Make a Difference Winner

As many of us know first hand, the Emergency Department of an inner-city hospital is one of the most challenging environments in healthcare today. Car accidents, shootings, stabbings, and other traumatic injuries are the norm, and that doesn't even begin to address those who use the ED as their source for basic primary care.To say that things can get hectic is quite an understatement.

It was a typical busy day in the ED at HUP when Sharif Blackwell noticed a woman slumped in the entrance to the hospital. The woman appeared to be unable to move and was gasping for breath. In an instant, Sharif was at her side offering aid. Upon questioning her, he learned that the woman was stricken by fear and grief. She had received a call telling her that her son had been in an accident and was being treated in the trauma center at HUP. She needed to come to his side immediately.

One can only imagine what that woman must have been going through, given such circumstances. Sharif spoke with her some more and realized that the situation was compounded by the fact that another of her sons had recently died of gunshot wounds in this very same place. She couldn't bear the thought of losing another child, and quite literally could not go on. Sharif comforted her and was able to reassure her that she could make it to her son's side and learn of his condition first-hand. He continued to stay by her side until she felt strong enough to face the situation on her own.

For showing such care and compassion, the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania recognized Sharif with the 2007 Spirit of Caring award. We are extremely proud of Sharif's actions and are proud to have him as a member of our team.