Remember when snow was FUN? When there weren’t so many things stressing us out and we could just romp and play and learn and grow?

That’s what we want for kids today, and most especially, for the kids we see at Bradley Hospital. The ones whose fun has been interrupted. That is what your support does and can continue to do: It can put some of the magic back into childhood. And for that, we are really and truly grateful.

Throughout the year, I am personally grateful to be on this journey of supporting the work of Bradley Hospital with you. It is both an honor and a privilege to work together to change the lives of children and families for the better each and every day.

I wish you all the joys to be had this season, and in the new year to come.

Warmest wishes,

Anne Morton Smith
Chief Development Officer
Bradley Hospital Foundation

Anouk Foundation Brings Healing Through Art to Adolescent Inpatient Program

The Anouk Foundation, based in Geneva Switzerland, bridges the gap between art and well-being by transforming healthcare environments into positive spaces that help welcome, heal, and reassure patients during their treatment journeys.

Provide Holiday Cheer to the Children Spending Their Holidays at Bradley Hospital

Once again, we hope you can help us make the holidays extra special for the young people who must spend them with us here at Bradley. It’s an emotional time of year for all the children in our care, and to make it more challenging, many of our patient families do not have the resources for presents. Our nursing leaders have selected toys, games, and other items that are both fun and therapeutic, and we hope you will consider adding some extra gifts to your Amazon carts as you do your holiday or household shopping.

Last year, we all came together to make it a special time for the kids, and with gratitude for your support of every kind throughout the year, we share the Amazon wish lists for Bradley’s inpatient programs below. Please share them with friends, family, and on your social media pages if you are so inclined. If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, please email copies of your invoice from Amazon to bhgiving@brownhealth.org. Amazon does not provide Bradley with contact information for purchasers.

Adolescent Program Wish List

Autism & Developmental Disabilities Program Wish List

Children’s Program Wish List

News from the Foundation Board of Trustees

Bradley Hospital, New England’s only psychiatric hospital devoted exclusively to the care and treatment of children and adolescents, has appointed new leadership of its Foundation Board of Trustees. Jeffrey Hirsh, who has served on the board for 20 years, has been elected chair. He follows Larry Sadwin, who completed a successful decade-long tenure as chair at the end of October.

In addition to naming Hirsh chair, the hospital welcomed Tricia S. O’Neil as the Foundation Board’s vice chair. Tricia, who lives in Rumford, is Managing Director at Descendants Wealth Management of Raymond James. She has served on the board since 2018 and is a past co-chair of Bravo Bradley with her late husband, Timothy. Serving as secretary of the board is Elizabeth “Betty” Brito, of Bristol, who shares a long history of supporting Bradley Hospital with her husband, Joseph.

Bradley Hospital’s Pediatric Anxiety Research Center Celebrates 25 Years at Reunion

This September, Bradley Hospital’s Pediatric Anxiety Research Center (PARC) proudly hosted its annual reunion for graduates of its Partial Program for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Related Disorders. It was also a celebration of PARC’s 25-year anniversary. The event attracted over 250 former patients and their families, including attendees who traveled from out of state, creating a vibrant atmosphere of celebration and connection.

Pictured from left are Amy Egolf, MD, Lead Psychiatrist; Director Jennifer Freeman, PhD; and Michael Walther, PhD, Clinical Director.

Creating a Legacy in Just a Few Minutes

If you would like to include Bradley Hospital in your estate plans then please consider naming us as a beneficiary of your retirement account, donor advised fund, bank account, or life insurance policy. Doing so can often be easier and faster than changing your will or trust.

Children with Developmental Challenges and Social Media

By Henry T. Sachs III, MD

Social media is pervasive within our society. Often, it gets demonized for its potential negative effects, particularly among youth. Yet, there are pros to using social media. For children with developmental challenges, it adds another layer to the social media debate. It is critical to strike an appropriate balance, so kids and teens get more of the good out of social media and less of the bad.