Musical merriment could be heard throughout the pediatric units December 23, 2020 as staff from the Music Therapy and Speech Therapy departments at Massachusetts General Hospital, led by Lorrie Kubicek, MT-BC, sang holiday carols for patients and their families. COVID-19 infection control protocols limited annual celebrations, but elves on Ellison 17 and 18 found special ways to spread holiday cheer. Child life specialists ushered joy and festivities into patient rooms hosting events such as hot cocoa and pajama day, Chanukah games and the much-anticipated cookie decorating.
At the start of December, Frosty Fred slid down the Trustees Room fireplace to kick off his mischievous musings. Throughout the month, patients followed his daily appearances—finding him soaking in suds and baking cookies for jolly Ol’ Saint Nick—before he jumped on Santa’s sleigh and returned to the North Pole.
When Boston began to take COVID-19 pandemic precautions last year, the Boston Lyric Opera had just opened a production of Bellini’s Norma. Artistic director Esther Nelson turned to a longtime friend of the organization to help them determine whether the season could go on.
Merle Adelson and Paul Freedman had planned to marry on Friday, January 22, 2021. But instead, their nuptials took place on January 11, in a Jewish ceremony inside one of Mass General’s intensive care units.
Employees were invited to celebrate the virtual launch of Black Excellence @ Mass General Brigham. The group provides a new affirming space for Black employees to create a community of support to encourage the welcoming, success, and advancement of Black employees at Mass General Brigham.
In January, Mass General staff had the opportunity to take part in three virtual celebrations to honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and illuminate his goals of racial equity and justice.
David Brown, MD, chief of the Mass General Department of Emergency Medicine, first arrived at Mass General in 1989 as an intern and has remained here ever since. Soon, Brown will wear another hat, as he takes on the role of interim president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Even a looming snowstorm couldn’t dampen the spirits of staff volunteering and patients lining up during the first day of the Mass General COVID-19 public vaccination clinic.