THANKS TO ONE COUPLE’S GENEROUS DONATION, THE FAMILY HOSPITALITY NOOK WILL PROVIDE SNACKS AND BEVERAGES FOR FAMILIES WHILE THEY STAY CLOSE TO THEIR NEWEST MEMBERS.
Brian and Erin Wright have three children—Grady, age 12, Lena, age 4, and Holden, age 2. Lena and Holden were both born at Washington Health System.
“Both of our experiences at WHS were wonderful,” Erin says. “Everyone went above and beyond.”
However, after Holden’s birth, Erin and her husband, Brian, felt that one thing was missing.
“I was desperate for coffee,” Erin says, laughing. “The nurses made some for me. It was very thoughtful of them, but I didn’t want to divert their attention away from other patients.”
Brian recalls a similar experience: After the birth of Lena, just after midnight, they had a difficult time finding something to eat. The cafeteria was closed for the night, and Brian did not want to leave the hospital.
“All I could find was a vending machine,” Brian says. “After those experiences, we wanted to help other new parents.”
When Erin and Brian left the hospital, they contacted the WHS Foundation. They hoped to help build a space near the nursery where food and drinks are available for patients and their loved ones. The timing of their vision was perfect: Plans to renovate the obstetrics unit were already in place.
“They didn’t even know we were remodeling until they met with us,” says Ken Elliott, Development Coordinator at WHS. “We shared our plans with them, and our visions combined at the perfect time.”
HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY
Centrally located by the nursery, the Family Hospitality Nook will provide a place of convenience and comfort. It will include a new fridge, a new coffeemaker, an ice machine and an array of
food and drinks, paid for by Brian and Erin’s generous donation.
“We’re excited to create something that patients are going to use on a daily basis,” says Sara Schumacher, Executive Director of the WHS Foundation. “Even if Brian and Erin never use it themselves, they want to make other families feel more comfortable.”
A STRONG FOUNDATION
Brian and Erin’s generous gift is one of many that have improved the facility. Schumacher says that the WHS Foundation has received more than $68 million in donations since its inception in 1993.
“There’s not a single department that hasn’t been helped by the Foundation,” Schumacher says, listing the many projects donations helped fund. “Our Children’s Therapy Center, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, cardiology, radiology, all of it was made possible solely by donor contributions.”