Steeplechase Pediatrician's Circle Honors Outstanding Pediatricians and Benefits Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 5, 2011 – The Iroquois Steeplechase Pediatrician’s Circle is giving community members the opportunity to recognize outstanding Middle Tennessee pediatricians.

Each $100 tax-deductible gift allows donors to acknowledge one pediatrician in the race day program, and gives eight children an entire year’s collection of books from Middle Tennessee’s local affiliate of the Dolly Pardon’s Imagination Library, Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee

“By donating to the Pediatrician’s Circle, you have the chance to let your pediatrician know how much you appreciate his or her work,” said Libby Cheek, executive director of Steeplechase.  “Not only are donors recognizing local pediatric efforts, but they are giving children a head start through reading.”

Additionally, the 2011 Steeplechase Pediatrician’s Circle will honor Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, a dedicated physician who came to Vanderbilt in 1978 for pediatric residency training and became senior partner at Rivergate Pediatrics.  In 2008, she was chosen as the Tennessee American Academy of Pediatrics pediatrician of the year.  Pierce will represent the community of Middle Tennessee pediatricians and the 2011 Pediatrician’s Circle’s support of Books from Birth.

The Steeplechase Pediatrician’s Circle has currently raised more than $5,000 and is seeking more support to reach this year’s goal of $10,000.  For more information about the Pediatrician’s Circle or to make an online donation, go to

http://www.childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/interior.php?mid=8209 

For more information about the Iroquois Steeplechase, contact Libby Cheek at 615-591-2991 or visit the Iroquois Steeplechase website at www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.

About the Iroquois Steeplechase

Held on the second Saturday of every May at Nashville’s Percy Warner Park, the Iroquois Steeplechase is the premier spring race in American steeplechasing and Music City’s traditional rite of spring – typically attracting more than 25,000 spectators. Since being designated in 1981 as the official charity of the Iroquois Steeplechase, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has received more than $9 million from the event proceeds. For information on advance ticket purchases, corporate and hospitality tents, and tailgating and RV spaces, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org or call (615) 591-2991.

About the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is a leader in pediatric care, ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and 15th in the nation by Parents magazine. The Children's Hospital provides 222 beds for the highest level of pediatric care and is also a top-level teaching and research facility. Children's Hospital features Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders and offers services for cancer, organ and bone marrow transplants, level 1 pediatric trauma, treatment for developmental disorders and the highest designated level NICU in the state.

About Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee

Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee's mission is to increase literacy and school readiness while strengthening the bonds of families. It was founded by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, the Nashville Public Library, Jo’s Reach Out & Read, Ingram Industries, NewsChannel5, Dollywood Foundation and the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation. The Governor’s foundation covers half the cost of books and Books from Birth raises the remaining funds locally.

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Jeff Bradford/Natalie Townsend, 615.515.4884, info@bradfordgrp.com