After the demise of the Soviet Union in 1990, our founder Arthur Cox spent five years in the Ukraine, working for Pratt & Whitney to establish a joint research center. While there, he met Dr. Genadii Korotchenko, a doctor at Children’s Hospital No. 7. This hospital is the primary facility for care of children in Ukraine. Dr. Korotchenko is chief surgeon with the unit specializing in correction and repair of maxilla facial malformation, notably cleft lip and cleft pallet.
Before leaving, Arthur visited the Hospital several times and toured the facilities where Dr. Korotchenko worked. He was taken back by the poor condition of not only the building itself but, also, the conditions that existed inside. The operating room and children’s ward seemed unchanged since the 1950’s. The equipment and tools were ancient. The operating room was rusting and without sterility control. The 40 person ward had one toilet.
These visits sparked a fire of compassion, he wanted to help. After expressing his concern over the hospital and the well being of the Children in Ukraine to his wife, Patricia, she visited the hospital. Subsequently, they decided to fund a complete upgrade of the maxilla facial unit with state of art equipment, tools, and a first class operating room.
This was the beginning of the Rocking Horse Foundation.
The Children’s Hospital № 7 building project was completed eighteen months after the start and the maxilla facial unit’s new state-of-art equipment was successfully put into service.
But not wanting to end support from the Foundation, Arthur and Dr. Korotchenko created a doctor exchange program between Children’s Hospital № 7, and University of Florida’s Shands Hospital.
This program allowed doctors from both hospitals to visit each other and share the latest advancements in maxillofacial surgery. Also, a link between the Hospital and LSU, a depository for all NIH acquired medical publications, was linked whereby for a minimal copy fee, LSU would fax medical information to the Hospital for their use.
With the Ukraine government and the economy stabilizing, a new building was constructed to replace the 75 year old Hospital 7. All equipment purchased for Dr. Korotchenko’s unit not fastened to the wall was moved accordingly.
By 2016 over 4,000 children had successful maxillofacial surgeries and all units in Kiev’s Children Hospital № 7 were able to operate to high standards.
However, in a continuing manner, Rocking Horse Foundation funds on-going research with the doctor exchange program, access to NIH medical publications, and one of a kind needs not funded by other sources.
Florida Program Launch
At that time Rocking Horse Foundation refocused to help children and their families in our own surroundings, northern Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast. Hope, opportunity, and happiness highlight its mission.
“Give the Gift” was our first program. It was an effort in partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin and Palm Beach County, bringing the holiday spirit to children less fortunate than ourselves.
This program focused on teaching kids the importance of giving to others through holiday letter writing and gift exchange. It has become an ongoing annual event. Each child writes a holiday wish letter to a child at another location. Once the letter is complete the child chooses a gift provided by Rocking Horse.
The program concludes with parties at each location, complete with cookie decorating, ornament making, and holiday arts and crafts.
Mailing Address:
6300 Rocking Horse Rd.
Jupiter, FL 33458
772-214-7645
info@rockinghorsefoundation.org
Rocking Horse Foundation is a Florida 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporation
