Nashville, Tenn.\u2014The Iroquois Steeplechase, sponsored by Bank of America and benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt, announced the 2024 honorary race chair, co-chairs, child ambassador, and official artist at its annual kick-off event on April 11.<\/p>\n
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Kathy Jabs, MD, was announced as the honorary co-chair at the event. She serves as associate professor of Pediatrics, chief of the Division of Pediatric Nephrology, and medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Monroe Carell.<\/p>\n
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She is a member of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology and serves on its Clinical Affairs and Practice Management Committee. Dr. Jabs was recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Transplantation in 2016, a designation that honors those members who have demonstrated both an exceptional commitment to the field of transplantation, as well as outstanding service to the American Society of Transplantation. As medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Monroe Carell, she serves many patients, including those at high risk who may not be candidates for transplantation at other medical centers.<\/p>\n
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This year\u2019s Child Ambassador, Everett, was also announced at the kick-off event. At birth, Everett was diagnosed with a rare condition called Eagle-Barrett syndrome, also known as prune belly syndrome. The condition is characterized by underdeveloped abdominal muscles and includes urinary tract and kidney complications. Before he was born, doctors anticipated that he would require a kidney transplant. Despite lacking a complete set of abdominal muscles, he managed to achieve milestones like sitting up, crawling, and walking because of early intervention through physical therapy.<\/p>\n
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Everett spent much of his early life at Monroe Carell between his time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and undergoing multiple surgeries. In June 2023, on his third birthday, he received a kidney transplant, with his father, Matthew, as his donor.<\/p>\n
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All was going well with Everett\u2019s recovery until the day before he was to be discharged from the hospital. He developed a fever, and doctors discovered that the kidney was failing. After a few weeks of trying to save the kidney, doctors removed it, and Everett started on dialysis.<\/p>\n
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Everett unfortunately suffered damage to his heart during the process of working to save the kidney and transitioning to dialysis. He has been on peritoneal dialysis since November 2023, and once his heart recovers, he can be added to the list for another kidney transplant.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe feel like Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt has been a part of our family since day one,\u201d says Everett\u2019s mom, Margaret. \u201cWe are so grateful to have this hospital close by and for the care we have received. We have always been confident in Everett\u2019s care team.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Today, Everett is 3 years old, and he exudes joy, curiosity, and an unyielding love for life. His visits to the hospital still fill him with excitement, and he has developed a very robust medical vocabulary and knowledge of the medical procedures he undergoes. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up and is an enthusiast of vehicles of all kinds.<\/p>\n
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In addition to Dr. Jabs and Everett, the Iroquois Steeplechase also announced Mr. and Mrs. Frank Davis as the race\u2019s 2024 co-chairs. Currently residing in Lynnville, Tennessee, the Davises have deep ties to the legendary Rite of Spring<\/em>. Mr. Davis is a Nashville native, growing up within walking distance of Vanderbilt University. His wife, Dorothy, is originally from Tallahassee, Florida. The couple has been married for 58 years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two have been involved with the Iroquois Steeplechase for decades. Beginning in the early-1980\u2019s, Frank and Dorothy began their involvement by serving as patrol judges and trophy distributors. During the mid-1980s, Frank worked the scales of the race before moving on to serve as a timer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Iroquois Steeplechase means so much to us and our family,\u201d said Dorothy Davis, \u201cIt is such a unique sport, and I did not grow up around the horse racing industry, so it has been a learning experience every year.\u201d In addition to the leadership roles the Davises have served under, the Iroquois Steeplechase has been a family affair. \u201cBeginning at a very young age, our family has been involved every step of the way. The Steeplechase allowed us to watch our children grow up in such a wonderful organization before we even started working the race, we would often take a picnic and sit on the hill and just watch.