‘Poinsettias for Patients’ to brighten holidays for fourth year

Faculty and staff across Michigan Medicine are invited to help make the holidays brighter for patients in the hospital this December. From now through Wednesday, Nov. 10, employees can purchase poinsettia plants online to be delivered to adult hospital patients the week of Dec. 20.

“This is our fourth annual poinsettia sale,” said Devin Lippert, M.B.A., administrative director for the Office of Patient Experience. “Last year, through the wonderful generosity of our teammates, we met our goal and were able to provide a beautiful plant to every eligible adult hospitalized patient that we were caring for at the time.” 

The plants available for donation are 4.5-inch red poinsettias, costing just $6.75 each. Surprising every adult patient with a poinsettia would require donations of 750 plants.

“We are confident that we can meet that goal again this year,” Lippert said.

“This is such a special program,” said Linda Larin, FACHE, M.B.A., chief operating officer for University Hospital and Frankel Cardiovascular Center. “Being hospitalized during the holidays can feel very lonely and isolating, especially with the added challenges of COVID-19. The poinsettias are a lovely way for us to show patients they are remembered and valued.”

All poinsettia sales will take place online this year. Click here to order poinsettias for patients.

Proceeds from poinsettia orders will help provide amenities and comfort items for patients and families. While the poinsettia program focuses on adult hospital patients, a number of holiday activities, including a visit from Santa, are planned for pediatric patients as well.

To help support patient- and family-centered activities during the holidays and throughout the year, faculty and staff can also choose to donate directly to the Patient and Family Centered Care Fund.