Jane Matlaw, Director, Community Relations
Jane Matlaw, left, is shown with her father, Bernard Matlaw, brother-in-law Michael Weinstein, and sister Martha Matlaw.
Presented by Paul Levy, President and CEO
For more than 27 years, Jane Matlaw, Community Relations Director for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has been the face of BIDMC to so many people in the communities who depend on us for patient care, support, and assistance on a myriad of neighborhood and community concerns.
From the Fenway and Mission Hill, to Brookline and beyond, Jane Matlaw has committed herself - day in and day out -- to solving problems and building bridges between our world class clinicians and the communities we serve. And inside the halls of BIDMC, Jane has -- in so many ways -- been our conscience and our leader on issues of lasting importance to the BIDMC community -- and indeed, to our planet.
On environmental issues, Jane's work has created a legacy and an organizational culture change that will last beyond our lifetimes. We celebrated the 11th Annual Healthy Work, Healthy Home Environmental Awareness Day at BIDMC earlier this year, and it was one the most successful in a decade, thanks to Jane's leadership - galvanizing and motivating the BIDMC community to this cause. Over these 11 years, hundreds of BIDMC employees have pledged to be environmentally conscious both at work and at home, and we've had mercury thermometer collection, battery recycling, cell phone donation, and Environmental Action Awards that recognize employee teams who tackle environmental issues at work.
Jane's efforts and enthusiasm have created lasting changes throughout BIDMC and resulted in the recent hiring of our first environmental sustainability coordinator for BIDMC. And the hospital recently launched a "FreeCycling Program" which is another tribute to Jane's relentless mission to do better and to do more when it comes to our Environment.
Jane's loyalty and steadfast commitment to BIDMC's friends and neighbors knows no bounds -- literally. As member of the Jewish Women's Coalition on Breast Cancer, the Jewish Community Relations Council and countless other community organizations, Jane is a leader in the Boston-Haifa Partnership - which builds "living bridges" between Boston and Haifa. Jane chairs the Social Justice & Civil Society Committee which fosters learning exchange between non-profit organizations in Boston and Haifa. Jane knows and understands what a commitment truly means: year after year, Jane organizes and generates institutional and individual support across BIDMC for causes large and small, and remains committed to community efforts that are near to her heart, including the Annual AIDS Walk Boston, the Multicultural Coalition on Aging, the Heart Walk, and countless others. Jane has also worked tirelessly on elder and aging issues, helping to create an "elder friendly business district" in the Mission Hill neighborhood, and organizing forums and other events to help communities improve understanding and experience with aging issues.
It is hard to keep up with Jane Matlaw, literally. Jane is constantly on the move and has always been extremely energetic and willing to roll up her sleeves to pitch in whenever needed. At the end of the day, though, Jane may often be found spending a quiet moment at the bedside of a friend who has found himself or herself in need of care at BIDMC. Jane Matlaw is never too busy to take the time to offer comfort and company to a friend in need - and for Jane Matlaw, that list of friends is never-ending.
A fantastic cook, a wonderful colleague and friend, sister and daughter, and a proud mother to Ben and Nate Kaufman, who are in San Francisco and Washington, DC, please join me in presenting Jane Matlaw with the Robert M. Melzer Award for Leading Constructive, Lasting, and All-Embracing Change.