Throughout the holiday season, Penn Medicine staff reached out to those in need throughout their communities. For example, as part of Holly Days at HUP, departments and patient care units helped to make the season brighter for multiple families in shelters, veterans and homeless teens.
Good Shepherd Penn Partner staff at Penn Medicine Rittenhouse filled a family’s wish list as part of The Salvation Army’s “Adopt-A-Family” Program. Ann Marie Collington said that she and Julia Millichap “collected money from our very generous coworkers and shopped till we dropped to make the holidays a little brighter for a family who has suffered this year.”
Penn Medicine Radnor bought presents for 230 residents at Fair Acres Geriatric Center for whom the holidays might otherwise be lonely. Although each resident just requested one gift, “many of us would include something extra in their bag, like a wall calendar, holiday decoration, or playing cards,” said Lisa Magno. “The project is a team effort and result [as can be seen from the photo] is overwhelming.”
And Chester County Laboratory staff donated over $1,500 and enough gifts to make the holidays very happy for 10 children in four families!
“We have an amazing staff that works all year round to provide excellent care to our patients and this was another opportunity to help our community,” said Hannah Chapman of CCH Pathology.
Staff of Penn Care at Home also organized their 21st Annual Holiday Caroling event to spread the spirit of the season to patients and their families in West Philadelphia. David Stickley, a chaplain for Penn Wissahickon Hospice, played the part of Santa Claus this year, and staff joined him as he brought holiday cheer to each patient. “Nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aides identify patients in particular need of some extra attention and love during the season,” said Christine Bossone, MSN, RN, professional development specialist for Penn Care at Home. “Our patients and families enjoyed our visits, as they always do, and the staff who join in the event always – overwhelmingly – want to join us again. This event really is a highlight of the year for patients and staff alike.”
Read more about the many outreach efforts throughout Penn Medicine on the Penn Medicine News Blog!