Advocacy Awards: Two Receive SLCH Advocacy Awards for Improving Children's Lives
On behalf of the children whose families have traveled the farthest for care, and the tiniest babies whose journeys have just begun, this year's Advocacy Awards spotlight the St. Louis area's newest arrivals.
St. Louis Children's Hospital presented the 2010 Advocacy Awards to Anna Crosslin, President and CEO of the International Institute, and Illinois State Representative Tom Holbrook. Established in 1994, the awards recognize local and state leaders who leverage their positions, resources and influence to do what's right for kids. Lee Fetter, SLCH president, presented the awards on Friday, March 11.
Anna Crosslin, The International Institute
Community Advocate of the Year
From the time she arrived at the International Institute in 1978, Anna Crosslin has made meeting the medical needs of the immigrant and refugee population a priority.
One of her most vivid memories is the arrival of a mother and daughter from Cambodia.
"That mother had lost everything," Crosslin says. "Her husband and six children were killed in Cambodia. She arrived with the only child she had left."
That child had a large and life-threatening facial tumor. A Children’s Hospital surgeon agreed to operate.
Months later, a woman approached Crosslin in the grocery store and pointed to a little girl not far away. Crosslin took a moment to make the connection. "The little girl was beautiful. She survived the operation and had a life."
That story is one of many instances of cooperation Crosslin has helped facilitate as President and CEO of the International Institute, a nonprofit agency and member of the United Way. The organization provides essential aid to refugees and immigrants, advancing their independence by eliminating language and cultural barriers.
"It's almost a given that children and adults will have some kind of health issues when they arrive. It becomes a very important part of what we do to help integrate them into the community," Crosslin says.
The International Institute partners with SLCH to meet the most critical medical needs of the youngest new Americans. The hospital's mobile health van, Healthy Kids Express, provides immigrant and refugee children with immunizations required for school.
Crosslin is excited her honor will spotlight the work of the International Institute. "From the point of accepting it on behalf of my staff, I'm honored."
Representative Tom Holbrook
State Advocate of the Year
In his 16 years serving in the Illinois House of Representatives, Tom Holbrook has advocated on behalf of countless metro east families receiving care at SLCH.
"The ones I remember are the preemies," he says. "On visits to the hospital, I have seen those babies who can fit in the palm of my hand and wonder how in the world these children would have a chance without this kind of care. Even though we have good hospitals on the Illinois side of the river, we don't have that kind of advanced care."
Rep. Holbrook has made the health of his youngest constituents a top priority. He consistently advocates the importance of SLCH in his home state, supporting legislative issues central to pediatric health care and encouraging his fellow legislators to recognize the critical role the hospital plays in providing essential medical services to children in Southern Illinois.
"It's one of the most rewarding aspects of being a legislator, knowing I can help ensure that this type of service can be provided to a child in a life-or-death situation. It's not available anywhere else within 300 miles."
