St. Luke's Children's

In moments of crisis, every second counts. The Air St. Luke’s Maternal-Child Critical Care Transport team, known as MatCh, is always on standby, ready to respond to emergencies.

After a normal term delivery, Becca and Adam Babbitt welcomed home their newborn baby Abrum. However, a concerning turn of events unfolded on the fifth day when he wouldn't wake up from a nap, leading to a frantic rush to Meridian ED amid fears of seizures.

The swift response of the MatCh team brought relief, clarifying that the episodes were not indicative of seizures. The baby received care at St. Luke’s NICU, where thorough assessments ruled out seizure activity. After a reassuring NICU stay, the family returned home, with a diagnosis obtained after rounds of genetic testing.

Today, Abrum, now thriving at 11 months old, serves as a testament to the exceptional care provided by Air St. Luke’s and the NICU during this challenging period.

In a heartfelt reunion earlier this year, the Babbitts expressed profound gratitude to the Air St. Luke’s MatCh team crew Jen Lucey and Lindsey Weimer for their rapid response, unwavering dedication and support throughout a trying time.

Please join us Thursday, April 3 for an open house at the Ada County Victims Services Center followed by St. Luke's CARES Night at The Flicks, a fundraiser and screening of the documentary “Rewind,” which follows one family’s reckoning with child abuse. You'll also hear from "Rewind" director Sasha Joseph Neulinger. April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Seating is limited so get your tickets today!

Thursday, April 3
Open house: 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ada County Victims Services Center, 417 S. 6th Street in Boise.
"Rewind" screening: 7 p.m. at The Flicks, 646 W. Fulton Street in Boise.
Cost: $5

More info can be found here: https://stlukesonline.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/CARESNightatTheFlicks2025/tabid/1525066/Default.aspx

Celebrating the heart of pediatric care this Child Life Month! 💜 Join us in recognizing Jessica Hardy, whose even-keel and sense of calm bring comfort to young patients and their families every day.

She has been a Child Life specialist at St. Luke’s for 22 years. Working on Peds/PICU for 10 years and at the Children's Cancer Institute for 12 years.

“I love being able to see my patients work through something they are scared to do and find a way to process, cope and feel successful,” Jessica says.

Child Life specialists are child development experts that utilize that knowledge in the health care setting to minimize the stress a child may experience, through education, preparation and normalization, while keeping in mind what is developmentally appropriate for the child/adolescent.

Jessica's ability to connect with young children goes beyond play and highlights a unique talent.

“I can understand toddlers with incredible accuracy, it's almost like a foreign language sometimes,” she says.

🌟

St. Luke's Children's Hospital recently got some visitors who appeared to be from a galaxy far, far away, but were in fact right nearby.

A Star Wars costuming group paid a visit to the kids at the hospital, among them Christopher W**d, a member of St. Luke's Data & Analytics department.

W**d said the visitors included members of the 501st, Rebel Legion and Mando Mercs groups.

“We create costumes that are ‘screen accurate’ – meaning we could walk on set to a Star Wars movie, not as a main character but as someone in the far background – and then we volunteer our time to help charity events and nonprofit groups,” W**d said.

“Visiting the Children’s Hospital is a big deal to a lot of members because it allows us to bring a smile to faces that otherwise find it difficult to smile while at the hospital. Star Wars is something that transcends age and everyone, from young to old, likes something about Star Wars.”

Scoring big for St. Luke's: Boise State, MACU team up to give $14,500 to support kids.

During the 2024-25 season, Boise State Men's Basketball and Mountain America Credit Union teamed up to make an impact for St. Luke’s Children’s.

For every 3-pointer the Broncos made, Mountain America donated $50 to support local kids. Thanks to a great season that saw the Broncos reach the Mountain West championship, that added up to an impressive $14,500 — presented to St. Luke’s Children’s and Foundation staff at the final home game on March 7.

Since 2017, Mountain America has donated more than $139,500 to St. Luke’s Children’s, a huge win for our community’s kids! Thank you to Boise State and Mountain America for being a great team on and off the court!

Sweeten Free Cone Day Dairy Queen with a $1 dip! 🍦 On March 20, add a dip to your FREE small cone and help support kids at your local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals member hospital (That's us!). A little extra treat goes a long way! 💛

March is all about honoring our amazing Child Life team! Today, we’re recognizing Hallie Chancellor for her compassionate work in helping kids cope through play, education, and emotional support.

Hallie is coming up on two years as the child life specialist in Magic Valley. She’s been a specialist for about 10 years. Her favorite part of the job is empowering children and families through their journey in the hospital.

“We are an integral part of the team of helping children navigate fears through use of play, distraction, and age-appropriate preparation,” Hallie says. “I'm like Mary Poppins here in the hospital having a bag full of stuff to help children cope.”

🏥💙 Thank you for all you do!

