Treating More than the Medical Needs of Burn Survivors
at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center's Johns Hopkins Burn Center in Baltimore does more than treat the medical needs of 330 burn survivors annually, they also help those injured by burns and their families deal with the life-long challenges they face.

Through the Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) program, volunteers whose lives have been affected by burns are trained to work with others who are struggling with the impact of burn injuries. The volunteer burn survivors share their experiences and give them strength and support through the recovery process.

Another program helps burn survivors with their recovery by providing "corrective cosmetics," a comprehensive image and behavior enhancement program. The program, begun with grant funding and with continued support by the hospital, involves seven therapists and nurses trained in the art of makeup, from redrawing eyebrows to creating full lips. They teach patients how to use the cosmetics, giving them the experience and confidence they need to apply the makeup on their own. The program offers a painless contribution to the recovery process and gives those injured by burns the self-confidence to "face" the world.