House and Garden Events
Mansion In May Designates Proceeds for New Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Morristown Medical Center
Morristown, NJ (February 2, 2012) Proceeds from the Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) 16th signature fundraiser – Mansion In May – have been designated for a unique project and growing patient need. According to Morristown Medical Center, the Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center (the “Center”) will be built within the existing medical center. This first-of-its kind facility will focus on treating the whole patient to relieve suffering and improve the quality and comfort of life for those with chronic or life-limiting illness. Inpatient hospice and palliative care programs have shown to decrease length of stays at Intensive Care Units, ease patient transitions, and increase patient and family satisfaction and compliance with hospital care standards. A study by The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) also shows that an aging baby boomer population will dramatically increase hospital caseloads as medical advances enable adults to live longer lives. The plan for the Center includes a 12-bed unit within the main hospital building and will include soothing colors, an inviting foyer, ambient lighting and tasteful furnishings to create a sense of calm. Each suite will provide a patient bed, private bath and will accommodate overnight visitors. Palliative interventions will be developed by a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists and clergy and will include pain management, psychological counseling, religious/spiritual support, guidance of treatment choices, and bereavement services. Karen Knops, M.D., will be the Medical Director of the Center and spoke to the WAMMC Board about its role in the community. Dr. Knops noted: “WAMMC support of the inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center makes if feel real and that it will happen. I am excited about working with such a dynamic group of women.” WAMMC President Beth Wipperman, spoke about the group's enthusiasm for the cause, "This is a perfect cause for an organization that founded this hospital in 1893! The Center will offer support to the patient and the family at a difficult time in a loving, caring and dignified manner. I am deeply happy and grateful that the proceeds from this year's Mansion in May will go to the new inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center. Our teaming with MMC's Foundation and the Medical Center's community to work on these types of projects is both satisfying and humbling at the same time!" About Mansion in May 2012: WAMMC selected Glynallyn, a 32,000 square foot castle in Morris Township, for the prestigious 16th Mansion In May Designer Showhouse and Gardens. The turn-of-the-century castle, modeled after Comptom Wynyates in Warwickshire, England, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the most impressive examples of English Tudor architecture in the country. Glynallyn was built by New York businessman George Marshall Allen as a country home for his family in 1913 and contains 575 stained glass windows, 16 chimney stacks, gargoyles, terraced gardens, a vault-ceiling dungeon and moat.
