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Monday, April 23, 2007

UMC Children's Center Receives $100,000 Worth Of Toys

UMC CHILDREN’S CENTER RECEIVES $100,000 WORTH OF TOYS FROM KIDS WISH NETWORK’S HOLIDAY OF HOPE GIFT BANK SPONSORED BY HEALTH PLAN OF NEVADA

Young patients are enjoying an unexpected treat during their hospital visits to University Medical Center Children’s Center. Approximately $100,000 worth of toys were recently shipped to UMC’s Children’s Center pediatric staff to be distributed to the youngsters courtesy of Kids Wish Network, a national charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Every child entering the hospital for treatment will receive a brand new toy from the Holiday of Hope Gift Bank sponsored by Health Plan of Nevada (HPN).

“It is important to understand the uncertainty and anxiety children face when they require inpatient medical treatment. We at HPN are pleased to join with UMC and the Kids Wish Network to help create a more comfortable atmosphere for the children hospitalized at UMC,” said Jenny DesVaux Oakes, assistant vice president, Sierra Health Services.

The toys donated will also be utilized by UMC’s Child Life Specialists. These therapists are trained to see the hospital through the eyes of a child. They focus on the emotional and developmental needs of children and use play as one of their means of communication reducing the trauma of hospitalization. They work with the children in eliminating stress and anxiety and explain to the children what is happening.

“As a child life specialist, part of our job is to create a fun and child-friendly environment for the pediatric patients. With wonderful donations from great organizations, like HPN, it only makes my job that much easier,” said Catherine Coleman, UMC child life specialist.

Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank is an uplifting, gift-giving program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. The Gift Bank provides emergency rooms, pediatric units, and other children’s care facilities with age appropriate toys that offer a welcome distraction to young patients from upsetting and often-traumatic medical experiences. For more information on Kids Wish Network’s programs and upcoming events, and for information on how you can get involved in helping to make dreams come true for these courageous kids, please visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.

Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. (HPN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sierra Health Services, Inc. HPN offers plans to employer groups, individuals and Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada and certain adjacent geographic areas. Sierra Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:SIE) is a Las Vegas-based diversified healthcare services company that operates health maintenance organizations, indemnity insurers, preferred provider organizations and multi-specialty medical groups. Sierra’s subsidiaries serve over 850,000 people through health benefit plans for employers, government programs and individuals. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.sierrahealth.com.

Contact Information:
Cheryl Persinger
(702) 383-2090
Cheryl.Persinger@umcsn.com
University Medical Center
1800 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102