Help Families in Need this Holiday Season with Fuel Assistance

December 4, 2018 by Leave a comment

Ellen Ganley and Mary Knittle (pictured left) from the Worcester Community Action Council thanked members of the critical care community (pictured right) for their ongoing commitment and generous support of the Fuel Assistance Program.

The critical care community’s annual giving project to help families in need by supporting the Worcester Community Action Council Fuel Assistance Program is underway! Providing assistance to the lowest income households with the highest average energy costs, donations to this program resulted in 25 households receiving an additional 100 gallons of home heating oil last winter! If you’d like to participate, drop off a check payable to Worcester Community Action Council (with “Fuel Assistance 2018” in the memo) to one of the following committee members: Michelle Fernald (6ICU), Nancy Simon (3ICU), Michelle O’Rourke (L3ICU), Karen Shea (L2ICU), Luanne Hills (HB-726), Erin Guyette (CCU/SICU) or Sherry Jakubiak (S6-842). Donations will be collected through December 30 and are tax deductible. Questions? Call Sherry at 508-334-0042.

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Why Donate to the Heart Walk? Learn How Your Donations Matter

April 12, 2017 by Leave a comment

The funds raised by participating in this year’s Heart Walk on Saturday, May 6, will support projects like these:

  • A $5 donation teaches more than 100 adults how to save a life by recognizing the signs of heart attack or stroke and how to administer CPR or use an automated external defibrillator.
  • A $25 donation empowers 25 underserved African Americans to help end stroke by educating them on topics such as risk factors and prevention.
  • A $100 donation provides information to help four stroke survivors maximize recovery and independence with a subscription to outreach newsletter.

Donate today to any of the UMass Memorial teams by visiting the 2017 Heart Walk fundraising page.

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People Helping People: Our Employees’ Holiday Generosity

December 23, 2016 by 1 Comment

happy holidaysEach holiday season, our Medical Center employees contribute generously to community agencies and local families in need. Our employees’ selfless acts of giving align with our systemwide True North principles (Our Patients, Our People, Our Future and Our Discoveries). This is why it is so important that News & Views brings you the information about our journey to becoming the best place to give care and the best place to get care. Today’s and the December 21 issues show how much our departments and teams care about our patients, our greater community and each other. Learn about this year’s acts of holiday benevolence:

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The Office of Clinical Integration coordinated a raffle among colleagues that raised $300 for BAMSI (Brockton Area Multi-Services Inc.). The donation was given to the Worcester BAMSI office, 350 Plantation Street, which provides daytime services to adults who have a combination of physical and mental disabilities and/or illnesses. In addition, members of the clinical integration team coordinated a Toys for Tots donation box, a giving tree for the DCF Holiday Party, and Project Toasty to collect warm winter clothing, which was donated to St. John’s Church.

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The Oncology Pharmacy with Investigational Pharmacy, fifth and sixth floor infusion suites staff at the Ambulatory Care Center and staff at University Campus second floor radiology, along with miscellaneous participants, provided $500 dollars worth of gift cards to the Worcester Boys and Girls Club annual Christmas party.

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Members of the Marketing and Communications Department

The Marketing and Communications Department, in conjunction with Abby’s House, helped a family in need by buying holiday gifts for four children. The team purchased a variety of wish list gifts and necessities for the children, ages 4 to 10 years old, including clothing, shoes, toys and art supplies.

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Tri-River Family Health Center has supported the Telegram & Gazette Santa for over 30 years from the center’s candy draw collection. With all the extra money collected, the center will be sending a $642 check this year to help support children in the area. The center has also supported the local Department of Children and Family services for the past 26 years by buying Christmas gifts and food gift cards. This year, the center collected for eight families with a total of 15 children.

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Cindy Ramsey, office coordinator, geriatric medicine, is pictured with Julia Martiros of Elder Services.

The Geriatric Division organized a sock collection for Elder Services of Worcester. Pictured is Cindy Ramsey, office coordinator, geriatric medicine, with Julia Martiros of Elder Services.

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Hahnemann DSU, SACU and PACU donated to the Worcester County Food Bank. The group donated food for Thanksgiving and also presented the food bank with both financial and food donations on December 19.

