Aurora Edition: Rocky Mountain Kids Fall/Winter 2010

Rocky Mountain kids

A Health Publication for Parents

Fall/Winter 2010

Special Deliveries

page 3

SurvivingNeonatal Surgery page 4

Care for Mom and Baby–In One Place page 2

Going Extra Miles:AirLife Denver page 10

2 Rocky Mountain Kids | fall/winter 2010

When parents learn that they are expecting a new baby, the hopeis that the mother will do well during her pregnancy and that the baby will be healthy.

We know, however, that complications can occur—due either to the health of the mother or the baby, or both. In a high-risk pregnancy, there are two patients who need care: the mother and her unborn child.

That’s when high-risk obstetrical specialists, known as perinatologists, becomes a vital part of the mother’s health care team.

Doctors and hospital staff in the HealthONE system have the most experience with high-risk pregnancies in the region. These services for high-risk obstetrical patients include specialty care for the mother as well as the highest level of neonatal intensive care for premature

or ill newborns. By providing this coordinated care in our hospitals, pregnant women have the comfort of knowing that their medical needs will be closely managed by a team of physician specialists, nursing staff and all the other highly skilled medical professionals who have experience working together in the same hospital.

Sometimes high-risk obstetrical patients can continue their care at their “home hospitals,” while at other times they need the highly specialized monitor-ing, technology and services available at a regional hospital such as Presbyterian/St. Luke’s (P/SL).

Our partners in this team approach to high-risk obstetrics and neonatal intensive care are perinatologists and neonatologists who are among the most experienced and skilled in their respective fields. But more importantly, because of

their experience working together, they communicate and coordinate care rapidly and effectively for both mother and child.

Women throughout the Rocky Mountain region look to hospitals in HealthONE for superior obstetrical services and the delivery of healthy babies. When healthy pregnancies become complicated, women can also be reassured that all the services they need for themselves and their babies are immediately available in the same system.

I hope that you enjoy reading some of the heartwarming stories about the mothers and their children who have benefited from our experience and expertise.

Reginald Washington, MD

Reginald Washington, MD, FAAP, FACC, FAHA Chief Medical Officer Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Coordinated Care for Mother and Child—In One Place

RMHC at P/SL is now open at 19th and High, with a 24/7 pediatric-staffed Emergency Department.

State-of-the-art operating room at RMHC at P/SL.

www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com 3

High-risk pregnancies require special care. Fortunately, moms and babies with special needs in the Denver-metro area can turn to Richard Porreco, MD, an internationally recognized perinatologist (maternal-fetal specialist) and director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, at Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center, who has delivered more than 10,000 babies over the years—many of them involving high-risk pregnancies.

Experienced Teams, Latest TechnologyCommon complications, such as gesta-tional diabetes, often can be managed by traditional providers and hospitals, but high-risk pregnancies—including early labor pregnancies where the mother is carrying more than one fetus and where either the mother’s or the infant’s health is threatened—require specialists with experienced teams who have access to the latest medical technology.

“Over the last two decades, our ability to identify high-risk mothers and infants has improved dramatically,” Dr. Porreco explains. “It’s imperative we identify medical problems ahead of time so we can provide the care that’s needed.”

In this regard, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC) at Presbyterian/ St. Luke's Medical Center (P/SL) is the only facility for mothers and children in the region that has a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staffed 24 hours a day. The board-certified neonatologists specialize in: • Resuscitation • Assisted breathing• Surgery for newborns requiring

advanced medical care

In addition, RMHC at P/SL has 300 affiliated physicians practicing in 40 pediatric specialties, including pediatric cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology and surgery.

The maternal-fetal team can offer high-risk mothers the following services: • Reproductive genetic counseling • Comprehensive fetal evaluations• Targeted ultrasound evaluation,

including Doppler velocity studies, fetal echocardiography and 4-D imaging

Maternal-Neonatal Care CrucialDr. Porreco also insists RMHC at P/SL ’s unique ability to care for and closely monitor two at-risk patients—the mom and

the baby—in the same facility is something the hospital and staff are really good at.

