Rosenbaum Family House celebrates National Healthcare Hospitality Week

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Rosenbaum Family House joins the Healthcare Hospitality Network in celebrating National Healthcare Hospitality Week, observed June 26 through 30. The week is set aside to raise awareness for the vital services hospitality houses provide for patients and their families.

Rosenbaum Family House, founded by Hilda Rosenbaum, a mother of three children, two of which had cystic fibrosis, has been a place of respite for WVU Medicine patients and their families since 1999.

The current house opened its doors in 2014 on the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital campus. It features 29 standard guest rooms and 11 apartments. Rooms are available to patients 18 and older and family members who live more than 50 miles away from Morgantown at lower rates than a hotel stay.

While the average length of stay is five nights, some patients, like Caren Winchell from Mount Lookout, WV, need accommodations for much longer. Winchell has been a guest at RFH since April 2023 when she received a stem cell transplant and says she has found a sense of home there.

“It is family,” Winchell said. “Everyone is there to help you no matter what. The laundry is helpful because it is free, and dinner is great for people who have had a long day at the hospital and don’t feel like cooking.”

The Rosenbaum Family House Meal Program, which was suspended during the pandemic, is now welcoming all community volunteers 12 and older to cook or cater dinner for the guests. In addition to meals, the House also offers amenities and conveniences to meet guest’s needs.

“Our meal program is an asset because not only do we feed our own guests, but we also invite any hungry families at the hospital, even if they are not staying at the Family House,” Elizabeth Kanosky, Rosenbaum Family House coordinator, said. “We rely on community groups to help us provide meals to people who do not have the time or energy to focus on cooking a meal. It allows them to focus on their loved ones.”

Community support extends to other programs such as the Adopt-A-Day/Week program, which helps pay room balances for families in need through the Care and Comfort Fund, and Amazon Wish Lists, which allows donors to purchase the items most needed at the house.

In celebration of National healthcare Hospitality Week, festive events will be held all week, including house tours, social media features on the RFH Facebook page, cornhole games, and a chili cook-off between RFH staff on June 30.

“The Rosenbaum Family House staff is a group of people who want to fulfill our founding donor Hilda Rosenbaum’s mission to help as many people as we possibly can, not only by offering them a safe and comfortable place to stay, but also a compassionate ear to listen to whatever they are going through,” said Kanosky. “Our staff works hard to give their all to our guests, and we love this week to celebrate their dedication to fulfilling our mission.”

Jerrilyn Cuppett has worked at the Rosenbaum Family House for 23 years and says one of the things she likes most about her job is the ability to help so many people.

“I like helping people,” said Cuppett. “I get to know the guests deep down. I get to know what they need and how to help them.”

To learn more about the RFH and how you can help, visit Support Us – Rosenbaum Family House or contact Kanosky at elizabeth.kanosky@wvumedicine.org.