University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital is Iowa's only comprehensive children's hospital. You might know it for The Wave.
It has been one of the greatest privileges of my career to work for University of Iowa Health Care's Marketing and Communications team. The patients and families of the Stead Family Children's Hospital are the reason why.
My connection to Iowa City started in the summer of 2008 when I first arrived to a flooded campus for my audition with the Hawkeye Marching Band drumline. Over the next five years, I spent every Iowa home game drumming in the South Endzone of Kinnick Stadium. The spot where I used to stand sweating in the sun drumming for 70,000 football fans now rests comfortably in the shade in the shadow of the Stead Family Children's Hospital. I was in the stands at the Wyoming game waving to the kids on the 12th floor in the Dance Marathon Suite during the end of the first quarter - a simple act that has now solidified itself as one of the most wholesome traditions in college football. Months before that wave, I was part of the team filming the first patients moving from the old hospital wings into the new building.
Move-In Day
I can't take credit for all the footage or the edit of this video, as that credit is shared with my exceptionally talented former colleagues Kaitlyn Busbee, Jeff Hackbarth, and Jacob Holland. This was my favorite production I've ever been involved with. Jacob and Kaitlyn called me up in early January asking if I had 10 hours of my weekend I could spare to help film the first of two mass patient transfers from the old children's hospital wing into the new Stead Family Children's Hospital. I replied with an immediate and emphatic "YES!" The plan was for me to film and follow all the patients leaving their old rooms while the rest of the team would film the patients arriving in their bright and shiny brand new rooms. It was a choreographed dance we performed and repeated 52 times over the course of the day.
I am pretty sure Jacob worked through the night while battling the flu to edit the video together so it was able to be published the next day. I can say confidently that I have never worked with a more dedicated group of creatives in my career than Jacob, Jeff and Kaitlyn. You guys rock!
On Feb. 25, 2017, 52 pediatric patients and families moved into the new University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.
Kid Captain
Kids Day at Kinnick is the annual tradition that kicks off the football season for University of Iowa Health Care's 13 Kid Captains that represent the Stead Family Children's Hospital at every Hawkeye football game. It is the first and only time all 13 Kid Captains are together at the same time. During their takeover of Kinnick Stadium, they get to meet the players, play on the field, and even tour the famous pink guest locker room. My involvement for the past few years has been filming their faces light up as they take it all in.
Kid's Day team huddling up before Kid's Day begins - August 12, 2017
Every year, it has been my absolute pleasure to have a front row seat filming our Kid Captains enjoying their moment in the spotlight. For these kids and their families, Kids Day at Kinnick is a welcome distraction from the stresses of their treatment. For some Captains, Kid's Day is a chance to be treated like a kid instead of a patient.
The smiles in the videos below say it all. Once again, these shorts wouldn't be possible without my brilliant friends and fellow filmers: Kaitlyn Busbee, Jeff Hackbarth, and Jacob Holland who generously welcome me back to the team year-after-year to help film this very special day. I'm not sure which of them edited the two shorts below, but it definitely was not me. I am just proud to be a part of the team and getting to run camera alongside these talented filmmakers.
On August 13, 2016 the Iowa Hawkeyes hosted Kids Day at Kinnick. Come along with the UI Children's Hospital Kid Captains on a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium.
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On August 12, 2017 the Iowa Hawkeyes hosted the first Kids Day at Kinnick since the opening of the Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Changing Medicine. Changing Kids Lives.
I love the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and am thankful for the opportunities I've had to help further its mission and vision. I love the kids and families it serves, as well as the brilliant doctors, caring nurses, diligent staff and generous volunteers who make the Stead Family Children's Hospital more than just a building, but a house where prayers can be answered. If you'd like to help support the break-through research, and amazing care the Stead Family Children's Hospital delivers, click here to learn more about how you can help.