“At RMHC at P/SL, we are a team—the doctors, the specialists, the nurses, the imaging technicians—everyone contributes, everyone has a role to play in the safety and well-being of the mothers and infants we care for,” he explains. “As a result of the high level of our multidisciplinary capabilities, we are able to manage virtually any condition or health issue that arises for a mother, fetus or newborn.”

Special DeliveriesColorado’s leading maternal-fetal specialist is dedicated to caring for mothers with high-risk pregnancies.

”RMHC at P/SL’s unique ability to care for and closely monitor two at-risk patients—the mom and the baby—in the same facility is something the hospital and staff are really good at.”

—Richard Porreco, MD

Dr. Porreco with one of his many “special deliveries.”


Surviving Neonatal SurgeryJust the beginning for a Highlands Ranch bouncing baby boy

After their first child, Evan, was born following a normal pregnancy, Jennifer and Jon Badding of Highlands Ranch expected more of the same when Jennifer’s second pregnancy came around.

That dream came to an end when a routine ultrasound at Jennifer’s 13-week checkup picked up an abnormality.

RMHC at P/SL the Place to GoUpset by the news, Jennifer was referred to maternal-fetal specialist Richard Porreco, MD, director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“He saw me right away and immediately knew what was going on,” Jennifer explains. “He said the baby had an obstructed bladder that needed immediate attention. Right there in the office, he inserted a needle into my belly and extracted the urine.”

As crucial as the extraction was, it was only the first step in Ian’s treatment for a bladder obstruction that would be life threatening if left untreated. Dr. Porreco told the Baddings the baby was a good candidate for the insertion of a small shunt into his bladder while he was in the womb.

In Good Hands“When it all started, it was pretty disheartening not knowing what was going on, but once we met Dr. Porreco, we immediately felt like we were in good hands,” Jon says. “We were so grateful to have someone of his knowledge and experience.”

Jennifer’s water broke at 18 weeks, and at 24 weeks she checked into Presbyterian/St. Luke’s, where she spent the rest of her pregnancy on complete bed rest.

”We knew Ian would be born early, and I wanted to be where both he and I would have the best care available.”

—Jennifer Badding

“The biggest factor that led us to P/SL was the high-level NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit]. We knew Ian would be born early, and I wanted to be where both he and I would have the best care available,” Jennifer explains.

After five weeks in the hospital, Jennifer went into labor on April 29, 2009. Weighing just 2.5 pounds at birth, Ian was rushed from the delivery room to the NICU, where he stayed for a little more than three months. On July 4, having reached a sound 5.5 pounds, he went home.

Growing and ThrivingSince then, Ian has had two follow-up surgeries and is currently wearing a cast to treat hip dysplasia that occurred in the womb.

Even so, his prognosis is excellent. “Ian is doing great—he’s a healthy 19-pound baby who is growing and thriving and moving forward,” Jennifer says. “And despite all he’s going through, he’s happy and peaceful.”

The Medical Center of Aurora


Meningitis can strike fast and hard. Some forms of this disease can kill a healthy child in as little as 24 hours.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. A virus or a bacterium usually causes meningitis. It’s important to try to find out as quickly as possible what’s causing the illness. That’s because the severity and the treatment differ depending on the cause.

You can help by learning the signs and symptoms of meningitis and having your child evaluated as soon as possible. Prompt diagnosis and treatment give your child a better chance for complete recovery.

Bacterial meningitis—a more severe form of the illness—can have very serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss and learning problems. Even with treatment, there is still a risk for death.

You can prevent many forms of meningitis by having your child vaccinated as recommended.

The SymptomsIf your child has any of these warning signs, contact your doctor immediately:• Stiff neck

• Fever• Headache• Nausea and vomiting• Red or purple rash• Fatigue or extreme sleepiness• Seizures• Irritability, lethargy and poor feeding,

which may be the only symptoms in infantsA physical exam and a history of

symptoms help tell a doctor if meningitis is likely. A blood test and a spinal tap can determine whether a virus or bacterium is causing the infection, which determines treatment.

Viral meningitis, which isn’t as severe, usually goes away on its own. Doctors treat bacterial meningitis with intrave-nous antibiotics. Serious cases may require intensive care.

PreventionThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. These vaccines are safe and effective, the CDC says. Different vaccines are given to infants and young children, preteens and teens, and college freshmen who have not been previously vaccinated.

Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious and can be spread through coughing, kissing and sneezing. Anyone in the same household, day care center or other site who has been in close contact with someone with these forms of the disease should receive antibiotics to prevent infection.

There are no vaccines for viral meningitis. However, you can reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands thoroughly and often. You should also avoid kissing, or sharing glasses or eating utensils with, someone who is sick.

Meningitis Requires FAST ACTION

Need to Know More?

To learn more about the symp-toms and treatments for the different forms of meningitis, visit the National Meningitis Association at www.nmaus.org.

6 Rocky Mountain Kids | fall/winter 2010 The Medical Center of Aurora

participate in all kinds of activities. But running can bring on asthma, especially in cold weather. Indoor swimming may be the best winter exercise, as long as the pool isn’t too heavily chlorinated.

3. Stay in control. Ask the doctor if it’s OK for your child to take a break from asthma controller medication during the summer and, if so, when to resume medication in the fall.

4. Don’t bug out. Colds and the flu can trigger asthma episodes. You may not be able to prevent every cold, but kids with asthma should get a yearly flu shot. The vaccine itself won’t cause an attack.

5. Avoid the usual suspects. Tobacco smoke, air pollution, strong smells, aerosol sprays and paint fumes all irritate lung and upper airway tissues.

6. Watch that wind. Rain may clear the air, but storms and windy days spread allergens. Encourage indoor activities when it’s windy outside.

Tempted to move to a warmer climate? Don’t pack the moving van yet. No climate is perfect for kids with asthma, but these simple precautions should help minimize seasonal attacks.

Symptoms of an Asthma Attack

• Persistent coughing at night, or after running or crying

• Wheezing or whistling when exhaling• Shortness of breath• Rapid breathing• Pain or tightness in the chest

When your kids return to school, does asthma return to your home?

Around the country, researchers have noticed that children’s asthma attacks peak after classes resume. This seasonal bump in asthma may result from increased outdoor exposure to cold, wet, windy weather. Meanwhile, more time spent indoors means more exposure to asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and cold or flu viruses.

Many kids take a break from their regular asthma drugs during the summer because they feel better, a study in the

’Tis the Season—For AsthmaAnnals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found. After cooler weather brings on an asthma attack, they have to play catch-up by resuming use of their controller medications.

Here are six ways to help limit your child’s asthma attacks this winter:

1. Dress for successful breathing. In cold climates, have children wear ski masks or wrap scarves around their mouths and noses to keep them from breathing cold air, which can initiate an attack.

2. Exercise new options. When their asthma is under control, most kids can


Young Kids and Cold Medicines Don’t Mix

The sniffling, sneezing, coughing and runny nose that can go with the common cold are making your child miserable. Once, you might have picked up cough and cold medicines to ease the discomfort. But over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants, expec-torants, antihistamines and cough suppressants are no longer advised for young children.

Heed the WarningsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) says you shouldn’t give these drugs to children younger than 2 years old. They raise the risk for serious side effects—convulsions, fast heart rates, even death. The FDA is weighing the drugs’ safety and effectiveness in children ages 2 to 11.

“These medications shouldn’t be used for any children,” adds Ian Paul, MD, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. “There’s no evidence that they work, and they can potentially be harmful.”

If you do give cough and cold medicines to kids ages 2 to 11, the FDA says, follow label directions and learn the products’ active ingredients. Give the medications only with cups or spoons designed to measure medicines.

Try a Natural SolutionSo what can you do to help your child? A study from Penn State College of Medicine suggests an old folk remedy—honey.

“Kids who took buckwheat honey before bed coughed less and had less severe coughs than those who took nothing or who took medicines containing dextromethorphan, the most common cough suppressant found in OTC medicines,” says Dr. Paul, lead researcher of the study. “And the kids who had honey—and their parents—slept better.”

