Heap offers 'Hope' to Children at Franklin Square



Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap said he couldn't believe his eyes when he walked into the emergency room to visit children at Franklin Square Hospital Center several years ago.

Heap said he saw dedicated doctors, nurses and staff working diligently to care for the vast number of patients. At the same time, he was upset when he saw patients – especially children – being cared for in the hallways and basically any place there was an empty space available.

"There was just so many patients and nowhere to put them," said Heap, who joined the Ravens as a first-round pick in 2001. "I saw a hospital that needed help to reach its full potential."

That is why Heap, along with his wife, Ashley, pledged to raise $1 million to support the pediatric emergency department and inpatient unit at Franklin Square. Heap's commitment led to the formation of the Todd Heap Family Pediatric Center, which is part of the $175 million, 356,000-square-foot new tower the hospital officially opened last month.

"It's not about having my name on the building, but it's about helping kids and making a lasting impact on the community for people who need help," Heap said.

The new center has made an immediate impact at Franklin Square, which was the first Baltimore County hospital to open a pediatric emergency department in 2004. As part of his commitment to the hospital, Heap will host his third annual Heap of Hope benefit, set for Jan. 3 at the Hilton in Baltimore.

The past two events had more than 400 guests that included several Ravens players, such as Heap, Joe Flacco, Mark Clayton, Derrick Mason, Ed Reed, Jason Brown, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Quinn Sypniewski, David Hale, Matt Stover, Matt Katula, Haloti Ngata, Michael Oher, and Adam Terry.

Reed, a Pro Bowl safety, will be this year's event's guest of honor.

Shirley Steagall said she has already seen how the new pediatric center has made a difference at the hospital. The nurse manager of the pediatric emergency room said the center is more family-friendly, allows nurses and doctors to better care for patients and there is plenty of rooms which eliminates the need to place patients in the hallways.

Among the highlights of the Todd Heap Family Pediatric Center are:

• Larger, dedicated emergency department area with child-friendly intake and triage rooms.
• Doctors and nurses that are pediatric specialists who best understand the needs of children.
• Connected inpatient suite with larger rooms that can better accommodate families spending the night.

""We're able to do our job better now than ever before," said Stegall, who has been with the hospital for 30 years. "We're so grateful to the commitment Todd Heap has shown us."

Dr. Scott Krugman, chairman of pediatrics at Franklin Square, echoes Steagall's assessment.  He said having someone of Heap's name recognition is very beneficial with fundraising in an economy still reeling from a recession while also competing for dollars against such institutions as Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

"Having the new center has been especially beneficial for our inpatient children," Krugman said. "They are more comfortable now and in private rooms where their families can stay with them more comfortably. It's an honor to have someone like Todd Heap associated with the hospital. It's an endorsement of the quality care we offer at Franklin Square."

Heap said he knows times are tough, but is encouraging as many as people as possible to support the hospital.

"I want to be an example for my kids and show them what the right thing to do is when you are in a position to help," Heap said. "I've had a chance to walk through there and the difference is unbelievable.

"In these economic times, we're happy to have anyone there to show their support. Even in these times, it's important to make a difference if you have the means to do it."

To register for the event, contact Megan Doty at (410) 777-6410 or puchase ticket online by clicking here.