Champ teaches Dr. Arnold Strauss, director of Children’s Hospital, a new dance step at the festivities last week. The new mascot will play a key role in VCH’s community outreach programs. Champ was introduced Sunday at Greer Stadium before the Nashville Sounds baseball game. (photos by Dana Johnson)
Champ steps onto VCH scene
Champ makes his first appearance as he steps from the LifeFlight helicopter that landed at Greer Stadium for the formal introduction to the community.
Champ receives a hug from Jingwei Song, 5, while being surrounded by other children after his introduction as the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital official mascot.
As a crowd of children and their families looked on, Champ, the new Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital mascot, made his debut on Sunday, June 23 at Greer Stadium. Landing in center field, Champ stepped out of the LifeFlight helicopter and waved enthusiastically to the onlookers as his name was announced.
The event coincided with the first annual Children’s Hospital “We Care for Kids Day,” an afternoon of hot dogs, ice cream and activities for Children’s Hospital staff and family.
Champ will become a vital component of Vanderbilt’s ongoing community outreach programs and child advocacy efforts. Through school visits and participation in various community events, the mascot will encourage kids to practice safety first. Champ will also interact with patients in the hospital, visiting the Child Life Center and patients’ rooms.
Throughout the past weeks, faculty and staff participated in a contest to name the new mascot, vying for a family fun pack to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Four employees submitted the name “Champ,” so a drawing was held to determine the winner. Mavis Harrop from the Office of Case Management won the drawing.
Following the introduction of Champ, the Nashville Sounds took on the Edmonton Trappers.