Patient Family Dedicates Fundraising Efforts to LLUCH and Dr. Bryan Oshiro
Photo Courtesy of: LLUCH
From left, Marta Bills and Leslie Kowalewski from March of Dimes; Dr. Bryan Oshiro; Mackenzie and Grant Schmidt with their kids Francesca and Dominique; Christina Huyett from March of Dimes; and Jennifer Cruikshank, chief patient care director at LLUCH.
By Brianna Pastorino
12/18/2013 at 11:57 AM
Grant and Mackenzie Schmidt, along with their two children, Francesca and Dominic, presented a plaque to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) and Bryan T. Oshiro, M.D., medical director of the Perinatal Institute, on Nov. 20. Because the Schmidt family raised $17,000 from April 2012 to April 2013 for the March of Dimes, the organization provided the plaque to the Schmidt family to present to the hospital that they felt is dedicated to improving the health of babies.
“The only hospital and doctor we thought were worthy of this honor was Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Dr. Oshiro,” Mackenzie Schmidt said.
The Schmidt Family began raising funds for the March of Dimes after their second child, Dakota, was delivered stillborn in April 2007. One week after that, they participated in their first March for Babies, the annual walk organized by the March of Dimes.
“We have been raising funds for the March of Dimes ever since,” Mackenzie said. “We have over 150 friends and family from across the country on Team Dakota who walk and help us raise funds for the March of Dimes.”
Prior to their stillbirth, the Schmidt’s first child, Francesca, now 8 years old, was born prematurely at another hospital in 2005 and developed an infection while in the hospital.
“Looking back at the complications we faced with Francesca and after losing our son, I knew I needed to get specialized care if we were to conceive again,” Mackenzie said. “A colleague recommended I see Dr. Oshiro. After meeting him I knew he was the right choice.”
Oshiro, along with his team at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center, monitored Schmidt during her pregnancy. Through their efforts, Mackenzie was able to continue her pregnancy until 37 weeks and Dominic has grown up to be a happy, healthy 5-year-old.
“It is my goal to ensure that expectant mothers and their babies get the best care possible,” said Oshiro. “With the support of the March of Dimes, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is able to implement the tools needed to support our goals resulting in happy, healthy babies like Dominic. I am so happy to work with fantastic people and organizations like the Schmidts and the March of Dimes.”
Christina Huyett, director of March of Dimes Inland Empire Division, emphasized how useful the funds raised by the Schmidt family will be to the March of Dimes.
“Funds raised for the March of Dimes will ensure that families have the tools they need in the event they need specialized perinatal care,” she said. “The Schmidt family has been amazing in their efforts and we are so thankful for all that they have done for the March of Dimes, which will ultimately benefit patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.”
After honoring Oshiro, representatives from the March of Dimes delivered Days of Gratitude Bags to nurses and physicians on three units at the hospital as a token of appreciation for all the hard work that is done in an effort to keep babies healthy. The Days of Gratitude Bags were delivered to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, Labor & Delivery, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