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Steeplechase helps Nashville and the children at Monroe Carell, and we are very fortunate to have such a great organization located within our community,\u201d said Frank Davis. \u201cThe Steeplechase means hope for many within the Nashville community, and our family is proud to be involved with such a generous and wonderful organization.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lynne Thompson, the artist for the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase, pays homage to her late husband, Gary Thompson, of 53 years through her featured artwork. Thompson’s lifelong love for horses led her to engage with the Steeplechase in various roles – from spectator and photographer to jump judge and tower volunteer. She underscores the event’s significance, especially its charitable contribution to Monroe Carell. Thompson attributes the continued success of the Steeplechase to its rich heritage and the dedicated volunteers who work diligently behind the scenes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Steeplechase is important to me because of the annual contribution it makes to Monroe Carell. It is because of its proud history and because of the camaraderie of volunteers working diligently behind the scenes, that the Steeplechase remains alive and well. Thanks to the chairman, the turf managers, the attending veterinarians, the jockeys, the spectators, the people who deliver the ice, and others, it thrives as a well-run institution said Lynne Thompson.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Steeplechase highlights not only the exhilaration of the sport of horse racing but also the annual contribution of charitable donations to deserving organizations across Nashville and Tennessee. The 2024 race looks to contribute even more this year than in years past. Each ticket and tailgate purchase contributes to these well-deserving organizations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n About Iroquois Steeplechase<\/strong><\/p>\n The Iroquois Steeplechase is a full day of racing at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN.\u00a0The mission of the Iroquois Steeplechase is to manage and produce an annual world-class horse race that benefits Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other local community non-profits, as well as promote the sport of steeplechasing.\u00a0To learn more about Steeplechase, visit\u00a0www.iroquoissteeplechase.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, treating and helping to prevent a full range of pediatric health issues from colds and broken bones to complex heart diseases and cancer. Achieving 10 out of 10 nationally ranked pediatric specialties in 2023, Monroe Carell was again named among the nation\u2019s \u201cBest Children\u2019s Hospitals\u201d for the 17th<\/sup> consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report<\/em>. Additionally, the hospital earned the distinction as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in Tennessee, and for the third year shares first place in the Southeast Region. Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and recently added four new floors encompassing 160,000 total sq. ft. The new expansion helps to advance the size and scope of the hospital’s mission. For more information,\u00a0Click Here<\/a>.<\/p>\n sponsored by Bank of America and benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt, announced the 2024 honorary race chair, co-chairs, child ambassador, and official artist at its annual kick-off event on April 11.<\/p>\n Kathy Jabs, MD, was announced as the honorary co-chair at the event. She serves as associate professor of Pediatrics, chief of the Division of Pediatric Nephrology, and medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Monroe Carell.<\/p>\n She is a member of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology and serves on its Clinical Affairs and Practice Management Committee. Dr. Jabs was recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Transplantation in 2016, a designation that honors those members who have demonstrated both an exceptional commitment to the field of transplantation, as well as outstanding service to the American Society of Transplantation. As medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Monroe Carell, she serves many patients, including those at high risk who may not be candidates for transplantation at other medical centers.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Child Ambassador, Everett, was also announced at the kick-off event. At birth, Everett was diagnosed with a rare condition called Eagle-Barrett syndrome, also known as prune belly syndrome. The condition is characterized by underdeveloped abdominal muscles and includes urinary tract and kidney complications. Before he was born, doctors anticipated that he would require a kidney transplant. Despite lacking a complete set of abdominal muscles, he managed to achieve milestones like sitting up, crawling, and walking because of early intervention through physical therapy.<\/p>\n Everett spent much of his early life at Monroe Carell between his time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and undergoing multiple surgeries. In June 2023, on his third birthday, he received a kidney transplant, with his father, Matthew, as his donor.