The Anapol Schwartz Foundation is proud of the work our other semi-finalists,

To read Jean’s and Rosemary’s stories, visit the links below:

Jean Klein, Ph.D., R.N. – For years, Jean served as Crozer-Chester Medical Center’s first burn center psychiatric liaison nurse, providing psychological support to patients and assisting them with their coping skills related to pain management and recovery from traumatic injury. When Crozer-Chester opened its Outpatient Burn Wound Care Center, Jean’s role expanded beyond working with patients in an acute care setting. She worked to create a peer support system, matching interested patients with more seasoned burn survivors willing to act as mentors.

After the Philadelphia-based Burn Foundation determined that such a mentorship program, on a larger scale, should be implemented to aid patients and their families throughout the region going through the burn injury crisis, Jean became the new program’s professional liaison. Because of her experience with and education in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Jean’s advice and guidance has been a tremendous help in building the foundation for the program.

Rosemary Washington – In 1986, Rosemary was in an auto accident that left her severely disfigured, with burns over her face and body. She spent months in St. Agnes Hospital’s burn unit, and then over the years underwent more than 100 surgeries to reconstruct and repair her body. But, as she worked to deal with people’s reactions to her altered appearance, Rosemary realized burn survivors needed emotional healing as well as physical healing. This realization led to the creation of her non-profit, Healed With Scars, in 2005.

Rosemary helps Healed With Scars’ members recover their self-esteem, and live productive and meaningful lives rather than hide in isolation. She reaches out to burn survivors 18 years and older and to family members of adolescent burn survivors. Rosemary holds regular support group meetings to allow survivors to share their stories and challenges and to offer advice; publishes newsletters to keep members connected; and arranges trips to inspire members to get out in public and enjoy being there. She plans to start a support group in Camden, N.J. in 2010.

In addition to pursuing a degree in psychology at Drexel University to enhance her counseling skills, Rosemary volunteers as a mentor with the Philadelphia-based Burn Foundation’s mentorship program, attends the annual Burn Congress, and shares her story each year at Eastern Christian College to inspire its nursing class.

The ASF assists 501(c)(3) public charities that serve victims and their families and funds research and programs aimed at advancing health and safety. The Anapol Schwartz law firm dedicates funds to the foundation as its wins cases on behalf of consumers and their families. For more information on The ASF, visit AnapolSchwartz.com/AnapolSchwartzFoundation.

A Word from Our Managing Partner

In everything our firm does, we’re working to ensure that individuals and their families are treated fairly and compassionately after they have been harmed. We’re proud to honor Dennis Gleason, who not only overcame serious burns himself, but who has since worked both to prevent others from suffering similar injuries and to support burn survivors and their families. The Anapol Schwartz Foundation will be presenting Crozer Chester Medical Center’s burn center – where Dennis was treated – with a $5,000 contribution in his honor.

And, we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight our two other semi-finalists, Dr. Jean Klein and Rosemary Washington, who have also done amazing work to better the lives of those who have been injured by burns.

I encourage you to read all of their stories on our site. They are truly inspiring.

Future Anapol Advocate awards will focus on different care communities and their heroes. So, if you know someone like Dennis, Jean, or Rosemary who has worked to help victims affected by disabling injuries to lead better and more productive lives, tell us about him or her by writing to Beth Starrantino at bstarrantino@startoplin.com.

Sincerely,
Joel Feldman
Managing Partner, Anapol Schwartz