Date: Oct. 2, 2008

 

Contact: Sandy Dees, 455-8466 or 303-4115

 

 

 

 

$2 million gift from North American Rescue

 

GREENVILLE, SC -- Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) Children’s Hospital will launch a comprehensive autism program thanks to a $2 million gift from Greer-based North American Rescue. The innovative initiative will feature early diagnosis, treatment, whole-family support, research and community outreach.

 

The new program, which will include at least seven clinicians, will rival any in the nation, said Michael Riordan, GHS President and CEO. The $2 million gift is one of the largest ever received by GHS. He thanked North American Rescue CEO and founder Bob Castellani and wife, Dr. Lisa Castellani, for their extraordinary gift and friendship.

 

“Bob and Lisa have lived this struggle with their own autistic son and knew, first hand, the overwhelming needs that exist in our community,” he said. “This program will literally be a lifeline for parents struggling to help their children – not only here at GHS but in the broader community.”

 

More than 3,500 children with developmental-behavioral issues are treated each year at Children’s Hospital; last year, 25 percent were diagnosed with autism or related disorders such as Asperger syndrome. The number of children being diagnosed with autism is on track to be even greater for this year.

 

One of the immediate benefits of the program is to fast-track children ages 3 and under into an initial consultation in as little as three weeks. In the past, these appointments could take as long as three to six months to schedule because of high demand.

 

“It is vital that children experiencing problems related to autism be identified early and begin a comprehensive treatment program,” said Dr. Desmond Kelly, medical director of GHS’ nationally ranked Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. “Early intervention can make all the difference in the world.”

 

Highlights of the new program include the following:

 

The program, based at GHS’ Patewood Medical Campus, is already in the process of hiring additional clinicians. It will build on the groundwork laid by GHS’ Donald A. Gardner Family Center for Developing Minds, a developmental-behavioral pediatric program that began with a half-million dollar gift in 2005.

 

For the Castellanis, their decision was based on faith and on their own experience with an autistic child. The Castellanis also have a 7-year-old daughter, Rachel, who they described as a “wonderful big sister.”

 

Son Cole, almost 5, was adopted at age 15 months and diagnosed with autism at around 3. Dr. Castellani, a pediatrician, left her practice in order to ensure that Cole had the intense intervention he needed in order to achieve his full potential.

 

“We saw what great strides Cole was making because of his behavioral therapy – and knew that not every family could provide that kind of intensive therapy for their child,” said Dr. Castellani. “Cole had the advantage of having a pediatrician as a mother and working with an in-home therapist for six-to-eight hours a day. How many families have those kinds of resources? We believe that God brought Cole to us for a reason, and that there is a larger purpose to the whole situation. That purpose was to do something about autism, something greater than this one child.”

 

In addition to a complement of pediatricians, psychologists, speech and occupational therapists and family support specialists, the center will also feature an outreach component headed by Dr. Castellani herself. That position, however, will not be funded by the grant but as a separate expense by North American Rescue.

 

Dr. Castellani’s own experience with autism will resonate with families in similar situations. “With this condition, parents are looking at anything and everything for hope and knowledge. It can get really confusing,” she said. “Depending on where you are on the path, you may not hear what a medical professional has to say; you might be more apt to listen to the voice of someone who stands in both worlds.”

 

Brookwood Church, where the Castellanis attend, is also a partner in this program. As part of its community care outreach, the church identified a rising rate of autism as a critical need in the community. Complicating the autism diagnosis is the fact that divorce occurs in a high percentage of families with a special-needs child.

 

“The church was ideally positioned to strengthen families while providing services for autistic children,” said Dr. Castellani. Brookwood is already involved in ministry to special-needs persons on Sunday mornings and also sponsors family support and mentorship ministries.

 

The Brookwood program will provide an opportunity to conduct community-based research searching for the best methods to aid autistic children in the most cost-effective, wide-spread way possible. The models will be developed by GHS staff, Dr. Castellani and a Brookwood program manager whose salary will be funded by North American Rescue.

 

Brookwood senior pastor Perry Duggar said, “We want to develop a model with multiple components that churches can then modify and implement. If that happens, churches will be able to provide significant help to struggling families.”

 

Bob Castellani, a retired U.S. Air Force para-rescueman whose company designs and manufactures tactical medical and rescue equipment, credited businessman/philanthropist Bobby Dobson with their philanthropic decision. “Bobby and Beth Dobson are a great inspiration to us with their Elder Care ministry,” said Castellani.

 

Even with recent downturns in the economy, the Castellanis said they never questioned the decision.

 

“Regardless of economic conditions, we need to serve our community,” said Castellani. “It can be agreed that during the economic downturns, philanthropy is needed more than ever. Our lives have been blessed; we want to give back. It is simply no more than one neighbor loving another.”