Taheera Washington

Get to Know Our Staff: Jerilynn Putnam, Chaplaincy Services

by Taheera Washington | Feb 19, 2025 | Spotlight

What led you to Scottish Rite?
My passion for humanity, education and ministry led me to Scottish Rite for Children. When I was a resident, I was able to share my pediatric chaplaincy experience with Scottish Rite patients, families and staff. I’m excited and humbled that my residency brought me back to Scottish Rite as the first ever full-time staff chaplain.

Tell us a little bit more about your role.
In my role, I aim to be a calm, hospitable presence for Scottish Rite. I’m here to offer care and support to everyone who enters our doors. I focus on providing direct care to patients receiving day surgery or in the Inpatient Unit. I attend weekly clinical huddles, collaborate with non-clinical services and provide religious resources. Throughout the year, I also offer liturgical reflections, godly play, spiritual play and religious services in Scottish Rite’s chapel for patients, families and staff.

What do you want staff to know about chaplains?
Professional chaplains have extensive educational and clinical training in world religions, theology, spirituality, inclusion and diversity, ethics and family systems. They are here to provide emotional and spiritual support to everyone in the hospital.

When a situation requires for it, they also provide pastoral care, ethical consultation, religious or non-religious support, hospitality, grief or bereavement support, conflict mediation, patient advocacy and customer service, among others.

What made you choose a career in health care?
My personal experience with grief, along with my own medical emergencies and surgeries, led me to a career in health care. As a hospital chaplain, my compassion, love for others and selfless service encourages me to genuinely work with others through the difficult and joyous transitions of life, illness, recovery, grief or death.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I have the unique opportunity to learn people’s stories. By utilizing creative tools in my role, I invite others to discover meaning and purpose during their hospitalization and/or daily work.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to spend time outdoors and read books. I also love to bake and cook for my family.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Car dancing!

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I am a homegrown Dallas girl!

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to New Zealand to soak in as many mountain hikes and water adventures as possible before relaxing at a few wineries.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Because of my love of rice and vegetables, I would eat sushi and stir fry for the rest of my life.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Life Is Beautiful.”

What was the first concert you attended?
I went to B-52’s concert.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
My favorite DFW gem is not hidden, but it’s the view of the Dallas skyline from any perspective.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Drew Barrymore.

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Make the best of each day and celebrate often!

Get to Know Our Staff: Carissa Stoddard, Physical Therapy

by Taheera Washington | Feb 13, 2025 | Spotlight, Therapy Services

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a physical therapist (PT), and I primarily help with Scottish Rite’s intensive PT program and other inpatient PT needs.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is witnessing the joy on children’s and families’ faces as they achieve their mobility goals. It’s truly remarkable to see a child discover their ability to move and explore independently.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
I have always dreamed of working at Scottish Rite. What makes Scottish Rite unique is the collaborative care we provide to every patient, and I am honored to be part of the team.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I wanted a job that was not only enjoyable and fulfilling but also revolved around personable interactions. With an engineering and athletic background, physical therapy was a natural transition for me.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I love that I get to see patients and families at all stages in their care journey, from before surgery, immediately after surgery, during rehab and at follow-up appointments. I really enjoy seeing how far the children progress through every phase of their journeys.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy trying new restaurants in Dallas and traveling.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can bake pretty well.

Where are you from and what brought you to D-FW?
Although I moved all over the state growing up, I spent most of my childhood in D-FW. I returned to Dallas for graduate school and never left.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Spain or Africa. I’ve always wanted to go for an extended trip but haven’t been able to yet.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chips and salsa.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“White Christmas,” because it’s a classic.

What was the first concert you attended?
Although admitting this may age me a little, the first real concert I attended was Creed and Sevendust when they were really popular.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Lounge Here.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Jennifer Lawrence or Reese Witherspoon (because I’ve been compared to her before).

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Take the scenic route, pause to enjoy the view and learn from the process.

Get to Know Our Staff: Erika Harper-Dugan, Dietary

by Taheera Washington | Feb 10, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a food service manager, and I ensure that our patients’ food orders are correct and delivered in a timely manner.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is getting the chance to meet patients and their families.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Scottish Rite is special to me because I get the chance to make a lifelong impact on the lives of patients and their families.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I chose a career in health care to be able to make patients happy.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I get to talk, play and have fun with the patients!

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I like to make crafts and give back to the community in various ways.

