieda Schuety Edward Schultz Dale E. Schwanke Robert Scott Don and Marjorie Seader Kent Seaton Paul and Toni Seccomb Deborah Senn Donna Shaffer Maurice Shammel Dave Shane Shirley Sharar Chet Sharbono Fr. Daniel B. Shea Elizabeth Shea Eric Shelton Pamela Shelton Kent Shepard Orvin and Doris Shepherd J.E. Sheppard C.W. Sherlock Shields River Lutheran Church Women R. L. Shockley Karen Shores Joan Showen Ilah Shriver Reddick and Freida Sibley Oliver Sieber Margaret Sikonia Suzan B. Simmons Ann Simonich Helen Sims Ruby I. Singer

Jynean Skank Dorothy J. Slapnik Steve Slaughter Albert and Gladys Sliva A. T. Smith Constance E. Smith Dale Smith Helen Smith Linda Smith William and Jo Smith C. O. Smithers Bruce A. Sneddon Dirk Sol Rita Solem Ed Spannuth Spencer Gifts, LLC Veva Spencer Barbara A. Squeri Myron St. John Donald Stanisich Patricia F. Staton John L. Steiner Betty Jean Stemple Shirley Stephens Edgar and Leah Stergar June Stevens Joe and Gerlaldine Stilson Donald R. Stocker Alice Stoddard, DDS Charles D. Stokke Mary Jane and Charles Stokke Fred J. Stout Leroy Strand Steve Strieb Judith Strum Sullivan Financial Group Peter W. Sullivan J. Edward E. Surbrugg Gabriel Swan James and Alana Szlemko Charles and Jana Taurman Vernon M. Taylor Mickael R. Teig R.A. Ten Ham John Tessier Tetra Tech, INC The Daley Family Trust The Snyder-Wong Family Trust Marty and Lisa Thieven Joseph Thill Jack and Jean Thisius Shirley Thomas William G. Thomas Dale and Joan Thompson James and Peggy Thompson Marvin and Harleen Thompson Smoky Thompson Steve and Katie Thompson John J. Thomson James and Debra Thoroughman Timberline Auto Center, Inc

Patricia Torgerson Raymond Traub Truist Truist Darlene A. Twitchell Edna C. Ullman Ullman Lumber Co, Inc. United Commercial Travelers Butte United Methodist Mens Group United Methodist Women of Boulder United Veterans of Twin Bridges David and Kelly Urfer US Bank Henry and Lorraine Valgamore Valley Bank of Helena Walter Van Alstine Gail Van Ausdol Bob Vandervort Stacey B. Vandolah Jack or Sheila Vanisko Gary Vaughn Bernice M. Verlanic Thomas and Kathleen Veseth Ronald and Patricia Vick Victory Chapter #86 Thomas and Jeanne Vogel Vossler Brothers Edward and Phyllis Vukelich Donna J. Wagner Brett and Karen Wallace Beulah Walter Melvyn and Sara Wambeke Wendy Wantulok James Warehime Teresa Warren Jim and Carol Watts Nanette Webber

Anne Weber H.J. and G.A. Weer Kendal Weidinger Barbara Weimer Valentine and Lori Weisz Delene Wells Wells Fargo Bank Trust Operations Center Luella Welsh Lorraine Wentz Robert and Marlys Werle Dolores Wesen Westech Environmental Services, Inc. Robert J. Wheeler Janice Wherley Daniel K. White Darrell Whitworth Beverly Wickum Maxine A. Wickum Daniel and Phyllis Wilcox Wild West Company Inc Jadee Wilken Bev Williams W. W. Williams Walter A. Wilmann Lauretta Winkley Daniel Wipf William E. Wohlman Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. Lisa Wurtz Yellowstone Insurance Exchange Betty Jane Zander

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Walked out with

HOPE

By Lacey Middlestead

T

he room is quiet except for the muffled thump of the bass lurking from her headphones. She’s nestled on the couch with a book clutched open in front of her. Every so often there’s the crisp sound of a page turning or the crunch from her eating another Dorito from the bag beside her. For 17-year-old Jordynn Hardman, this is a perfect day.

Since 2011, Jordynn has read nearly 600 books and the list grows with each passing week. Her passion for reading has led to a dream of someday becoming a writer. For her, books offer a blissful escape from reality. But it’s all the days in between these perfect ones spent absorbed in words and music that best tell her story.