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Staff from Occupational Injury Care and Employee Health donated gift cards, arts and crafts supplies, and personal items to Community Healthlink’s Highland Grace House, a residential program serving young women seeking long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

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Montachussett Internal Medicine and Nephrology

Montachussett Internal Medicine and Nephrology in Leominster coordinated a food collection for patients. Patients entered a drawing to receive one of three food themed gift baskets and two anonymously donated grocery boxes.

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The University Campus Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy departments gifted turkeys and gift cards to Friendly House that provided 10 families with Thanksgiving dinner this year.

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306 Belmont Street team

The 306 Belmont Street team donated $500 toward the DCF Holiday Party.

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The Infection Control Department made a donation to the Worcester Food Bank.

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Harvard Primary Care donated to Worcester County Toys for Tots Program.

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The Medical Group Professional Fee Reporting Department adopted a teen through the Children’s Smile Coalition, purchasing gifts on the Christmas Wish List.

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Pictured from left are John McGlone, Charlene Annohene and Mike Puim

Houskeeping team members, from left: John McGlone, Charlene Annohene and Mike Puim

Every year members of the Housekeeping Department for University and Memorial campuses adopt two families through Friendly House Shelter. This year, the Ambulatory Care Center housekeeping team also joined in and adopted a family, too.

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Emergency Medicine Administration offices collected donations totaling more than $3,700 from faculty, fellows, advanced practice providers and administrative staff to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank.

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Women’s and Newborn Services Community Engagement Committee members

The Women’s and Newborn Services Community Engagement Committee participated in the annual Community Mitten Party at the Belmont School, Worcester. The committee collected and distributed 550 pairs of mittens along with homemade cupcakes and grapes. Following the December 7 party, the committee received handmade thank you notes from kindergarten and first-grade students. Pictured, from left, are Sharon Cormier, RNC, Ellen Delpapa, MD, chairwoman, Tina Profitt, Patti Yranski, NP, Cathy Violette, NP, Michelle Cote, community volunteer, and Kelley McNamara, Belmont Street School. Missing from photo are Michael Kalinowski, volunteer baker, and Marianne Williams, mitten collection organizer.

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Millbury Internal Medicine team

Millbury Internal Medicine employees adopted a family for the holidays. Gifts for the children and caregiver were purchased and wrapped, and will be delivered on Christmas Eve.

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For the third year in a row, the Finance Services Division donated, purchased and wrapped presents to help those in need. This year, seven children from the Belmont Street Community School will receive toys and new clothes. A lit tree was also donated to a family who has never had one.

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The Department of Psychiatry’s Ambulatory Psychiatry Service donated $670 and 24 winter outfits of jackets, gloves and coats (and a small  beanie baby in a pocket) for Worcester schoolchildren through the Worcester Educational Development Foundation’s Coats for Kids program.

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Last but not least, one of our caregivers received a very special recognition this holiday season …

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Lourdes Plaza

Lourdes Plaza, housekeeper, 7th floor, Univeristy Campus, received high praise from a patient who wrote this message to her in a Christmas card: “You were  my guardian angel while I was in the hospital. Every time I have a challenge, I am always reminded of you telling me God will take care of it. Blessings to you and your family!”

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Happy Holidays: Employees Generously Give Back to Community

December 21, 2016 by Leave a comment

happy holidaysEach holiday season, our Medical Center employees contribute generously to community agencies and local families in need. Our employees’ selfless acts of giving align with our systemwide True North principles (Our Patients, Our People, Our Future and Our Discoveries). This is why it is so important that News & Views brings you the information about our journey to becoming the best place to give care, and the best place to get care. Today’s and Friday’s News & Views issues show how much our departments and teams care about our patients, our greater community and each other. Learn about this year’s acts of holiday benevolence:

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About 100 volunteers from UMass Memorial Medical Center and DCF gear up for a day of fun at the DCF Holiday Party.

