Read why these generous donors support Johns Hopkins Bayview and how they are creating a brighter future for the many patients we serve.
Cheryl Harrow, NICU Supporter
“I know first hand that the staff are devoted, knowledgeable and willing to do anything and everything to care for the babies, as well as provide compassionate support and education to parents.”
Michael Sloman, Burn Center Supporter
“I am just grateful that I’m at a point in my life and career where I can give something back. It’s very satisfying to be able to do something to help other burn survivors get the best care.”
Bette Albert, Elder House Call Supporter
“I’m proud to be part of an institution whose mission is built around the community it serves. These people really pay attention to their patients and see them through.”
Jim Pitt, Progressive Care Unit Supporter
“Of all the hospitals and facilities he went to after his accident, I felt Jimmy received the best care in the Johns Hopkins Bayview PCU. The nurses were superb. I give them credit for my son living as long as he did.”
Pat Black, Burn Center Supporter
“It takes a special human being to work on that unit. The care staff give to patients is excellent, but the care they give to family members also is amazing. In a way, we are all burn survivors.”
Henry Gutman, Tribute of Lights Supporter
“For a long-term care facility, I’ve always felt that the Care Center was ahead of its time. It’s not a typical nursing home. I’m very impressed by it.”
Cheryl Harrow, NICU Supporter
For the third year in a row, Cheryl Harrow, CRNP, a family nurse practitioner in the full-term nursery at Johns Hopkins Bayview, has teamed up with Ravens Nest #6—O’Hara’s Irish Pub—to sponsor a fund-raiser for the Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This year alone, the effort raised more than $6,000, which was used to purchase new stethoscopes and other equipment, as well as provide funds for a laptop computer dedicated to parent education.
“Working in the NICU was my first job at the hospital,” says Cheryl, a 29-year veteran of Johns Hopkins Bayview. “I know first hand that the staff are devoted, knowledgeable and willing to do anything and everything to care for the babies, as well as provide compassionate support and education to parents. I suggested that the money from the Raven’s Nest #6 annual summer benefit be given to the NICU because I feel it is one way I can make small difference in people’s lives. It’s also rewarding to be able to see where the money is going and how it is used to benefit others.”
Michael Sloman, Donor, The Johns Hopkins Burn Center
At age six, Michael Sloman was in a fire that caused third-degree burns on 35 percent of his body. He was a patient in the Johns Hopkins Burn Center for three months, then back in the hospital for three or four surgeries each year until he was fully grown.
The incident left physical and emotional scars. Michael confides that other children made fun of his appearance at school and, because of his injuries, was unable to certain things that he could have done if he was not burned. Still, this burn survivor appreciated the care he received and now reaches out to help ensure that others receive the medical treatment they need.
“A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to start giving back to the community,” Michael explains. “In investigating my options, I thought, ‘Why give to other charities when I can give to the place that saved my life?’ Being burned was an experience I will never forget. I know now that there’s so much more they can do to heal burn survivors physically and emotionally. I am just grateful that I’m at a point in my life and career where I can give something back. It’s very satisfying to be able to do something to help other burn survivors get the best care.”
Bette Albert, Donor, Elder House Call
Over the years, Bette Albert watched from her window as Johns Hopkins Bayview grew and changed from Baltimore City Hospitals to the Medical Center it is today. In 1994—six years after retiring from the Maryland Pilots as an administrative assistant—Bette decided to make a difference in her East Baltimore community and volunteer at the facility she often gazed upon.
As a weekly volunteer with the Elder House Call Program, a service that provides medical care to frail homebound patients, Bette fills home care boxes with the necessary medical supplies so physicians are prepared for their visits. She also works with new physicians and responds to questions about the program. Thirteen years and an amazing 3,000 volunteer hours later, Bette continues to volunteer with the Elder House Call Program, as well as the department of neurosurgery.
In addition to her time and talent, Bette and her husband, George, contribute financially to Johns Hopkins Bayview. Every month, they divide their financial support between the Elder House Call Program and the Johns Hopkins Burn Center. The Albert’s are proud to see their donations used in areas where they are needed most and helping the less fortunate. As patients who receive their own primary care services from geriatricians at the Care Center, the Albert’s also wish to honor the physicians and staff who have treated them so well.
“I’m proud to be part of an institution whose mission is built around the community it serves,” Bette says. “These people really pay attention to their patients and see them through. I say ‘hallelujah’ for this wonderful group of people—the doctors, nurses and every member of the staff, old and new. They inspired me to quit smoking by showing me what it could do to my health. I think that will add a few years to my life.”
