The Charleston, West Virginia campus of Ross Medical Education Center wanted to get a head start on drumming up some holiday cheer in their community. To do that, they decided to host a toy and supply drive for the Charleston Area Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. They learned from a hospital representative that oftentimes donations of toys and other children’s items are delivered to the pediatric floor as a whole, rather than specifically to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Items brought into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit must be in brand new condition due to strict regulations concerning bacteria and germs entering the unit. Children often come into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in an emergency situation, with no time for parents to run home to collect toys and other things that might be needed during their stay. As soon as the Ross Charleston campus saw the need, they were very happy to help out. “This really means a lot, because many times kids will come in with nothing,” said Mary Batten, a graduate of the Ross Medical Assistant program currently working in Charleston Area Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. “Ross has helped us to change that for lots of kids.”
Mary and her coworker Sidney Beasley, also a Ross graduate, came to campus to pick up the donations just before the holidays started. Working together, they were able to collect around 50 items or more. Because of the Ross community’s generosity, many toys, blankets, pajamas, activity books, and other needed items were on their way to the youngest patients just in time for the holiday season! The Charleston Area Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staff was very appreciative and knows that this contribution will help to brighten the day of children that are in the hospital during the holidays and beyond.