Donated Wagons Bring Smiles and Special Tributes to Young Guthrie Patients

A generous donation from retired clinical psychologist Dr. Tom Sullivan will bring a little more joy to children receiving care at Guthrie, while also honoring people who have made a meaningful difference in his life.

Dr. Sullivan donated six specially decorated wagons for use in Guthrie hospitals, giving young patients a fun and comfortable way to get around during their care. Each wagon also carries a personal tribute to one of Dr. Sullivan’s friends or loved ones.

Among those honored is Dr. Ed Jones, a former Guthrie physician who shared a lifelong connection with Dr. Sullivan. The two both graduated from Athens High School in 1962, and Dr. Jones also served as physician to Dr. Sullivan’s father.

For Dr. Sullivan, the motivation behind the donation is simple: “Just put a smile on a child’s face,” he said.

The donation is part of Chad’s Brackets, an initiative that helps provide children with needed treatment and mobility through the use of wagons in a fun and safe manner.

For children receiving hospital care, a wagon can turn what might otherwise be an unfamiliar or stressful trip through the hospital into something a little more comfortable and familiar. Dr. Sullivan’s gift adds another layer of meaning, connecting that experience with the people and relationships he chose to honor.

“Dr. Sullivan’s generosity is a wonderful example of how a thoughtful gift can make a child’s experience in the hospital a little brighter,” said Tricia Huston, Executive Director, Guthrie Resource Development. “These wagons give our youngest patients a fun way to move through the hospital while also carrying forward the stories of people who have meant so much to Dr. Sullivan. We are incredibly grateful for his kindness and his commitment to bringing smiles to children in our care.”