We would like to extend a huge thanks to the Cardinal Health Foundation for awarding Valley Children's a $50,000 grant for our Zero Suicide program. In the two years since the adoption of this program, Cardinal Health Foundation has given grants in total of $100,000 to Valley Children's as part of a national collaborative to implement better suicide risk assessment screening in children's hospitals. 

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10 to 24 years. Yet suicide is preventable. These youth are frequently in contact with the healthcare system in the weeks or months preceding their death. However, it is common that youth who are suicidal are not likely to bring up the concern, unless specifically asked – the reason why screening is so important.

In November 2022, the Guilds Center for Community Health embarked on a two year internal quality improvement project around improving screening and referrals for children and adolescents at risk for suicide. Valley Children's Healthcare joined 15 children's hospitals across the country in a collaborative effort led by the Zero Suicide Institute and Cardinal Health Foundation.

The evidence-based Zero Suicide framework is comprised of seven elements: Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition and Improve. 

This work will be an internal quality improvement process, expanding our training, improving our comfort, increasing our screening and strengthening our referrals for those who screen positive for suicide risk. In addition to improving our internal processes, we are collaborating with community partners, including schools, to reach our aspirational goal of zero deaths by suicide for the children, adolescents and families we serve.

To learn more about the Zero Suicide, visit zerosuicide.edc.org. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help, call 988 – the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

We are thrilled to introduce our latest Children's Miracle Network Hospitals partner, InComm. Through The Gift Card Shop, people nationwide can support their local CMN Hospital while enjoying the convenience of shopping online for gift cards for any occasion. You can change kids' health and change the future by shopping online for gift cards, and 3% of the face value will be provided to Valley Children's. Select from physical plastic gift cards to be mailed to the recipient or e-gift cards to be emailed to them.

This wonderful new partnership began before the holidays and was a welcome addition to the Valley Children's internal announcements page! Busy physicians, nurses and staff were able to shop for loved ones while supporting the very patients they serve. And digital gift cards are a favorite among those who prefer to save e-gifts on their phone rather than carrying a wallet full of plastic gift cards.

Keep this campaign in mind throughout the year by visiting cmnhospitals.thegiftcardshop.com. When you shop for your friends and family, you can directly impact the lives of children and their families at Valley Children's.

Valley Children's would like to thank Nick Peckham of A&W Surplus for donating toys to the Hospital in December. Nick works at A&W Surplus with his father, where they host the largest live webcast auction in the world. They buy and sell everything, taking overstock and out-of-business inventory and auctioning everything at a $0 starting bid. They are constantly donating items, time, volunteer hours and funds to Central Valley causes like schools, silent auctions, fundraisers and non-profits.

Referred to us by David Zoldoske, PhD, from Fresno State's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences, Nick filled two trucks with toys for distribution to the patients at the hospital. Dr. Zoldoske was also instrumental in administering a major gift to the Hospital a few years ago on behalf of the Donald E. Gumz estate.

We are so grateful to Nick, A&W Surplus, and to Dr. Zoldoske for finding opportunities to champion our patients and our work.

We would like to highlight two examples of the extraordinary innovation that is regularly demonstrated by Valley Children's staff.

Reducing Fear and Trauma in Pre-school Aged Patients

In March of 2022, Vascular Access Specialist and Registered Nurse Katie Jackson heard of a product that decreases perceived pain associated with needle pokes and began researching the device to see if it would benefit our patients. Researchers have found needle pain in pediatric patients can cause severe psychological effects, such as anxiety and phobias. In order to combat these fear-provoking experiences, Valley Children’s uses strategies to help decrease the pain and emotional stress like topical numbing agents. Katie worked with other clinical nurses to evaluate the Buzzy® Bee – a small handheld device that vibrates on the skin, confusing nerves so patients don’t feel the sharp pain of a needle.

After acquiring funding from the Guilds’ Pink Pig Fund, developing a new practice and educating nurses, the Vascular Access team began using the new devices with great success. Patients and families responded favorably, and staff noticed a significant reduction in pain and emotional trauma in pre-school aged patients.   

We are so grateful to have innovative thinkers like Katie always on the lookout for ways to help our littlest patients receive the most compassionate care. This example has been submitted to our application for Magnet nursing accreditation for this year, along with many other examples of excellence in nursing at Valley Children's.

Valley Children’s was honored to host the first-ever statewide conference for Spanish-speaking patients diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Top pediatric specialists from Valley Children’s, Stanford and Rady Children’s Institute spoke about the rare genetic disorder and provided educational information on diagnosis and treatment. This genetic disorder is most common in boys. The conference – which was a joint effort between Valley Children’s and the Akari Foundation in Texas – invited patients with DMD and their families throughout California.

The Akari Foundation's goal is to unite, educate, empower and equip the Hispanic community affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They envision a future where everyone has access to comprehensive information, compassionate care and a strong network that fosters awareness, advocacy and education in their primary language. Learn more at theakarifoundation.org.

Valley Children's Licensed Clinical Social Worker Laura Flores Rios helped facilitate this inaugural conference and is excited for future opportunities that will help so many in our state. We are proud to be a leader in California's approach to addressing muscular dystrophy for all kids, especially as such exciting developments are being made in early screening and treatment.

Thanks to your generous support, innovative efforts by our amazing staff are made possible every day at Valley Children's!

The 10th annual An Evening of Inspiration gala benefiting Valley Children's Adaptive Sports will be held Saturday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Fresno. Click here for event and ticket information.