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Top left: Dennis Magiera, a U-M nurse, watches as his daughter, Madison, paints a Pewabic Tile for the new hospital. Bottom left: Magiera’s son, Dennis. Bottom right: Gwen Magiera, also a U-M nurse, with son, Konner.

Nurses find numerous ways to give back to the new hospital

University of Michigan Health System employees were among the first to show their support for the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital replacement project by donating money to the building fund. In the two years since the fundraising began, employees throughout the hospital have shown their support in a variety of ways. Sara Hickey, administrative manager, Mott Hospital, says that there are many opportunities for employees to contribute besides writing a check to the project.

Some of the departments have come up with unique fundraisers like garage sales, tailgate parties, ice cream socials and selling snacks. One of the most popular fundraisers has been funding the Pewabic tiles that will be a beautiful feature in the new hospital. Through a partnership with Detroit-based Pewabic Pottery, clay tiles are being specially created for the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital. The program includes different options for sponsorship, even allowing donors to paint their own tiles or provide one for a Mott patient to paint.

Employees like husband and wife Dennis and Gwen Magiera (both nurses) involved their three children by having them paint tiles. Dennis says the project is a fun way for their children to leave a lasting imprint on the new Mott. Three days after painting their tiles, Dennis Magiera and the Magiera kids were at the Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays baseball game. Mott Hospital sold 1,300 tickets with $9 from each ticket supporting the new hospital.

Janell Steel is a Clinical Nurse Supervisor on 7 Mott. A quarter of their nursing staff and their families attended the Tigers game. Steel says, “We had a great time! One of our patients threw out the first pitch! That was quite a thrill for us.”

Another thrill is thinking about the new hospital. Steel says, “We are committed to our patients and families having the best possible new hospital. The new facilities will be nice for us too, but it’s really all about them!”

Hickey says, “Everyone is very enthusiastic about the process of building a new hospital. There are lots of long-term employees who recognize the need for the new hospital and how it will improve the lives of patients and their families and improve the employees’ ability to deliver care. I think the employees’ dedication is exemplified by their fundraising activities.”

There are a variety of ways that the community can participate in the Pewabic tile project. Call 734-764-7323 or click here for details.

Now you can have recipes from local celebrities and help support the new hospital! Mott Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurses have created a cookbook to raise money for the PICU patients and families and the new hospital. The $20 cookbook includes more than 400 recipes from hospital staff, patient’s families, local restaurants and even some local celebrities including Lloyd Carr, Brandon Inge, Cheryl Ford (Detroit Shock), George Foster (Detroit Lions offensive tackle) and Jeff Backus (Detroit Lions offensive tackle). The cookbook, which was made possible by generous support from Edwards Brothers, also includes stories and pictures of former PICU patients, and drawings from some of the patients.

Purchase a cookbook by contacting Tricia Wright at 734-936-8981 or via e-mail.

The nurses in the Mott Pediatric Intensive Care Unit have raised almost $4,000 for the new hospital by selling angel pins. There are two versions—“COURAGE” and “BELIEVE.” To purchase a pin for $20 call 734-936-8981.