CMN at Children's National's Corporate Partner Spotlight: Allan Browder

REPOST from Corporate Partner Spotlight: Allan Browder

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

In our monthly Corporate Partner Spotlight, we speak with corporate leaders about what inspires them to serve as advocates and ambassadors for children’s health. This month, we spoke with Allan Browder, program director of Rx4Miracles, a prescription discount program that helps customers save money on the medications they need. Rx4Miracles generates funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals to support their efforts to improve pediatric health care and the well-being of children and families in our community.

 

 

 

In 2016, I led a “lunch and learn” for social workers in the hospital to discuss DCRx Card, now known as Rx4Miracles. Before the session, I went on a guided tour of the hospital and met the patients, nurses and doctors I knew I would support at any opportunity. It was truly special to see how the hospital enabled kids to have fun and be themselves during such a scary time in their lives.  

 

Since that first introduction, my wife and I have personally donated time and money in multiple ways, including volunteering by answering phones at the annual holiday Radiothon, distributing gift cards to patient families over Thanksgiving and putting multiple teams together for the Race for Every Child. A highlight every year is always watching the Kids Dash! What started as a professional partnership quickly turned into a personal journey I will continue forever.

 

 

In October 2021, my wife and I lost our son George Alan Browder, who arrived stillborn at 40 weeks. It was and still is the most devastating time of our lives. While in the hospital, the doctors and nurses asked what we wanted to do with George’s body. Even though it was tough to hear that question after thinking we would be taking home a newborn, we both said at the same time we wanted to donate his body to science. The staff were unprepared for our answer and informed us that this wasn’t normal protocol and that they never really had parents make such a request, which surprised us. After about 24 hours, the nursing staff told us they contacted many hospitals throughout the country and only one came back stating they could accept George to support their research: Children’s National. In a time of such pain, anger and devastating loss, we felt some sense of comfort knowing his final home would be a place we knew and loved. 

 

In spring 2022, I had the idea of creating a golf outing to raise money for Children’s National Hospital’s Research and Innovation Campus and keep George’s legacy alive. The first annual GAB Charity Golf Scramble raised $22,000 to accelerate pediatric research.

 

 

Where to begin! I’ll start with the kids. When I meet Children’s National patients, they often have such a positive outlook on life. I don’t believe I ever had that perspective as a child their age. I know they get a lot of that from their nurses and doctors, which makes it easy to give back, knowing our resources ensure local kids receive the best medical care. 

 

The Children’s National team also makes it rewarding to work together. From the top down, I truly feel like I’m working with the best team you could possibly put together. The entire team at Children’s National is a huge part of why I will always be a part of the hospital. 

 

 

I can’t think of a better hospital in the world than Children’s National. I have been to numerous hospitals throughout my life, but I have never seen such a level of respect, professionalism and love. For anyone thinking about donating to a local hospital, Children’s National should be extremely high on the list if it isn’t already at the top.

Source: Children's National Hospital Foundation