Dr. Frank Chang: An Everyday Hero
from The Children's Hospital (TCH) News, March 2006
Dr. Frank Chang shows off
his "7 Everyday Hero" award
with patients Darian Drake,
left, and Mikayla Martin.
Every week, Denver's Channel 7 salutes Coloradans who are making a difference in their communities. Recently, one of Children's own was selected - Frank Chang, MD, director of Orthopedic Surgery, medical director for the Center for Gait and Movement Analysis and associate professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.
Dr. Chang, who pioneered the gait lab with Dennis Matthews, MD, in 1999, works every day in the lab conducting research and discovering the best treatments for children with physical disabilities. But he also goes beyond the scope of his job to make a difference in the personal lives of children.
Over the years, Dr. Chang has performed countless surgeries. But his work isn't done when the surgery is over; Dr. Chang works tirelessly to make post-surgery recovery special. He uses his artistic ability to create special casts for each child. No design or character is too complex for him. He has done it all, from Disney characters, dinosaurs, flowers, sports teams logos and animals to body-size casts of the Spiderman costume or a sea full of "Finding Nemo" characters.
"I try to make it fun for the kids," Dr. Chang said. "I find that if you just get colors and shapes close enough, they like it. I do it because it's fun and I think it makes them feel better after surgery - the cast is all they have to show for it."
On the weekends, Dr. Chang volunteers his time on the slopes as the Medical Director for the ski program, part of The Children's Hospital's Handicapped Sports Program.
For 23 years, Dr. Chang has provided children in the program with guidance related to orthopedic issues, treatment or tender-loving care in the event of injuries, and encouragement on the mountain. He videotapes the children to monitor their skiing progress and to capture memories so the children can enjoy them on the ski bus each weekend on the road to the mountains.
All patients who participate in the program have some form of a physical disability, including cancer, amputations, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.
"It is a huge accomplishment for the children and a great experience," Dr. Chang said. "The children feel good about themselves, and it carries over into their personal, everyday lives."
Currently, an average of 75 children from the program ski regularly at Winter Park Resort. Every Saturday for 10 weekends in the winter, Dr. Chang and his wife volunteer to be with the children.
"It is fun for me to be with the kids and watch them have fun," he said. "They really benefit by achieving a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence."
Children's Handicapped Sports Program is currently one of many such programs across the nation, but it was the only ski program in the U.S. for children with disabilities when it began in 1968.
Dr. Chang is honored by the recent and unexpected award - yet he remains humble.
"I just work day-to-day like everyone else in this hospital," he said. "I am here just like all the other doctors and staff at Children's, trying to make a difference in children's lives."
