NBC DFW: Scottish Rite, UTSW Awarded $6.6 Million for Scoliosis Research

NBC DFW: Scottish Rite, UTSW Awarded $6.6 Million for Scoliosis Research

by | Jul 18, 2022 | Press Coverage, Research & Innovation

Researchers at Scottish Rite for Children and UT Southwestern were awarded $6.6 million over five years by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue research into the underlying causes of idiopathic scoliosis.

The grant which was announced by Scottish Rite Tuesday will fund a multisite program titled “Developmental Mechanisms of Idiopathic Scoliosis.” The goal of the program is to understand the biological causes of idiopathic scoliosis to develop future treatments.

Read the entire article.

Caring for the Communities They Serve

Caring for the Communities They Serve

by | Jul 2, 2022 | Spotlight

Article previously published in Rite Up, 2022 – Issue 1.

Scottish Rite for Children is not the only organization celebrating a major milestone. Twenty years ago, H-E-B opened its first Central Market in Dallas at Lovers Lane and Greenville Avenue. Another connection between the two — sharing an unwavering commitment to help strengthen the communities they serve. H-E-B/Central Market and its president, Stephen Butt and his wife, Susan, have worked with Scottish Rite for Children for many years

“The quality of the team and the clarity of its mission have made it very easy to build the strong partnership with Scottish Rite that we have now enjoyed for the past 20 years,” Stephen says. “Our relationship began to grow as we saw firsthand the strong care and compassion they showed for these children and families — a long-standing trait of Scottish Rite.

The Butts and H-E-B/Central Market have been steadfast community partners to cities around Texas. Donating 5% of pre-tax annual earnings to charitable organizations, the company has given more than $10 million to the surrounding areas

”The amazing depth and breadth of Stephen and Susan’s unyielding commitment is remarkable,” Vice President of Development Stephanie Brigger says. “They’ve provided strong leadership for our special events and introduced countless friends to Scottish Rite.

In 2012, the Butts and their good friends Betsy and Richard Eiseman, Jr. were co-chairs of Scottish Rite’s signature event, Treasure Street. Behind the scenes, the couple has hosted fun-filled patient activities as well as provided tremendous support to our staff. “They have gone the extra mile over and over again,” Brigger says. “They have catered and served delicious meals to our teams and given overflowing bags of groceries to brighten the holidays for our staff and their families.

For more than a decade, Central Market has hosted The Foodie Classic Golf Tournament, which provides H-E-B/Central Market suppliers an opportunity to support Scottish Rite as well. The tournament has raised more than $1.2 million directly benefiting patient care

“Susan and Stephen Butt have been wonderful friends of Scottish Rite,” Assistant Chief of Staff and Foundation President Karl E. Rathjen, M.D., says. “They have always been ready to ‘answer the call’ for our patients and their families. Their loving, inclusive leadership is reflected every time you step into Central Market. I am always amazed at the similarities of our two organizations’ team members — great people who love what they do and go out of the way to serve others!

“Scottish Rite for Children holds a special place in the hearts of its many supporters,” Stephen says. “We are proud of the relationship we are building with Scottish Rite, through H-E-B/Central Market as well as personally, and we look forward to our partnership with Scottish Rite continuing to grow into the future.

Congratulations to H-E-B/Central Market as it has broken ground on four new H-E-B locations in Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Forney. We are grateful for the support of Stephen and Susan Butt and H-E-B/Central Market and can’t wait for the next 100 years of serving the community united together.

Read the full issue.

U.S. News & World Report: Best Children’s Hospitals for Orthopedics

U.S. News & World Report: Best Children’s Hospitals for Orthopedics

by | Jul 1, 2022 | General News, Press Coverage

U.S. News & World Report ranked Scottish Rite for Children, in collaboration with Children’s Medical Center Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center, as the No. 3 pediatric orthopedic program in the country in 2022. In 2013 – 2014, this same group was ranked No. 1 and has continued to place in the top five each year.

Check out the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals for Orthopedics rankings.

Innovative Spinal Surgery Techniques for Scoliosis

Innovative Spinal Surgery Techniques for Scoliosis

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Scoliosis & Spine

In scoliosis patients with a significant curve of 50 degrees or more, spinal surgery is often the best treatment option. Surgery is also an option for scoliosis patients who did not achieve success with bracing. At Scottish Rite for Children, we offer multiple types of surgery to correct scoliosis including spinal fusions, as well as new and innovative methods like vertebral body tethering (VBT) and the magnetically controlled growing rods, also known as MAGEC rods, for children that are still growing.  Learn more about the different types of spinal surgery offered at Scottish Rite below.

Spinal Fusion
The most common surgery performed to treat scoliosis is called a spinal fusion. In a spinal fusion, the curved vertebrae are fused together to create a single, solid bone. This stops the growth in the abnormal part of the spine and prevents the curve from worsening. Metal rods attached by screws are used to hold the spine in place until the bone heals. In all spinal fusions, a bone graft is used to help promote the fusion and the bones grow together to create one solid bone.

