Staff made the holidays brighter for those in need in our communities as well as for patients and families in HUP. Although the holidays have passed, the warm memories of their efforts and tremendous generosity remains.
Holly Days And So Much More!
Community outreach throughout HUP occurs year-round, but these efforts always shift into high gear during the holiday season, and 2017 was no exception.
Thanks to HUP’s Holly Days program, 23 families – moms and children – living in a shelter, as well as 17 veterans from The Veterans Group home, had their wish lists filled. In addition, the Covenant House, a shelter for homeless teens, received over $5,300 in gift cards.
“People go all out – you see how they care for people in our community,” said Phyllis Murray of Administration, who once again took the lead on this holiday event. “Next year we might expand to two shelters because we had so many people wanting to ‘adopt’ for the holidays.”
Murray coordinated efforts with Pam Mack Brooks, who oversees the HUP Community Health Outreach Program. This year provided the Outreach Program sent gifts and donations to the Centennial Rehabilitation Center, targeting senior residents who have few or no visitors during the year, as well as CHANCES, a rehabilitation program for women and their children.
Also part of this outreach was the Nursing Network Center’s holiday drive for those living in the Lutheran Settlement House. “We collected toiletries, hats, gloves, clothing and many, many toys, as well as $85 in cash and $85 in gift cards,” said Brenda Bradford.
“The generosity of the departments and nursing units was overwhelming,” said Mack-Brooks. And thanks to Anthony Johnson and other members of Materials Management, the “six large containers filled with gifts” made it to the recipients well in time for Christmas.
In addition to these hospital-wide efforts, many departments and nursing units did their own community outreach. For example, Support Services collected over 1,450 books that they donated to Books Through Bars, Philadelphia schools, and two women’s shelter. “We also made 40 ornaments, for both the shelters and for patients at the [Clyde F Barker] Transplant House,” said Joana Plazas of Support Services Administration.
Patients and families at the Transplant House also enjoyed sweet treats, thanks to members of Silverstein 11 who baked more than 400 cookies (three varieties!) and Rice Krispies treats at the House, packaging them into cookie tins and Ziplock bags to share with the guests staying there. “As always, we had a great time chatting with guests and bringing some holiday cheer,” said Stacey Pham.
The coat drive led by OR surgical techs resulted in more than 100 coats being donated to the Dreuding Center, a shelter for women and children. Volunteers also donated their time – and their muscles – to the annual “Turkey Toss” sponsored by the South of South Neighborhood Association. More than 575 frozen turkeys went to families and senior citizens in the area. And Path and Lab Medicine collected – and transported – over 300 gifts and $250 in gift cards for CHOP’s Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department.
“Everything from arts and crafts to Legos, stuffed, animals and games,” said Nichole Howard. “My coworkers made a huge difference for the kids this year and I’m proud to work with such kind and generous people.”
When we pool our efforts, the impact is even greater. More than 150 volunteers from across Penn Medicine helped wrap and hand out gifts – and serve a delicious meal – to more than 6,000 people at Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s 18th Annual Holiday Party for the Homeless and Disadvantaged. And Penn Medicine employees also raised a record $1.1 million in the 2017 Penn’s Way campaign, to support the crucial work of charitable organizations and community initiatives throughout our region.
Decking the Halls
While many employees reach out to help community members during the holidays, HUP staff also brightened the season for inpatients and their families with the annual tree-decorating contest. Each year, staff “deck the halls” of patient-care units with specially themed decorations and members of the Abrahamsohn Christmas & Easter Committee choose five winners amid very stiff competition!
Congratulations to this year’s winning units:
Classic Disney: Rhoads 6, an oncology unit, chose this theme because “we thought Disney would evoke hope, magic and the spirit of childhood for our patients,” said Natalie Rivera. The nurses helped all the patients – including a young long-term patient who loved Disney – make the painted, sparkled ornaments that decorated the tree. When that patient died suddenly and unexpectedly, the staff raised money to send her family to Disney World.
The Wizard of Oz: With a patient population that includes those receiving heart and lung transplants, what better mascot for Silverstein 10 than the Tin Man and the magical world of Oz! The staff transformed their waiting room with a tornado (constructed from a tomato cage, trash bag, and bunting), a field of poppies, the yellow brick road, and of course, a rainbow. Even the Wizard makes an appearance!
Dumbo: While huge, floppy ears led to so many obstacles in Dumbo’s young life, babies in HUP’s intensive care unit often have significiant medical challenges as well. But like Dumbo, “they often exceed our expectations!” said Mary Kate Surochak. The waiting room decorations show rainy days but also days filled with sunshine.
Fight Like a Girl: Silverstein 7, a gynecology/oncology unit, dedicated their winning theme to their patients and their courageous battles against cancer. The “Fight Like a Girl” campaign invites cancer to step into the ring! “This is for the women we’ve lost and for those who are fighting,” said Sarah Wadsworth.
Candyland: Who doesn’t like candy? “It’s cheery and fun!” said Carly Rosenblatt of Founders 12. With small mason jars filled with candy decorating the tree and lollipops on windows, the decorations welcome visitors to visit a place where “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down!”