The Philadelphia Zoo visits Bryn Mawr Hospital

The Philadelphia Zoo’s “Zoo on Wheels” program and Zoo CEO Vikram Dewan visited the young patients on Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Pediatric Unit on February 21 as part of a special presentation in remembrance of the late Sue Syrek, MD, a friend of the Zoo and beloved Bryn Mawr Hospital physician. On hand for the ceremony were Dr. Syrek’s daughter, Amy S. Shearer, Chief Marketing Officer of the Zoo. Other family members in attendance were Dr. Syrek’s husband, Rich, as well as her son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Kristy Syrek. 

Dr. Syrek was first female Emergency Department physician at Bryn Mawr Hospital. She earned her M.D. at Thomas Jefferson University and completed her internship and residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital, where she served on the medical staff from 1969 to 1988.

In his remarks to the assembled guests and hospital personnel, Mr. Dewan related how Kelly Ann Zazyczny, RN, Patient Care Manager of the Pediatric Unit, approached the Philadelphia Zoo in the summer of 2010 requesting a donation of prints to be displayed in the corridor of the Pediatric Unit. In her request, Kelly Ann explained that the young patients are encouraged to ambulate to promote recovery. Toward that end, she hoped to transform the hallway on 2C into “a stroll through the zoo” because animals are so appealing to children. Recognizing the opportunity to forge a unique partnership, Mr. Dewan secured funding from a mutual donor of the Zoo and Bryn Mawr Hospital. The donor asked to remain anonymous.

Thanks to the donor’s generosity and the enthusiastic cooperation of the Philadelphia Zoo, the walls of the 2C corridor are now adorned with spectacular prints of majestic zoo animals and a plaque dedicated to Sue Syrek, M.D. reminding patients, staff and visitors that “true joy is viewing the world around (us) and marveling in its splendor.”

Following formal remarks, young patients delighted in a special visit from the Zoo on Wheels, a popular outreach program featuring an interactive and educational experience with live animals.

About The Philadelphia Zoo
America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Philadelphia region’s leading family destination, the Zoo welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors last year. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information on the Philadelphia Zoo, as well as to purchase and print tickets online, visit us at www.philadelphiazoo.org. Philadelphia Zoo is a non-smoking facility.