Donations from staff, physicians at Abrazo Central Campus support students
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Maryland School officials in north central Phoenix unveiled the new Abrazo Wellness Room earlier this week, which is thanks to the sweat equity and donations from Abrazo Central Campus employees and medical staff.
The Abrazo Wellness Room offers a place where students can experience a calming and learning environment, according to Maryland School Principal Nick Gupton.
Students, school leaders and Abrazo Health representatives attended a ribbon cutting and tour of the Wellness Room, and a large donation of school supplies was presented by Abrazo Central Campus.
“We couldn’t be more proud of giving back to our community and really appreciate the opportunity to do so,” said Abrazo Central Campus CEO Greg Pearson. “Hopefully the children and teachers will enjoy this room for many, many years to come.”
The Wellness Room project started with Abrazo Central Campus staff volunteering to spruce up the room with new paint. Physicians from the hospital’s medical staff contributed funding for furniture and equipment, for a total contribution valued at more than $12,000, officials there say.
“Hospital staff did the physical work of painting to refurbish the room which was a lot of work, but it just goes to show that we are all committed together to the community, our medical staff along with our administration,” said Dr. James Carty, chief of staff at Abrazo Central Campus and Abrazo Scottsdale Campus. “We are really happy to have the opportunity to do this.”
School staff also put in many hours to design and create a calming space in the Abrazo Wellness Room.
“What it comes down to is people, and Abrazo has been a partner of Maryland and our district for many, many years,” said Washington Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton. “The school and hospital are the heart of the community. Thank you for partnering, loving, caring and having a community with us, we appreciate it.”
Maryland School provides education for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. When school officials said they were holding a back-to-school supplies drive, Abrazo Central Campus jumped into action.
“The school supplies were donated by our staff. Maryland School is part of our community and our neighbor, so it’s nice to be able to share the supplies with the kids who may someday be future employees of our hospital,” said Abrazo Central Campus Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Henderson. “We are really excited to be neighbors and partnering with the school.”
“Abrazo Central Campus has deep roots in north central Phoenix corridor. We have a long-term commitment to being the community hospital for our neighbors,” added Ms. Pearson.
