Dignity Health | hello Healthy | Spring 2019

HelloHealthy | Summer 2019 3 BAKERSFIELD RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE Celebrating a decade of serving families and children This June marks a very special milestone for the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House (BRMH): 10 years of providing families a home away from home—for little or no cost—so they can be near their hospitalized child. Since its opening in 2009, more than 5,000 guests have stayed at the BRMH on Dignity Health – Memorial Hospital’s campus. Some guests live far away and stay overnight. Many others use our day services and turn to us for a quick nap, a shower, or a place to recharge. “Families are stronger when they’re together, and we help keep them close and supported at a difficult time,” says Scarlett Sabin, the BRMH director since its start. That proximity allows parents to be at their child’s side during complicated treatments and to better communicate with their child’s medical team. “Our goal is also to give families a sense of normalcy when their world is turned upside-down,” Sabin says. “Whatever families do in their house, we try to do in ours. We’ve even hosted baby showers when the invitations were already sent but a baby arrived prematurely and was hospitalized.” And BRMH is a place where deep bonds form. “Our staff and volunteers laugh with families, cry with families, and sometimes become a part of families while they’re here,” Sabin says. What are her favorite memories? “The absolute best part of my job is when our families go home with their children,” she says. “They have the gift of real normalcy then.” One family in particular stands out—their baby arrived prematurely and spent 126 consecutive days at the hospital before rallying enough to be discharged. “The day we weren’t needed was one of the happiest of my life,” Sabin says. A heartfelt thanks to our volunteers Volunteers make a tremendous difference in the lives of families at the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Many cook and deliver meals. House volunteers nourish families in other ways, too, by listening, simply being there, and helping out in any way they can. Together, they donate over 10,000 hours of service yearly. Expanding to help more families The Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House is expanding. When finished, it will: ●  ● Have three more guest rooms, for a total of six. ●  ● Have a napping room for nearby families who need to rest. ●  ● Accommodate an estimated 500 more families yearly. A home away from home To learn how you can contribute to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, call 661.327.4647, ext. 4290 . We hope you enjoy this issue of HelloHealthy . Comments about the publication can be directed to the Marketing and Communications Department: DIGNITY HEALTH – Mercy and Memorial Hospitals P.O. Box 119, Bakersfield, CA 93302 | 661.327.4647, ext. 4434 HelloHealthy is published by Dignity Health – Mercy and Memorial Hospitals to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2019 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Marketing and Communications Department Robin Mangarin-Scott—Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Communications–Central California Michelle Willow—Director of External Communications–Central California Cody Brutlag—Marketing Director–Central California Gabe Ulloa—Marketing Manager–Central California Jessica Neeley—Communications Specialist–Central California Fabiana Rienzo—Communications Manager–Central California Michelle Oliver—Marketing Manager–Central California