-
OFFICIALLY OPENED — Leesa (right) and Brian (left) Toliver officially unveil the newest addition to the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs campus, Annie’s Room. The namesake of the maternal-fetal telemedicine room, Annie, joins her grandparents for the festivities.
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 Nov. 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 903-4384799.