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Community Corner

The Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics Throws a Holiday Party to Remember

It was a magical afternoon at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore on a recent Sunday when more than 50 young patients and their families got together to celebrate the holidays at a big bash thrown by the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics.

This annual holiday party is the highlight of the season for many of the kids, and with good reason. Imagine the chance to meet Batman, the Oriole Bird, baseball great, Al Bumbry, Baltimore City firefighters, a certain red-nose reindeer and other big names all at one time, all in one room.

That’s exactly what happened for the guests of honor- the kids and their families- and that was just the beginning. Additionally, there were face painters, caricature artists and entertainers who taught the children how to spin plates! Of course, there was also lots of delicious food.

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Children treated at the Rubin Institute become family with their doctors, nurses, staff members and other patients, who come from all over the globe to be treated at the world-renown center. In addition, many former patients and their families also come back every year to catch-up and reconnect with everyone at the party.

John Herzenberg, M.D., the director of the International Center for Limb Lengthening at the Rubin Institute, graciously took time to thank the people and companies that made the day possible. It was a touching moment when he acknowledged the sad news that Melvin Pryor from Pryor & Pryor Chartered had passed away earlier in the week. However true to the generous spirit of the Pryors, his brother, Ray, said the tradition of giving will continue in the future.

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Dr. Herzenberg also thanked Holt Family and Brenda Holt, specifically, for organizing the annual toy drive and then personally delivering the donations to Sinai; the Baltimore Fire Department and specifically, Mike Hineline, for making sure that city firefighters were on hand to greet everyone and to give out the ever popular red firefighter hats; Batman who donated his time and brought Batman gifts; the Orioles Bird and O’s legend, Al Bumbry who interacted with all of the fans; the Touching Our Lives With Comfort Foundation that provided 150 Pillow Pets for presents; the Foote family who ordered and bought the balloons  to give the party a festive atmosphere; Jackie and Suzanne Neilson who traveled all the way from New Jersey just to assist with the party; the Save-a-Limb Ride volunteers who raised funds to help with the costs; and last but definitely not least, the staff from the Rubin Institute and around Sinai who are always there to help.

Then Dr. Herzenberg went around the room to greet the guests, which numbered about 300 in total.

Marilyn Richardson, the pediatric liaison for the Rubin Institute, organized the party, as she has for many, many years. As always, she made sure that every detail was perfect and that everything ran smoothly with her unique brand of leadership and warmth.

Marilyn echoed Dr. Herzenberg’s words of praise for hard working staff members who spared no effort to make the party memorable for patients and their families, which by the way, included wrapped gifts for everyone and the gift of spending the holidays together!





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