FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 27, 2011
Contact:
Jodie Grady, Marketing Manager
978-368-3902
jodie.grady@umassmemorial.org
CLINTON - Clinton Hospital held a ribbon-cutting ceremony
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, to unveil its brand-new Patient and Guest Lounge and
kitchen. A combined effort of Clinton Hospital's Patient Family Advisory
Council, the Clinton Hospital Partnership, and the Clinton Hospital Foundation,
the inviting space serves as a quiet area for patients and visitors to briefly
escape from hospital life, while remaining in close proximity to their
hospitalized loved one.
Clinton Hospital believes that families and friends are vital to our
patients' healing process and visitors are encouraged to stay close by whenever
appropriate. However, spending an extended amount of time visiting a loved one
in the hospital can be difficult. To help alleviate some of the stress that
comes along with worries about a loved one's health, and the guilt from being
away from personal and professional responsibilities, the hospital collaborated
with its Patient Family Advisory Council, foundation and partnership members to
create this comfortable space for visitors to confer with care providers, attend
to personal tasks and socialize with patients and other visitors.
"The Clinton Hospital Partnership was created a few years ago with the
thought of asking multiple community leaders to pledge their support to Clinton
Hospital, and then merge those donations to do something on a larger scale for
the hospital," said Sheila Daly, RN, MS, president and CEO, Clinton Hospital.
"Our new Patient and Guest Lounge is a result of that partnership. Thanks to a
key $40,000 donation from Leominster Credit Union, combined with funds raised by
the Clinton Hospital Foundation's annual appeal, and the hard work, dedication
and research provided by our Patient Family Advisory Council, we were able to
truly act as a partnership in order to create this beautiful space that I know
our patient and visitors are going to enjoy."
The new lounge allows for
private visits while maintaining a close connection to the inpatient unit. It
features warm and cheerful furniture and decorations, including a sleeper sofa
and play station for young children, and a spacious office area with computer
kiosk and wireless Internet access to offer guests the ability to relax or catch
up on e-mails and work without straying too far from their friend or family
member. A modern kitchen, stocked with hot and cold beverages and refrigerator
to store personal snacks, and a private bathroom round out the renovation as the
hospital continues its focus on patient-centered care.
"A great deal of thought went into this room," said Jeanne Paulino,
president, Clinton Hospital Foundation. "I am honored and humbled to work with a
group of people with such a generous and caring spirit. I can't say enough about
our community leaders and Clinton Hospital donors who answered to our annual
appeal to make this room a reality."