A new initiative at MetroWest Medical Center is helping ensure that patients leave the hospital not only with quality medical care, but also with the basic essentials they may need to feel comfortable and cared for.
The MetroWest Caring Closet is now open and providing warm clothing and toiletries for any patient in need.
Launched by the hospital’s Radiology Department, the Caring Closet provides items including coats, sweatshirts, socks, winter hats, gloves, and other clothing, as well as prepackaged toiletry kits containing soap, deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, and other small personal care items. Any member of a patients care team who identifies someone in need can visit the Caring Closet and take appropriate items from the inventory. The goal is to support patients who may be in need of these everyday necessities and help them leave the hospital feeling warm, safe, and respected.
“Many of the patients who come through our doors are facing incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Sam Dahlstedt, Director of Radiology at MetroWest Medical Center, who led the initiative. “Some may be unhoused, some are being discharged to a shelter, and others may have had their clothes cut off during emergency care. We want to make sure that when they are in our care or being discharged, they are comfortable, warm, and, above all, treated with the care and respect they deserve.”
The Caring Closet is stocked with donations from hospital staff.
“The Caring Closet is an incredible resource for us, especially when we have patients in crisis,” said Maureen Mancini, Director of Emergency Services at MetroWest Medical Center. “Whether it’s someone who has lost their belongings or someone being discharged with nowhere to go, offering something as simple as clean clothes or a toiletry kit can make a real difference. It gives them something they can take with them, helping them feel supported and cared for when they leave our care.”
Hospital leaders hope the initiative will continue to expand and serve as another meaningful way MetroWest Medical Center supports patients not only medically but also personally, meeting essential needs that can make a lasting difference beyond hospital walls.
Henrich Communications