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Get to Know our SRH Staff: Mike Stimpson, Development Officer

Get to Know our SRH Staff: Mike Stimpson, Development Officer

by | Dec 20, 2018 | Spotlight

What is your role at the hospital? What do you do on a daily basis?
As a development officer, my role is to represent the hospital in the community and across the state, as well as nurture, steward and build relationships with friends of the hospital. My specialty is to work with donors that want to make a planned gift. My daily activities vary a lot, but primarily I’m meeting or talking with donors and planning how to build additional relationships that benefit donors and the hospital.
 
What skills do you need for your job?   
Strong skills in relationship building, people, communication, time management and a good memory.
 
What led you to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children? How long have you worked here? 
I started in the Volunteer Services department as the assistant director, more than 18 years ago.
 
What do you enjoy most about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children? 
The positive spirit of the people I work with.
 
What drives or motivates you to do what you do every day?
The joy of getting people involved and seeing the impact it makes.
 
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
I was a bag boy at my hometown grocery store. 
 
What do you like to do in your spare time? 
I like to garden.
 
What is your favorite…

  • Hospital event: The Legacy Scholarship Awards presentation
  • Food in the cafeteria: Kim’s sandwiches
  • Place in the hospital: The Atrium
  • Place to travel: Napa Valley
  • Type of food: Mexican
  • TV show: Netflix’s Ozark

What did you want to be when you grew up?
The kind of person that other people want to be around.
 
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Moving to Texas
 
What’s the last book you read? 

The Help
To contribute to our mission of giving children back their childhood, please call our Development department at 214-559-8374 or learn more on our website. 

Get to Know our SRH Staff: Laura Saleem, PT and Therapy Services Manager of our Frisco Campus

Get to Know our SRH Staff: Laura Saleem, PT and Therapy Services Manager of our Frisco Campus

by | Oct 29, 2018 | Spotlight

Meet Laura Saleem, Sports Physical Therapist and Therapy Services Manager of our Frisco Campus. Recently, Laura gave us a tour of the new sports therapy gym at our Frisco facility, Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, on #SRHaccess Facebook LIVE. Watch her segment of #SRHaccess on Facebook. Learn more about Laura in our #SRHstaff Spotlight below:

What’s your favorite part of your job?
Working with the kiddos and seeing their progress from Day 1 to discharge. My patients know I sing like Beyonce, dance like no one is watching and tell super cheesy jokes. My job is anything but boring, which allows me to constantly evolve. The wonderful medical staff here allow us to guide our patients along the path to return to participation without pain or restrictions. We are trusted providers for the community we serve.
 
What’s your favorite thing about the hospital?
The mission. You won’t find another hospital in the area that will take care of your child the way we will.  The staff buys into this mission at orientation and will bend over backwards to serve our patients the best we can.

Describe a typical day.
I work with patients and coworkers, focusing on plans of care and specific exercises the patients need in order to stay on track towards their/my goals for therapy. I wrap up with patients around 6:00PM, and then I pick up my daughter from daycare and begin the normal evening routine.
 
How long have you worked here?
Since 1/11/16, all at the Sports Medicine Center.

How did you find out about the hospital?
My co-worker Lorenzo Vite mentioned that there was an opportunity for me to join the hospital. He had nothing but wonderful things to say and had a great vision for what the realm of outpatient pediatric sports therapy could be.
 
What makes you want to work here?
I have found my niche and my people. I have been given a voice to help build a department we are proud of. The staff and work make it fun.
 
What skills do you need for your job?
I like to say that I am a Ninja. Spend a day with me, you’ll know what I mean. I work extremely hard to get my patients back to activity participation.
 
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
I originally knew I wanted to help people, but didn’t know how. My brother was involved in a single-car accident and sustained injuries that required extensive hospital stays and resources. Through his journey, I was able to find physical therapy. His subacute rehab therapist ended up being one of my clinical instructors, which was really cool to see everything come full circle. I attended to Maryville University in St. Louis and obtained a Master’s Degree in Physical therapy while playing basketball full-time. College was the best experience I could have asked for! I moved to Dallas after graduation and started working at Medical Center of McKinney. I have worked in Inpatient, Outpatient and Rehab settings of hospitals, private practice (2 blocks from the beach in San Diego!), skilled nursing and long-term acute care. I’ve worked extremely hard as a PRN therapist, so I could pay off my student loans as quickly as possible. In total, I have a full 10 years of experience in physical therapy and genuinely know that this is what I was made to do. I was extremely happy to be promoted this July to manager. I love it here and hope to retire here one day.
 
What is your favorite…

  • Hospital event: Holiday Party
  • Food in the cafeteria:  Sad to say, I’ve never eaten there.  I’ll never forget the welcome luncheon at orientation though!
  • Place in the hospital:  Atrium

 
What’s your favorite…

  • Place to travel:  Paris or European countries
  • Type of food:  I will never turn down pizza.
  • TV show:  Not huge on shows, but I love sports. I love European Football, especially Chelsea FC from EPL, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, Basketball, etc.

