By Laura McAlister
Journal Editor
Stepping into the elevator at the new Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children on a recent afternoon, a stranger takes one look at Jason Peterson’s uniform and says, “Thank you.”
As director of Children’s of Alabama’s Critical Care Transport, Jason isn’t often greeted that way. But when he is, he’s reminded just how important his and his team’s work is.
“It can be a bit of a thankless job,” he said. “But it’s nice when you get that pat on the back. We’re transporting the sickest of the sick, the most critically ill.”
Critical Care Transport is available 24 hours a day to provide specialized, state-of-the-art care to newborns, infants and children. The team is called to rural hospitals throughout the region to transport these patients to Children’s of Alabama, where they can get the care they need.
Staffed with a registered nurse and respiratory therapist ambulances, a jet and helicopter are used to transport the patients. The team makes about 1,000 transports a year.
To help them in their efforts to care for critically ill children, the Rotary Club District 6860 and Rotaract Club of Shelby County are teaming up for the fourth year in a row to host Boiling N’ Bragging. All proceeds from the event, set for 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook, will benefit Critical Care Transport.
While football in the South doesn’t always bring people together, Ted Burns, a member of the Boiling N’ Bragging planning committee, said Critical Care Transport is something all fans can rally around.
“It’s important to us to support our community, and it’s a good way to kick off the football season,” he said. “Ten collegiate schools will be represented, and we can all get together and support a wonderful cause and save some lives.”
Since it was created in 1983, the team has been able to expand its services from ground pickup to adding the jet and helicopter.
“We’re almost like the cavalry,” Jason said. “We’re going to a lot of rural places that to no fault of their own can’t care for them on the level we can. A lot of the places we go, the emergency room is just that. It’s one room.”
Insurance covers the cost of transport for patients, but Jason said it doesn’t really cover the full cost of specialized equipment. That’s why, he said, fundraisers like Boiling N’ Bragging are so important to the program.
Boiling N’ Bragging includes an all-you-can-eat cookout and Low Country boil. Live music will be provided by Sean “Rockstar” Heninger, and there will be $1 beer specials as well as sports trivia, kids’ activities and a special appearance by WJOX’s Lance Taylor. Attendees are encouraged to wear team colors.
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Children 10 or younger enter free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.childrensal.org.
