A pediatric social worker at Mass General for more than 25 years, Evelyn Malkin, LICSW, now retired, was often the first person to meet young patients and their families as they arrived for treatment at the Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center.
Many families came from distant states or abroad, and Evelyn had a special way of putting both children and parents at ease. At the same time, she quickly identified and met their varied needs — from explaining details of treatment to locating housing and coordinating schooling for the child. She remained close to each family throughout treatment, providing encouragement and assistance.
“Ev knew this was the most difficult time of our lives,” writes a patient’s mother. “She made us feel at home with all her love and support. We couldn’t have made it through those seven weeks without Ev.”
Thomas DeLaney, MD, the center’s medical director, says, “Ev’s caring manner and attention to the needs of these families greatly enhanced the overall excellence of their care. She was a tremendous help to them as they faced the many challenges of treating a child with cancer.”
