COVID-19 forced many holiday traditions to be cancelled this year, and HUP's well-loved annual tree decorating competition on patient care units was almost one of them. Indeed, volunteers couldn't drop off the artificial trees on the units and members of the Abrahamson Christmas and Easter Committee — who normally judge the decorations — were not allowed on the floors due to current limitations on the number of visitors.
But HUP senior leaders "were emphatic about keeping the tradition going," said David Cribb, director of Volunteer Services. With the help of staff from Physical Plant and Materials Management, the trees were assembled and distributed to the units. And staff made sure that the joyous spirit was clearly present, with a variety of themes in their decorations. For example, one allowed a peek into the world of health care discoveries — with decorations of test tubes, rubber gloves, and wreaths of wristbands — and yet another had a Mummers theme that included real-life Mummers costumes and a special Mummers performance via Blue Jeans.
To choose this year's top three units of those that entered, HUP employees voted online. Read about the winners below.
Wishes for 2021: The Number One Pick
With all that 2020 brought, most people were looking forward to 2021. And that was the theme of Silverstein 8's winning entry: "It's time for a New Year." Their tree decorations brought the celebration to life: a floating champagne bottle with a garland of bubbles, mini champagne-filled tree ornaments, party hats/crowns, a sequined tree skirt, a fireworks scene setter background and a countdown clock tree topper.
"Each year we welcome new babies into the world, and this year we wanted to welcome them with hope for a better year ahead… It's time for a New Year!" said Christine Jaslar, BSN, of the Women's Health Lactation Team.
Buddy the Elf Spreads Christmas Cheer
Silverstein 10 chose the spirit of Buddy the Elf (from the movie "Elf") to spread the joy of the holidays. The entire team created a fantasy environment that brought the "whimsy, pure heartedness and cheer" to the floor, noted the poem they wrote to describe their theme. "Something to replenish our souls from a difficult year."
Topped with an elf hat, the tree's elf ornaments, gumdrop trees, balls, nutcrackers, and snowflakes helped make the floor "happy, joyous and feeling more like ourself," as did a wall of personalized "cocoa mug" cutouts created by staff. And happy to oblige for a photo-op moment was Buddy the elf!
Recognizing Health Care Heroes
Rhoads 6 chose the theme of "Health Care Heroes" to focus not only on their own staff but also the thousands of health care workers who lost their lives to COVID-19. "We believe that all of our staff members are real life super heroes," said Nina Solis, BSN. "Many of us have volunteered to work as COVID-19 nurses since March of this year, in addition to caring for our normal oncology patients."
In addition to tree ornaments and a poster of photo of their own "super hero staff," the staff created a poster honoring "Fallen Health Care Heroes Lost to COVID-19" which Solis said includes just a "fraction of the names of health care workers who have tragically lost their lives while working in this pandemic."
Thank you to all the units that went above and beyond to make the holidays happier for patients and staff.