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Phyllis Jen's family attended the unveiling of her portrait. From left, son, Michael Schlauch, daughter, Amy Schlauch, husband, Robert Schlauch, MD, and son, Dan Schlauch. At right: Phyllis Jen Center staff celebrate the annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast.
When the staff of the newly renamed Phyllis Jen Center for Primary Care came up a few items short for the annual staff appreciation breakfast, no one panicked. Everyone pitched in to purchase food and supplies from local stores. Tower Catering stepped in to help, too, and 20 minutes later, the festivities ensued without a hitch.
“This resourcefulness exemplifies our staff,” said Lori Tishler, MD, medical director of the center. “We take what we are given, add creativity and dedication and make it so much more. This is just one of the many wonderful things we learned from Phyllis Jen.”
In fact, the appreciation breakfast had been Jen’s idea several years ago, and as the center’s medical director, she rounded up physicians to cook for staff as a way of expressing gratitude. Today, the celebration continues in her honor and in recognition of the center’s staff.
“Phyllis brought so much enthusiasm, such devotion and such love over the years to this practice,” said BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD, during another ceremony this month that honored Jen: the official renaming of Brigham Internal Medicine Associates (BIMA) to the Phyllis Jen Center for Primary Care.
Staff of the center and hospital leadership gathered with Jen’s family and friends in the Cohn Courtyard and viewed a portrait painting of Jen that will hang on the Nesson Pike outside of the center later this summer.
Partners President and CEO Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, spoke about the passion and commitment that radiated from Jen when she was caring for patients, mentoring colleagues and supporting staff. “That light will shine forever right on the Pike at BWH,” said Gottlieb. “Within her soul was the essence of the mission and values of BWH and the good that we try to do.”
Jen’s husband, Robert Schlauch, MD, shared family stories, reminiscing about his wife caring for patients less than 12 hours after giving birth to her first son, Michael. Schlauch also read from a letter written by Michael.
“(BIMA) occupied her time constantly, but not in a way that took away from what we needed from her as a family. In fact, her dedication gave us kids a vision on the meaning of work and purpose,” Schlauch read. “She felt BIMA was part of her extended family, and our family feels that way as well.”
In closing the event, Tishler had a special message for the late medical director. “Thank you, Phyllis, you set the tone, you set the bar, and we will continue to honor your memory as a team, with support from our friends,” she said.