Dr. Paul warns that kids younger than 1 year old shouldn’t take honey. It may be tainted with bacterial spores that can cause infant botulism. By kids’ first birthdays, their digestive systems usually have developed enough to rid the body of the spores before they cause harm.

For kids older than age 1, Dr. Paul recommends these bedtime “doses” of buckwheat honey:• 2 to 5 years—½ teaspoon• 6 to 11 years—

1 teaspoon• 12 and older—

2 teaspoonsHoney doesn’t cure

colds. But it may ease your child’s symptoms until the cold goes away.

Hot Tips for Kids’ Colds

• Use a rubber suction bulb to remove mucus gently from the nose of a child younger than 6 months.

• Use saline drops to help relieve a stuffy nose.

• Place a cold-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your child’s room to moisten the air.

• Run a hot bath or shower to help your child breathe more easily and to ease aches and pains.

• Give older children cough drops or hard candy to sooth a sore throat.• Rub a bit of petroleum jelly

under the nose to ease skin discomfort.

8 Rocky Mountain Kids | fall/winter 2010 The Medical Center of Aurora

When cold weather sets in, it’s time for warm clothes to be set out. But knowing how to dress your son or daughter for outdoor play is just one part of winter safety. It’s also important to know when to bring children in—or not let them out at all.

“If the weatherman says there’s a wind-chill advisory, you should keep small children inside,” says Massachusetts pediatrician Gwenn Schurgin O’Keeffe, MD. “When the index goes below zero, frostbite can become an issue within a matter of minutes. It’s deceptive how quickly you can get into trouble.”

Infants and toddlers are especially at risk, she says. They tend to spend a lot of time in strollers or car seats, unable to move to keep warm. Their heads are

relatively large in comparison to their bodies, too. That means they lose heat more easily than older children or adults.

In frostnip, which precedes frostbite, the skin turns white and becomes numb. Noses, ears, fingers and toes are most susceptible to frostnip or frostbite. The standard treatment is to cover the affected parts with warm water. The temperature in most hot tubs, 104 degrees, is about right. A warm drink also helps. Doctors don’t recommend rubbing.

Another risk is hypothermia, which sets in when the body’s core temperature drops below normal. Hypothermia usually occurs in wet, windy and freezing conditions.

“Symptoms to watch for are shivering, clumsiness and slurred speech,” says Dr. O’Keeffe, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “If you become

concerned, get your child to a warm environment and seek medical attention right away. Cold-related injuries can be very serious, and early identification and treatment are essential.”

How to Winter-Proof Your KidsLearn the best way to dress them—and when to keep them inside.

Here’s how to dress your child to head off problems: • Layers of clothing that

breathe (thermal underwear, a turtleneck shirt, sweater or fleece pullover)

• A knitted ski hat (wool or polypropylene)

• A scarf• Mittens (warmer than gloves)• Warm socks• Winter boots• A water-resistant parka with

sleeves snug at the wristsDo your plans include ice

skating, skiing, snowboarding or sledding? Consider a helmet as well. “You can fix many bones in your body, but you have just one brain,” Dr. O’Keeffe says.

Also advisable: water, energy bars, sunglasses and sunscreen. “It doesn’t matter that it’s cold out,” she says. “Snow mirrors the sun and kids can get sunburned.”

Dress Them Warmly

All kids who suffer concussions need the support of a multidisciplinary team that includes the athletes, their parents, school personnel, coaches and medical professionals.

“Kids should not resume sports until their symptoms are gone completely, and then their participation should increase gradually,” says Karen McAvoy, PsyD, director of the Center for Concussion at the Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute, a program of Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/ St. Luke's Medical Center. “Those who have one concussion are three to six times more likely to suffer a second concussion.”

Dr. McAvoy has written a REAP (Reduce, Educate, Accommodate, Pace) Manual outlining a six-step plan to manage concussions in children, adolescents and teens. To download the manual, visit www.youthsportsmed.com.


Caring for Your Child’s Concussion

A concussion is a change in the way the brain functions that results from an injury to the head.

