Bryn Mawr 100: Bryn Mawr Hospital

As one of the top 100 hospitals in the country according to Thomson Reuters and the 11th best metro hospital in the land by the reckoning of US News & World Report,  is, objectively, a tremendous contributor to the well-being of its community. The way its vice president sees it though, Bryn Mawr is a community that gives as good as it gets.

"We have a number of ways that [Bryn Mawr] demonstrates its support for us," said Brenda DeFeo, vice president of administration of the 118-year-old health care provider. "And we have over 400 volunteers—hard-working volunteers—that help us fulfill our mission."

The mission, laid out in 1893 by founder Dr. George S. Gerhard and rigorously adhered to since, is just broad enough to sound simple while being near Sisyphean in its difficulty.

Provide for the health of the community.

"We try to make sure we're out there reaching everyone," said DeFeo.

The vice president said that, degree of difficulty notwithstanding, between the efforts of its large and capable volunteer force, the generous charitable donations the hospital receives each year, its partnerships with local businesses like the Main Line Chamber of Commerce and the , and its largely local work force, it's an objective that's often met.

Bryn Mawr helps Bryn Mawr Hospital help Bryn Mawr. And if you don't come to them, they'll come to you.

"We have a community services department that reaches out to the community with educational events and screenings," said DeFeo. "We do skin cancer screenings, colon cancer screenings."

"We provide vaccines to school children," added Main Line Health communications manager Bridget Therriault.

"And we do a lot of educational events," finished DeFeo. "Our nurses are out there talking to communities and going to churches."

In the hospital itself, education is also a priority. One of two "teaching" hospitals in the Main Line Health system, Bryn Mawr hosts a number of residents and fellows and boasts a robust research department, where breast cancer and heart disease are two of the present focuses. And the hospital is as adept at practice as theory: in addition to its lofty overall rankings, it's home to nationally recognized programs in orthopedics, neonatal care, and reproductive medicine.

And their eye is on the future too.

DeFeo said that in addition to their recently expanded emergency room, the hospital has designs on bolstering their pediatric emergency room services, launching a neural intervention program in partnership with Thomas Jefferson Hospital, and strengthening their partnership with the DuPont Hospital for Children with an eye on improving pediatric services.

"We are going to be here for a long time," she said.

Editor's Note: This is the thirteenth in a . Check back with Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch for more profiles leading up to the Sept. 10 celebration.