Power People Can Build A Children's Hospital

Something really important will happen next week in Richmond, and if you would like to be a part of shaping the healthcare options of our children and grandchildren…

You have to write to the Power People. They are meeting to consider building our new children’s hospital.

Imagine what it would look like. They are the Power People. They arrive at work tomorrow; people who can give the nod to building an independent hospital for Richmond’s children, and they find hundreds and thousands of emails from parents like me… people who have heard that there’s money to build a new children’s hospital… and we are all writing to ask for help.

Imagine what the Power People might do when they see this ground-swell of parental hope, of heartfelt commitment to our children…dedication to the idea of having a really kid-friendly hospital just for the children…

Do you think all our letters will melt hard hearts?

Do you think seeing the children’s faces and hearing their stories will sway the stubborn ones to FIND a way to build a new hospital for the children?

I think so. So I’ve found photos of my children…those really cute ones that melt my heart, and I’ve written kind words for the Power People about my children. I’m telling my children’s story, and I’m reminding the Power People that they now play an important part in MY children’s healthcare story. I may ask some of my patients if I can tell their stories, too.

EVERY DAY until TUESDAY, April 16, I am writing to the Power People. That’s the day that they all get together and talk about important things… like should we build a new hospital for the children.

I thought about posting an example letter to send to these Board members, but the facts are part of my DrDownload blog week after week. Pick a few that matter to you by clicking on the link above if you want. Or you can read more at the PACKids.org website; these are some of my doctor colleagues who have gotten on board with the cause. In my heart though, I know that it will be our stories and the faces of our children that will soften hearts.

If the decision to build this new hospital is based JUST on the money and power, it will never happen. Sadly, for the children…I know that it SHOULD not happen if the Power People can’t move beyond those two driving forces.

It will not be until the grownups can look at the children and hear their stories and believe that they are worth the hard work of collaboration… that our youngest ones will have the hospital that they so richly deserve. I have never stopped praying. And believing it’s possible. And writing. Won’t you join me

Here are the Power People as best as I can tell:

Dr. Michael Rao president@vcu.edu

Dr. Sheldon Retchin retchin@mcvh-vcu.edu

Delegate M. Kirkland Cox delkcox@house.virginia.gov

Delegate John O’Bannon deljobannon@house.virginia.gov

Senator Donald McEachin district09@senate.virginia.gov

Dr. PJ Coney pconey@vcu.edu

Dr. Michael S.Gonzalez mgonzalez@mcvh-vcu.edu

Dr. Anton J. Kuzel ajkuzel@vcu.edu

Dr. Bruce Mathern bmathern@mcvh-vcu.edu

Dr. Susan Roseff sdroseff@hsc.vcu.edu

Margaret Lewis Margaret.Lewis@hcahealthcare.com

Chris Broughton-Spruill cbroughton-spruill@chfrichmond.org

Peter Bernard Peter_Bernard@bshsi.org

I’m stuffing envelopes for some of the Power People because they prefer Snail Mail.

Mr. Robert M. Blue