Real Estate Agent Helps Children's Hospital Unit: Alexandria Hero

ALEXANDRIA, VA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Catherine Jouet who nominated Linda Trinkle Wolf of Old Town Alexandria.

Local hero’s full name

Linda Trinkle Wolf

Local hero’s home state

Alexandria, Virginia

Local hero’s Patch

Old Town Alexandria

How do you know the local hero?

We work together in real estate.

What does the local hero do?

Real Estate Agent

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Linda has made an enormous difference for every critically ill child of the military treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and their families. As a result of her efforts every child in the children’s unit at WRNMMC now has multiple avenues to help reduce their anxiety and improve their optimism, even under the most difficult conditions. Her work has brought comfort to parents with the worst fears that only increase when they leave their child at the end of the day. As a result of Linda's work, they leave knowing that there are things they can focus on that will make even the saddest child smile.

Linda’s efforts began at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by working with her clients to replace 15-year-old toys in the unit playroom with new toys and obtaining a commitment from Hasbro Toys to send pallets of toys to the hospital on an “as need” basis. Working with others, she arranged for the toys to be put into carts to reach children too sick to go to the playroom and for a donation of X-Boxes for all patient rooms where previously no TV’s existed.

Linda raised funds to provide DVD players for all bays in the Sedation Unit to calm the children prior to procedures and DVD players to be available for children getting infusions. The Infusion Center addition had particular significance as it meant that children, who previously had to sit for hours with nothing to keep their mind off their chemotherapy infusion, now had a remote in hand and could pass the long hours playing games. Most importantly, Linda’s efforts have improved the total patient medical experience though her determination to provide the children with the most current technological equipment offered to MRI patients in many public and private hospitals. Securing an In-Bore System for the Children’s Radiology unit at Walter Reed was her a major focus for two years. This system, at a cost of $50,000, helps a child cope with the terrifying experience of the MRI process when they are all alone in a tunnel, with pounding noises and without their parents to console them. The In-Bore System interfaces with the MRI machine, allowing the patient to watch a movie. It has proven to radically reduce the need for sedation in most cases, the need for redoing a failed procedure because a child panics and often decreases the time needed for the procedure. Linda secured funds for a second system that was installed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Presently she is concentrating her efforts by working with the Department of Defense, key members of the military and Congress and other key people in the medical system to gain approval for this system to be installed in 100 military hospitals around the country.

In 2014, Linda formed Mission:M4 and partnered with the Walter Reed Society and Foundation to help in her endeavors. The many accolades of Linda’s contribution to the Critically Ill Children of the Military are described in detail in the testimonials which can be made available. In addition to the MRI project, Linda was intimately involved in two other major projects for the Children's Unit at Walter Reed which have just been completed. Working with 2 other groups, the children's unit at WRNMMC has been transformed into an uplifting environment with every hall wall now covered floor to ceiling with incredible life-sized paintings of jungle animals. Photos available on request. Mission:M4 has just completed a second project of securing space and necessary items needed for a Family Room in the pediatric critical care unit.

Mission:M4 has the support of six United States senators and the Office of Health Affairs for the Military. She was also supported by Senator McCain, prior to his death. Linda received the Good Neighbor Award, the highest award recognition program for REALTORS® who have made an extraordinary impact in their community, from the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and the same award from the Virginia Association of Realtors. She was one of 5 agents who received Honorable Mention from the National Association of Realtors that consists of over one million realtors. Substantial additional information in available about her work including letters of accommodation from highly respected individuals, including retired United States Senator Pat Roberts.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

Linda Wolf's greatest attribute is her focus and determination. When she sets her mind on a goal, you can bet she will achieve it. Whether helping Critically Ill Children of the Military with Mission:M4, fighting for the underdog through her work for OPH dog rescue or her work for Breast Cancer, her determination is never ending. Linda uses her passion and negotiating skills to win results. Her work is admired and respected by many.

Thank you for all you do, Linda Trinkle Wolf!

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