UTICA, N.Y. – This year, National Volunteer Week falls from April 10-16 and the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) will use those days to accentuate the many gifts and talents our volunteers share with patients, families and employees on a regular basis. All staff members are urged to thank volunteers for all that they do to support MVHS.
“This year’s theme is ‘Our volunteers are worth their weight in gold,’” said Delta Rubsamen, director of Volunteers for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH).“As a token of employee thanks, small gold mesh drawstring bags filled with gold coin candy will be distributed to volunteers during Volunteer Week.” In addition, volunteers have their names entered in a daily drawing for a gift of appreciation.
Volunteers complete all types of tasks at the MVHS: some raise money for equipment and other needs. All funds raised by the Faxton St. Luke's Volunteer Association through the gift shops and vendor sales are donated directly back to the organization through the FSLH Foundation. In 2014, in addition to other projects, monies raised were used to purchase new flat-screen TVs for patients and, in 2015, a patient education system was funded. In early 2016, additional TVs will be purchased for the specialty unit on AC 2 at the St. Luke’s Campus. Meanwhile, at SEMC, volunteers present funds raised to the hospital through the SEMC Guild, which gifted $15,000 last year.
“Volunteers range from age from 14 years to more than 90 years,” said Grace Garro, director of Volunteers for St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). “We’re so grateful for the support they provide to more than 40 departments throughout the Faxton, St. Elizabeth, St. Luke's, and Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services (CRCCS) Campuses.”
At various sites, volunteers:
- Sort and deliver mail
- Rock babies in the nursery
- Round with patients on a regular basis to see how they are doing and to determine if they can be of assistance in any way – including through the Mended Hearts and Patient Advocate Programs
- Sew heart pillows for patients who have undergone cardiac surgery at SEMC
- Greet and assist patients in units such as Faxton's Outpatient Infusion and St. Luke's Emergency Department
- Staff the gift shops at the Faxton, SEMC and St. Luke's Campuses
- Staff information desks at St. Luke's and Faxton lobbies, the reception desk at the Cancer Center, and surgery waiting rooms at all three hospital campuses
- Work behind the scenes in offices, completing numerous clerical tasks
- Deliver medications from the Pharmacy to units throughout St. Luke's Campus
- Provide pastoral support to patients at FSLH and SEMC
- Deliver complimentary newspapers to patients each morning at the St. Luke’s Campus and
- Other tasks too numerous to mention.
In 2015, the 597 volunteers across the MVHS donated 69,981 hours of their valuable time to help our patients and families. The Administration and staff extend deep appreciation for these generous contributions.
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Media Contact
Sandra Fentiman
Manager, Marketing / Community Outreach
Mohawk Valley Health System
(315) 624-5216
sfentiman@mvhealthsystem.org