Annie’s Room to be Unveiled
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The Hopkins County community was in full support of the new addition to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. A crowd of supporters turned out for the unveiling and blessing of Annie’s Room on November 15.
Annie’s Room is a gift from Leesa and Brian Toliver in honor of their granddaughter, Annie. Annie was diagnosed by Dr. Martin Fielder, chief medical office and OB/GYN at CMF-SS, with a heart defect before being born. Parents Sally and Jonathan Toliver had to make frequent trips to Dallas to see specialists for her care.
Leesa and Brian donated Annie’s Room so that future parents in this same situation could benefit from its use. Specialists in Tyler will be able to provide care and consultations for local parents and babies in similar situations in the future. This will keep moms and babies safe from having to travel to visit specialists and help the families financially by foregoing the expense of being off work and driving to appointments.
Paul Harvey, CEO and president of CMF-SS, expressed his deep gratitude to the Tolivers for making the room available to families and for continually supporting the work of the hospital. Chair of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, Maleta Reynolds, thanked the Toliver family for their support of the Foundation and the hospital. She mentioned that Annie’s Room was an example of donors and organizations working together to increase local health care opportunities. Annie’s Room was the result of the Tolivers, the hospital, and the foundation partnering in order to expand access locally.
Dr. Fielder had patient appointments that conflicted with the unveiling, but sent his appreciation to the Tolivers via a video recording that was played for the audience
Leesa and Brian shared comments on behalf of the family. They told Annie’s story and the experiences Jonathan and Sally had had. As long-standing proponents of the work of the hospital and foundation, they knew they wanted to ease the burden for future families going through similar situations.
The room was then blessed by representatives of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Andy Navarro, Fr. Daniel Oghenerukevwe, Fr. Justin Wiley, Sr Rose Marikudi.
On the conclusion of the program, attendees went upstairs for Leesa and Brian, with the help of young Annie, to officially unveil the plaque.
The wonderful event concluded with punch and petit fours as well as special “Annie” cookies in appreciation for the young honoree. Catering was provided by the hospital chef, Toby Blakley, and Café staff.
To find out more about the Foundation or funding opportunities to support local health care, contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, at 903-438-4799.
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The Board of Directors of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is pleased to announce the impending unveiling of Annie’s Room, located at the Medical Plaza and part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Annie’s Room will be officially opened on Tuesday, November 15, with the ceremony beginning at 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Annie’s Room was made possible through a generous gift from Leesa and Brian Toliver in honor of their granddaughter, Annie.
Annie’s parents, Jonathan and Sally, learned while they were pregnant with Annie, that the then unborn baby had a congenital heart defect. This necessitated Sally to make frequent trips out of town to visit a team of specialists for checkups.
Through the 2022 Lights of Life Gala, the Foundation was able to purchase a 4D Video Sonogram machine to be used by patients in this same situation to benefit from telemedicine and to mitigate the stress, hardship and expense of frequent out of town trips for doctors’ appointments. This allows a Sulphur Springs doctor to coordinate care with the CHRISTUS Trinity Maternal – Fetal Medicine Program, located in Tyler, all while keeping the pregnant mom from having to travel.
When the doctors from the CHRISTUS Trinity Maternal – Fetal Medicine Program need to discuss a diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with parents, a room is needed for the doctor’s tele visit. This room needs a large monitor, comfortable seating, and the ability for the room to be closed off so parents can converse with the doctors without interruption.
The Tolivers, realizing what a benefit this would be for Hopkins County parents, graciously offered to fund the room and name it in tribute to young Annie.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during 2022. It is an IRS designated 501 (c) 3 non-profit. For more information or to donate, contact Kayla Price, Executive Director, at 903-438-4799 or kayla.price@christushealth.org.
Contributed by Kayla Price
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