As a young child of 10 years old, Jordynn suddenly began showing signs of aggression, depression, and bipolar symptoms. Her symptoms escalated quickly…

“I was very violent,” said Jordynn. “Something would set me off and my mom would have to hold me down. One time I blacked out and I hurt my mom physically. I hyperextended her arms when she was trying to hold me.”

This incident led to Jordynn’s admission to Shodair Children’s Hospital residential psychiatric unit in 2008.

The psychiatric team at Shodair did a full work up including an EEG and MRI. The MRI revealed 20 small tumors on her brain—all roughly one centimeter in size or smaller. These tumors, coupled with the presence of ash leaf spots on Jordynn’s skin, prompted Jordynn’s diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), the same genetic disorder shared by her mother and brother.

TSC is a rare genetic disease that can be progressive, life-threatening, and elicit a wide range of manifestations. These can include benign tumors on vital organs like the heart, lungs, kidney, and brain. It causes skin lesions in 90 percent of patients and seizures in 85 percent. Other health complications can include migraines, depression, Autism, learning disabilities and psychiatric symptoms. Patients with TSC can develop one or more of these manifestations at any time.

This is an overwhelming reality for anyone to face, especially a 10-year-old girl.

In the seven years since her diagnosis, Jordynn’s aggression and bipolar symptoms have subsided. She does, however, currently suffer from chronic migraines and depression. She explained that the migraines started when she was 14 years

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“My diagnosis does not define who I am and never will.”

old. When she was 15 years old she battled one migraine for two and a half months, which involved a three-day hospital stay.

fortitude. “When I was young, it didn’t affect me much. As I got older, I really started to realize how much of an effect it will have on me and my future,” said Jordynn.

It was this realization that prompted Jordynn to reach out, once again, to Shodair. In 2014, Jordynn visited the Shodair genetics department seeking clarification about what her future with TSC might look like for her and the children she hopes to have someday.

Jordynn first met with genetic counselor Cindy Hudson to discuss her family’s health history and what it looks like to have TSC. She and Cindy talked about having children and the risk involved. She then met with Shodair’s medical geneticists for a physical examination and to initiate bloodwork for diagnostic genetic testing.

Until recently, Jordynn’s MRI scans have not shown any significant changes in the tumors on her brain.

Much to the dismay of Jordynn and her treatment team, a recent chest MRI has also just revealed tubers on her spine.

Since receiving her diagnosis, Jordynn has learned to take on the daily challenges, emotional and physical, and accept the reality of her disease with grace and

“I walked in being scared because I was going to get a bunch of bad news,” she said. “I walked in with dread, and walked out with hope.”

While there is a 50 percent chance that Jordynn’s children will have TSC, knowledge is empowering. Jordynn learned the risks and understands what she has to do to monitor her disease and stay on top of it. She also learned that she has options, and the family she hopes to have can be a reality for her.

“I don’t want to have kids because there is a 50 percent chance that my child will have TSC,” the conscientious

Through it all, Jordynn is grateful to Shodair for her recognition and for all they’ve done for her and her family.

“It [being Champion Child] means I finally get the chance to tell people my story and my life and how I take on the challenges thrust upon me,” she said. “My diagnosis does not define who I am and never will.”

“Your life’s not over,” she said. “You can still live and be happy. There are so many good things in life and one bad thing isn’t going to take away all the good things.” teenager said. “It is very frightening. But I have always wanted to adopt.”

Along with her determination to have a family, Jordynn also remains focused on normal teenage goals like obtaining a driver’s license and attending the University of Montana after she graduates this spring.

Jordynn’s courage, optimism and determination radiates from her and is noticeable by everyone.

“I saw in her a maturity for a 17 year old facing this diagnosis,” said Cindy Hudson. “She is thinking ahead about not only what it means for her but for her children. She is very grown up, positive, and proactive, which is rare for somebody her age.”

It was for these reasons and countless others that inspired Shodair to choose Jordynn as their 2015 Champion Child.

Shodair Children’s Hospital belongs to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals—one among an alliance of 170 hospitals across the United States and Canada. Shodair is the only hospital in Montana that belong to this alliance. The Children’s Miracle Network Champion Child program honors remarkable children each year who have triumphed in their lives despite severe medical challenges.

