
UPMC Mercy Burn Survivor Sunday: A Year of Celebration
WHAT: Burn Survivor Sunday, now in its 18th year, allows burn survivors treated at the UPMC Mercy Gertrude P. and Donald C.W. Birmingham Trauma and Burn Center to reunite and celebrate their survival with members of their care team, including doctors and nurses.
The newest member of the UPMC Mercy burn care team, child life specialist Jessica Smith, will join the celebration. As part of an affiliation with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Jessica uses the “language of play” to help pediatric patients cope with their hospitalizations by preparing them for tests and treatments and comforting them during procedures.
The celebration will include a visit by pet therapy dogs and a balloon artist; arts and crafts; face painting; and lunch.
WHO: Approximately 100 burn survivors, their families and the UPMC Mercy burn care team
WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, January 29, 2012
WHERE: UPMC Mercy; Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium, 2nd Floor; 1400 Locust St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
WHY: Burn Survivor Sunday has been held annually at UPMC Mercy since 1994. An American Burn Association–verified burn center, the UPMC Mercy Burn Center was the first in Pennsylvania, and one of the first in the U.S. In addition, UPMC Mercy is a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center. The combination of burn and trauma care services under one roof gives UPMC Mercy the unique ability to care for the most critically ill and injured patients.
In 2011, there were more than 2,600 outpatient visits and nearly 300 inpatient admissions to the UPMC Mercy Burn Center.
Note to media: To cover the event, contact Stephanie Stanley at (412) 855-8690 or StanleySL@upmc.edu.