  • Patients who have a spinal fusion will see an immediate improvement in the curve of their spine. This surgery also prevents the spine’s curve from progressing over time.
  • Most patients have a recovery period of about six weeks, during which some activities like bending or heavy lifting must be limited.
  • Following a spinal fusion, most patients can return to their normal activities after recovery, which usually is about four to six months.
  • In most cases, patients who undergo a spinal fusion do not require any additional surgeries.

Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)
VBT is a surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis in growing children. This surgery technique uses a strong, flexible cord that is attached to the spine with screws and anchors and as a child grows, their spine will straighten over time. The cord encourages the spine to straighten as the patient grows. Vertebral body tethering is a growth modulation treatment that takes advantage of the spine’s natural growth. Growth modulation means modifying the normal growth patterns through tethering. The tether is placed along the curved side of the spine. This tether is used to slow down the growth of the curved side of the spine while the untethered side continues to grow. By using a tether, the spine can continue to bend and flex. It is not a fusion procedure which is an advantage of pursuing this treatment.

  • VBT is an ideal treatment for children with idiopathic scoliosis who have curves of 30 to 65 degrees and who have significant bone growth remaining.
  • Unlike a spinal fusion, VBT allows for greater mobility and flexibility of the spine.
  • VBT surgery is less invasive than a spinal fusion and involves a shorter recovery time. In most cases, patients can return to most activities within three to four weeks after the surgery.
  • Unless a concern with the tether develops, the implants will not need to be removed once placed by the surgeon.

MAGEC (MAGnetic Expansion Control) System ®
A MAGEC rod is a growing device technique used for patients diagnosed with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) – children under the age of 10. In comparison to a spinal fusion, this is a less invasive, innovative treatment that reduces the number of surgeries a child must undergo. Once the surgery has been performed and the MAGEC rod is in place, the back must heal for about four to six months. Once the spine has healed, then the patient will return to the clinic for his or her first lengthening session. During lengthening, the physician will use a magnetic wand to locate the magnets inside the MAGEC rod and make a mark on the back. Using an External Remote Control (ERC) device, the doctor will then lengthen the rod with a noninvasive adjustment. An X-ray or ultrasound of the spine is then used to confirm the procedure’s success.

  • The MAGEC rod is ideal for patients under the age of 10 who have a curve approaching 50 degrees and other forms of treatment (i.e. bracing, casting) have not been successful.
  • Children may need several lengthening sessions over time to achieve proper results.
  • During the ongoing lengthening sessions, children may remain active and continue all their favorite activities.
  • Lengthening sessions do not typically cause pain and additional surgeries are not usually required.

Each surgical technique has different uses and not all types of surgery will be the right fit for every patient. It is important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor to learn what will work best for your child.

Learn more about scoliosis treatment and surgery at Scottish Rite for Children.

Get to Know our Staff: Dana Dempsey, Therapeutic Recreation

Get to Know our Staff: Dana Dempsey, Therapeutic Recreation

by | Jun 29, 2022 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?  
As director of the Therapeutic Recreation department, I make sure my team has the resources and support they need to provide therapeutic recreation services to our patients. Therapeutic recreation services include inpatient interventions, outpatient interventions and community outreach programs, such as camps, All-Star Tennis and the Learn to Golf program. I also provide direct patient care when my teammates are occupied with other patients.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?  
Each day is a little different, depending on variables like how many inpatients are in the unit, clinic schedules, project meetings and preparations for community outreach programs. On a typical day, I can find myself meeting with a patient and parent in the clinic, prepping for camps or pulling golf clubs and confirming instructors for Learn to Golf clinics.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job at Scottish Rite for Children was as the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator. In 1997, Scottish Rite opened the Jas. F. Chambers Jr. Youth Fitness Park, and I had the privilege of using that park as a tool. At the time, we didn’t have a therapeutic recreation department. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by wonderful colleagues while developing therapeutic recreation programs that provide a variety of services for our patients. Prior to coming to Scottish Rite, I provided therapeutic recreation services in mental health settings for about 10 years. This October, I celebrate 25 years at Scottish Rite.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
“Our patients” is the easiest answer. But beyond the patients, I’ve developed some close friendships with other staff members that bring amazing joy to my life. People – they are important. At Scottish Rite, that message comes through.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know. 
Although I run a junior golf program for our patients and approximately 50% of my job is devoted to Learn to Golf, I’m lucky if I get to play golf three to four times a year! Most folks think I play golf all the time. 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
I find most places I go very interesting. It’s a toss-up between Addo Elephant Park in South Africa or sailing in the British Virgin Islands. However, I find that my own backyard is really interesting, too!

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I’m not much of a spectator. I love to play golf!

What’s one fun fact about yourself? 
I’ll get to be a part of history because I am going to be at the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open in Pinehurst on July 18 – 20, 2022. Because of the Learn to Golf program, I’ve become friends with several adaptive golfers who are in the Championship Field.