As the Champion Child, Jordynn serves as ambassador to raise awareness and educate the public about why community support is so vital for their health and that of their peers facing similar challenges. And she’s wasted no time rising to the occasion.

Ultimately, Jordynn wants to use her role to help break the stigma attached to mental illness and inspire other children facing challenging medical conditions.

“I remember being so ashamed of being a patient at Shodair,” said Jordynn. “I was afraid people wouldn’t be able to look at me the same way.”

“I know now it’s not my fault,” she said. “There’s nothing I can change about it. It’s just how it is.”

15

Next-Gen Technology I

t took eight years to find out what was causing health problems for Brayden. In his first year of life, he developed breathing problems no one could diagnose. He went through three different doctors. Brayden, who had difficulty communicating and severe developmental delay, was at one point considered autistic.

Physically, Brayden continued growing; at age 9, he is as tall as an adult, and he struggles with his weight.

He clearly was not developing like his siblings, and he could not express himself.

“It was heart-wrenching,” his mother Charlene Wall said. Then she found Dr. Brian Hope, of Missoula, who referred the family to the only clinical genetics program in Montana at Shodair Children’s Hospital.

Brayden is one of a growing number

of children today who benefit from Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), an emerging technology that recently arrived at Shodair Children’s Hospital.

The Shodair medical genetics team who examined Brayden suspected a genetic disorder, yet the whole picture pointed to several different disorders. Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) stood out as a strong possibility. Children with BBS develop kidney problems and go blind, so it was imperative to diagnose as soon as possible. However, a number of Brayden’s features argued against the diagnosis and supported other possibilities including several genetic overgrowth syndromes. The list of candidate genes was long—testing one gene after the other would take far too much time and be prohibitively expensive.

So the team turned to a specialized eye exam to figure out whether Brayden had an early eye condition associated with BBS. Brayden would need an expensive, risky, and time-consuming trip to Portland for the exam under

there is now the potential to have a diagnosis using NGS, Elias said.

As the known number of disease genes rapidly increases, the traditional approach to genetic testing—testing one gene after another—has become slow, expensive, and inefficient, he said. Essentially, it is obsolete for diseases involving more than one gene.

The Shodair Board of Directors and the Medical Genetics Department shared the vision of acquiring the high-end sequencing system to establish Montana’s first clinical Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.

“When the latest technology becomes available, a program has to move forward and implement that new technology, or you’re going to get left behind in the world of genetics,” said Shodair Hospital Administrator Jack Casey.

anesthesia, but it turned out the procedure could not be done due to his large size.

The medical genetics team was left with one option—an emerging technology called Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), which simultaneously tests up to thousands of genes instead of a tedious process testing one gene at a time.

At the time, NGS was not yet available in Montana. The team had to send Brayden’s sample out of state for genetic testing, an analysis that was more expensive and broader than necessary. Since then, Shodair brought the technology to Montana, opening the door to patients who otherwise would not have genetic testing opportunities for reasons including insurance issues with out of state labs.

“A few years ago, we often were not able to make a diagnosis in children like Brayden, even though we strongly suspected a genetic condition,” said Dr. Abdallah (Abe) Elias, medical director of the genetics department at Shodair Children’s Hospital. “In Brayden’s case, it took years to establish a diagnosis. Today, we would be able to make a diagnosis in a few weeks. Bringing Next Generation Sequencing technology to Montana allows us to serve more children with suspected genetic conditions.”

NGS compares a patient’s genetic material to reference DNA, uncovering differences that can point to disorders.

Rather than looking at all known disease-causing genes of a patient, the laboratory and medical geneticists only focus on genes of interest based on a patient’s presentation. When a sample is run on the NGS platform, more than 4,800 genes of the patient’s DNA are sequenced simultaneously. Then only genes of interest are analyzed. Compared with other forms of testing, it is a flexible, cost-effective and efficient way to look at DNA. Shodair’s genetics staff is enthusiastic to stand at the frontlines of technology. The Genetics Lab at Shodair is not like many other independent commercial labs and works closely together with the clinical team.

Working together to make the correct genetic diagnosis is critical, Elias said. Patients want to know what is wrong.

