I hope this holiday season has been a joyous one for each and every one of you. We have a very important mission which keeps us busy and focused on a daily basis. I am so proud that despite the demands of your job you still found time to turn your attention to those in need in our communities. I would like to share just a few of these stories with you.

Employees across our Medical Center participated in an enormous effort to benefit Worcester area Department of Children and Families (DCF) foster families. The Medical Center stepped in to host the party which was in jeopardy because of a lack of sponsorship and facility  large enough to hold 2,000 gifts and more than 300 DCF foster children, 12 years and younger, from 84 foster families.

Extra gifts were also donated to the Child Life Program at DCF and to military families in need. Hats off to the “elves” at our Medical Center for this unbelievable and inspiring act of kindness.

Keeping with that holiday spirit, the Department of Respiratory Care created a “Wow!” moment for a couple of our smallest patients and their family.  Two little boys who lost a parent and a sibling in a horrendous traffic accident were taken to our Medical Center for care. Recognizing the enormity of their loss and tapping into the humanity that is the foundation of all caregivers, the respiratory care team bought gifts and contributed more than $1,600 in cash and gift cards to support the family this holiday. The family sent this note to the team: “You all are the true definition of heroes. My family and I can’t thank you enough for everything and your dedicated work.”

Employees at UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital showed their generosity by donating dozens of holiday gifts in an effort to make the holidays a bit brighter for 50 local children identified through WHEAT Community Services. Children are certain to have happy holidays thanks to staff members who answered the wish lists of boys and girls of all ages, shopping for toys, games, clothes and books. But employees didn’t stop there! The generous group again teamed up with WHEAT to coordinate food and hygiene drives for their less-fortunate neighbors.

Each year, UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospital partners with organizations such as The Family Resource Center at Fitchburg Community Connections to aid families in need to ensure they have christmas presents and food during the holiday season.

This year, HealthAlliance sponsored 14 families. Departments, senior leaders and The Board of Trustees participate in providing gifts and food for hundreds of families in our community through the Caring Hands Project. HealthAlliance hopes to continue this tradition for years to come!

At UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital  employees continued their generous support of our service men and women. Nineteen packages are being sent to service members in Afghanistan and Korea whose names were given to the hospital by staff, the local community and a contact at Mass Marine Moms via the Veteran Committee Service.

Our caregivers on 4 East at the Medical Center also went out to buy gifts for patients on their floor. For more information on these stories and other ways this health care system is impacting our communities you can visit the Monday and Wednesday editions of News & Views.

I am very proud of everyone for their selfless acts of generosity. On behalf of the leadership of UMass Memorial Health Care I wish you all a Happy Holiday season!

Thanks for all your great ideas and for taking great care of our patients and one another,

Eric