MOUNT VERNON — In September 2009, 13-year-old Jack Koehn of Mount Vernon made history as the first-ever Kid Captain for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and the Hawkeye football program. The recognition is a milestone that continues to hold special meaning for both the program and Koehn, in his journey with hemophilia and hydrocephalus.
Now 29, Koehn pursues a collegiate career in social work—knowing the impact the Children’s Hospital had on him. Koehn’s story is one of resilience, community, and how a single moment in time can shape an entire life.
A Journey of Strength: Jack’s Story
Julie Ruden, Koehn’s mother, was referred to the UI Children’s Hospital by her physician, Dr. Jerry Rozeboom, after prenatal tests revealed that her unborn son had hydrocephalus. This serious condition causes a buildup of fluid in the brain, which can lead to significant brain damage if left untreated.
Following extensive research and conversations with specialists, Ruden and her care team made the difficult but necessary decision: Jack would undergo surgery immediately after birth to place a shunt—a device designed to drain the excess fluid and relieve pressure on his brain.
Months before Jack’s arrival, Ruden and her family met with the head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital, now called the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. This meeting brought a sense of peace during an uncertain time.
“We immediately felt comforted knowing he would be in good hands,” Ruden said.
After birth, Jack faced another daunting diagnosis: a severe form of hemophilia.
“Hemophilia is a disorder in which you are lacking a clotting protein in your blood cascade,” explains Brooke Loving, the executive director of Bleeding Disorders of the Heartland, an education and advocacy organization. Loving further explains, “If you have hemophilia, you’re missing the factor eight or the factor nine protein,” depending on the type of hemophilia.
“You don’t bleed more than someone else, you bleed longer,” said Loving, discussing some of the misconceptions that go along with blood disorders like hemophilia.
Koehn was the first patient the UI Children’s Hospital had with both hydrocephalus and hemophilia; a complex situation for the care team, especially in the context of surgery, according to his family. Nevertheless, at just six days old, the boy underwent a successful procedure to place the shunt.
A Pioneering Honor: Becoming the First Kid Captain
In the spring of 2009, the UI hospital, in partnership with the football program, was looking for a way to honor young patients. The idea of the Kid Captain program was born out of the desire to connect the hospital’s young patients with the university’s beloved football team. The hospital and the football team collaborated, seeking a way to celebrate the children facing difficult medical challenges and share their courage with the community.
Ruden recalls the unique process of Jack being chosen for this honor. She was approached by the Hemophilia Treatment Center, who were working with a marketing team to create this inaugural program. They asked her to submit a brief essay about Jack—his health journey, overcoming adversity in his young life—but most importantly his Hawkeye pride.
Julie wrote about her son’s fight against severe hemophilia and hydrocephalus, a condition that required multiple surgeries and ongoing medical treatments since his birth at the Children’s Hospital.
The application process was straightforward, with a strict 250-word limit. Julie wrote the essay in the spring, and over the summer, the hospital’s selection committee made their decision. As she later learned, over 300 applications had been submitted nationwide.
Ruden recalls that she was told, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the conference room.”
“It was a no-brainer,” she said. “Once they read my essay aloud, there was no doubt that Jack was the one.”
A Day to Remember: Jack’s First Game as Kid Captain
The day Jack was introduced as the first-ever Kid Captain on September 5, 2009, remains vivid in his mind. At just 13, he was stepping onto the Duke Slater field at the filled 70,000 seat Kinnick Stadium, about to experience something that would shape his life forever.
“Walking out onto the field and seeing the entire stadium was surreal,” Koehn said in a recent interview. “It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It wasn’t just a field or a game anymore. It was a moment that brought everything together—the fans, the players, the stadium, the history.”
The Koehn-Ruden family remembers the excitement of the day, which began with the traditional tailgating before the game. Then as Koehn was introduced on the field, the crowd roared with applause. The image of the teen, standing beside legendary coach Hayden Fry, arms raised in excitement, is one that remains ingrained in his memory.
“It was an overwhelming feeling,” Koehn said. “The crowd’s energy, the cheers—it was like nothing I had ever felt. I remember thinking, ‘This is a big deal,’ and it was just so cool.”
Ruden recalls the moment fondly, adding that Jack’s joy was palpable.
