BIDMC Community Finds
Many Ways to Give

Around Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, employees, physicians and volunteers have found ways to give throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Each year, caregivers from BIDMC health centers identify families for the Community Caring program, then work with each to develop a gift “wish list.” Fulfilling these wishes has become a BIDMC holiday tradition for individuals and departments.

The post anesthesia care unit (PACU) is one department that participated this year. PACU staff member Julianne Whitney, R.N., picked up wish lists for several families, totaling 30 people. A particularly telling list requested warm clothing and blankets rather than toys, signaling that the family may be hard-pressed to pay for heat this winter. “Everybody in our department loves helping out,” says Whitney. “Having information about the families and children makes the giving much more personal.”

One Community Caring volunteer, Marge Rabinovich of Newton, helped this year’s program reach hundreds of children and families. Bearing information about the needs of Bowdoin Street Health Center families, Rabinovich worked with selected Newton elementary and middle schools, Boston law firm Bernkopf, Goodman and Baseman, and numerous friends and neighbors. Together, they furnished clothing, toys, school supplies and books for 200 children, as well as gifts for parents. “These families have become part of the holiday tradition for hundreds of people,” says Rabinovich. “It is so meaningful for the students to be buying gifts for kids their own age.”

Rounding out the season of giving at BIDMC were the Longwood Medical Area/Mission Hill and Fenway Holiday Food Drive, and the annual employee giving campaign. On both campuses, employees filled food drive boxes with canned and boxed goods. For the employee campaign, giving opportunities were expanded. Through the Tradition of Giving option, employees could make monetary contributions to the President’s Fund to use where funds are needed most, or to four BIDMC-related patient services funds. Through the Good Works option, employees could choose to give to three organizations outside BIDMC – Community Health Charities, United Way and Community Works. Packets distributed with Dec. 4 paychecks contained details on the good works of these funds and organizations.

Volunteers ‘Give’ Year-round
While the winter holidays are a popular time for helping others, BIDMC volunteers engage in selfless acts throughout the year.

“Our 350 volunteers represent all ages and walks of life, and they perform a wide range of tasks throughout the medical center,” says Julia Dunbar, manager of volunteer services. “They share their time and talent so generously, in so many ways.”

One example is volunteer Martha Edson, a retired corporate vice president of human resources, who gives her time in the surgical and emergency departments. She and fellow volunteers keep families informed of a loved one’s progress, help them find their way around, even bring juice and pillows. “We bring even more warmth to this busy place,” says Edson. “When staff are pressed, we take the time to calm the concerns of families and patient, and make them feel more comfortable.”

Information on volunteering: (66)7-3026

Red Sox Tour NICU,
Support Community Caring


DeWayne Pursley, M.D., neonatology, took Red Sox players on a tour of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at BIDMC on Friday, Dec. 12, to share holiday cheer with infants, parents and staff. Infielder Lou Merloni, pitchers Mike Timlin and Bronson Arroyo and hitting coach Ron “Papa Jack” Jackson, were joined by Wally the Green Monster for a visit to infants, parents and staff in the NICU. The stop was part of the “Red Sox Holiday Caravan.” Players also presented a check to the Community Caring fund that provides food and presents for patients at the Bowdoin Street Health Center. The Red Sox visit was featured on WHDH-TV, Channel 7 and the New England Sports Network.