Medical Center Hosts ‘Truly Magical’ Holiday Event for Foster Families
The annual Worcester Area Department of Children and Families (DCF) holiday party was hosted for the second year by our Department of Nursing. More than 500 children and foster parents turned out to celebrate the holidays at the DCU Center, which generously offered its venue and donated all food and beverages for the event. Staff, community members and organizations came together to donate hundreds of gifts, hats, mittens and books for the children, who were also treated to a number of fun activities including ornament decorating, face painting and making reindeer hats. During the event, children were invited to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and even enjoyed a visit from the new Worcester Railers hockey team mascot TRAX.

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Clockwise from top left, Medical Center elves wrapped hundreds of presents in preparation for the DCF Holiday Party. Staff members work to sort the gifts by age before delivering to children. Santa and TRAX wave hello to party guests. Carolers lead the children in song during the event.

“Hats off to our nurses for once again doing all of the heavy lifting to help make this wonderful event possible,” said Medical Center President Patrick Muldoon, FACHE. “In addition to the nurses, many of our caregivers stepped in to do their part either by donating a toy, taking part in the gift-wrapping session, or serving as a volunteer during the event. I am extremely proud of their efforts and commitment to support the DCF and the children it works hard to protect year round. It was truly a magical day for all the children and their foster parents, but also for the volunteers that came together from throughout the community to make this celebration happen.”

“I cannot thank UMass Memorial, the DCU Center and Civic Center Commission, 100-plus volunteers for the incredible kindness they have shown throughout this process,” said Dawn Wareham, Worcester West DCF Area clinical manager. “An event like this does not happen without the support of local organizations and their communities. This was a day to not only celebrate the children, but also the foster parents who play a major part in their lives.” See Telegram & Gazette story to learn more.

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Department of Nuclear Medicine employees are once again eliminating exchanging gifts to each other this year, and instead made a group donation to the Worcester County Food Bank.

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The staff at South County Pediatrics helped some of the practice’s families have a happy holiday season by donating toys, clothing and gift cards for groceries and pharmacy needs.

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clinical-engineering-toys-for-totsMembers of the Clinical Engineering Department participated in an off-site volunteering day at Toys for Tots, run by the Marine Corps Reserve warehouse for Worcester County. While volunteering at the warehouse, members of the clinical engineering team experienced the goings-on of Toys for Tots, including gifts delivered from donations, the process to sort and bag gifts for deliveries and toy pickups for children in the region.

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Shrewsbury Family Medicine at 24 Julio Drive organized a collection for the Mustard Seed in Worcester. It included hats, gloves, coats, nonperishable food items, personal hygiene items, and monetary donations.

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The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health coordinated a warm clothing collection for the Coats for Kids’ Campaign, benefiting children of Worcester Public Schools. The collection provided a new coat, hat and mittens for 56 children from 13 elementary schools. This year, the department collected money, baskets and toiletries to fill 345 baskets (surpassing its goal of 300!) for women and families at shelters, community health centers and primary care practices.

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 Marlborough Medical Associates donated gifts to Tuft’s Children’s Floating Hospital.

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The Managed Care Operations Team adopted a family of five through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, providing gifts and necessities from the family’s holiday wish list.

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Community Medical Group Milford OB/GYN sponsored a family through the local Department of Children and Families.

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The Critical Care Operations Committee assisted the most vulnerable in Central Massachusetts via the Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) Fuel Assistance Program. The program targets assistance to households with the lowest incomes and highest average energy costs.

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The Memorial Campus Care Coordination Department organized a Veteran’s Day fundraiser to benefit Veteran’s Inc. Employees donated towels, toiletries, paper products, clothing and nonperishable foods. The department also held a clothing collection to help ED patients in need.

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Help Families in Need This Holiday Season with Fuel Assistance

December 2, 2016 by Leave a comment

The Critical Care Community once again has organized the annual giving project to help families in need via the Worcester Community Action Council Fuel Assistance Program. The program provides assistance to households with the lowest incomes and highest average energy costs. Last winter, donations supported 25 different households. Tax-deductible checks can be made payable to Worcester Community Action Council with “Fuel Assistance 2016” in the notation at the bottom, and dropped off to the following committee members, all located on University Campus: Michelle Fernald (6ICU), Nancy Simon (3ICU), Michelle O’Rourke (L3ICU), Karen Shea (L2ICU), and Sherry Jakubiak (S6-842). Donations will be collected until December 23. Questions, call Sherry at 508-334-0042.

