My name is Irene Pollin.
It has been my name since May 27th, 1945, the date I married Abe Pollin.
Before that, my name was Irene Kerchek, but I have been Irene Pollin much longer.
However, something interesting has happened since my husband, Abe, died, in November, 2009; I am no longer referred to as Irene Pollin; I have become “Pollin Family.”
At first, I paid little attention to this odd designation, but as it has continued over the past few years, I have decided to remind people of who I really am, and have always been.
I haven’t been sure why this has occurred.
Is it male chauvinism? No, because one of the people who did this was a professional woman who I work with.
Is it unfamiliarity? People that I haven’t known very long? No, because several of the people who did this have known me for many years.
Well, why?
I can’t seem to come up with an answer, and I’m interested to see if other people have had a similar experience.
Even this past week, my friend and sports compatriot, Ted Leonsis, referred to me as “Pollin Family” in an interview. If he will check the legal documents I signed when I sold Washington Sports and Entertainment, he will only see one name….Irene Pollin.
From the Heart 
YOu have to wonder…what are they thinking??? Cheers, for you and all you do for our community!
Hello Irene, I want you to know that I admire you and your Social Work contribution that you so generously expressed and provided in your books. Thank you so much for sharing your impressive work through your books in providing social workers with a wonderful model to use in health care – Medical Crisis Counseling. I have learned so much through your books: Medical Crisis Counseling and Taking Charge. I believe your model is as important today as it was when you first developed this model in your practice. I use your model daily as I assist patients and their loved ones who are dealing with serious illness in my work as a Hospital Inpatient Palliative Care Social Worker. I am thrilled to have found your blog. I want to thank you most sincerely for who you are and how you continue to impact many lives through sharing your Medical Crisis Counseling model. I would love the opportunity to speak with you! Warmly, Helen McClain, MSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW Palliative Care Social Worker Indiana University Health – Methodist Hospital Indianapolis, IN hmcclain@iuhealth.org mcclain.helen@gmail.com
Sent from my iPad
>