Children’s Activity Room Funded in Memory of a Mom

Amy McLean Calder embraced her work as a child life specialist at Children’s Hospital in Detroit. When she and her husband moved to Traverse City in 2008 to begin their family, she brought her interest in child life programs with her.

Mac Calder, DO, started working in Munson Medical Center’s Emergency Department and the couple reconnected with one of Amy’s high school friends, Ben Lamphere, MD, a hospitalist at Munson Medical Center. Amy and Ben talked about the need for a child life program at the hospital, agreeing it would be an easy way to improve care for pediatric patients.

Taking Action on a Good Idea

They visited child life programs at other hospitals and discussed the need with hospital administrators. “They got the ball rolling,” Mac said. “Amy pushed it, but with three young boys at home, she was devoted to raising them. She planned to get back into it after the kids were in school.”

When Amy passed away from cancer in October 2015 at age 37, her young family included six-year-old Griffin, three-year-old Fletcher, and one-year-old Ewan. Many family members and friends wanted a way to honor Amy, who is remembered as a loving wife, mother, and daughter, and a compassionate friend who loved to dance, sing and joyfully savor life.

More than $30,000 in memorial gifts have been directed to establishing an activity room for children at Munson Medical Center. “It was one of the things Amy was passionate about,” Mac said. “I work at the hospital and it’s the hospital our kids will use, so I think she’d be happy with that. It’s a fantastic honor.”

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To learn how you can help, call 231-213-1150.