 
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
It would be great to be in multiple places at the same time. Such as, when I’m at work, but also eating pizza in Italy AND playing at the park with my daughter, dog and husband AND on tour with Beyoncé AND surfing in the Pacific Ocean.
 
What did you want to be when you grew up?
An Entertainer…didn’t work out.
 
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Zip-lined in Jamaica, parasailed in the French Mediterranean, and started my own baking business.
 
What’s the last book you read?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom…Skit skat skoodle doot!  Good wisdom in that one.
 
What kind of animal would you be?
I just took the spirit animal quiz:  I’m a Wolf. 
 
How long is your commute? What do you do on the drive?
My commute to Frisco is 20 minutes. I listen to NPR, GO PUBLIC!
 
What is something people don’t know about you?
I am a band nerd (Alto saxophone) and I hate sweet tea.
 
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Proud Mary by Tina Turner

Hometown Hero: Lyndsey Jones

Hometown Hero: Lyndsey Jones

by | Aug 21, 2018 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

Watch the full video.

Lyndsey Jones is 16 years old.  During her young life, this teenager has had nine surgeries.

Puddles is her plush toy that’s been with Lyndsey for 11 years. In and out of the hospital, Puddles was there to comfort her.

Last September at camp, Puddles went missing and was never found. Lyndsey was devastated. She said her “world fell apart.”

The teen found a way to put her world back together and make the world better for other patients. She started Cuddles 4 Puddles.  In one year, she’s donated 120 plush puppies which she gives to patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and medical clinics. She knows those toys are great medicine.

If you’d like to donate a new, unwrapped plush puppy you can go to Cuddles4Puddles on Facebook or send the toy or a donation to:

P.O. Box 4251 FM 2181
Suite 230 #105
Corinth, Texas
76210

Get to Know our SRH Staff: Jennifer Bowden RN, Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care, Orthopedics

Get to Know our SRH Staff: Jennifer Bowden RN, Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care, Orthopedics

by | Jun 14, 2018 | Spotlight

Meet Jennifer – clinical manager of Ambulatory Care who works closely with our scoliosis patients. Get to know more about her in our #SRHstaff Spotlight below.​
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The patients! The daily opportunity to help our patients and their families never gets old.
 
What’s your favorite thing about the hospital?
It’s a tie between the staff and the patient population.

Describe a typical day.
As soon as I get to work, I am checking email and messages in order to prepare for the day. I am continuously touching base with staff to make sure everyone has what they need to complete their day and take care of their patients. Throughout the day, I work on several different patient situations and communicate/coordinate the needs of our patients to/with the entire hospital. Meetings, meetings, meetings are also a big part of my day!
How long have you been working at the hospital?
12 years.
 
How did you find out about the hospital?
I was a patient here from birth to 18 years of age. I loved coming to the hospital when I was a patient. I had a leg length discrepancy and Hemihypertrophy. I had surgery with Dr. Birch when I was 13 years old. Scottish Rite Hospital was a big part of my childhood!
 
What made you want to work here?
My experience as a patient and my love and respect for the hospital. 
 
What skills do you need for your job?
Communication, coordination, creativity, flexibility, patience and kindness. Of course, sharp nursing skills are definitely required!
 
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My very first job was working at a sales associate at Pier 1 Imports. I had always admired people in health care when I was younger. I had a family friend that was a hot shot OR nurse and she inspired me to become a nurse. Nursing is something that I was meant to do! I have been at the hospital since I graduated from nursing school. I worked on the Inpatient Unit for eight years prior to coming down to Ambulatory Care.
 
What is your favorite…

  • Hospital event: ALL of our Christmas events
  • Food in the cafeteria: Fried shrimp and chicken parmesan
  • Place in the hospital: Inpatient Unit and the playground
What’s your favorite…

  • Place to travel: Florida
  • Type of food: Junk food
  • TV show:The Office

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Rewind!
 
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I had always wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a kid. The ocean and marine life fascinate me. As I got older, I quickly realized becoming a nurse would be awesome! I learned how nursing could provide a stable, diverse and rewarding career.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Becoming a mom

What’s the last book you read?
I’ve started about three or four recently, but haven’t finished any of them!

What kind of animal would you be?
An elephant or a crab. Elephants are so smart and protective of their families. Crabs are independent and cute!
 
How long is your commute? What do you do on the drive?
I live in Lewisville. It takes 30 minutes to get to the hospital. I chat with my daughter and most of the time we are singing to our favorite songs. Lately we’ve been singing along to The Greatest Showman soundtrack!
 
What is something people don’t know about you?
I’m a very picky eater! People are always shocked at how picky I am.
 
