CONTENTSMichael JohnsonMichael Johnson, 18, a footballplayer for the Catholic HighRockets, executes a snapduring a 2007 game. Michaelwas treated at <strong>Arkansas</strong>Children’s <strong>Hospital</strong> for a clubfoot just after birth.3 ACHJillian ChaneyJillian Chaney, seen here withACH Foundation representativeMelissa Pickens, recently donatedmore than $700 to thehospital. Jillian is currently apatient in the cancer clinic atACH.469145Miracle Ball 2007The <strong>2008</strong> Miracle Ball was asmashing success, raisingmore than $277,000 for<strong>Arkansas</strong> Children’s <strong>Hospital</strong>.14Also In This Issue■ HOSPITAL & RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSBedside Medication VerificationInjury Prevention CenterPregnancy and SmokingAngela Green Investiture■ GIVING TO ACH HIGHLIGHTS10111315-18Karen and John FlakePhilanthropy Day HonoreesSara and Sam RichardsonAuxiliary GroupsARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITALBOARD OF DIRECTORSPat McClelland, ChairmanJudge Marion Humphrey, Vice ChairmanTom Baxter, SecretaryPaul R. Hart, TreasurerWhit Hall M.D., Chief of StaffHarry C. Erwin III, Past ChairmanJonathan Bates, M.D., President & CEOMary Aitken, M.D.John Bale, Jr.Ron ClarkDale CookHaskell DickinsonM. Edward DrillingSkip FrantzBryan HillJ. French HillDorsey JacksonRichard F. Jacobs, M.D.Michael JoshuaDiane MackeyRESEARCH INSTITUTERon Clark, ChairmanJonathan Bates, M.D.,Vice Chairman for Finance & Admin.Debra Fiser, M.D., Vice Chairman for ResearchRobert Porter, M.D., Secretary/TreasurerRichard F. Jacobs, M.D., PresidentKanwaljeet “Sunny” Anand,M.B.B.S., D.PhilM. Edward DrillingEllen GrayTommy HillmanACH FOUNDATIONJonathan Bates, M.D., ChairmanCharles B. Whiteside III, Vice ChairmanJohn E. Bel, PresidentPat AllenJohn Bale, Jr.Tom BaxterFrances BuchananWilliam ClarkJames CobbRobert G. CressHarry C. Erwin IIIRobin GeorgeBarbara HannaBill HannahAnne HickmanRay HobbsRoss HoneaDebbie JinesMark LarsenBarbara MooreBeverly MorrowSkip RutherfordMark SaviersKate SchafferPhilip SchmidtRobert L. ShultsBonnie Taylor, M.D.Everett Tucker IIIRick WatkinsCharles B. Whiteside IIII. Dodd Wilson, M.D.Roger Rank, Ph.D.Mark SaviersRobert ShultsRoss WhippleI. Dodd Wilson, M.D.Diane MackeyAlice MahonyMark McCaslinJim McClellandJeffrey NolanRobert Porter, M.D.Steven RansdellSara M. RichardsonVicki SaviersPhilip SchmidtWitt Stephens, Jr.Stephen L. Strange, Sr.Marianne ThompsonSue TrotterKim WilliamsTom WomackACHiever StaffEditor:Chris McCreightDesign:Lori Barlow, The Graphic Design Shop, Inc.Photographers:Kelley Cooper, ACH Foundation StaffContributors:Alyssa Anderson, Ginger Daril, John Gregan,Kila OwensTHE ACHIEVERis published by <strong>Arkansas</strong> Children <strong>Hospital</strong>Foundation for friends of ACH.800 Marshall St., Slot 661,Little Rock, AR 72202-3591(501) 364-1476 • FAX (501) 364-3644TDD (hearing imparired) 364-1184www.archildrens.org
HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTSMichael Johnson:Born with a Club Foot;Now Excelling on the Football Field■ Kila OwensWhat does 18-year-old Michael Johnson, of Little Rock, have incommon with Troy Aikman, world-famous quarterback of the DallasCowboys? It is more than a great passion for football. Both were bornwith a club foot, and both overcame the condition to excel on the footballfield.In 1989, Michael was born with a club foot, a common birth defect inwhich the foot is turned inward and down. His parents, Jeff andCorinne, were excited and happy to have a new baby but also worriedabout the future.“Even though the doctor assured us his club foot could be corrected,we were very concerned,” says Corinne. “We didn’t know what the treatmentwould be or what to expect.”Ten days after Michael was born, Dr. James Aronson*, an orthopedicsurgeon at ACH, put a cast on his leg for the first time. Dr. Aronsonput a new cast on Michael’s leg every 10 days for the next couple ofmonths, but it was not enough. Dr. Aronson informed the Johnsonfamily that surgery would be necessary to correct the problem.“Michael was one of the severe cases,” says Dr. Aronson. “His footwas almost twisted around backwards. We had to totally take the footapart and put it back the right way.”Michael was in a cast until a few days before his first birthday. Thesurgery and final cast were a success, so no other treatment was needed.“Because of the club foot, Michael has one foot that is three timessmaller than the other,” says Corinne. “So once Michael was out of hislast cast, we never thought about his foot – except when we had to buyshoes.”Michael began playing football at the age of 9. Like many kids hisage, he loved sports and had a competitive spirit. He was first placed inthe deep snapper position in the seventh grade, when a coach saw hispotential.Michael continued to improve his game through the years. He justcompleted his last season as first-string deep snapper for the Little RockCatholic High School Rockets.“I snap the ball, go down the field and try to tackle the punt returnerand bring him down,” Michael says.His parents never doubted his athletic ability, but Michael’s talentwent beyond their wildest dreams.“Did I ever think he’d be a football player? No, absolutely not,” Jeffsays. Corinne agrees. “I think it sort of surprised all of us,” she says.The Rockets’ head football coach, Scooter Register, is proud ofMichael’s hard work and drive.“He’s elevated his game probably to the highest level any high schoolplayer could,” Register says. “He’s one of the top-ranked high schooldeep snappers in the nation.”Michael has competed nationally in trials that are by invitation only. InJanuary, he went to Las Vegas to showcase his talent for 50 division onecollege coaches from across the country.Michael Johnson, who was treated immediately afterbirth for a club foot, has grown into an impressiveathlete, becoming one of the top-ranked deep snappersin the country.Michael’s future plans include heading to college in the fall,possibly to Ole Miss or the University of <strong>Arkansas</strong>. He hasnot decided yet what his major will be or if he will play collegefootball.Corinne is delighted to see her son’s success, which sheknows would not be possible without the work of Dr.Aronson and <strong>Arkansas</strong> Children’s <strong>Hospital</strong>.“We are so lucky that Little Rock is home to such a greatfacility,” she says. “Our experience with <strong>Arkansas</strong> Children’s<strong>Hospital</strong> and its staff made it much easier for us to understandand know what to expect in Michael’s treatment. It wascomforting to be in such good hands.”*James Aronson, M.D., is chief of pediatric orthopedics atACH, director of the Laboratory for Limb RegenerationResearch at ACHRI and professor, department oforthopedics, UAMS College of Medicine.3