Los Banos Rotary Club History
Establishment, Work Of Children's Hospital Is Topic Of Speaker

The Valley Children's Hospital and Guidance Clinic, location four miles from the center of Fresno, is considered to be the only children's hospital whose construction was financed entirely by voluntary contributions.
So said Hillard Giffen, vice president of the hospital's board of trustees, who spoke here Tuesday. Addressing the noon meeting of the Los Banos Rotary Club and the Lions Club in the evening, he painted out the institution now represents a $750,000 investment.

Since its official dedication October 26, 1952, the hospital has admitted some 7,000 patients of which 32 have been from Los Banos the speaker stated.

He pointed out the hospital, with a 1955 budget of $400,000, has six main sources of income—patient fees, hospital association memberships, guild earnings, United Givers and donations from friends.

It is a non-profit membership corporation, Giffen said, and belongs to the people of the San Joaquin Valley. No officer or member receives any compensation for his services.

Giffen explained the hospital is governed by a board of 49 trustees—men and women who represent a cross-section of the communities it serves. Mrs. H. G. Fawcett is the trustee from Los Banos.

In his talk explaining the functions of the hospital, Giffen said only children to 15 years of age are admitted from the counties of Merced, Madera, Kings, Tulare and Fresno. The only ill children not admitted are children with active tuberculosis.

Giffen, in answering certain criticism of the hospital's policy, said patients are admitted free of charge when they are in need of services available only at the Children's Hospital and when county care is not available. Part-pay patients are accepted, on the recommendation of a medical committee, when the circumstances warrant—inability to pay, and intelligibility for public funds.
Giffen said the hospital budget provides $25,000 for outright charity. Charity cases are reviewed by a special committee.

He emphasized that opportunities for volunteer service at the hospital are open to guild members and non-guild members as well. "Buttercups", so-called because of their cheerful yellow uniforms, read to the children, assist with feeding and general care, and help in central supply. Red Cross Nurses' Aides also assist the nursing staff in many ways.

The hospital comprises 18,776 square feet, with a guidance clinic having 2,654 square feet. There are 26 cribs, 14 youth beds, and 7 bassinets for a total capacity of 47 patients.

All types of ailments, injuries and sickness are treated by a medical staff of doctors from throughout the valley. Some 30 brain surgeries were made and one heart surgery—believed to have been the only one done in the valley.
Giffen said the Guidance Clinic is housed in a separate building. It is designed to assist children and their parents with the increasing emotional problems of our time, such as anxieties, fears, and feelings of resentment which appear in school, in habits, or in relations with other children. Both consultation and treatment service is available to children up to 14 years of age.

A child psychiatrist, who is an M. D. with special training in the psychiatric problems of children is the director of the clinic. He is there two days a week. A psychologist, who is a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, gives and interprets the findings of the psychological tests. A psychiatric social worker interviews the parents and the child.

Looking to long range plans, Giffen said a planning committee is investigating the addition of a 39-bed wing to the hospital and quarters for a pediatric rehabilitation center.

January 27, 1956

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