On February 14, New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot and two of the team’s cheerleaders stopped by McLean Hospital to bring some extra Valentine’s Day cheer to a group of geriatric patients as well as some lucky McLean staffers. Just a little more than a week after the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl title, the team’s representatives came to McLean to brighten the day for some of their dedicated fans.
Laurie Albanese, department secretary of McLean’s Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Services, said that Pat and the cheerleaders spent time with individuals on the dementia program and the older adult program, handing out Valentine’s Day cards and signing autographs. Pat and the cheerleaders also made their way through the Belmont campus tunnels, where they caught up with members of McLean’s Facilities staff.
“Pat was very receptive to the patients, and the cheerleaders were so gracious,” said Albanese. “Seeing the patients’ faces light up was priceless.”
“Pat’s giant smile brought such joy to patients and staff,” said Anne Huntington, MS, RN-BC, nurse director, Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Program in the Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Services. She said that “one may not know who Pat and the cheerleaders were, but it was very clear their purpose for coming was to bring smiles and laughter!”
Huntington also said that “visits like these are so important for our patients and staff, as each day is a challenge and having the opportunity to have fun together is a gift.”
Albanese reported that the event “meant a lot to the patients,” particularly because many of them were unable to take part in last month’s Red Sox World Series celebration at McLean. She credits Scott L. Rauch, MD, president and psychiatrist in chief, Lisa D. Pratt, MBA, vice president of Human Resources, and Laura Neves, senior public affairs specialist, for making this special day a reality.
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