The Wright Stuff - Thanks + giving: Two essentials of the holiday season

A message to the WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals Family

Thanksgiving is especially meaningful to me. Sure, I enjoy spending time with my wife, four lively kids, and extended family. But this holiday also serves as an opportunity for me to sit back and reflect on all the wonderful people who share my life. And that includes each and every one of you, who through your skill and dedication are changing lives – every day.

With people’s lives and well-being in the balance, healthcare is certainly not an easy profession to pursue. All jobs, including non-clinical roles, must be carried out with precision and efficiency, with an over-arching sense of service to our constituents – our patients and their families. WVU Medicine is a world-class healthcare institution only because of the world-class people who work here and represent it with class and dedication.

My sincere thanks for all you do for this organization.

In my time here, I have seen that spirit of service and helping those less fortunate extend beyond job responsibilities. Just recently, 122 kids were adopted by individuals, groups, and departments through Care Management’s Employee Holiday Assistance Program. Your support of this program will help make the holidays a little brighter for these kids and their families.

There are many other WVU Medicine initiatives underway this holiday season, including Cards of Hope (sample card pictured left), which supports the WVU Cure Kids Cancer Fund, and our annual Letters from Santa fundraiser, which supports the Child Life program at WVU Medicine Children’s.

Some family-friendly events are also being planned. Don’t miss the annual Friends of WVU Hospitals Festival of Trees – Santa’s Villages on Dec. 10-11. The event will feature holiday fun, music, refreshments, shopping – and more. And on Dec. 19, Chestnut Ridge Center will host its first Sensitive Santa Sensory Experience event for kids with special needs.

Along with these activities, employees and departments can provide and serve dinner for the guests at Rosenbaum Family House and donate items that are on the Family House Wish List. (Pictured, right, are Inpatient Pharmacy employees preparing dinner for guests at Family House.)

There are also many opportunities to volunteer and give back throughout the community. A good resource is the United Way website. And, speaking of the United Way, there’s still time to make a donation to support our campaign.

I urge you take a look and take advantage of these opportunities. It’s a great way to make the most of the holiday season and another way we can improve the lives of others.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!