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Kudos to Our Employees for Funding Summer Camp for Kids

August 8, 2016 by 1 Comment

Dr. Dickson and Doug Brown interact with campers Camp Kinneywood, doing a “muscle pose” (left photo) and helping the girls unscramble a tough word: cartwheel.

Dr. Dickson and Doug Brown interact with campers Camp Kinneywood, doing a “muscle pose” (left photo) and helping the girls unscramble a tough word: cartwheel.

Thanks to generosity of our employees across our system, 250 girls from kindergarten to high school are enjoying summer camp at Girls Inc. Kinneywood Camp in Holden. Scholarships were funded through the Summer Strong fundraising campaign with the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The employee/employer match initiative brought in a total contribution of $350,000. President and CEO Eric Dickson, MD, said, “While we provide medical care to our patients, it’s programs like this – supported by our  employees – that reminds us we are part of a larger community, and we need to help beyond the hospital walls.” Read Telegram & Gazette story.

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People Helping People: Learn about Employees’ Holiday Generosity

December 23, 2015 by Leave a comment

happy holidaysEach holiday season, our Medical Center employees contribute generously to community agencies and local families in need. Our employees’ selfless acts of giving align with our systemwide “True North” principles (Our Patients, Our People, Our Future and Our Discoveries). This is why it is so important that News & Views brings you the information about our journey to becoming the best place to give care, and the best place to get care. Today’s and last Monday’s News & Views issues note how our departments and teams truly do care about our patients, greater community and each other. Learn about this year’s acts of holiday benevolence:

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Department of Respiratory Care Helps Family after Tragedy

Family and team meet (from left): Ryan Shipe, MD; Ms. Ruffin’s sister, Jaime; mother, Carolyn; grandchild, Khilani; Rachel Carragher; Luanne Hills; Mike O’Brian; Jeff Gillis; Diane Putek; MaryLou Bousquet; Jessica Wood; Dolly Levasseur

Family and team meet (from left): Ryan Shipe, MD; Ms. Ruffin’s sister, Jaime; mother, Carolyn; grandchild, Khilani; Rachel Carragher; Luanne Hills; Mike O’Brian; Jeff Gillis; Diane Putek; MaryLou Bousquet; Jessica Wood; Dolly Levasseur

“Thank you, team, for your thoughtfulness and generosity,” said Medical Center President Patrick Muldoon, meeting Khilani.

“Thank you, team, for your thoughtfulness and generosity,” said Medical Center President Patrick Muldoon, meeting Khilani.

Residents of Central Massachusetts were shaken recently when they learned of a tragedy that struck a local family. On October 26, Christina Ruffin and her infant son, Noah, were killed in a horrific car accident on Route 20 in Charlton. Ms. Ruffin’s two sons were treated after the accident at the Medical Center by a team that included members of the Department of Respiratory Care. Affected deeply by the experience and the accident’s impact on the family, the respiratory care team bought gifts and contributed more than $1,000 and $600 in gift cards to support the family this holiday; the children’s grandmother and Ms. Ruffin’s sister traveled to meet the team and receive their gifts. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my staff,” said Rachel Carragher, BBA, RRT, clinical supervisor, respiratory care, who received this message from the grateful family: “You all are the true definition of heroes. My family and I can’t thank you enough for everything and your dedicated work.”

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The Department of Radiology Group Practice conducted a donation drive for the Worcester County Food Bank.

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The Geriatric Division donated hats and gloves to Elder Services of Worcester that will be provided to seniors who receive Meals on Wheels.

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The Anticoagulation Clinic collected items for our troops and helped support the Gastrointestinal Clinic efforts.

