 |
Andrew Reisner, M.D.,
and Jessica Jones |
ATLANTA (Feb. 28, 2013) - When a head-first fall left 14-year-old
Jessica Jones with a life-threatening traumatic brain injury in 2002, physicians estimated that there was less than a five percent chance she would survive. But after emergency surgery by
Dr. Andrew Reisner, M.D. and extensive rehabilitation, today Jessica is a graduate of Stanford University and in medical school at the Cleveland Clinic, following in the footsteps of her mentor, Dr. Reisner, the neurosurgeon who saved her life.
The Joneses are not the only family to have benefitted from Dr. Reisner's life saving work at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Over a career spanning 25 years helping children recover from traumatic brain injuries, Dr. Reisner has earned a large network of grateful families. To express their gratitude, the Joneses and several families established the
The Andrew Reisner, M.D. Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, which will focus on clinical investments that improve outcomes for children with traumatic brain injuries, as well as support research and training efforts that prevent injury and improve outcomes. Children's is actively recruiting additional
donations from the community; the fund has now collected over $60,000 in donations.
"I am deeply honored to receive such a generous gift from these special families through the establishment of this fund," said Dr. Reisner, the medical director for the Children's Neuro-Trauma Program and the
Children's Concussion Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "Stories like Jessica's of triumphing over life-threatening traumatic brain injury inspires my work every day. Through this fund, more children will be afforded the opportunity for second chances at life like Jessica had."
Trauma is the leading cause of death in children and teenagers, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Children younger than four years old and teenagers ages 15 to 19 are at the highest risk for traumatic brain injuries. Every year, traumatic brain injuries in children and teens result in more than 2,100 deaths, 35,000 hospitalizations and nearly 500,000 emergency department visits.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to making kids better today and healthier tomorrow. Our specialized care helps children get better faster and live healthier lives. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children’s is the largest healthcare provider for children in Georgia and one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S.News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information.
PRESS INQUIRIES:
Chrissie Eckhardt Gallentine
Public Relations, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
chrissie.eckhardt@choa.org
404-785-7614
DONATION INQUIRIES:
Chuck Otto
Senior Development Director, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation
1687 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
404-785-7302