That’s how we show we care: BWFH gives back this holiday season

Community Health and Wellness Program Manager Katie Plante (right) gets help from BWFH’s Security Operations Manager and Chief of Police Paul Baker delivering gifts to the JP Manning Elementary School

Here at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, one of the ways staff members are encouraged to show they care is by extending themselves. This holiday season, staff from all over the hospital did just that by reaching out and giving back to our community.

Organized by the Community Health and Wellness Department, BWFH adopted eight families in need with children who attend the JP Manning Elementary School. Groups from Radiology, Food and Nutrition, Human Resources, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Community Physicians, Anesthesia, Risk/Patient Safety and the Pharmacy, as well as several individuals, all stepped up to help. In total, BWFH staff donated 40 large bags of gifts.

“Every year, staff at BWFH go above and beyond when it comes to demonstrating their generosity,” says Community Health and Wellness Program Manager Katie Plante. “The fact that so many are willing to step up to make the holidays merry and bright for the kids at the Manning School and their families is inspiring.”

In similar fashion, the Department of Nursing supported the Italian Home for Children. 7 South and the Advanced Practice Provider Council organized drives to collect gifts to make Christmas special for kids at the Italian Home for Children. The Italian Home for Children provides an integrated network of powerful and effective programs to help children and families with emotional, behavioral and educational challenges thrive in their communities, and they are BWFH’s next-door neighbors!

In the Psychiatry Department, staff banded together to collect donations for the Wonderfund, which serves children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. In addition to holiday gifts, the non-profit provides emergency aid services, enrichment opportunities, everyday essentials such as toiletries and school supplies, access to cultural experiences across the Commonwealth and more.

These are just some of the examples of ways in which BWFH gave back this year. Another is the annual collaboration between BWFH’s Police, Security, Safety and Parking Department and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, which collects and distributes toys to less fortunate children throughout the United States to help them experience the joy of Christmas. The program seeks to play an active role in the development of the nation’s most valuable resources―its children―and to unite members of local communities in a common cause.

Published 12/27/22

7 South Nurse Director Mary Anne Barry, MBA, BSN, RN, and APP Council Chair Laurie Rieger, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, display gifts collected for the kids at the Italian Home for Children

Psychiatry Department staff with their gifts for the Wonderfund

Police, Security, Safety and Parking Department staff with the gifts collected Toys for Tots

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