“When they introduced him on the Jumbotron, I couldn’t help but be proud. He was just so happy to be there, to be part of something so special,” she said. “There were so many emotions. It was a perfect day, one that we’ll all remember forever.”
Adding to the special nature of the day, the family had the opportunity to meet some of the players up close. Ruden remembers the football players high-fiving Jack as they lined up for warm-ups. And after the game, Jack and his family had a moment with Coach Fry, who signed a book —a memento Ruden still cherishes.
Family Support and Community Spirit
The Kid Captain program has always been about more than just a single moment or a game.
“With children’s medicine, what I’ve learned is that there’s a sense of community,” Ferentz said during the 2024 Kid Captain Day at Kinnick Stadium in August 2024, according to a transcript by HawkeyeNation.com.
For Koehn, the experience of being the first Kid Captain helped cement the strong bond between him and his family. Ruden explains, “It brought us together in ways we didn’t expect. It wasn’t just Jack’s health issues that brought us closer; it was also the program itself and the people we met along the way.”
As the family reflects on those early years, they talk about the lasting impact the Kid Captain program had on their lives.
The Koehn-Ruden family is proud of the role they played in supporting Koehn through surgeries, treatments, and recovery. It wasn’t easy, especially with the demands of managing his health conditions, but they were committed to making Jack’s life as normal as possible. “It’s been a journey for sure,” Ruden said. “But it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see how far Jack has come.”
Koehn’s health issues never defined him, and he credits much of his success to the support of his family and community.
“It’s all about advocacy,” Koehn said. “If you manage your condition well, it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. You can still live a normal life, and I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve had along the way.”
The Importance of Normalcy and Advocacy
One of the key lessons Koehn and his family have learned over the years is the importance of normalcy.
“You have to find a way to live your life, even with a chronic condition,” Koehn said. “It’s about creating a routine, managing your health, and advocating for yourself.”
Ruden echoes these sentiments, recalling how Jack’s experience has influenced not only him but the entire family.
“Whether it’s chronic illness or any other challenge, having a sense of normalcy is crucial. It’s what keeps you going,” she says. “The Kid Captain program helped Jack realize that he’s not just his condition. He’s so much more than that.”
The Koehn-Ruden family also emphasizes the ongoing importance of the Kid Captain program in fostering a sense of community.
“It’s amazing to see how much the program has grown over the years,” Ruden said. “Back when Jack was first selected, there wasn’t a big system in place. Now, they do so much more for these kids, and I’m happy to see how the program has developed.”
Ruden said she’d love to see a reunion of past Kid Captains. “It would be great to see all the different classes come together and celebrate what we’ve been through,” she says. “It’s a community, and it’s something that has lasted far beyond that one day in 2009.”
A Legacy of Hope and Resilience
Sixteen years later, Koehn’s legacy as the first Kid Captain continues to resonate. Not only did his selection launch a program that has now honored approximately 200 children, but it also highlighted the importance of resilience, advocacy, and community.
For Koehn, being the first Kid Captain was just the beginning. Since then, he has continued to pursue his passion for social work, working to give back to the community that supported him. Koehn is currently living independently, managing his health, and helping others.
Koehn is currently a part of a study at the UI Hospital’s Hemophilia Center regarding a new medication for hemophilia by which a preventative, monthly injection has reduced his hemophilia episodes.
Koehn’s understanding of what patients go through is much deeper than many others, and he hopes to use this unique perspective to support those who are going through tough times. Koehn is open to working in either a children’s or adult hospital, but his heart remains in the medical field.
“I feel like this is a way I can give back to the community,” he explains. “By helping others who are going through similar struggles, I can make a real difference.”
When Ruden served as vice president of the Hemophilia of Iowa organization, now known as Bleeding Disorders of the Heartland, Ruden and Koehn traveled across the country, learning about the latest advancements in hemophilia care and providing input to pharmaceutical companies. These experiences also gave Koehn insight into the larger medical field and fueled his desire to work in healthcare.
Reflecting on his journey, Koehn is grateful for the opportunities that have come his way. “I’ve learned that it’s all about perspective,” he says. “Life doesn’t always go as planned, but you can still find ways to make it meaningful. I’m proud of the person I’ve become and excited for what the future holds.”