CU4Kids board member ‘Experiences the Mission’ at Cook Children’s

On June 6, Nancy Croix-Stroud, CEO of First Class American FCU and CU4Kids Advisory Board member, had the chance to spend a day at Cook Children’s for a special program called "Experience the Mission."

The purpose of the program is to show how the money raised for the local children’s hospital is utilized and provides a first-hand, live experience with patients, doctors, and hospital administrators. Croix-Stroud said it also demonstrates "how the 'good' we do with the dollars raised impacts the hospitals, patients, and facilities where the doctors work."

Cook Children’s strategically invites partners and donors to this experience, which is an all-day experience moving on rotations with clinicians and visiting different areas of the hospital.

Croix-Stroud visited several fascinating surgeries in progress and spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she was awe-struck by the good works going on there for the tiny babies struggling for survival. She also spent time in the physical therapy area and the medical center.

"Cook Children’s was one of the first children’s hospitals to receive an intraoperative MRI (iMRI)," Croix-Stroud said. "The iMRI is housed in a surgical suite so the doctors can immediately know things like if all tumors/cancer were removed after surgery. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals funding assisted in the purchase of the first iMRI and, in fact, they now have two iMRI machines."

"I would encourage everyone to get to know your local children’s hospital and the impact they have on the kids and families treated there," said Croix-Stroud. "It is such a great reminder of why we do what we do, and how our patients and their families’ lives have benefited from the enhanced medical care our children’s hospitals are able to give."

Read more details about Nancy's experience.