Chris Rutter - Founder & Father

Chris Rutter attended UofA, recieved degree in Political Science. He managed and owned several companies in the construction/mining industries. Mr. Rutter then became a designer of custom swimming pools and backyard landscaping, and was sales and Marketing Director of several Tucson area Swimming pool companies.

In 2002, Chris moved to the Sonoita-Elgin area where he has begun work on making the Bar CR Ranch into the future home of "Coltons Friends Bar CR Ranch". This will include renovating the guest house/bunk house into a respite for families of children who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, and have been part of the Foundations programs. Plans include Equine Assisted Therapy,(EAP), coaching parents and siblings on the care and handling of horses, trail rides, hay rides, and general ranch life. While the children are cared for at the ranch parents will be encouraged to spend an evening away by themselves. Fundraising will be begin in 2008, and more information about the respite home will be added to website in the coming months.

Additionally Chris will be working with Dr. Theodorou at UMC, sharing his experiences caring for Colton in the hopes that others who will have injured children can benefit from the parents perspective as well as from the health care professionals.

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Emily Rutter - Board Member & Sister

Emily Rutter is a student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. She is majoring in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development. Emily is the sister of Colton and the daughter of Chris Rutter. Emily believes that this foundation is such a great opportunity to help other families as well as the University Medical Center. Emily is excited to be part of this foundation in honor of her brother but also because it is going to make such a huge difference in so many families and children’s lives.

Christine Durnan - Board Member

Christine Durnan is the owner of Visual Designs by Chris, Vice President of Human Resources for Acacia Information Technologies LLC, and Partner in Intelligent Data Solutions . She is also a volunteer and supporter of several charities within the Tucson community. Chris brings a background of graphic design, business operation and other charity board membership to Colton’s Friends. She looks at this position as a very special honor and takes it very personal as she is a cousin to Colton. She envisions this organization becoming a great asset to the University Medical Center patients and staff. In giving her time and effort to this organization, she hopes that Colton's experience in life will be a legacy of support for those children with Traumatic Brain Injury and their families.

Andy Theodorou, MD, FCCM - Board Member

Faculty Appointment: Professor/Clinical Pediatrics

Department: Pediatrics; Section Chief, Pediatric Critical Care, The University of Arizona Department of Pediatrics; Fellow, American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM) Specialty: Pediatric Critical Care; Pediatrics Board

Certifications: American Board of Pediatric Critical Care, American Board of Pediatrics Academic Information: Wayne State University, 1983

Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan (Pediatrics) 1987 Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Michigan (Pediatric Critical Care Medicine) 1992
Practice Site Address:University Physicians Pediatrics1501 N Campbell AveTucson, Arizona 85724Phone:(520) 626-5485 Mailing Address: PO Box 245073Tucson, Arizona 85724

Additional Information: In 2007 Andreas Theodorou, MD, was accepted for Fellowship in the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM). Dr. Theodorou was chosen based on his commitment to the ideals and practice of multiprofessional critical care, his dedication to education and research, his achievements in fostering the ideals of critical care by his leadership in program development, and his participation in critical care-related organizations, such as the Arizona Governor's Council on Spinal and Head Injuries.

Dr. Theodorou also serves as— Associate Head, UA Department of Pediatrics— Co-Director, Center for Quality and Safety at UMC— Member, Arizona Health and Hospital Association's Patient Safety Steering Committee

Dr. Theodorou is an award-winning instructor, teaching medical students, residents, nurses, paramedics and others. He also conducts research on medication errors and scorpion sting poisoning (envenomation). Dr. Theodorou was named one of the "Best Doctors in America" for 2006.

Ed Gaines - Board Member

Mr. Gaines is a partner in the Tucson law firm of Chandler & Udall. He is certified by the State of Arizona as a legal specialist in personal injury and wrongful death. His primary emphasis over the last decade has been handling professional liability, products liability and personal injury cases involving catastrophic injury. Additionally, he represents a number of insurers in bad faith litigation and coverage issues. He is rated an "AV" lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized as one of Arizona's Finest Personal Injury Attorneys.

He regularly participates as a speaker in seminars involving his primary areas of practice. He also speaks frequently before professional civic groups on risk management and other topics relating to his area of practice.
He also serves as a Judge Pro Tem in the Pima County Superior Court.

Michael Dyet, RRT - Board Member

Michael has a BA in Psychology, has worked for 30 yrs at UMC and specializes in Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. He is the technical specialist for the Respiratory Care Dept at UMC. He is also on the planning committee for the new UMC North Tower addition, which will include a Children's Hospital.He became involved in the foundation after observing what Colton was enduring as a patient during his long hospitalization at UMC, and seeing the need of families in similar situations who very often have no resources to fall back on.

Maggie Dyet, R.N. - Board Member

Maggie has been an RN at UMC for 27 years, initially working as staff in the Nicu and most recently as staff nurse in the Newborn Nursery. She currently also works as a developmental follow-up nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Program for the state of AZ, specializing in newborns who have spent time in the Nicu and who are at high risk for developmental delays.

She was Colton's developmental nurse during the time following his accident, and observed closehand the pain and suffering that was endured by Chris, Colton and Colton's siblings. She was moved to assist with the foundation due to having been a part of Colton's team. She also sees the dire need of carseats by the families upon discharge from UMC, and in the community by her clients in the followup program.

Contact Information

Mailing Information
Donations can be made out to
Colton's Friends and sent to
UMC Foundation/Colton's FriendsUniversity Medical Center
PO Box 245128Tucson, AZ 85724-5128
Christopher Rutter
Mailing Address:HC1 Box 234Elgin, AZ 85611


Christopher Rutter
Cell: (520) 471-2957
email

Emily Rutter
email

Chris Durnan
(520) 870-9952
email

Maggie Dyet
email