CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Leaders in the Emergency Department at the Medical University of South Carolina are working to give back to their community in more ways than just through medical care.
The MUSC Emergency Department has a new initiative known as the “Warmth from Within” project. Staff members in the department say that they frequently treat patients who do not have access to proper clothing for the winter weather.
Because of this, leaders at the hospital have launched a new clothing project that allows them to provide basic, brand-new clothing to those patients who are in need, especially as temperatures are getting lower. Dr. Diann Krywko is leading this initiative.
Krywko is the chair of the department of emergency medicine. She, alongside the emergency department team, received $2,500 from the MUSC Employee’s Initiative grant funding.
Using this money, they were able to purchase an assortment of unisex sweatpants and sweatshirts from sizes small to 3XL so that they have something for anyone who is in need.
MUSC nurses, technicians and social workers can distribute the clothing based on a patient’s need. They plan to continue to purchase clothing until their funding runs out. However, Krywko says that they really want to make this an ongoing project and continue to give out even more items through the warmer months like flip-flops, shorts, toiletries and socks.
She shared why she believes it is so important to give back to the community in this way.
“It gives the patient, themselves, some dignity. Not only warmth that they have when they need it in the cold but gives them some dignity of having new clothing to wear. It also gives us pride in our work and being able to help people. That’s what we do,” Krywko says.
She says that they are currently seeking both monetary and clothing donations so that they can keep this project going even when the funds run out. For those interested in supporting this initiative, a donation link can be found here.
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MUSC giving back to Charleston community with warm clothes for those in need