Knowledge impacts patient care, prognosis and recurrence risk. It is stressful when parents first learn a child may have a genetic condition, and they yearn for prognosis and treatment options. What will their loved one face growing up? Is there anything they can do to protect their child, or prevent health problems? Knowledge of the condition also helps the health care provider plan health surveillance and anticipatory guidance, and handle acute situations.

The new NGS technology at Shodair will help end diagnostic odysseys, which increase the cost of health care and put patients at risk of unnecessary complications from diagnostic procedures.

Emerging technology revolutionizes genetic medicine

Brayden’s diagnosis sets the course

The number of identified single-gene disorders has been increasing at a breathtaking pace. Today there are more than 4,400 known single-gene disorders compared with 200 in 1990, and 2,700 just three years ago. For more and more patients who remain undiagnosed by previous approaches,

“I always thought it was autism until they did this test,” she said, adding that the syndrome

When the results of Brayden’s NGS test came back positive for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), it was a relief for his mother to have an accurate diagnosis.

17

made sense—she saw the signs including obesity, severe developmental delay, and eye problems, though it’s not clear to what extent. “He can’t tell us if something is bothering him, or if he has a headache. That’s the hard thing about this. I can’t just say, let’s take some medicine.”

It’s a challenging road. The diagnosis of BBS carries the weight of inevitable blindness in Brayden, which can happen without warning, as well as kidney problems. He has borderline diabetes and takes thyroid medication.

“Among the 18 types of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, the type Brayden has—BBS 10—puts him at high risk of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. He started medication to slow down this process,” Elias said.

Brayden’s mother said it’s better to know the condition and take it one step at a time, addressing issues and preventing problems when possible.

“Before, I had doctors coming and going, and they would do tests and talk to you later,” she said. “Now, Dr. Hope and Shodair have been very wonderful, very helpful.

It’s just amazing to hear their voices calling my home phone and asking how Brayden is doing, how I’m doing. It’s really nice that there are people out there who are caring.”

With the diagnosis, the doctors staying in touch and keeping Brayden on the right track, there is a confidence in the treatment, she said. And Brayden’s love of life is expressed in his joy and laughter when he is with his family, jumping on the trampoline or swimming.

“He just has a big heart,” Wall said. “He’s like a big teddy bear. … The way he laughs, his dimples. He is a handful, but he is the most loveable kid.”

Genetic Disorders • Genetic disorders can appear at any age • Genetic anomalies cause about 20 percent of infant deaths • 2-3 percent of newborns are affected by a major congenital anomaly • Another 5-6 percent of the general population will be diagnosed with a genetic condition by early adulthood • One-third of the general population will develop a condition with a genetic component by age 60

Examples of Next Generation Sequencing Panels • Cardiac diseases • Hereditary cancers • Immune disorders • Neurological, neuromuscular and metabolic disorders • Sensory disorders • Pulmonary disorders • Short stature

what is

NGS?

Sequencing is a method to determine the exact order of the four nucleotides A, T, C and G, the building blocks of our DNA. If our genome was a book containing the biological information for our bodies, nucleotides would be the letters and the entire book would contain 3 billion letters.

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), also known as massively parallel sequencing, is a new technology that allows sequencing millions of small fragments of DNA and generating data for billions of nucleotides at the same time.

First, DNA is extracted from a patient’s blood specimen.

The DNA is used to prepare a “library” consisting of millions of small fragments. The library is attached to a tiny flow cell that allows the sequencing machine to determine the nucleotide sequence of millions of DNA fragments at the same time.

In comparison, the recent first generation sequencing, known as Sanger sequencing, only can analyze one DNA fragment at a time. Because of the overlapping presentation of many disorders and the resulting difficulty in making a clinical diagnosis, single gene testing is neither technically nor financially feasible in most patients.

The technology that Shodair Children’s Hospital uses sequences over 4,813 genes, which covers the majority of known disease-associated human genes. However, from these 4,813 genes, only those genes of interest will be analyzed, making the process faster and more costefficient.

If a patient has a suspected genetic epilepsy syndrome, only those genes known to be associated with epilepsy are anaylzed. Or in a patient with cardiomyopathy, only genes in which mutations can cause cardiomyopathy are selected. These groups of genes are called gene panels, and are compared to the reference human genome.

It is normal to find hundreds of differences between a patient’s DNA and the reference genome. These differences are variants. Most variants are benign and don’t damage gene function — the bioinformatics analysis filters them out. The analysis also reveals harmful variants, known

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as pathogenic mutations, which damage gene function.

