Make a Difference Winner

April 10, 2006
Mr. Garry Scheib, Executive Director
Hospital of University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Dear Mr. Scheib:

I am a teacher in the School of Social Work at Marywood University. Shortly after our new semester began in mid-January, I posed this question to two of my classes: "What qualities should a good social worker possess?" The students named the following qualities, and I listed on the blackboard:

• Warmth and caring
• Compassionate
• Positive attitude
• Sincere
• Good Listening Skills
• Encouraging
• Knowledgeable
• A real person
• Considerate
• Competent

I then told them that my husband had been a patient in the SICU at the Hosptial of the University of PA from December 9 until January 13. During that time, there was one person who stood out who possessed the qualities that the students named. I asked them to try to identify the person's position at the Hospital. Both classes responded as follows: doctor, nurse, social worker.

I said, "No, the person that possessed the qualities of a good social worker that we have listed on the blackboard was an Environmental Services worker, i.e., a cleaning lady, named Marthea Brown."

During my husband's 35-day stay at Penn, I spent an average of 12 hours a day in your hospital. I had contact with a myriad of professionals who were responsible for his care. There were many excellent professionals on staff at HUP, starting with his surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Carpenter. Nonetheless, Marthea Brown stood shoulder to shoulder with the best, leaving a lasting impression on me.

There were many days at HUP that I felt extremely stressed because of my husband's weakening condition-one case of pneumonia after another. On those dark days, Marthea would greet me with a hug and words of encouragement. Her focus was on inspiring hope and keeping the caregiver well.

In addition to doing her assigned work and doing it well, Marthea served in an unofficial capacity as a goodwill ambassador for HUP. The warmth and caring that she exhibited, the positive attitude that she displayed, and her words of encouragement will never be forgotten by me, and I am sure, by many others.

I am bringing this to your attention because I feel that you have an unrecognized treasure in Marthea Brown. I am hoping that you will find a significant way to recognize what Marthea does to engender good will for your hospital.

Sincerely yours,

Dawn M. Brennan, LSW, ACSW Instructor