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Manic Monday” by the Bangles

Get to know our SRH Staff: Dong Tran – Research

Get to know our SRH Staff: Dong Tran – Research

by | Jun 7, 2018 | Spotlight

Meet Dong – a clinical research team lead for our spine team. She works closely with our spine doctors and interacts regularly with patients and their families. Learn more about her in our SRH Staff Spotlight below:

What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love my interactions with our patients and getting to know the families. 

What’s your favorite thing about the hospital?
So many to choose from! Events for staff, for patients, camps, Junior Volunteer Book Sale, bazaars, pancake breakfast, Halloween costume competition, etc. 

Describe a typical day.
Data, data, data, seeing patients, data, data, seeing patients and more data!

How long have you worked here?
I started out in Medical Records for four years and then moved to Research for the last five years.

How did you find out about the hospital?
I first learned about the hospital over 10 years ago when I was a college student looking for a part-time job.

What made you want to work here?
When I finished graduate school, I wanted to be at a place that supports my passion for helping people and academia. This hospital has always held a special place in my mind. When an opportunity arrived, I came back as soon as I could. 

What skills do you need for your job?

  • Kindness and respect
  • An eye for details
  • Patience

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My first job was a grocery clerk in my hometown local grocery store in Sioux City, IA. During my time in undergrad and graduate schools, I became interested in research through my work with my professors. I was involved with their research on education, equality in the workplace and women’s health care and policies. I saw the importance of studying the outcomes of processes and policies that guide our lives in the most minute ways. 

What is your favorite…

  • Hospital event: summer and holiday bazaars
  • Food in the cafeteria: sandwich station
  • Place in the hospital: the playground

What’s your favorite…

  • Place to travel: mountains and deserts
  • Type of food: anything fresh with a lot of veggies
  • TV show: currently enjoying the Great British Baking Show

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I’m a mom, that’s got some super power, right?! The power of multiplicity, so I can be at many places at once. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?
While growing up, I wanted to be a writer and a photographer.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Does having a baby count? If not, I’m still waiting.

What’s the last book you read?
I’ve read and reread Robert Frost and Pablo Neruda’s poetry collections on and off for over 20 years now and to this day, I always find something new. 

What kind of animal would you be?
Elephants – they live and travel in a herd to protect and care for one another. They are the gentle giants. 

How long is your commute? What do you do on the drive?
60 – 90 minutes. 80s/90s music and podcasts keep me entertained. “This American Life”, “Revisionist History”, “Freakonomics Radio”, “Hidden Brain” and “Modern Love” are a few favorites.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Any songs by Madonna, the Backstreet Boys and Vietnamese 60s/70s love ballads. 

WFAA: Artist finds his calling making prosthetic limbs for children

WFAA: Artist finds his calling making prosthetic limbs for children

by | May 24, 2018 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

Watch full video.  

Dwight Putnam always knew he wanted to be an artist. In fact his ambitions were somewhat of a sticking point between himself and his father.

“He wanted me to get into medicine,” Putnam said.

Putnam eventually became a successful commercial sculptor, creating large installations for businesses all over. But the artist in him was still searching for his masterpiece and then he found it in an unexpected place.

“I think Scottish Rite saw the potential in me before I did,” Putnam said.

More than a decade ago Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas approached the young sculptor about working in their prosthetic limb department. The orthopedic hospital is known across the world for state of the art care for children including amputees.

“My background in design and structure worked perfectly for this,” Putnam said.

Patients say the mild mannered Putnam has a gift for listening to the young men and women and identifying their gifts. Over the years he has created specialized prosthetic limbs that have allowed children to pursue dreams that many would have scoffed at.

One of Putnam’s first creations was a single finger that allowed a young boy to play and master clarinet. Since then he has created arms for horse back riding, legs for cheerleaders, and a specially positioned foot for a ballerina just to name a few.

“I always say the devices aren’t amazing, it’s what the kids do with them that’s incredible,” Putnam said.

One of his most recent creations belongs to Tyler Sampson, a 17-year-old pitching prodigy in Denton who is already fielding college offers despite missing one arm from the elbow down. Sampson is tall and lanky and is focused on putting on weight so he and Putnam got together to create a prosthetic arm that will allow him to hit the gym even harder.

“It’s amazing I’ve gained so much strength in just the few weeks I’ve had it,” Sampson said.

Sampson has always been determined to achieve his dreams and is supported by a family who sees his potential every day. But he says having someone like Putnam makes those dreams that much closer to becoming reality.

“He just has this charisma and he really listens,” Sampson said.

As for Putnam, he never dreamed be in a workshop in a hospital, but he says there is no place he’d rather be.

“It’s crazy I’ve come full circle. That medical dream my dad had and the artist idea I had are pretty much one,” Putnam said.

And with more patients flying into Dallas for treatment from around the world Putnam says his masterpiece project is far from done.