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In This Issue:
Donna Dello Iacono hugs Claire Wells, a volunteer in Neurosurgery.
Claire Wells has given more than 3,000 hours of her time as a volunteer at BWH for 11 years, most recently in the Department of Neurosurgery.
“We can’t imagine our days without her,” said Donna Dello Iacono, PhD, NP, of Neurosurgery. “She pulls charts, runs errands, sends dictation, delivers film and even brings us all the news of the hospital.”
Wells is among more than 800 volunteers throughout the hospital whose dedication and service make them valued members of the BWH community. During a special volunteer recognition breakfast in April, staff and hospital leadership thanked volunteers for their service in 35 departments to help BWH carry out its mission.
“Volunteers are truly people in action,” said HR Vice President Lisa S. Ponton, JD. “Your spirit of giving is so incredibly valuable as you help us deliver on our mission to provide the best patient care.”
The BWH volunteer forces are growing; last year, the hospital experienced a 16 percent increase in volunteerism. Many volunteers have generously offered their time and service to the hospital for decades, including Mary Jo Dent, a pastoral visitor for 30 years, and Margaret Fisher, who has given 18,000 hours over 25 years as a transport assistant.
“We’re celebrating your dedication and support in helping us provide compassionate patient care,” said Shelita Bailey, director of the Office for Sponsored Staff and Volunteer Services.
Volunteers also heard from Selwyn Rogers, MD, MPH, chief of the Division of Trauma, Burn and Surgical Critical Care, who emphasized the importance of volunteers during disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
“People there volunteered their time and talents to help us, and that’s largely what volunteers do at BWH every day,” he said. “In the midst of devastation, volunteers helped us set up two operating rooms and a recovery room, and many of our patients’ families volunteered to be by their side 24 hours a day to help care for them.”
Before breakfast was served, the audience was treated to a special slideshow featuring many photos of volunteers throughout the hospital.