Press Release: Children’s Nebraska Patient Family to Visit Congress, Advocate for Pediatric Healthcare at CHA Family Advocacy Day

OMAHA, Neb. — A patient family from Children’s Nebraska, the region’s pediatric healthcare leader, will attend the 21st annual Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) Family Advocacy Day event, June 3-5, in Washington, D.C. Nine-year-old patient Sloan Rieke and her parents, Brandon and Summer Rieke of Union, Neb., will attend this year’s visit to Capitol Hill.

A gathering of dozens of patient families from member hospitals and healthcare systems, Family Advocacy Day allows families to meet with members of Congress to advocate for important legislation that ensures access to high-quality pediatric healthcare. This year, a priority will be to highlight the importance of access to specialized pediatric care and increasing the pediatric healthcare workforce.

The Riekes will meet with Sen. Deb Fischer, Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Mike Flood and representatives from the offices of Sen. Pete Ricketts and Rep. Don Bacon. The family will share their experiences and discuss the role Children’s Nebraska serves for communities across the region and the unique health challenges pediatric patient families face, all to help shape policy impacting children and families across the country. They also will discuss investments to support strengthening pediatric care, including Medicaid.

Sloan was just 2 weeks old when a routine visit to the pediatrician revealed a heart murmur. An echocardiogram at Children’s Nebraska’s Dr. C.C. and Mabel Criss Heart Center confirmed the unexpected news: Sloan had been born with a rare, serious congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. The condition required open heart surgical repair, and Children’s team of pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery experts provided the highest-quality care for a positive outcome.

“There are so many things Children’s has made possible for us,” Sloan’s mother, Summer, said. “Sloan is thriving and living a normal life thanks to the care we received. She is able to participate in dance and keep up with her siblings, and that gives us so much peace of mind.”

By sharing their story, the Riekes hope to encourage Congress to strengthen the pediatric healthcare system so that all children have timely access to highly specialized care.

“We are grateful to the Rieke family for thoughtfully sharing their experience at CHA Family Advocacy Day and representing the many children and families we serve,” Children’s Nebraska President & CEO Chanda Chacón, MPH, FACHE, said. “It’s important for our federal policymakers to hear the unique needs and realities of pediatric patients and families, and this annual gathering provides an opportunity for conversation and greater understanding. Advocacy is a core value in Children’s mission, and pediatric healthcare is fundamental to improving the lives of children and families across our communities.”