CAL U SORORITY OFFERS COMFORT FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT MVH

Pediatric patients at Monongahela Valley Hospital will benefit from special gifts presented by Phi Sigma Sigma sorority at California University of Pennsylvania.

“ This is something we felt would help make the children feel better, comfort them,” Jessica Donato, philanthropy chair of Phi Sigma Sigma, said as she and her sorority sisters presented a large number of stuffed animals and similar characters to the hospital.

MVH nurse managers Cheryl Timko, RN, 7-West; Debra Essey, RN, Emergency Department; Michelle Monte, RN, SameDay Surgery, and Betty Geis, Maternity Unit, agreed.

“ There’s no question that stuffed animals help sooth a young child when he or she is a patient in the hospital,” Timko said. “Children, like many adults, are naturally apprehensive in a hospital setting. We do everything we can to help them through the experience in ways that go beyond the traditional clinical procedures. These gifts from Phi Sigma Sigma will help those efforts.”

Essey said children coming to the Emergency Department also are “very apprehensive.”

“ It’s amazing what a teddy bear or stuffed animal can do to help calm them,” Essey said. “Our staff does all it can to ease their anxieties, but giving them something to cling to makes them feel even more comfortable at times.”
Monte offered similar sentiments.

“ The children who are SameDay Surgery patients are sometimes in awe of the surroundings, it’s a whole new world to them,” Monte said. “They may be here to have their tonsils removed, and their concerns are expected. A toy or a stuffed animal can do wonders to alleviate those concerns.”

Geis said the “very thoughtful” gifts from the California University students also will be used for siblings of the newborns in her department.

“ Giving one of (stuffed animals) to the brother or sister of a newborn certainly helps with the bonding process,” Geis said. “It’s a great way to make the older sibling feel like he or she is part of the newborn’s life.”

Donato, a Cal U sophomore from Carmichaels, said the stuffed animal project is part of an ongoing effort by the sorority to “reach out to the community.”

“ Phi Sigma Sigma tries to do as much as possible in terms of benevolent projects,” she said.

She said an Alumni sister suggested the stuffed animal project, which initially involved EMS Southwest.

“ We felt getting involved with Monongahela Valley Hospital was a natural fit,” Donato said. “California University and the hospital have enjoyed a partnership for many years, an alliance that has benefited our school and students as well as the hospital.”

Louis J. Panza Jr., president and chief executive officer of Monongahela Valley Hospital, agreed with that assessment and extended “sincere gratitude” to the sorority.

“ It’s always a pleasure to work with others who share our goals and ideals,” Panza said. “The thoughtfulness and commitment of Phi Sigma Sigma’s members certainly complements and enhances our partnership with the university.”

Donato said the stuffed animal project received “tremendous support.”

“ We sent letters to businesses and individuals in the area and they responded very well,” she said. “There were a number of anonymous donors and we are deeply grateful to anyone and everyone who chipped in to help us purchase the stuffed animals. We also appreciate the cooperation and efforts of Community Bank, which has offices throughout the region, for coordinating the contributions.”

In addition to donating the stuffed animals to MVH, Phi Sigma Sigma also recently held its annual Rock-A-Thon to benefit the National Kidney Foundation. Sorority members raised money for NKF by rocking in rocking chairs for 12 hours near the Rite-Aid store in downtown California. That project began in March 1990 at California University.

In addition to Donato, other Phi Sigma Sigma sisters taking part in the presentation of the stuffed animals at Monongahela Valley Hospital were Mary Hanan, Janet Woods, Tiffany McCorkle, Robin Scandura, Renata Martin, Carly Shuty and Jackie Bush. Kelly Kibler is president of the sorority.