With the results, a medical geneticist can offer a patient and the family a treatment plan that includes resources and support.

The use of NGS technology in the past 15 years to diagnose genetic disorders has become possible with highly sophisticated nanotechnology and the ensuing dramatic drop in the cost of the test.

This has led to the discovery of the genetic etiology for many diseases at an unprecedented pace. In the past two years, NGS has become a powerful and cost-efficient technology for the diagnosis of many genetic disorders.

The human genome project to identify and map all the genes of the human genome started in 1990. It took more than 10 years and cost nearly $3 billion using the conventional Sanger sequencing. Today, NGS could accomplish the same thing in a couple of days for around $5,000. Ten years ago, the cost to sequence 1 million base pairs was almost $10,000. Today with NGS technology, it costs about 10 cents.

Check out the brand new website:

www.shodair.org 19

To ensure more of your money goes to help children at Shodair, we soon will provide a digital magazine to be sent via email.

Not to worry though because hard copies still will be mailed to those who prefer.

To receive this publication electronically, email us at foundation@shodair.org

Donor Profile Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children. Each year the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide the finest medical care in order to help 17 million kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. Since Shodair’s partnership with CMNH in 1987, all money raised in Montana through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals directly benefits Shodair Children’s Hospital, as it’s the state’s only children’s hospital.

partners with national and local CMN partners and community organizations through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Now, more than ever, the CMN partners in Montana have been extremely active in their annual, month-long CMNH campaigns.

Out of all of the donations made to Shodair Children’s Hospital by our CMNH corporate partners, annual Miracle Balloon campaigns are the primary source of the fundraising effort made be our partners and their partnership with the hospital.

Our partner’s associates play a key role Continued On P. 22

Shodair Children’s Hospital

Dear Donors, My name is Jordynn and I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story.

I think you will agree that there is nothing scarier than uncertainty when it comes to our health. When your body or mind is ill, you seek help, and sometimes that can be difficult for Montanans to find due to family dynamics, economic barriers, or geographic distances. I have faced all of these throughout my childhood.

When I was ten years old, I was admitted into Shodair Children’s Hospital due to various unexplainable psychological issues that I was experiencing. While I was being treated, I suffered from appendicitis. After doctors ordered an MRI they noticed something was wrong: I was shocked to find out that I had tumors on my brain and other organs. They immediately directed me to the Genetics Department at Shodair Children’s Hospital to be tested, and that’s when I

was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. This disease is a rare genetic disease that can lead to the growth of noncancerous tumors throughout the body, including the brain, eyes, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Although these tumors are benign, they lead to various health complications due to their size, number, and location in the body. The diagnosis answered a lot of questions concerning my mental and physical health.

As of today, I have tumors throughout my brain and on my spine and they will never go away. My challenges and treatment will last throughout my lifetime.

The doctors and counselors in the Genetics Department at Shodair Children’s Hospital provided guidance and information to help me understand the disease. As frightening as this disease may be, the team of professionals helped me and my family to face my future with optimism and hope.

As you can imagine, the cost of my treatment puts great financial strain on my family. In fact, it would impossible for us to pay for the costs, as is the case with the vast majority of families served by Shodair.

It is only because of people like you that all of us can receive diagnosis, treatment, and care. Your generosity heals bodies, nurtures families, and saves lives. It’s because of donors like you that we have hope despite our debilitating physical and mental diseases.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Jordynn

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Donor Profile Continued in supporting their local children’s hospitals. Through fundraisers and donations at register lines, associates continue to amaze and improve their fundraising for Shodair Children’s Hospital each year. Cashiers make an effort to ask each customer who walks through their check-out line to make a donation to Shodair Children’s Hospital. Despite the frequent “no” response, the employees continue to ask knowing what they’re doing is helping children and families throughout the state of Montana.

The Balloon Campaign isn’t the only way our CMN partners raise awareness for our hospital. One of their favorite ways to bring awareness to Shodair is by hosting kick-off events, which often include inviting the state’s CMN Champion Child to be the guest of honor. Jordynn Hardman, the 2015 CMN Champion Child for Montana, has traveled throughout the state to share her story with some of our CMN partners.

“Having Jordynn at our location for our kick-off event was great,” explained an employee at Helena’s Costco. “I heard her story and it was so heartwarming to hear how Shodair helped her get through some tough times in her life.

