The Nathan Speare Regional Burn Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center Becomes Phoenix SOAR-Affiliated Facility

Crozer Health is proud to announce that its Nathan Speare Regional Burn Center, located at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, is now a Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery)-affiliated facility.

Burn survivors and their caregivers are at increased risk for psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Severe burns are life-changing injuries with chronic, often painful and negative social implications from scarring, disfigurement, or disability. The SOAR program is designed by the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and national experts to connect survivors and their loved ones with trained volunteers who have experienced a similar trauma and wish to help others who have been affected by burn injury.

“I’m thrilled that our patients will now have access to the Phoenix SOAR program. I’m so grateful to the Burn Foundation and Mr. John McCann, Administrator of the Burn Foundation, for the generous funding he provided to our Burn Center. This has helped us with the SOAR Coordinator training,” said Linwood R. Haith, Jr., M.D., FACS, FCCM, Chief of Burn Surgery. “Our team hopes that by offering this additional support, we can help our patients feel a sense of hope and confidence after surviving their life-changing injury.” 

Dr. Haith continued, “I would like to thank and recognize our Health Administrators: Jenny Santiago, COO of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Arthur Anderson, Crozer Health CFO, and our SOAR Champions at the Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center – Wendy Dargay, CAD, CDP, Recreational Therapist and Chinmayee Patel, MS, RD, LDN, Clinical Nutritionist.”

The SOAR program offers both in-person and virtual support. It also provides the Burn Center staff with tools they can use to deal with emotional distress they may experience while caring for their patients. 

The Burn Center Coordinators who were integral in securing this affiliation underwent 8 hours of virtual SOAR Support Training, including 4 hours of pre-course modules and a 4-hour live course with national instructors. 

The Nathan Speare Regional Burn Center is uniquely equipped to help patients, their caregivers, and their loved ones recover and live full, vibrant lives after surviving a burn. Its compassionate and expert team has helped over 10,000 patients since 1973, gaining an international reputation for high-quality, compassionate, and holistic burn care. Now, in addition to receiving excellent medical care, patients will also have access to the Phoenix SOAR program for long-term emotional and social support that may be needed.

Learn more about the Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center and Phoenix SOAR.