Winchester Hospital News

At Winchester Hospital, some funds from the 5K are deposited into the Heidbreder Fund, also known as the Patient Comfort Fund. This fund is named for Richard Heidbreder, MD, Winchester’s former medical director of radiation oncology and is an important way the staff helps care for the whole patient, said Nurse Manager Sue Sheehan, RN, MS, OCN. About $3,000 in gift cards are distributed each month to patients in need.

As the spotlights lit up the stage at Winchester Town Hall, you could tell that Margaret Bertochi, Gayle O’Grady and Phyllis Gleason were proud as they took the stage — proud of the show 400 people were about to watch, and proud of the hours they and hundreds of volunteers devoted to it for the entire month of January. The Winton Club Cabaret, in its 100th year, is always a spectacle that raises funds for important programs at Winchester Hospital.

“My father-in-law revered nurses,” explained Deb McDonough. “He also appreciated the talented and dedicated nurses he worked with at Winchester Hospital. His quiet philanthropic leadership for nursing education made huge ripples of impact in our community.”

Robby Robertson was a gentle giant, proud father of 4, and a vital part of Winchester Hospital. His wife Catherine, colleagues and friends rallied around him during his cancer treatment.

Winchester Hospital’s new surgical suite will feature six completely renovated operating rooms, including one hybrid room and one to house the latest generation da Vinci surgical robot. “To maintain the personal patient experience that is so special at Winchester Hospital, we need to update the holding areas, the operating rooms themselves, as well as the postoperative recovery areas,” said Bill Breckwoldt, MD, president of Middlesex Surgical Associates.

After their experience with the CuddleCot, Meghan and Kristen Jackman wanted to provide the same comfort to other grieving families. They started the Braden Patrick Jackman Memorial Foundation, raising money through an annual softball tournament to provide CuddleCots and other resources to Massachusetts hospitals.

Mohammed Jaleel, MD, and his practice, Winchester Hospital Inpatient Physicians, have made a $50,000 gift to start a fund named after Marlene Williamson, RN, MSN. Marlene, Winchester’s beloved assistant chief nursing officer, is retiring in July after 40 years.