Ways You Can Help

Annual Advocacy Day & Awards Program

“Working on Behalf of Children’s Health”

Children’s Hospital of Richmond hosts an Annual Advocacy Day, bringing in experts to speak on topics related to children’s health and how advocacy can make an impact.

During the Advocacy Day Program, the winner of the hospital’s Spirit of Advocacy Award is presented, recognizing a parent or family member of a Children’s Hospital of Richmond patient for their efforts in advocating for children’s health.

For information about this year’s Children’s Hospital of Richmond Annual Advocacy Day & Awards Program or our Advocacy efforts, please contact Laura Carter at lacarter@chva.org or 228-5921.

Children’s Hospital of Richmond is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Advocacy Awards. Click here to download a nomination form >>

Spirit of Advocacy Awards

The awards were created in 2004 by Children’s Hospital of Richmond to formally recognize a family or family member of a Children’s Hospital of Richmond patient for their efforts in advocating for the health care needs of their child or the broader needs of children of the community. In 2005 a Community Partner Award was added to recognize the efforts of professionals who use their position and skills to advocate for children’s healthcare. Winners for both awards will have taken a positive action in regard to some aspect of advocating for legislative or safety initiatives, influencing funding sources or new program development, obtaining healthcare services for children, influencing improvements to the community for children with special health care needs, and/or suggesting improvements to health care services.

2010 Award Winners

Children’s Hospital of Richmond announced the winners of its 2010 Spirit of Advocacy Awards during the annual Advocacy Day program held at the hospital on Oct. 13. Kevin and Donna Rush were honored with the Family Award, and Kara Coffman and Kathy Poffenberger received the Community Partner Award.

The Rush family was nominated for their extraordinary efforts advocating for their son, Blake and all children with disabilities. Blake was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect in which the bones of the spine do not completely form. Their family recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to join patients and families from children’s hospitals across the country. Blake and his family met with Senator Mark R. Warner, Congressman Bobby Scott, and representatives from the offices of Congressmen Eric Cantor and J. Randy Forbes. The Rush family shared their story and lobbied the need for pediatric specialists, discussed issues associated with access to care and explained the importance of a strong Medicaid program. They vow to never stop using their voice to speak up and speak out for all children with disabilities.

Developmental Specialists at The Greater Richmond ARC’s Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS), Cara Coffman and Kathy Poffenberger were recognized for providing educational services and supports targeted to meet the needs of children (ages 0-3) with cognitive delays, speech delays, motor delays and many other concerns or disabilities. Daily, you will see Cara and Kathy traveling around the community visiting children and their families in homes, at childcare centers and other natural environment locations. They also help operate a developmental playgroup for children receiving early intervention services so the children can play, learn and spend time with typically developing peers. Cara and Kathy have worked with hundreds of children and continue to make the lives of those they serve better. They actively advocate for the needs of all children with disabilities and influence services through a solid commitment and dedication to infants, toddlers and their families.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.