What to Look ForSome of the immediate signs of a concussion include:• Blank stare• Responding slowly to questions• Confusion• Slurred speech• Stumbling when walking

• Ringing in the ears• Loss of consciousness, even

if only for a few seconds

What to DoParents should contact a hospital or doctor immediately if their child has lost consciousness for any amount of time or if any other symptoms get worse or start up days or weeks later. Otherwise, rest is the only way to care for a mild concussion.

Be Cautious With Concussions

Ski, Sled, Skate and Snowboard SafelyYoung athletes should take steps to stay safe on theslopes or the ice this winter:• Strap on a well-fitting helmet

and wear other safety gear. • Take lessons to learn proper

form and how to fall safely. • Use the right equipment and

make sure it’s working properly. • Quit when you’re tired. • Wear sunscreen.

Specialists at the new Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute provide an unparalleled level of care to young athletes suffering with sports-related injuries.

“Kids don’t always bounce back from injuries as quickly as many people think, and they often require a different type of care than adults do,” says K. Brooke Pengel, MD, medical director. “Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping kids heal so they can continue to enjoy sports safely.”

“The Institute is one of only a handful of facilities across the nation with a comprehensive pediatric sports medicine program,” says John Polousky, MD, surgical director. “We not only treat kids’ injuries, we also focus on injury prevention, community education and research.”

For more information, visit www.youthsportsmed.com.

Getting Young Athletes Back in the Game


Expectant moms don’t have to live in Denver to have access to some of the best specialty care available. AirLife Denver—HealthONE’s medical transport service—has the only dedicated obstetrical (OB) flight team in the Denver area. The team transports patients with pregnancy-related complications to the Center for Maternal-Fetal Care at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“We’re available around the clock to help women who have preeclampsia, preterm labor, gestational diabetes or other medical conditions that affect their pregnancies,” says Susan Tishendorf, RN, high-risk OB flight nurse/coordinator. She has been a member of AirLife for 14 years.

Air and Land TransportationAirLife has three helicopters, two Learjets and two ambulances that travel within a 500-mile radius of Denver to patients who live in remote areas or are in hospitals that don’t offer services for high-risk pregnancies.

“Many facilities don’t have the staff, facilities or technology to treat expectant moms coping with medical conditions,” Tishendorf says. “I grew up in a small town of 900 people, so I relate to patients in rural communities. I treat them as if they

Going Extra Miles to Get Patients the Care They Need

”Our goal is to get pregnant women to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL before they deliver.”

—Susan Tishendorf, RNHigh-Risk OB Flight Nurse/Coordinator

are part of my own family and do everything I can to get them the right medical services. I know that without proper treatment, the lives of the moms and their babies are at risk.”

Expert OB Care The team for each trip includes one of AirLife’s seven OB nurses and another registered nurse (RN) who specializes in emergency or critical care. Richard Porreco, MD, the center’s medical director, is available for consultations as needed.

“It’s important to have OB nurses caring for pregnant patients,” Tishendorf says. “Safety is our first consideration. Babies have better outcomes when they’re delivered at the hospital, where they’ll receive care after birth. But we have to make sure patients are stable enough to travel. Our goal is to get pregnant women to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL before they deliver.”

Helping Children ThriveIf a mother delivers before she’s transferred, the OB flight team helps stabilize the newborn until an AirLife neonatal flight team arrives to take the infant to the hospital. AirLife’s 12-member neonatal team is comprised of neonatal nurse practitioners, RNs and respiratory therapists. Team members travel within the coverage area to provide care to very sick infants, toddlers, children and adolescents during their trip to Denver.

The AirLife Denver Team

AirLife Denver was recently selected by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) as “Air Medical Program of the Year.” AirLife Denver outshined hundreds of other medical flight programs around the world for this prestigious honor.

The AAMS Air Medical Program of the Year award recog-nizes an emergency medical program that demonstrates the highest caliber of patient care, management expertise, strong leadership, exceptional customer service, supreme quality and safety, marketing ingenuity, service to the community, and commitment to the medical transport community.

With bases at Swedish, P/SL, Sky Ridge, The Medical Center of Aurora North and the Frederick-Firestone fire station, AirLife Denver is the Emergency Medical/Critical Care Transport Service of HealthONE and provides air and

AirLife Denver:ground critical care transport for both adult and pediatric medical/trauma patients.

