Over the past nine months, individuals and organizations have donated countless meals and snacks to hardworking health care professionals across Penn Medicine in an effort to keep them well-fed and energized as they battle the pandemic on the front lines. The generous Philadelphia-based staff of one business, Ernst & Young (EY), took this charitable act a step further through their new Double Good campaign. In October, the Labor & Delivery and Mother Baby teams at Pennsylvania Hospital were their first recipients.
“EY is grateful to our community’s hospital workers for their tremendous sacrifices during the pandemic, and we also acknowledge that COVID-19 has been difficult for many small businesses. Through the Double Good campaign, we recognize the efforts of local health care heroes while also supporting neighborhood restaurants that are struggling to stay afloat,” said Stephen Cea, managing director of EY’s Health Sciences & Wellness practice.
Pennsy’s Labor & Delivery and Mother Baby teams haven’t slowed down at all during the pandemic, delivering nearly 4,000 babies since early March and doing their best to ensure that all of their patients feel safe and supported. These tireless staff members were able to enjoy a much-deserved break when EY staff funded the delivery of 135 meals from El Fuego, a local Mexican restaurant and a favorite of many Pennsy staff members.
“The owner of El Fuego was actually working the line in an effort to get these orders ready for us, and he made the deliveries too. Our staff who [used to] go there all the time were really excited to see him!” said Carolyn Tobin, director of Food & Nutrition and Environmental Services, who coordinated the drop-off with Jamillah Washington, MSN, RN, nurse manager of the Delivery Room. “Our staff really appreciated these meals, and we’re all so grateful for the continued support of community partners like Ernst & Young. This truly was a ‘double good’ effort.”