Colleen Hurely
For the past 20 years, Colleen Hurely, a NICU nurse and lactation consultant at Chester County Hospital, has shown compassion and care to numerous infants and families during the early and critical stages in the NICU. “Colleen is an advocate for her patients and family members, always trying to be empathetic to them while caring for their baby in the NICU,” said Susan Cacciavillano, NICU clinical manager. Hurley also helps connect them to community resources after discharge, making the transition to home as easy as possible.
Last year, Hurley created CCH’s first Pillows for Purpose Campaign, a call for hospital employees to donate pillows that would be distributed to local shelters in the Chester County area. She got the idea from a request by a patient’s mother, who lived in a shelter and wanted to take a hospital pillow with her.
The pillow drive started in the NICU, but, with the help of CHRO Jackie Felicetti, it became hospital wide. Last year’s Pillow for Purpose Campaign netted 78 pillows, which were donated to four local facilities. “It was amazing to see everyone’s reaction who received the pillows.” Hurley said, adding that, the increased need to help families during the pandemic makes this now-annual campaign even more critical.