HealthONE and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children extend congratula-tions to the 120 AirLife Denver Team members and thank them for all their hard work. And we encourage you to look up and look around—you’ll undoubtedly see the blue and sonic green flight suits, helicopters, critical care ambulances, Learjets, and all the wonderful people that make up AirLife Denver.

Best in the World!


Sky Ridge Medical CenterDr. Sears’ L.E.A.N. Essentials Workshop Two hours—$20 (includes workbook). For parents and caregivers with children ages 3 to 12 years old. This one-time, two-hour interactive workshop provides simple, effective, practical and fun tools and information that will help you create and maintain a healthy lifestyle for your entire family that they will enjoy.

Classes are held in the Sky Ridge Medical Center Board Room, Garden Level, 10101 Ridge Gate Parkway in Lone Tree. For class dates and times, more information, or to register, call 720-225-5362 or visit www.skyridgemedcenter.com.

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical CenterParent Education Classes To register for classes, call 87-PSL-Cares(877-752-2737)• Baby 101: Understanding Your Newborn

One three-hour session, $40 Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011, 9 a.m.

• Infant SafetyOne three-hour session Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 6 p.m., $50 (includes CPR book) Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6 p.m., $55 (includes CPR book)

• Boot Camp for New DadsOne three-hour session, $40 Thursday, January 13, 2011, 6 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011, 6 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SLExceptional Images Mean Outstanding CareRocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s is the first facility in Colorado equipped with the Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., Aquilion® ONE—the only 320-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner available. CT scanners use special X-rays to create detailed 3-D pictures of structures inside the body.

“The Aquilion ONE takes CT scanning to a new level,” says David Fanning, director of Radiology. “We’re able to take high-resolution images of one organ or an entire anatomical area in a child with just one rotation of the scanner.”

The new system was designed to meet the special needs of kids who are more sensitive to radiation exposure and have smaller blood vessels, less body fat and lower body density than adult

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at...news & events from

patients do. It includes Toshiba’s SUREExposure™ Pediatric software, which tailors the radiation dose based on the child’s size and age and the type of exam. Children receive the lowest radiation dose needed to produce high-quality images.

Rose Medical CenterRose Medical Center proudly announces the arrival of the newest “Rose Baby”—the new Rose Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Opening in late November, this new NICU features private rooms for each family, state-of-the art design and brand new, cutting-edge equipment, allowing for the best care for our most precious Rose Babies. To learn more, go to www.rosebabies.com.

Introducing HypnoBirthing® Preparation Classes at Rose Medical Center. This program teaches new mothers how to call upon their bodies’ own natural relaxants and thus lessen, or even eliminate, discomfort and the need for medication. Through self-hypnosis, special breathing and visualization, HypnoBirthing teaches mothers how to trust their bodies and work with them. To learn more, go to www.rosebabies.com.

North Suburban Medical CenterCongratulations to North Suburban Medical Center Celebrating 25 Years of MedicineAt the heart of all that matters are people—connected in purpose. North Suburban Medical Center’s doctors, nurses and employees are committed to changing lives. For 25 years, they have been providing excellent care to patients when they are most at risk.

The Medical Center of AuroraThe Medical Center of Aurora recently received two prestigious awards: the GWTG Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award for quality stroke care and the GWTG Gold Performance Achievement Award for quality cardiac care.

These awards recognize hospitals that have excellent— 85 percent or better—performance rates in treating cardiac and stroke patients.

Rocky Mountain Kids is published by Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children’s family of hospitals from HealthONE. The information is intended to educate the public about subjects pertinent to their heath, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician.

Beverly Petry Editor

Rocky Mountain Kids welcomes feedback from our readers. To offer feedback, please go to www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com and click on "Contact Us."

©2010 Rocky Mountain Kids. All Rights Reserved.Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.

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Have Fun This Winter!Be one of the first 500 applicants to request a FREE Snowman Kit to add to your children’s fun inthe snow. To apply, go to our website, www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com. Offer availableto the first 500 applicants in the four-state region only (Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas).

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Aurora Edition: Rocky Mountain Kids Fall/Winter 2010