By Mike Mrkvicka

Mothers with children in need of medical services rallied last week outside Thomason Hospital, passionately pleading for passage of the $120 million bond issue to finance construction of a children's hospital.

"I'd hate to have anyone experience what I had to go through," said Gina Silverman, 38, who has traveled to cities across the U.S. in search of medical care for her 8-year-old son, Davis.

"It's unfair that I have to get on a plane and go to another city to find the specialists he needs," Silverman told an audience of more than 100.

At least six speakers followed Silverman, telling similar stories.

The children's hospital bond appears on the Nov. 6 ballot. Early voting begins Monday and continues through Nov. 2.

The proposed children's hospital, which would have a management separate from Thomason's, is to occupy the top four floors of a new structure, planned between the main county hospital and a parking garage.

The building's lower floors would house the hospital's maternity ward. The building will be constructed whether or not the children's hospital bond issue passes.

James N. Valenti, president and CEO of the El Paso County Hospital District, has said the proposed children's hospital will alleviate the pediatrician shortage in El Paso.

Thomason has already allocated $5 million to recruit pediatric specialists. Other specialists will come, he says, to fill positions at the nearby and newly expanded Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso.

The prospect of attracting more pediatric specialists to El Paso is why parents at Wednesday's rally support the bond issue.

"I've been to Austin, Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, San Diego, La Jolla, Boston, New York Denver, everywhere you can imagine to try to find out what exactly is wrong with my son," said Silverman, whose family owns and operates J.Edwards Diamonds.

Her son was born with a heart deficiency that required surgery when he was 10 days old. He exhibits a range of neurological symptoms that suggest autistic spectrum disorders, brain damage, mental retardation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"They can't seem to pinpoint what it is," Silverman said.

But she's confident a wider range of pediatric specialists in El Paso will make her son's treatment much more convenient.

"I have to leave town and not be here with my other two children … not to mention my family that's here. And I always take him with me. It's really difficult. It's hard," Silverman said.

Early voting, Monday through Nov. 2. Election day, Nov. 6, polls open 7 a.m.- 7p.m.