Meeting Jordynn gave me a reason to ask every customer who walked through my check-out line to give back to the kids at Shodair Children’s Hospital.”

For some locations, their CMNH Balloon campaign is their favorite time of the year. “Our campaign month

THANK YOU CMN Partners!!!

Ace Hardware American Legion Carmike Cinemas Costco Credit Unions 4 Kids Dairy Queen Driven Brands Charitable Foundation Great Clips

Greek Partners – Sigma Chi Fundraising IHOP Kiwanis Log A Load for Kids Marriot Panda Express ReMax Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club

is a fun time for us,” said a Costco employee in Billings.

“It brings the whole warehouse together and helps boost morale among the different departments. We establish a fundraising goal at the beginning of every campaign season and we really make an effort to reach that number through donations and stuff we do internally such as bake sales and potluck lunches.”

For 2015, Montana’s CMN partners are well on their way to reaching their fundraising goal of $450,000 for the children and families of Montana. However, all of the successful campaigns throughout the year wouldn’t be possible without the loyal customers and donors who give every year. “We know that every dollar counts during our CMNH balloon campaign”, explained a Dairy Queen employee in Helena. “Our customers are constantly amazing us with the amount of people who donate each and every day during our campaign. Yes, we put in a lot of work during our campaign season, but it wouldn’t be possible without the donations brought in by the customers!”

School at Shodair first residential program to receive award

E classroom.

ducating children while they receive care at Shodair Children’s Hospital is a critical component of their overall treatment plan, especially considering that often issues, concerns, and events manifest in the

and throughout the hospital,” Meyer added. “Not only do students receive better instruction with MBI, but it provides a roadmap about what patients can expect from teachers.”

Staff at Shodair is deeply committed to helping children learn the skills necessary for success in preparation for when they ultimately return to their community setting inside their home school.

Managing the behaviors in the classroom at Shodair is an integral part of their overall care. It’s a continual process that requires consistency with every interaction so children know what to expect from adults and vice versa. In recent years it has become a little easier thanks to the implementation of the Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI). The education department at the hospital recently Teacher Jennifer Haight said staff quickly jumped on received the MBI Bronze Award for its efforts. It is the first school in a residential treatment facility to achieve board because it provided the foundation of consistency this honor. The Bronze Award is from the Office of Public needed to ensure a smooth operating school and hospital.

Instruction and recognizes best practices, systems data, “Many public school districts have the same or similar and outcomes. expectations, so the language is familiar to the students,” Keith Meyer, Shodair’s director of education, said MBI she said. “I believe that the use of the big four expectations has provided the accredited school and to a lesser extent of ‘Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Learner’ the wider treatment milieu at Shodair, a way to develop have a positive impact with the students by helping them a consistent approach to communication expectations. think about and make better choices.”

These expectations are be respectful, be responsible, be safe and be a learner. They are the foundation of everything from effective teaching practices to fostering positive behaviors, and using data to make all decisions.

“We want students to receive the same message whether they are in the cafeteria, the hallway or the classroom,” Meyer said.

It was a three-year investment of time and energy to adopt and implement these evidence-based behavioral interventions into a common practice. The goal, Meyer said, is maximizing positive outcomes and success for every student.

“The results have been impressive and the success has generated interest and support beyond the classroom

2755 Colonial Drive P.O. Box 5539 Helena, MT 59604 www.shodair.org

shodair Children’s hospital Board of Trustees Rita Gowen President

Bob Lemm Vice President

Ed Tinsley

Rich Bruner

David Lemm

Ed Surbrugg, PhD

Bill Hasquet, OD

Joel Maes, DDS

Moe Wosepka

Janet Hedges

Beth O’Halloran

Jim Foley

Galen Hollenbaugh

Fr. Dan Shea

Chairman Emeritus

Treasurer

Joe Shevlin Secretary

shodair Children’s hospital Contributors Published by: Shodair Children’s Hospital Administrator: Jack Casey Foundation Director: Bart Aslin Editor: Alana Listoe CMNH Content Coordinator: Becca Dudek

Montana's only

Children's MiraCle network hospital

Contributors: Katja Stromnes-Elias, Lacey Middlestead, Jeremy Lurgio, Mac Minard, Chisel Industries, and Helena Photography