PRESBYBULLETIN PENN PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL CENTER

JULY/AUGUST 2021

} David, 10, poses with his new dirt bike

PPMC Trauma Team Gets West Kids Rolling with Donated Bikes

} Naomi, 8, and her dad pose with new bike, featuring a basket Dozens of bikes — from mountain bikes such an integral part of childhood, and I want David to be able and a bell to tricycles to beach cruisers — lined the I wanted to share that joyful experience to have a bike to ride, lawn of the Please Touch Museum in with the community,” Jackson said. he outgrows the bikes Fairmount Park the morning of June 5. “So many members of Penn Medicine’s I get him so fast I can’t As the temperature climbed into the 90s, staff have bikes that their kids have keep up!” she said. volunteers from across the University of outgrown just sitting in their garages. Health System, including I thought this would be a perfect way “It’s important for Penn The Trauma Center at Penn Presbyterian to take them off their hands.” Medicine to not only Medical Center, Penn Medicine CAREs, serve patients, but also and Philadelphia’s 16th Police District In partnership with Community our community,” Lombardo prepared to match nearly 80 bikes — Relations Manager Laura Lombardo, said. “We’re proud to support all donated by Penn Medicine employees who runs the Penn Medicine CAREs our employees’ passion for — with children from . grant program, Jackson spread the word giving back to our neighbors, among Penn Medicine employees, especially after such a difficult The donation event came after months of and spent months picking up and past year.” coordination and planning, led by Sunny transporting bikes. VeloJawn, a local bike Jackson, MSN, RN, CNL, TCRN, shop, provided repairs to all the bikes In addition to bikes, volunteers also CCRN, injury prevention coordinator at to ensure they were safe for new collected monetary donations from Penn Presbyterian, and Bridget Abdalla, recipients to ride. Penn Medicine staff to pay for locks CMA, a staff assistant at the Hospital of and repairs. The remaining funds were the University of Pennsylvania’s Renal, In addition to a new bike, kids from the donated to Neighborhood Bike Works, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division. West Philadelphia community received a local organization dedicated a helmet donated by the Pennsylvania to providing equitable access to During a previous volunteer event this Division of the American Trauma bicycling and bike repair through winter, Jackson learned from Police Society, and a lock. They also received education, recreation, leadership, Officer Jennifer Decky that many of the bike safety training from Philadelphia and career-building opportunities. children in West Philadelphia didn’t even Police’s Bike Patrol. have access to bikes. “Having a bike is This was the first bike donation After bikes were collected, the 16th event by Penn Medicine and the Police District worked with community 16th Police District. partners — such as schools and churches } Naomi learns about — to get the word out. Each recipient bike safety with Police Sgt. was chosen based on their height and Jill Kerstetter available bikes, to ensure a perfect fit.

Naomi, 8, received her first bike without training wheels, and a pink helmet. “I’m most excited about the basket and the bell,” she noted, referring to the accessories that adorned her new bike. Her father, Chris, learned about the IN THIS ISSUE donation event from their neighbor, a teacher. West Philly Wheels: PPMC Trauma Outfits West David, 10, said he is most excited to Philadelphia Youth with ride his new green bike up hills in his Donated Bikes neighborhood. His mother, Lowell, Presbyterian Leadership first heard about the bike donations from Honors COVID-19 Patients, her pastor. “This is great because while Staff with Memorial Service } Over 80 bikes lined up in Fairmont Park outside of Difference Makers: A Source of the Please Touch Museum, Answers & Amiable Assistance ready to be donated Our Shining STARs PRESBYTERIAN LEADERSHIP OURShining Honors COVID-19 Patients, Staff STARs

