BIDMC Volunteers Honored
Posted 10/9/2008
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There are lots of ways to help at BIDMC and as the 94 volunteers honored at last week's Volunteer Recognition Presidential Tea showed, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Vincent Mitchell uses his fluency in speaking Mandarin to assist non-English speaking Chinese patients. Zachary Bernstein and Daniel Hashimoto help the staff of the Simulation and Skills Lab greet guests and conduct tours of the state-of-the-art facility. Abby Dornbusch assists with testing in the medical center's bone density clinic and Julia Rabkin uses her keen listening skills as a Family/Patient Liaison in the Emergency Department. And while Deb Brice comforts infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as part of the Newborn Cuddling program, Mac, a Westie from Caring Canines, lends his own special comfort, snuggling in patients' laps, tail-a-wagging, as a representative of BIDMC's Pet Therapy program.
The Volunteer Services event pays tribute to some of the longest-serving of the nearly 700 individuals who give thousands of hours to BIDMC each year, sharing their company and talents with patients and employees throughout the medical center.
Entertained by harpist Nancy Kleiman, the group enjoyed refreshments while being welcomed by BIDMC's new Director of Volunteer Services Stephanie Harriston-Diggs. Remarks and thank-yous from President and CEO Paul Levy followed before Volunteer Services administrative assistant Terry Morgan joined them at the podium to present the Volunteer Awards and service pins.
During the program, Morgan paid special tribute to Rose Finklestein and Jack Arvedon, devoted BIDMC volunteers who passed away over the past year, and in whose honor two of the awards are now named. Also receiving special recognition were the volunteers who staff the newly created Newborn Cuddling and Pet Therapy programs, 40-year veteran volunteer Alfred Agress, and numerous other dedicated individuals. At the end of the event, Harriston-Diggs and Julia Dunbar, Director of Pastoral Care & Education, formerly Director of Volunteer Services, recognized Terry Morgan for her work during this leadership transition.
"During 2007, the hospital hosted 470 volunteers who gave a total of 35,000 hours," noted Harriston-Diggs. "We'd like to thank all of our volunteers for all they do for us here at BIDMC!"
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