<\/p>\n All was going well with Everett\u2019s recovery until the day before he was to be discharged from the hospital. He developed a fever, and doctors discovered that the kidney was failing. After a few weeks of trying to save the kidney, doctors removed it, and Everett started on dialysis.<\/p>\n Everett unfortunately suffered damage to his heart during the process of working to save the kidney and transitioning to dialysis. He has been on peritoneal dialysis since November 2023, and once his heart recovers, he can be added to the list for another kidney transplant.<\/p>\n \u201cWe feel like Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt has been a part of our family since day one,\u201d says Everett\u2019s mom, Margaret. \u201cWe are so grateful to have this hospital close by and for the care we have received. We have always been confident in Everett\u2019s care team.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, Everett is 3 years old, and he exudes joy, curiosity, and an unyielding love for life. His visits to the hospital still fill him with excitement, and he has developed a very robust medical vocabulary and knowledge of the medical procedures he undergoes. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up and is an enthusiast of vehicles of all kinds.<\/p>\n In addition to Dr. Jabs and Everett, the Iroquois Steeplechase also announced Mr. and Mrs. Frank Davis as the race\u2019s 2024 co-chairs. Currently residing in Lynnville, Tennessee, the Davises have deep ties to the legendary Rite of Spring<\/em>. Mr. Davis is a Nashville native, growing up within walking distance of Vanderbilt University. His wife, Dorothy, is originally from Tallahassee, Florida. The couple has been married for 58 years.<\/p>\n The two have been involved with the Iroquois Steeplechase for decades. Beginning in the early-1980\u2019s, Frank and Dorothy began their involvement by serving as patrol judges and trophy distributors. During the mid-1980s, Frank worked the scales of the race before moving on to serve as a timer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Iroquois Steeplechase means so much to us and our family,\u201d said Dorothy Davis, \u201cIt is such a unique sport, and I did not grow up around the horse racing industry, so it has been a learning experience every year.\u201d In addition to the leadership roles the Davises have served under, the Iroquois Steeplechase has been a family affair. \u201cBeginning at a very young age, our family has been involved every step of the way. The Steeplechase allowed us to watch our children grow up in such a wonderful organization before we even started working the race, we would often take a picnic and sit on the hill and just watch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Steeplechase helps Nashville and the children at Monroe Carell, and we are very fortunate to have such a great organization located within our community,\u201d said Frank Davis. \u201cThe Steeplechase means hope for many within the Nashville community, and our family is proud to be involved with such a generous and wonderful organization.\u201d<\/p>\n Lynne Thompson, the artist for the 2024 Iroquois Steeplechase, pays homage to her late husband, Gary Thompson, of 53 years through her featured artwork. Thompson’s lifelong love for horses led her to engage with the Steeplechase in various roles – from spectator and photographer to jump judge and tower volunteer. She underscores the event’s significance, especially its charitable contribution to Monroe Carell. Thompson attributes the continued success of the Steeplechase to its rich heritage and the dedicated volunteers who work diligently behind the scenes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Steeplechase is important to me because of the annual contribution it makes to Monroe Carell. It is because of its proud history and because of the camaraderie of volunteers working diligently behind the scenes, that the Steeplechase remains alive and well. Thanks to the chairman, the turf managers, the attending veterinarians, the jockeys, the spectators, the people who deliver the ice, and others, it thrives as a well-run institution said Lynne Thompson.<\/p>\n The Steeplechase highlights not only the exhilaration of the sport of horse racing but also the annual contribution of charitable donations to deserving organizations across Nashville and Tennessee. The 2024 race looks to contribute even more this year than in years past. Each ticket and tailgate purchase contributes to these well-deserving organizations.<\/p>\n About Iroquois Steeplechase<\/strong><\/p>\n The Iroquois Steeplechase is a full day of racing at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN.\u00a0The mission of the Iroquois Steeplechase is to manage and produce an annual world-class horse race that benefits Monroe Carell Jr. Children\u2019s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other local community non-profits, as well as promote the sport of steeplechasing.\u00a0To learn more about Steeplechase, visit\u00a0www.iroquoissteeplechase.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n