Christina Connors, a native of Olney and occupational therapist, developed the idea of Get Well Maps when her son Andrew was hospitalized for an illness, resulting in a long stay at the hospital. To give her son a better concept of time and understanding of when he would return home, she asked her friend Stephanie Adreano to help her develop a visual road map illustrating the journey between hospital and home (pictured right).

Andrew’s medical team, who were so impressed by this communication tool, were able to engage him in a child-centered discussion and show his progress by moving a toy truck up the road map a little bit each day until he reached his “road home.”

Over the past couple of years, Christina worked with an illustrator to create these Get Well Maps for children who have extended stays at a hospital. Today, these maps are used in 15 hospitals across the mid-Atlantic region.

August • September

Foundation News is a bimonthly newsletter produced by the MGH Health Foundation, the fundraising arm to MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. The goal of this publication is to provide information about the foundation, share stories of our donors and offer ways to support our hospital.

FOUNDATION NEWS

Foundation News becomes a Bimonthly PublicationThe MGH Health Foundation has decided to make our electronic newsletter Foundation News a bimonthly publication. Throughout the past five years, Foundation News has continued to grow, engaging our audiences with philanthropic updates and donor stories at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. It is currently sent to nearly 850 donors, community members, associates, volunteers, and physicians. To continue to use our resources more efficiently while strengthening our culture of gratitude, we would like to introduce the new bimonthly Foundation News!

On Wednesday, July 13, the Get Well Maps were delivered; pictured (left to right) are: Neha Patel, DO; Michael and Christina Connors with daughter Samantha and son Andrew; Stephanie Andreano with son Adrian and daughter Angelina; Bobby and Sandy Fletcher with daughter Casey; and Jennifer Eubanks, senior philanthropy officer at MedStar Montgomery.

Thanks to family friends Sandy and Bobby Fletcher, who sponsored Get Well Maps for MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, our pediatric emergency department now has 40 maps to distribute!

Neha Patel, MD (pictured below), pediatric emergency department, commented on the generous gifts: “We often have patients that require several days of hospitalization and these maps can help them visualize their ‘path’ towards discharge. It will take the focus off of being in the hospital and help them see their progress towards the ultimate goal of going home.”

Get Well Maps Donated to the Pediatric Emergency Department

Jeremy’s Run Gives $13,000 to Our Addiction and Mental Health CenterThe Eighth Annual Jeremy’s Run, held on Monday, May 30, generously supported a variety of community organizations, one of which was the Addiction and Mental Health Center at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Established by Cyndi Glass in memory of her son Jeremy, who lost his life from a drug overdose at the age of 20, this event raises awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and continues to impact our entire community.

For the past few years, Cyndi has designated a portion of the day’s revenue to support Jeremy’s Hour: Knowledge Can Save a Life, a series of seminars on the topic of adolescent substance use. It provides information and strategies to help parents, school personnel and clinicians assist young people who may be struggling.

The MGH Health Foundation would like to thank Cyndi Glass and all who support Jeremy’s Run for your generosity to our patients and families.

Giving: The Power to Heal Campaign Kicks Off in OctoberOn Monday, Oct. 3, MedStar Health will kick off Giving: The Power to Heal, 2016 MedStar Annual Philanthropy Campaign, an opportunity for associates and physicians across the system to make a philanthropic gift. For the first time this year, we have collaborated with our colleagues and leaders to identify a Power to Heal Fund that will be the campaign’s main focus area. At MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, our 2016 Power to Heal Fund will support the Hoffman Innovative Learning Fund, inviting our associates and physicians to help build our growing culture of gratitude.

Across the MedStar system, 2,190 associates and physicians committed $981,426 during the 2015 campaign in support of MedStar Health’s mission—and at MedStar Montgomery, we exceeded 56 percent participation and our $95K goal, all thanks to you!

Mark Your Calendars: This year’s Power to Heal Campaign will run from Monday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 14.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Eubanks, senior philanthropy officer, at 301-570-7210 or via email at jeubanks@medstarmontgomery.org.

Philanthropy Supports Scholarships for Nurses at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center On Wednesday, July 20, six nurses at MedStar Montgomery were awarded scholarships to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. A celebration was hosted to honor the award recipients, recognizing their hard work and dedication and giving each recipient the opportunity to present about their projects.

Thanks to the Florence Nesh Charitable Trust and all gifts made to the Advanced Nursing Education Fund, the MGH Health Foundation has awarded 21 nurses at MedStar Montgomery scholarships to pursue their degrees in health care since 2014.

Visit MedStarMontgomery.org/Foundation to learn more. For more information, contact the MGH Health Foundation at 301-774-8777 or healthfoundation@medstarmontgomery.org. August • September • Page 2

Pictured at the celebration are (left to right): Ginette Ndingue, RN, observation – MSN; Capri Sampson-Pickles, RN, Cardiopulmonary Rehab – BSN; Debbie Chakalakis, RN, diabetes – BSN; Chris Willis, RN, IV Therapy – BSN; T.J. Senker, president of MedStar Montgomery and senior vice president to MedStar Health; and Connie Stone, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. Not pictured: Rodica (Ramona) Bahamani, RN – BSN and Alison Marine, RN, emergency department – BSN.

The Eighth Annual Jeremy's Run

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