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FOUNDATION RAISES AWARENESS FOR PEDIATRICS Published: Jul 29, 2007 By Tony Holt SPRING HILL — When 7-month-old Rachael Jobmann was admitted to the hospital two years ago, she was suffering from cold-like symptoms that lingered for weeks.
At least that was what her parents and the medical staff at Spring Hill Hospital thought.
Her conditions grew worse and she was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where pediatric care specialists could not revive her.
The medical staff in Tampa asked why the baby was not given the correct course of treatment for respiratory failure by her doctors in Spring Hill.
The girl’s parents have never been given a satisfactory answer.
“I can 100-percent guarantee it,” answered her father, Robert Jobmann, when asked whether he believed Rachael would still be alive if there was a local pediatric emergency unit. “There would have been a pediatric doctor on staff. If there would have been proper facilities and if the right people were there … there’s no doubt our (daughter) would still be alive today.”
Both he and his wife founded the Our Baby Ria Foundation, which aims to raise support and awareness to their cause — building a pediatric intensive care unit in Hernando County. They organized their first community event Saturday, which was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Delta Woods Park.
The festivities included a deejay, face-painting, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and an appearance by a Star Wars stormtrooper character.
Attendees were also asked to sign a petition to encourage local health care companies to construct a pediatric emergency care center. As of 12:30 p.m., more than 40 people had signed the petition.
Last month, Jobmann and his wife, Christy, went before the Hernando County Board of Commissioners and told them their story. They want to see a local pediatric unit built so that children who require emergency care do not have to rely on uneducated guesses and/or helicopter flights to Tampa.
After they spoke, the board took a recess. Commissioners Diane Rowden and Rose Rocco approached the couple. Before long, the Jobmanns realized they had a strong ally in Rowden. Her 11-year-old son died following a swimming accident in 1993.
Rowden recalled how doctors at the hospital near River Country “didn’t know the extent of the damage.”
Her son did not suffer from a lack of oxygen to his brain, as is the case in most pool accidents, but the amount of chemicals in his lungs.
Rowden shared her story with the Jobmanns and before long, a partnership took shape.
“I told them I would help,” Rowden said. “I’ll do what I can.”
The family has a meeting scheduled this week with the chief executive officer at Spring Hill Regional Hospital. It will be the first of many meetings with medical officials until a local unit is built, Rowden said.
“Right now, we want to raise awareness,” she said, “but our hope is to have a pediatric care center in Hernando County.”
“I feel I’ve been given an opportunity to do this,” Jobmann said. “I know I can help make a change so that my daughter has not died in vain.”
If a unit is built, it would also serve residents in Citrus and Pasco counties. Parents living there also have to drive long distances to hospitals in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando or Ocala so that their children may receive proper care.
The belief among Rowden and others is that medicine and treatments for adults are not well-suited for children and vice versa. That is why there are doctors who specialize in treating patients from the time they are infants to the day they turn 18, Jobmann said.
Christy Jobmann owns and manages Mrs. B’s Daycare. She, along with her staff and employees from other local daycare centers attended and helped organize Saturday’s event.
More than 100 people braved the hot and humid air. Spring Hill Fire Rescue was in charge of the grilled food and helped collect donations. They also brought two fire engines for the children to see.
“Something like this gives you something to focus your attention,” Christy Jobmann said. “You’re putting a positive twist on something that was such a tragedy.”
