Dedicated to Care: Inspiring Stories of Pediatric Care from the Propelus Team
A Tribute to National Children’s Health Month National Children’s Health Month, observed every October, is a wonderful moment to reflect on the incredible impact that pediatric care and children’s hospitals have on our lives. At Propelus, we are deeply committed to protecting vulnerable populations and supporting healthcare professionals. This month, we celebrate the remarkable work being done in pediatric care by sharing personal stories from our team members. Through these narratives, we aim to honor the dedication and compassion of those who work tirelessly to care for our youngest patients, celebrating the resilience and profound impact of pediatric care on our communities. Propelus stories A Mother’s Gratitude: Finding Comfort in My Son’s Surgery at Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bonnie Cobb, Sr. People Operations Manager at Propelus When my son needed surgery as a one-year-old, I felt so blessed to have Nemours Children’s Health and Wolfson Children’s hospital nearby. They are beautiful facilities staffed by endlessly caring professionals that made the whole experience as easy as possible. I’ll always remember the kindness the staff at Wolfson showed my son, and I especially appreciated how the nurse carried him in her arms back to the surgery area. At that time, my son had never been in the care of anyone other than family. Having her carry him like that gave both him and me the comfort we needed in that moment. Easing Stays for a Frequent Flier: My Childhood Journey at CCH Genevieve Terrall, Group Product Manager at Propelus As a frequent flier of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, I got used to the hospital food, the poking and prodding, and the constant stream of new treatments. However, all of the folks that I interacted with from respiratory techs to nurses to my doctors all showed up with the understanding that in order to make me feel more comfortable, they weren’t going to use big words and weird terms to tell me what was happening – they were going to bring me into the conversation to alleviate the fear around being away from home while not feeling well. It means that every time I’d get sick and have to go back, a little less nerve wracking. Being in the hospital as a little kid is scary. However, each member of the team at CCH validated that it was uncomfortable to be away from home and it was okay to feel sad that you haven’t seen a parent or sibling in days, allowing me to feel heard and hopeful that I would get back home. I had nurses who would remember my favorite popsicles and doctors who would talk to me about what I wanted to do when I was home with my little brothers. Most memorably, the respiratory techs would have me sing songs while wearing my vibrating vest. These professionals consistently go the extra mile to help children remain children while also being patients. Their dedication and care is truly unmatched, and I’ll remain thankful for them for the rest of my life. A Mother’s Heartfelt Thanks: Holistic Support for Our Son’s ADHD & Anxiety at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Stephanie Pavol, Director of Growth Marketing at Propelus Nationwide Children’s Hospital has been a great resource in helping my son with his ADHD and anxiety. The diagnosis process was really in-depth and covered a lot, but they made my son feel comfortable throughout the whole process. And they were able to offer a multi-pronged treatment approach from talk therapy to Occupational Therapy. We’re so lucky to have such an amazing organization for children’s health here in Columbus, Ohio. Their in-depth experience and amount of resources made all the difference with my son’s treatment plan. Nationwide Children’s is a leader in behavioral health, as exemplified by their national On Our Sleeves campaign. Their team was extremely knowledgeable and supportive. My son is healthy and thriving academically, behaviorally and in other areas. A Miracle of Care: My Survival Story Thanks to Kansas City’s Research Hospital Kevin McNeall, Senior Sales Executive at Propelus When I was born I had Jaundice, in 1969, which was more significant than it is today. I also had a collapsed lung. My dad told me that you could see my spine when I would inhale. I was not expected to leave the hospital alive and was baptized in the NICU. Because of new technology at the time and the commitment of the doctors and nurses at the hospital, I survived, and they are the reason I get to share my story. I remember my folks talking about the care and support they felt throughout my illness, and they attributed my survival to their [Kansas City’s Research Hospital’s] care. Grateful for Lifesaving Care: Our Journey as New Parents at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Karen Griffin, Product Marketing Director at Propelus When my oldest son was 8-months-old, he had meningitis. The person who actually first caught it was a student working at our pediatrician’s office. After getting a second opinion from our pediatrician, we were rushed over to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville where he had a spinal tap procedure to verify the diagnosis. It was a very scary experience for us as we were young parents of our first baby. When the results came back positive, he was admitted to the hospital, and we received the best care. I remember the hospital staff was there when we first got all set up in the hospital room and made sure we knew the latest updates to his condition. And, that wasn’t the last time we were at Vanderbilt. A few years later he was again admitted to Vanderbilt for a surgical procedure. Again, we had a great surgical team, and the post-operation care was phenomenal and [the care team] made sure we knew how he was doing in his recovery. From Crisis to Clarity: How Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Saved My Sister’s Life Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus My sister was 17-years-old when she experienced her first