Elisabeth Greenbaum

A Personal Commitment to the Caring Tradition

Elisabeth Greenbaum initially encountered Martha Jefferson Hospital the way so many young families in our community do, through the maternity care program during the birth of her son, Scott. "My first impressions were very positive, and my appreciation for Martha Jefferson grew over the years as we made those visits to the Emergency Department that come with the territory of raising children," she recalled. "We were comforted and received wonderful care from the full team of health professionals whenever we visited the Hospital."

More than a decade ago, Elisabeth was asked to lend her talents and time to The Women's Committee of Martha Jefferson Hospital, to help make Martha's Market a continuing success. She accepted with enthusiasm, wanting to support the enhancement of women's healthcare in our community and build on relationships that had grown over the years.

"I can honestly say that I have received much more than I have given," said Elisabeth. "Working with members of The Women's Committee has given me the opportunity to make many lifelong friends, and I have had the honor of serving alongside extremely talented, savvy, energetic and committed women. Seeing first-hand how our fundraising efforts have enhanced women's healthcare in our community is a strong motivator for us all. And I love that my daughter has observed my efforts in the community and has chosen to do some volunteer work in her college town."

In addition to her work with Martha's Market, Elisabeth and her family have made a new commitment to the palliative care program. Like so many who have helped make the program possible, a personal experience illuminated the benefits of palliative care, especially the role of the Chaplain.

"During the ten days in which my brother was hospitalized before his death in 2004, we had a nightmarish experience," said Elisabeth, recounting her brother's stay in the Intensive Care Unit of a Richmond hospital following a severe automobile accident. "There was very little communication between our family and the physicians. We felt out of the loop and that the doctors were too busy to answer our questions. We had little information about his condition, and the only 'TLC' we received came from the Chaplain the night he passed away."

Motivated by her experience to help others, Elisabeth began a bereavement group at her church and asked Martha Jefferson Chaplain Suzanne Smith to lead a discussion about the grieving process. Elisabeth soon became aware of the palliative care mission and felt connected to the integral role of the Chaplain in the palliative care team.

"I had been searching for a way to personally honor my brother's life and memory, a small way I could give back," said Elisabeth. "Suzanne's work and the work of the palliative care team are vital to Martha Jefferson's caring tradition. This culture of care is what makes Martha Jefferson stand apart from other healthcare providers, and it makes a real difference, both to the patients and their families. Supporting the hiring of a part-time Chaplain so Suzanne could devote more time to palliative care was the perfect fit for my situation. My faith has always been an important part of my life, and I feel very fortunate to have a faith that sustains me, especially through the dark times. But as Dr. Lisa Illig so often says, "Suzanne does much more than pray with people! She provides guidance, ethical assistance, and comfort just when it is needed most."

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