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Pictured from left: Danielle Garvey, coding auditor; Jennifer Havalotti, project coordinator; Rashedah Tatum, program director, BAMSI; Laila Begum, data analyst; and Jane Haddad, practice improvement facilitator

Pictured from left: Danielle Garvey, coding auditor; Jennifer Havalotti, project coordinator; Rashedah Tatum, program director, BAMSI; Laila Begum, data analyst; and Jane Haddad, practice improvement facilitator

This year, when presenting BAMSI its gift, the agency shared a collage of photos of the carnival event (pictured right).

When presenting BAMSI its gift, the agency shared a collage of photos of the carnival event.

The Office of Clinical Integration, located at 306 Belmont Street, carried on a tradition that was implemented last year, and held an internal raffle and raised $330 for BAMSI (Brockton Area Multi-Services Inc.). BAMSI, located in the office space next door at 350 Plantation Street, provides services to both adults and children who have a combination of physical and mental disabilities and/or illnesses. This particular location provides day service needs for adults. Last year, the team raised more than $300, and with this money the agency hosted a carnival-themed event for family and friends.

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The Department of Transplant on the University Campus participated in a collection for Friendly House Shelter in Worcester.

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The Managed Care Operations Department adopted a family through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest and purchased items on the family’s wish list.

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West Boylston Family Medicine organized a collection for Toys for Tots.

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Abby’s House collection for Thanksgiving

Employees from Central Scheduling, 855-UMASS-MD and the Information Systems team on 67 Millbrook Street organized a Thanksgiving collection for Abby’s House. The team collected about $800 and donations included a new microwave, gift cards and several bins of paper goods.

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The UMass Memorial Medical Group at Milford donated to the local food pantry.

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The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology organized a mitten drive through its participation and sponsorship in the Night of Sharing dinner event at Mill Swan School to benefit Head Start students and families in Worcester.

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Emergency Medicine Administration faculty and staff have donated to the Worcester County Food Bank for the past few years. This year the team collected $2,700.

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Coats For Kids drive

The Department of Anesthesiology and Hospital Administration participated in the Coats For Kids drive sponsored by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation.

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This year, Nuclear Medicine employees decided to eliminate buying gifts for each other and instead made a group donation to the Worcester County Food Bank.

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Oncology and Research Pharmacy adopted a family through the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Team members pitched in and got everything on the wish list including clothes, toys, crafts, a small Christmas tree with ornaments, gift cards for groceries.

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South County Pediatrics adopted three families.

South County Pediatrics in Webster adopted three families and completed each family’s holiday wish list with children’s toys, gifts, necessities and supermarket gift cards.

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For the past several years, the Critical Care Operations Committee has organized a Critical Care Community Holiday Giving Project that assists the most vulnerable in Central Massachusetts via the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) Fuel Assistance Program. This program targets assistance to households with the lowest incomes and highest average energy costs. During the 2014-2015 heating season, donations from the UMass Memorial Critical Care Community supported 19 different households in Central Massachusetts which federal fuel assistance benefit had been depleted.

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Robin Demasi, coordinator for the Hand and Physical Therapy Department holiday fundraiser, is pictured with gifts for the team’s adopted family.

Robin Demasi, coordinator for the Hand and Physical Therapy clinics holiday fundraiser, is pictured with gifts for the team’s adopted family.

The Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy clinics, Hahnemann Campus,  adopted a family of four with children ranging in age from 11 months to 13 years old. Working with Friendly House, the department fulfilled the family’s specific requests for special gifts, collecting about 50 gifts, as well as hundreds of dollars in gift cards.

 

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United Way Drawing: $1,000 Apple Store Gift Card

November 19, 2014 by Leave a comment

United WayDonate to the United Way and win! Stop by our tables tomorrow, November 20 on the University, Memorial and Hahnemann campus cafeterias and at the Worcester Business Center, 1st Floor Lobby, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and make your donation of $5 per week. You’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $1,000 Apple Store Gift Card. If you can’t make it in person tomorrow, here are additional ways to donate: Go to the special United Way page on OurNet and choose your pledge option on the left menu. Email unitedway@umassmemorial.org to request that your donation be made via payroll deduction. Pledge when you visit HRConnect; look for the tab in the main menu. Forms and electronic donations must be received by 5 pm, Thursday, November 20. Thank you and good luck!

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