Debbie Ogden
"Family-centered care is just as important for a family that only visits the hospital one time as it is for a family of a chronically ill child." -- Debbie Ogden
Debbie Ogden
Family Advisory Council member Debbie Ogden.
Debbie Ogden became a member of the Family Advisory Council at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center during April 2004. A single mother, Debbie has two children Ashley and Robbie. Her family has used Cincinnati Children's services since October 1988.
"I hope by sharing some of our experiences we can improve the services the hospital has to offer, thus improving the lives of any family that has to deal with a child that is sick or hurt," Debbie said. "Family-centered care is just as important for a family that only visits the hospital one time as it is for a family of a chronically ill child."
Debbie's oldest child Ashley is an athlete and has been a patient at the Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Clinic and a Pediatric Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery clinic.
Robbie is a child with special needs. "Robbie's primary diagnosis is partial trisomy #4. This chromosome abnormality has affected almost every system in his body, and he has become more and more medically involved as he has gotten older," Debbie said.
Robbie has had more than 30 surgeries -- including an ileostomy revision, a tracheostomy and a spinal fusion -- during his life; his first surgery occurred when he was just 15 days old.
Robbie has been a patient in many Cincinnati Children's departments, services and programs, including Pediatric Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery; Ophthalmology; Pulmonary and Allergy; Dental; Neurology; Urology; Orthopaedic Surgery; Occupational Therapy / Physicial Therapy; Cardiology; Infectious Diseases; Developmental Disabilities; Genetics; Psychology; and the Parent-Infant Nurturing Group Program / PING.
"We also have all of his durable medical equipment supplies delivered from Cincinnati Children's each month, along with Home Health Care pharmacy supplies and the outpatient pharmacy is used to compound many of Robbie's medicines that cannont be compounded at our local pharmacy," Debbie said.
"We have had many good experiences and have received much help from many doctors and support staff in helping us understand Robbie's disabilities and medical conditions," Debbie said. "The entire staff has been very supportive and helped us to provide Robbie the best care."
"Being part of the Family Advisory Council is a great feeling," Debbie said. "It is good to know that by sharing your experiences you are able to help other families and staff members. I truly believe Cincinnati Children's wants to provide the best family-centered care in the country, and they are willing to listen to parents experiences to provide this."
An active member of the Family Advisory Council Debbie is a member of the Tobacco-Free Initiative Subcommittee.
