June 9, 2006

MGH salutes its dedicated volunteers

An impressive crowd of MGHers assembled in the O'Keeffe Auditorium May 24 to pay tribute to some of the hospital community's most vital members — its volunteers — at the annual MGH Volunteer Recognition Day ceremony. More than 900 people volunteered at the hospital during 2005, providing more than 70,000 hours of service.

Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, gave the welcoming remarks and expressed gratitude to all MGH volunteers. "No numbers can measure the care and comfort our volunteers bring through the doors of the hospital every day," said Slavin. "We are enormously grateful for all that you do."

Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse, echoed those sentiments. "This organization would not work as well as it does without our volunteers," she said. "We thank you for your contributions, creativity and compassion."

The celebration also honored individual volunteers who have made an exceptional commitment to the MGH. Barbara Jankowski, (shown above with Pat Rowell, right) a volunteer who leads the inpatient book cart team, received the Jessie Harding Award for Outstanding Volunteers. The Trustees Award — which recognizes MGH employees who have demonstrated strong and supportive relationships with the volunteer program — was presented to staff members from MGH Occupational Health. High school volunteer Matthew Grabowski received the Outstanding Youth Award. Longtime volunteer Raj Patel was honored with two awards — the Maeve Blackman Award and the Janet Ballantine Oncology Volunteer Award.

Individual service awards were presented to Jessica Berger, Meagan Bowley, Charles Calvin, Lillian Cosman, Steve Falivene and his pet therapy dog Kellan, Heather Gray, Timothy Hogan, Gwen Jemmison, George O'Brien, Ellen O'Connor, Susan Noonan and Peggy Scott. Pat Rowell, director of the MGH Volunteer Department, and Edward P. Lawrence, chairman of the MGH Board of Trustees, presented the awards. Above, volunteers enjoy the reception.