Haynes named to chair Children’s Hospital Board
Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Barbara Haynes has been named chair of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Board of Directors. Haynes, a lifetime member of Friends of the Children's Hospital, joined the organization in 1987.
“Judge Haynes has been a visionary leader in our community for many years. Her passion for children is reflected in her work and personal life,” said James E. Shmerling, executive director and CEO of the Children's Hospital.
“As a member of the Children's Hospital board for the last several years, she has been an active participant in leading our organization to effectively meet the growing needs of our community's children.”
“We are thrilled to have the leadership of Judge Haynes as chairwoman of the Children's Hospital board,” added Harry R. Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “She and Sen. Haynes have been faithful supporters and advocates for our children for years. She will surely help build momentum for future Children's Hospital initiatives under her leadership.”
Haynes and her husband, Sen. Joe Haynes, have made children's issues a priority.
Last year, the senator sponsored a child safety seat bill that eventually was made into a law. The law now requires that children under age 8 ride in booster seats, and in the back, safely away from airbags.
“Judge Haynes was most recently chair of the Advocacy Committee which was successful in providing support for the car seat legislation that now makes Tennessee one of the safest states in the country for children traveling in automobiles,” Shmerling said.
Haynes said she is thrilled to be serving on the board, and said that part of the reason she is so passionate about her work with children is close to home — she experienced the death of her own three-day-old child many years ago.
“I have been so rewarded by being involved with children and I want everyone to have the same benefits,” she said.
“I just want this community to be involved and see what wonderful things are transpiring — not occasionally — but every day,” Haynes said.
Haynes is a member of several associations, and is a member of the Family and Children's Services Board. She presides over the Third Circuit Court in Davidson County. Haynes has three children and seven grandchildren. She will serve as chair until July 2006.