Johns Hopkins Bayview also is proud of Bette. The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Maryland Chapter named her an Unsung Hero for her contributions and commitment to the Medical Center. In 2007, Bette was recognized on National Philanthropy Day at an awards ceremony in front of nearly 1,000 people.
Jim & Kathleen Pitt, Progressive Care Unit Supporters
In 2006, Jim and Kathleen Pitt got the call that no parent ever wants to receive. Their son, Jimmy, a junior at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, was in a car accident that broke two of his cervical vertebrae and caused other serious injuries.
After a few months, Jimmy was flown to Baltimore and spent more than a year in various hospitals in the area, being treated for complications of his injuries and receiving rehabilitative care. In early 2008, he was transferred to the progressive care unit (PCU) at Johns Hopkins Bayview, where he stayed for eight months until he passed away. At a recent ceremony, the Pitts honored the PCU nurses with a $10,000 contribution to the unit.
“This unit needed to be singled out for providing superb care,” explains Jim Pitt. “Of all the hospitals and facilities he went to after his accident, I felt Jimmy received the best care in the in the Johns Hopkins Bayview PCU. The nurses were superb. I give them credit for my son living as long as he did. There’s an old saying that ‘doctors save the life, but nurses preserve the life.’ That’s very true—and why we feel so indebted to the nurses there. After Jimmy died, every nurse from the floor came to his funeral. When we presented the donation, every nurse on the unit was there—even those who weren’t scheduled to work that day. That’s how much they care.”
Pat Black, Burn Center Supporter
As an annual tradition each year at Christmas, the Black family—comprised of four sisters, two brothers, plus numerous other relatives, grandchildren and friends—choose one charity to which they make a contribution. This year, the family will give to the Johns Hopkins Burn Center to honor the excellent care provided to their mother.
At age 82, Melba Black was burned on 10 percent of her body, including her neck and chest, in a home accident in January. After enduring several months of surgeries, complications and rehabilitation, Melba returned home in April and is doing well. Pat, one of Melba’s daughters, was by her side almost every day, witnessing first hand the expertise and compassion of the Burn Center staff, including Stephen Milner, M.D., Chief, Division of Burns, The Johns Hopkins Burn Center.
“Dr. Milner is a saint. I have never seen a medical professional who shows that he cares like he does. If I could write him a blank check, I would. He and the other doctors saved my mother,” Pat says. “It takes a special human being to work on that unit. People don’t realize how much a family member goes through when a loved one is hurt and disfigured. The care staff give to the patients is excellent, but the care they give to family members also is amazing. In a way, we are all burn survivors.”
A portion of the family’s gift will be used to purchase equipment for the rehabilitation therapy room and fund educational programs for staff and family members. The other monies will be allocated to the Burn Center discretionary fund, where Dr. Milner can put the donation to use where the need is greatest. Pat also is in the process of starting a non-profit organization called Rest Assured that she hopes will be able to provide free housing for families of Burn Center patients while their loves ones are being cared for in the hospital.
Henry Gutman, Tribute of Lights Supporter
For 34 years, Henry Gutman worked in materials handling at Johns Hopkins Bayview, and retired four years ago. During this time, he has given back in many ways. Following the death of his 10-year-old daughter, he established a fund for the Johns Hopkins pediatrics department to provide medical education and supplies. He also sponsors an annual award that is given to a member of the materials handling staff who demonstrates outstanding service. In addition, he provides annual support for the Burn Center and Care Center.
His contributions to the Care Center are made through the Tribute of Lights program, an annual event that allows community members to honor or remember a loved one, friend or staff member during the holiday season. His contributions, made in memory of his daughter, support activities that brighten the lives of Care Center residents throughout the year. When donations are received, the name of the donor and the person he or she designates are listed on a special plaque in the Care Center lobby. To celebrate these special gifts, all donors, residents, patients, families, staff and volunteers are invited to the Tribute of Lights outdoor lighting ceremony and reception.
“I have never been personally involved in the Care Center, but the folks there do great work,” Henry says. “For a long-term care facility, I’ve always felt that the Care Center was ahead of its time. It’s not a typical nursing home. I’m very impressed by it. Throughout the Medical Center, you’ll find great staffs who are dedicated to their jobs. I hope I don’t ever need these services, but if I do, I would choose Johns Hopkins Bayview.”
