By Joyce Sampson
Every third Wednesday at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, Debra Wylie and her team arrange heads of cauliflower, bunches of carrots and other vegetables to grace someone’s dinner table.
The line forms early at this pop-up food distribution center. Many of those waiting must get back to work. The commute is short. As it happens, the majority work onsite.
Wylie has been pounding the pavement for the hospital for nearly 20 years as program coordinator for health equity. This food program began three years ago after an in-house survey revealed that there were food insecurities within their ranks. To date, 2,409 of her colleagues have been served.
The food program is only part of the job. Her goal is to help reduce health disparities and inequities among racial and ethnic communities in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
At 60-plus years of age, Wylie coordinates cancer outreach and smoking cessation programs, mental health first aid training for youth and adults, the Pathway to Independent Employment (PIE) program, and Colleague Social Care, which includes the mobile market.
She also co-leads the Community Health Worker practicum program.
On a typical day, “I could be hosting food distribution, looking for affordable housing for a colleague, looking for community funds to help someone get their utilities back on, or helping with rent for someone facing eviction. I may do two-to-six health fairs a week, or speak to a community organization on health education,” Wylie says.
Kimberley McBride, vice president of community health, has known Wylie for 16 years.
“Debra is exceptional as an employee and community leader,” McBride says. “Her passion is a driving force that propels her to go above and beyond, building trust and creating an indelible impact that resonates with colleagues and community members alike.”
The passion may be personal.
“When I was 4 years old, both of my parents passed and a lot of people poured into my life, from elementary school to college,” Wylie says. “I will never be able to pay them back, so I work hard at helping someone every day. That’s how I pay the ones back who were there for me.”