Every month, PPMC staff members who WITH embody Service, Teamwork, Achievement, and Respect, are named Presby STARs. In addition to earning recognition from their colleagues, these outstanding all-stars For over a year, staff at Presbyterian PPMC leadership organized a memorial also receive a certificate from CEO have worked tirelessly to treatMemorial patients service and candle lighting ceremony in Service Michele Volpe and a $100 award. with COVID-19. A great many patients June 2021 to remember the patients who recovered and were able to leave the did not survive COVID-19, as well as to Patient care associate Jennifer Masters hospital, but many unfortunately did not. honor the staff for their dedication and has been a member of the PAC 5 team work through such a challenging time. for a short time, but she has already While any loss is difficult to bear, Bereaved families were mailed invitations to established herself as a “conscientious, COVID-19 had a tremendous and view the service through a secure video link. unusual impact on everyone in the thorough, friendly, and accountable” STAR. community, including PPMC staff and “This pandemic placed a burden on When one of her nursing colleagues was the families of those who were sick. everyone and it demanded something } Tree planted in memorial of patients who struggling with a patient who refused to died of COVID-19 from everyone,” eat, for example, Masters stepped in to said Michele Volpe, help. The patient had a traumatic brain In moving remarks, Ehman highlighted FACHE, CEO of injury, and his inability to get enough oral the dedication and kindness of staff: PPMC, in opening nutrition was prolonging his need for a remarks. “Limiting This virus put up many barriers, but it nasogastric tube. With humor, patience, in-person visitation could not keep you from giving your loving and encouragement, she helped the was devastating to kindness. To the doctors and nurses and patient feel comfortable enough to eat his patients, to providers, respiratory therapists, and physical therapists, entire meal. to families,” she noted, speech therapists, and nutritionists, and acknowledging how staff service workers who suited up in personal April Dengler, RN, a nurse in the stepped up to take the protective equipment in order to be that small Emergency Department, is also dedicated place of patients’ loved group of essential providers necessary for each to ensuring patients feel seen and valued. ones, making them feel patient, bless you for your tireless efforts, When a young woman came into the connected and cared for. but also for your personal compassion. ED with an abscess due to substance When the most advanced medicine came to Remarks were also given use, she initially wasn’t interested in } Candles lit in remembrance of patients who died of COVID-19 its own limits with this virus, it was your at Penn Presbyterian by Michael Posencheg, further opioid use disorder treatment. loving kindness that went beyond. MD, chief medical However, Dengler’s compassion ultimately Strict safety protocols intended to limit officer at PPMC, Respiratory Therapists A tree has been planted in Penn encouraged her to pursue outpatient the spread of the virus kept families from Tracey James and Guilbert Eusebio, and Presbyterian Park on Powelton Avenue services and to take suboxone. When physically spending time with loved ones Chaplain Josh Edgar. All highlighted the in remembrance of those who died from the patient shared her concerns that she while they were sick, and in some cases hardship faced by patients, families, and COVID-19. A plaque will read: lost her ID and couldn’t fully pay for her from saying goodbyes in person. staff, and the unique ways staff comforted medications, Dengler accompanied her patients and did their best to keep patients Dedicated in honor to those who have “COVID created a need for distancing to the pharmacy to ensure she got the connected with loved ones. suffered under the burden of COVID-19, in a situation where we would usually to those whose illness exceeded all that medications she needed, even paying go above and beyond to accommodate Accompanied by retired nurse Becky Aker medicine could bring to bear, and to those for an antibiotic out of her own pocket. physically being together,” says John on a harp, James Ballinghoff, MSN, who worked tirelessly to affirm personal As her coworker noted, “When the patient Ehman, chaplain and Pastoral Care MBA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing connection and provide health and healing left, she was crying and smiling” and manager at Presbyterian. “We want to officer, invited nurse managers from each throughout the pandemic. “felt more empowered” because of the recognize that we couldn’t honor these unit that treated COVID-19 patients to overwhelming, nonjudgmental support families in the way we wanted to at the light a candle in memory of those lost. “I join with our entire staff in offering offered by Dengler and the team. time, and to acknowledge the realness our condolences,” Volpe concluded. of their grief.” “We remember and honor your loved ones.” Thank you to all of our STARs for your unwavering commitment and compassion. You are an inspiration to your patients, DIFFERENCE MAKERS colleagues, and community!

A SOURCE OF ANSWERS & CARING ASSISTANCE manager Leighann Mazzone, MSN, A spring night in until she can be here with you. I will keep RN, CEN. “Amelia is the mother hen of the Emergency you safe,” she assured him. She stayed the Emergency Department. This situation PRESBY BULLETIN Department with the little boy, holding his hand, and truly showed the depth of the love and EDITORIAL STAFF took a sudden comforting him throughout his time in the compassion that she exemplifies daily.” Kelsey Odorczyk Editor turn when three trauma bay and escorted him to the OR. She added, “Amelia’s strong and calming Matt Maguire gunshot victims presence was a balm for everyone around “Being the mother of 7 boys, it didn’t even Graphic Designer were brought in her that night, anchoring us while we cross my mind to do anything different in with little notice. fought to focus on caring for our ADMINISTRATION this situation. I can only image the fear and Patrick Norton Unfortunately, injured patients.” worry of that mom, and am glad I could Vice President, Public Affairs two of the victims were a father and his give her some comfort knowing her son AT PENN MEDICINE, Holly Auer six-year-old son. Associate Vice President, Communications was looked out for during the scariest WE ALL ASPIRE TO BE Rachel Ewing Without thinking, ED Tech and Patient moment of his life,” she said. “This little DIFFERENCE MAKERS Editorial Director Advocate Amelia Thoroughgood jumped boy was in the midst of the most terrifying WHO REPRESENT Sally Sapega Director of Internal Publications into action, suited up to enter the trauma night of his life, and he was amazingly THE PENN MEDICINE EXPERIENCE bay, and made it to his bedside. In the strong. There are always the few cases CONTACT PRESBY BULLETIN AT: midst of loud voices, sirens, alarms, and that pull at your heart strings more than (PMX) IN ACTION. Department of Communications 3600 Civic Center Boulevard surrounded by faces covered in masks, others, and this little boy, his strength that 5th Floor, Suite 500 PMX SETS A CONSISTENT STANDARD Philadelphia, PA 19104-4310 goggles, and gowns, the terrified boy night and throughout his recovery will ACROSS ALL OF OUR ENTITIES AND WORK started screaming for his mother. continue to pull at mine.” LOCATIONS TO MAKE EVERY TOUCHPOINT phone: 215.662.2560 AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ENDURING email: [email protected] CONNECTIONS WITH PATIENTS, FAMILIES, Thoroughgood took his hand. “Don’t look Jumping into the role of mom is something VISITORS AND COLLEAGUES, WHICH IS Presby Bulletin is published monthly for PPMC at them. Look at me! I will be your momma Thoroughgood does often, said her nurse A FOUNDATIONAL PART OF THE UPHS employees. Access Presby Bulletin online at SUCCESS SHARE PROGRAM. PennMedicine.org/PresbyBulletin.