Couple donates creations to help children at UT Health Tyler
Some of the items Greg and Janet Kats made and donated to UT Health Tyler to be given to pediatric patients.
Janet Kats (center) shows the handmade children’s blankets she donated to UT Health Tyler to Robin Davis (from left), clinical/operational manager for pediatrics, Chief Nursing Officer Lecia Bowman and CEO Vicki Briggs, while Greg Kats (far right) unpacks the items he made for children using his 3D printer.
From Left: Lecia Bowman, chief nursing officer; Robin Davis, clinical/operational manager for pediatrics; Janet Kats; Vicki Briggs, CEO; and Greg Kats display some of the handmade creations that were donated to the hospital Wednesday.
Tyler, Texas (April 14, 2022) — When Greg and Janet Kats moved to Tyler to retire a year ago, the couple turned to hobbies to stay busy, Greg using his 3D printer to create different objects and Janet crocheting blankets and stuffed animals.
Greg, retired from a career in IT, makes miniature trains, dinosaurs and fidget toys with his 3D printer and Janet, retired from an accounting career, likes to craft with her hands.
“It keeps us busy and gives us a purpose of doing something,” Janet said. “These are things we like to do and keeps us busy, and it also helps the kids.”
With their newfound free time in retirement, and a growing supply of their creations, the Katses decided they wanted to help children with their wares. On Wednesday, Greg and Janet donated their creations to UT Health Tyler to be shared with pediatric patients at the hospital.
Lecia Bowman, chief nursing officer at UT Health Tyler, said hospitals can be scary for children. A soft blanket or, in the case of older children, a plastic fidget toy, can help provide comfort to them, she said.
“We are so grateful for this heartfelt donation,” Bowman said. “These small objects can have a huge impact for a child who is in an unfamiliar situation at the hospital.”
UT Health Tyler CEO Vicki Briggs said the donations will help caregivers provide comfort while providing care to kids.
“Our job is to serve and give back to the community, so when I see others in the community giving back to us in a way that helps our caregivers, it means the world to me,” Briggs said.
Photos attached
Caption 1: From Left: Lecia Bowman, chief nursing officer; Robin Davis, clinical/operational manager for pediatrics; Janet Kats; Vicki Briggs, CEO; and Greg Kats display some of the handmade creations that were donated to the hospital Wednesday.
Caption 2: Janet Kats (center) shows the handmade children’s blankets she donated to UT Health Tyler to Robin Davis (from left), clinical/operational manager for pediatrics, Chief Nursing Officer Lecia Bowman and CEO Vicki Briggs, while Greg Kats (far right) unpacks the items he made for children using his 3D printer.
Caption 3: Some of the items Greg and Janet Kats made and donated to UT Health Tyler to be given to pediatric patients.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes 10 hospitals, more than 50 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services covering 41 counties, an EMS fleet of more than 50 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive seven-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.