The Kennedy Krieger Patient Experience and Community Engagement department provides support, activities and resources for families, employees and those in the community.

We value the importance of patient and family centered care, which is understanding and respecting each family’s unique needs and preference, partnering with them as a member of the care team and providing individualized care.  We collaborate with community organizations, providers and patient groups to identify meaningful engagement opportunities.

Jamie Kurman, director of Patient and Community Engagement, leaps and high fives the Oriole Bird.

The department can provide:

  • Patient Advocate
  • Accommodations for patients, families and visitors
  • Donated items the patients, families and programs within the Institute
  • Community engagements events/Volunteer opportunities

Patient Advocate

The patient advocate is a non-medical, neutral, and impartial liaison who supports open communication with patients, their families and the healthcare team.  The patient advocate can assist with helping the patient and their family obtain the information they need to make informed decisions about their health care.  The patient advocate can assist the patient and their family by:

  • Answering questions.
  • Arranging support and accommodations as needed.
  • Providing support when navigating through the health care system.
  • Connecting with the appropriate staff to assist with concerns to make decisions about their health care. 

Accommodations for patients, families and visitors: 

We provide patients, their families and visitors with reasonable accommodations and access to our facilities, services and equipment. If you or a family member require accommodations or have a support need (e.g., related to hearing, speech, cognition, vision, physical access or other), please contact the Patient Experience and Community Engagement department at 443-923-2640.

Please note: Any concerns, complaints or grievances about your experience at Kennedy Krieger will be referred to Patient Relations. 

Community Engagement/Volunteers & In-Kind Donor Opportunities

We bring community and opportunity together. We strive to create transformative change in our communities and coordinate employee volunteer opportunities for companies and organizations to inspire a lifetime of committed engagement. We offer a variety of volunteer and in-kind donor opportunities to provide support for the patients, families, staff and programs at Kennedy Krieger, which include: engaging activities with patients, volunteering at an Institute event, completing volunteer projects or collecting & donating items for the patients, families and programs at the Institute. 

In-Kind Donor Opportunities

Donated toys and basic necessity items help our patients, families and students who are coping with a hospital admission and/or experience financial challenges. 

In order to maintain a safe environment for our patients and families, all donations must follow these guidelines.  We do not accept:

  • Used (including gently used) toys or clothing.  Donations must be brand new, odor-free in the original packaging.
  • Stuffed animals, unless they are sealed in the manufacture’s packaging or shipped directly from a store. 
  • Collector items that have been gathered and stored over a significant period of time (sports cards, beanie babies, etc.)
  • Items containing latex
  • Violent themed items (containing guns, knives, swords, blood, etc.)
  • Gift wrapped items (items will be unwrapped prior to being given to patients)
  • Religious themed items or messages
  • Used books

Ways to donate:

  • Drives/Collections – We always appreciate donations of baby essentials, toys, games, crafts, travel-size toiletries and other supplies.  If you are interested in coordinating a drive or hosting an event to collect items, please contact Patient Experience and Community Engagement at 443-923-2640 or click here to email.
  • Amazon Wish Lists – Next time you shop on Amazon, add one of our wish list items to your shopping cart and have it sent directly to our office.  To make shopping easy, programs throughout the Institute have identified items that best meet the needs of their patients.  Click here to view wish lists by program.  
  • Kennedy Krieger CARES (Community Assistance Relief Efforts) – Help families most in need by donating to this fund that is used to purchase gift cards so families can shop for necessity items, such as: baby essentials, clothing, bedding, household items and food. 
  • Interested in donating a vehicle? Click here for more information.

Schedule a donation drop-off

Donations must be scheduled by appointment.  To schedule, please contact Patient Experience and Community Engagement at 443-923-2640.

Please note: Drop off donations will not be allowed to be hand out directly to patients and families.  Our staff will accept the donation and distribute to the appropriate program for dissemination. 

Community Engagement/Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering as a group is one of the most impactful ways to inspire unity within a team while giving back to the community! 

Volunteer opportunities at the hospital:

  • Pet Therapy
  • Entertainment/Performances for patients
  • Host an event/activity for our patient and families living in the hospital

For more information on how to get your company or organization involved, contact Patient Experience and Community Engagement at 443-923-2640.

Companies/Organization Group Volunteering: 

Volunteering as a group is one of the most impactful ways to inspire unity within a team while giving back to the community! 

Institute Events

There are a variety ways to get involved with Institute social and fundraising events. For more information click here and/or visit our Institute calendar.