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I’m a native cowgirl of Dallas.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Madrid, just to be able to experience traveling and trying different foods.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I could eat surf and turf for the rest of my life, as well as shrimp, steak, baked potatoes and a salad.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“The Christmas Story.”

What was the first concert you attended?
Prince.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
A DFW hidden gem is Jimmy’s Food Store, located in Old East Dallas.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I would pick Queen Latifah.

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
The best piece of advice I’ve heard is that there are no strangers.

Healing With Hope: Mickel’s Transformation Through Spinal Fusion

by Taheera Washington | Feb 6, 2025 | Scoliosis & Spine

To Mickel, Scottish Rite for Children represents hope for a better tomorrow. After noticing that the curve in his lower back had grown, Mickel and his family were referred to Scottish Rite for Children. Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., discovered that he had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at age 17. AIS is the most common type of scoliosis in children and teenagers, and the cause is unknown.

Due to the severity of Mickel’s curve, Dr. Sucato decided that a spinal fusion would be the best treatment option for him. While this may be the most common type of surgery to treat scoliosis, surgery is still a daunting experience. Mickel shares that, during his moments of uncertainty before surgery, Dr. Sucato’s care was instrumental in his overall experience.

“He listened to all of my concerns,” Mickel says. “No matter how silly my questions felt to me, Dr. Sucato reassured me that I would be able to navigate life confidently after the spinal fusion.”

After undergoing treatment, Mickel remembers that his perspective on life began to change. “It took some time, but I eventually regained my confidence, sense of self and even a desire to become more active,” Mickel says. “I don’t think this would have been possible before my spinal fusion.”

Today, 24-year-old Mickel shows no signs of slowing down! When he is not hanging out with his friends, Mickel can be found hiking, swimming, running or lifting. Now, Mickel is looking forward to serving in the U.S. Army as a geospatial engineer this year!

“I would tell anyone with AIS that it does get better,” Mickel says. “Scottish Rite gives people like me the potential to have a brighter future and be able to live a normal life after treatment. For that, I am grateful.”

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Share your story with us.

Fueling For Gymnastics: A Conversation with a Certified Sports Dietitian

by Taheera Washington | Feb 5, 2025 | Sports Medicine

Gymnasts have unique fueling needs. From long training days to busy competition days, proper nutrition is key to meet their short- and long-term energy needs. Scottish Rite for Children hosted a webinar, featuring sports dietitian Taylor Morrison, M.S., R.D.N., CSSD, L.D., and sports medicine physician Jane S. Chung, M.D. From their multiple projects together, they shared valuable insights on fueling strategies for young gymnasts.

Common Signs of Underfueling

If a gymnast experiences any of these symptoms, nutrition could be a key factor:

Fatigue before practice ends
Dizziness during training
Recurring injuries, such as stress fractures
Difficulty building muscle
Plateau in skill progression
Increased anxiety or mood swings

With proper fueling, many of these issues can improve.

There are Four Key Areas of Gymnastics Nutrition

1. Building a Strong Nutrition Foundation

Aim for three meals and three snacks daily.
Each meal should contain at least three food groups.
Snacks should include two food groups.
Balance proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats.

2. Key Micronutrients for Performance

Certain micronutrients are critical for gymnasts:

Calcium supports bone strength and injury prevention. Good sources include dairy, leafy greens and almonds.
Vitamin D aids calcium absorption and bone health. It is found in salmon, eggs and fortified foods.
Iron helps prevent fatigue and supports oxygen transport. Iron is found in lean meats, beans and spinach.

3. Energy Availability: Are You Eating Enough?

Gymnasts need adequate daily calories to support training and growth. Skipping meals or snacks can lead to low energy availability, affecting performance and recovery. If you are unsure on the number of calories that your young athlete needs, talk with your pediatrician, a sports medicine physician or a sports dietitian.

4. Performance Nutrition Strategy

Nutrition timing is key for training and competition days:

More than three hours before activity – A balanced meal with protein and complex carbs.
One to 1.5 hours before – Simple carbs for quick energy, such as fruit or yogurt.
15 to 30 minutes before – Easily digestible carbs, such as applesauce or pretzels.
During long training sessions – Quick energy snacks, such as sports drinks or granola bars.
Post-training recovery – A mix of protein and carbs, such as chocolate milk, a smoothie or a sandwich.

By building a strong nutrition foundation, prioritizing key nutrients, ensuring adequate energy intake and implementing a fueling strategy, gymnasts can optimize performance, prevent injuries and improve recovery.

For more expert tips, watch the full webinar here.