March is Child Life Month. Meet Child Life Specialist Denise Rayburn:

"I have worked at St. Luke’s for 25 years. The first 22 years were spent working on pediatrics and the PICU. I did a short time at the Idaho Elks Children’s Pavilion and have spent the last two years in helping prepare patients for going back to surgery. I also work with patients having endoscopies and VCUGs.

"I love it when I help an anxious child or teen get through a hard procedure and have them come through it feeling more confident. I’ve been told by patients and staff that I have a calming voice which can help lower anxiety.

"Child life is unique in its job role. Using play, as well as other coping modalities, to help a child or teen cope with the hospital experience is specific to child life. We are the only ones whose sole job is to focus on how the patient and family are coping while in the hospital."

The students at Caldwell High School recently hosted a Cause Week where they selected five nonprofit organizations to raise funds for throughout the week.

St. Luke’s Children’s and St. Luke’s Clinic – Center for Pancreatic and Liver Diseases were selected as beneficiaries.

In its 19th year, the school's Cause Week helped raise more than $6,000 for the five selected charities.

St. Luke's Health Foundation had the honor of attending the assembly to accept the donation check and personally thank these incredible students for their generosity. It’s so inspiring to see young people so dedicated to giving back to their community.

Thank you, Caldwell High, for supporting St. Luke’s and other local nonprofits — your impact is truly felt!

March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the incredible work of child life specialists at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. For 32 years, these “Purple Angels” (a name given by a parent for the specialists, who stand out in wearing purple at the hospital) have brought comfort, joy and understanding to patients and families.

According to the Association of Child Life Professionals, child life specialists “provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures and education to reduce fear, anxiety and pain.”

Join us this month as we celebrate the impact of child life specialists and the difference they make every day at St. Luke’s Children’s! Stay tuned for more about these incredible caregivers. 💜

In the picture: Kyla Krieger, Denise Rayburn, Hank Showalter, Megan Decelles, Bianca Arbuckle: Front row: Sarah Berkowitz, Panther, and Jessica Hardy.

On Saturday, March 1, Barnes & Noble in Boise hosted a book fair, with customers able to support St. Luke's Children's with provided vouchers.

It was a fun-filled, busy day with a line of customers throughout. Kids got the chance to play games, win prizes, color, make arts and crafts and all who visited got to learn about what makes St. Luke's Children's a special place by meeting some of our amazing team members!

The event also helped kick off the National Education Association's Read Across America week, which is March 2-6.

Clarity Credit Union and Spirit Halloween both visited St. Luke's Children's Hospital for check presentations for their annual fundraising efforts.

Clarity celebrated its 25th year supporting St. Luke's kids and is a proud Children's Miracle Network partner through the Credit Unions for Kids Program. Spirit Halloween recently came in for a check presentation from its annual fundraising, when customers can donate via checkout.

The two businesses donated more than $136,000 combined!

Oh, the places you’ll go—to Barnes & Noble, you know!

Join St. Luke's Children's on March 1 from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Boise Barnes & Noble to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with fun for the whole family!

• Meet Children's specialists who care
• Enjoy story time led by our Children’s leaders
• Play Seuss-tastic games
• Shop with our voucher to support St. Luke’s Children’s

Every purchase helps make a difference—thanks to readers like YOU! 💙

📍 Barnes & Noble – See you there!

In December, the St. Luke's child life team hosted what has become an annual tradition with its Drive-In Movie Night in Caldwell for patients and their families.

This year's movie was “The Santa Clause,” so naturally, Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to take photos with anyone interested. There also were tables set up for holiday craftmaking and cookie decorations before the movie began.

Optimist Youth Football and Cheer Community Outreach Club helped make the event a success and so much fun, despite the fog and rainy weather.

Spreading love and joy this Valentine's Day! 💖 A huge thank you to our incredible Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Partner, Boise State Phi Mu, for delivering handmade Valentines for our patients at St. Luke’s Children’s. Your thoughtful gesture is sure to make this Valentine’s extra special! 💌

Did you see this? Don't go "Alone" even if you're "Tempted."

Thank you ExtraMile Arena, Heart and Squeeze for supporting St. Luke’s Children’s and pediatric cardiology! 💙❤️

Idaho Steelheads' weekend supporting St. Luke's Children's helps raise more than $32,000.

On Dec. 20 and 21, the Idaho Steelheads continued their tradition of wearing special jerseys and hosting a fundraiser for St. Luke's Children's Hospital.

The weekend, including a jersey auction, raised more than $32,000 to benefit the hospital's work. Since the tradition began in the 1997-98 season, the auction has raised $712,000.

Two St. Luke's kids dropped the puck before each game. Plus, some of the Steelheads' players dropped by St. Luke's Children's wearing their special jerseys to visit with kids.

Coming up soon (Jan. 24 and 25), the Steelheads will again be taking part in another St. Luke's-supporting effort with their annual ‘Pink in the Rink’ weekend.