In the lead-up to the holidays, many people expressed concerns that COVID-19 would ruin the magic of the season. If stay-at-home orders canceled travel plans and Zoom fatigue threatened virtual gatherings, could this time of year really be special? The staff of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center made sure it was! From spreading joy and sharing meals, to giving back and getting ugly (in tacky sweaters), let’s reflect on how PPMC made the season merry and bright.
’Tis the Season of Service
To kick off the holiday season, Bridget Abdalla, CMA, administrative assistant for Cardiology, and Jennifer Nelson, MSN, RN, NE-BC, nurse manager of Cupp 3 East, hosted a Thanksgiving food drive for Chosen 300. The community-driven ministry put out a call for canned vegetables, boxed stuffing, cranberry sauce, and other Thanksgiving trimmings to include in baskets for 50 underserved West Philadelphia families. Abdalla, a frequent supporter of the ministry, was overwhelmed by her coworkers’ generosity, noting, “The holidays were tough on everyone this year, but it’s important to give back when you can. We filled two cars with donations and were able to help neighbors who couldn’t afford to put food on the table enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.”
The Good Shepherd Penn Partners Diversity and Inclusion Council at PPMC also collected fresh food to fill the People’s Fridge in West Philadelphia. The fridge is free and operates on a “take what you need, leave what you can, no questions asked” policy. Physical therapist Claire Morton, DPT, and senior physical therapist assistant Jennifer Novik, PTA, MBA, were able to restock the fridge with fresh fruits and vegetables and fill an entire shelf with hearty loaves and bagels.
Good Tidings and Great Gifts
Many traditions were put on hold this year due to social distancing guidelines, including the annual Children’s Holiday Party. However, PPMC had no intention of letting down the kids who look forward to the toys and treats distributed by Santa each year. Instead, the Community Outreach Council organized a toy drive benefitting the People’s Emergency Center (PEC) in West Philadelphia. PEC is a non-profit that serves homeless families, primarily consisting of single mothers and young children. These families have often experienced trauma and require employment, housing, and mental health support. In addition to collecting helpful household items, gift cards, and warm clothing, PPMC also amassed a colossal mountain of toys to brighten up the season. From rideable toy trucks to art supplies to basketballs, generous staff members across the hospital stepped up, showed their true holiday spirit, and restored a sense of excitement and wonder to the season.
“Even though we weren’t able to move forward with our normal plans this year, I’m proud that we still found a way to support our most vulnerable community members and ensure these kids enjoyed a memorable, magical holiday,” said Gary Ginsberg, assistant executive director of Facilities.
Staying Jolly on the Job
Employees who worked on Christmas day received a delicious surprise in lieu of the typical annual Holiday Meal in the cafeteria. More than 750 hot, individually wrapped meals were delivered to the hospital, courtesy of Stephen Starr’s Jones Restaurant and Dim Sum Garden (via Off Their Plate). “We know what a difficult year this has been for everyone, and especially for health care providers and essential support staff. We’re so grateful for their resilience. There is something about a hot meal made with care and passion that makes people feel comforted,” said Suzanne Smith, MEd, CHES, director of Patient Experience.
Employees also had the chance to participate in PPMC’s second annual Ugly Sweater Contest. While they couldn’t model their unsightly sartorial choices together this year, staff were invited to send in photos for judgment by the PPMC Experience Committee, led by Human Resources manager Zene Colt. Of all the photos submitted — some including pets, kids, and illuminated decorations — only one could be named the “best” overall. Congratulations to employee relations & retention specialist Kim Elam, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, who nabbed the top spot with her Santa-inspired ensemble, which was laden with sparkling tinsel, colorful ornaments, and even candy canes.
