Greenwich Hospital Honors Volunteers

greenwich-hospital-volunteer-appreciation-luncheon
Greenwich Hospital honored its volunteers at a luncheon at the Greenwich Country Club as part of National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Pictured here (l-r) Patricia Marshall (Rye, NY), Mary Anne Cipolla (Greenwich), Brandon McClean (Riverside), Judy Ruttkamp (Greenwich), Debbie Krautheim (Greenwich), Elizabeth Vecchiolla (Rye, NY) and Lavern Mezo (Greenwich).

More than 140 volunteers from Fairfield, CT and Westchester, N.Y. counties were honored at the Annual Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Luncheon. Each year the hospital hosts the event to recognize and thank the women and men who provide more than 46,000 hours of service a year.

Norman G. Roth, Greenwich Hospital president and chief executive officer, said volunteers play a key role in the hospital’s ability to provide an exceptional patient experience.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude for all that you do, each and every day, to make Greenwich Hospital number one in patient care and patient safety. You are what makes our hospital a place where patients feel welcome and safe,” Roth told the audience gathered at the Greenwich Country Club on April 12.

Sharon Gallagher-Klass, Auxiliary president, also thanked the volunteers for their commitment. The Auxiliary includes more than 500 adult and youth volunteers who serve at the main hospital campus on Perryridge Road, the Smilow Cancer Hospital’s Greenwich Hospital Campus at Lafayette Place, and at the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop on Hamilton Avenue.

Several volunteers shared their experiences and surprise at the personal satisfaction that comes from volunteering. Brandon McClean began volunteering as a high school student to earn community service hours and learn about the healthcare field. Now a college student, McClean continues volunteering because of the “sense of family and comradery that the hospital staff and volunteers provide.” Forty-year-veteran Miki Mikols Cottell began volunteering to reconnect with the Greenwich community after relocating. She said the “personal satisfaction and team work” among the hospital staff keeps her coming back year after year.

Stacey Green, director of Volunteer Services, spoke about the strong bond that dedicated volunteers develop with patients, families and hospital staff.

“Volunteers come to healthcare organizations to help patients and to give back to their community. But what keeps them coming back is the personal connections they make with the patients and the way they are embraced by Greenwich Hospital,” said Green.

The Greenwich Hospital event capped off National Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 7 – 13.

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