Mary Bridge Foundation Heroes
2010 Mary Bridge Children's Foundation Heroes
From the doctors and nurses to the individual donors and corporations – there are many people that we are thankful for at Mary Bridge. At our annual Bridge Builder’s Luncheon, the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation recognized those who inspire us and made a difference in our community for our children and families. Meet our Heroes.
This year the W.W. Philip Lifetime Legacy Award/Individual Hero was awarded to Karen J. Lynch. Karen’s contributions to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are numerous. She can be credited for building a first class institution for our community. Because of Karen’s vision, Mary Bridge serves more than the injured or ill child, family-centered care ensures the whole family has the opportunity to heal. Since her retirement from Mary Bridge, Karen continues her extraordinary work through the Tacoma Orthopedic Association.
In addition to his duties as Horticulturist and Landscape Designer for MultiCare Health System, Sheldon Arkin makes a child’s visit to the hospital a place of fun and folly. His work throughout the hospital campus brings smiles to many and exemplifies his dedication to the Mary Bridge team. Sheldon Arkin is also a quiet philanthropist. For the last 24 years, Sheldon has participated in Festival of Trees bringing to life magical scenes that are simply extraordinary. His trees have become the most talked about centerpieces of Festival of Trees and have raised countless funds to benefit Mary Bridge. We are proud and honored to award Sheldon our 12th Man Award.
Dr. Martha McCravey is the matriarch of Critical Care Services here at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and we are honored to name her our Physician Hero. Over the last 25 years Dr. McCravey’s oversight developed a true ICU, which grew to what we are today–a Level II Pediatric Trauma Unit. Dr. McCravey also leaves a philanthropic legacy here at Mary Bridge through the Martha McCravey Endowment for Critical Care Nursing Education. The children of our community are indebted to Dr. McCravey for her passion and dedication to critical care services.
The Ben B. Cheney Foundation was awarded our Foundation Hero Award. Their support of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has been tremendous over the years. The Foundation has contributed to the construction of our new Emergency Department, Health Center, and Helistop; helped us purchase lifesaving equipment, and assisted us in our growth to become the state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for Western Washington.
Melissa Wells is a caring 10-year-old who set a goal to collect 100,000 pennies and present them to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. She did so at the 2009 Festival of Trees. Melissa was awarded the Ben Weymiller Golden Rocking Chair/Youth Hero Award for seeing a need and daring to dream big.
Collectively, over the last 30 years, the Washington Fraternal Order of Eagles have given $301,000 to support diabetes care, cardiac diagnosis, child abuse intervention, and cancer treatment and research. The Eagles Clubs from across Western Washington were awarded the Service Organization Award for their devotion and service to Mary Bridge and the children and families we serve.
Andrina MacDonald was named our Patient Hero. Now 13-years-old, Andrina is a NICU “graduate”, having been born at 27 weeks gestation, and was subsequently diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Over the years she has made incredible strides in her therapy, while winning the hearts of our staff with her intelligence and persistence. Most impressively, Andrina has gone on to become an ambassador to other children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers.
W.W. Philip Lifetime Legacy Award/INDIVIDUAL HERO:
This year the W.W. Philip Lifetime Legacy Award/Individual Hero was awarded to Karen J. Lynch. Karen’s contributions to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are numerous. She can be credited for building a first class institution for our community. Because of Karen’s vision, Mary Bridge serves more than the injured or ill child, family-centered care ensures the whole family has the opportunity to heal. Since her retirement from Mary Bridge, Karen continues her extraordinary work through the Tacoma Orthopedic Association.CORPORATE HERO :
For more than 20 years Abbott Construction has been a loyal supporter of Mary Bridge. Abbott Construction continually delivers above and beyond what they promise, from their annual support of Festival of Trees to the unexpected gift of state-of-the-art washers and dryers for our Tree House families. The Abbott team is more than a valued partner to our hospital system; they are truly part of the family. We are honored to name Abbott Construction our Corporate Heroes and grateful for their dedication and care for the children at Mary Bridge.
12TH MAN:
In addition to his duties as Horticulturist and Landscape Designer for MultiCare Health System, Sheldon Arkin makes a child’s visit to the hospital a place of fun and folly. His work throughout the hospital campus brings smiles to many and exemplifies his dedication to the Mary Bridge team. Sheldon Arkin is also a quiet philanthropist. For the last 24 years, Sheldon has participated in Festival of Trees bringing to life magical scenes that are simply extraordinary. His trees have become the most talked about centerpieces of Festival of Trees and have raised countless funds to benefit Mary Bridge. We are proud and honored to award Sheldon our 12th Man Award.PHYSICIAN HERO:
Dr. Martha McCravey is the matriarch of Critical Care Services here at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and we are honored to name her our Physician Hero. Over the last 25 years Dr. McCravey’s oversight developed a true ICU, which grew to what we are today–a Level II Pediatric Trauma Unit. Dr. McCravey also leaves a philanthropic legacy here at Mary Bridge through the Martha McCravey Endowment for Critical Care Nursing Education. The children of our community are indebted to Dr. McCravey for her passion and dedication to critical care services.FOUNDATION HERO:
The Ben B. Cheney Foundation was awarded our Foundation Hero Award. Their support of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has been tremendous over the years. The Foundation has contributed to the construction of our new Emergency Department, Health Center, and Helistop; helped us purchase lifesaving equipment, and assisted us in our growth to become the state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for Western Washington.BEN WEYMILLER GOLDEN ROCKING CHAIR/YOUTH HERO:
Melissa Wells is a caring 10-year-old who set a goal to collect 100,000 pennies and present them to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. She did so at the 2009 Festival of Trees. Melissa was awarded the Ben Weymiller Golden Rocking Chair/Youth Hero Award for seeing a need and daring to dream big.SERVICE ORGANIZATION:
Collectively, over the last 30 years, the Washington Fraternal Order of Eagles have given $301,000 to support diabetes care, cardiac diagnosis, child abuse intervention, and cancer treatment and research. The Eagles Clubs from across Western Washington were awarded the Service Organization Award for their devotion and service to Mary Bridge and the children and families we serve. PATIENT HERO:
Andrina MacDonald was named our Patient Hero. Now 13-years-old, Andrina is a NICU “graduate”, having been born at 27 weeks gestation, and was subsequently diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Over the years she has made incredible strides in her therapy, while winning the hearts of our staff with her intelligence and persistence. Most impressively, Andrina has gone on to become an ambassador to other children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. 