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MUSC volunteers inspire others to serve by Cindy Abole Public Relations The contributions of volunteers working within their communities will be recognized during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24. This year’s theme, “Volunteers Inspire By Example,” sets the stage for various organizations to applaud the efforts of men, women, and young people  through volunteering.  Last year, MUSC volunteers contributed more than 35,000 hours at the Medical Center, Hollings Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital. “I’ve always tried to bring a variety of spice, humor, and integrity to my job,” said Susanne Banks, manager of MUSC Volunteer Services. Banks, who has worked in her present role for 14 years,  and has been inspired by a lifetime of volunteering. Prior to MUSC, she worked 25 years with the American Red Cross, recognized as the world’s largest volunteer and service institutions. Banks manages a corps of 450 dedicated men and women, between the ages of 14 and 90, working around MUSC’s campus. “Our volunteers are hard workers who truly want to be here and like to have fun while they work,” Bank said. “Without their commitment, we would not be the health care institution we are today.” Christine Messick loves her work as Children’s Hospital volunteer coordinator. Messick worked at the Children's Hospital in the early 1990s. She was involved with the Children's Hospital Fund, the Children's Miracle Network telethon, the Mayor’s Commission on Children, Youth and Families, Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program, and Trident Area Safe Kids Coalition. “I can’t think of a better place to spend my time,” Messick said. “I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work on behalf of children through this volunteer program and to work alongside some incredible people who are interested in giving their time.” Last year, Children's Hospital volunteers contributed thousands of service hours. They exhibit great degrees of compassion and empathy for children and their families, whether it’s rocking newborn babies, caring for children with cancer, or assisting families and staff with needs.  Since 1971, MUSC has sponsored a volunteer program for the Medical Center and campus. Volunteers range in age from young adults (14-18) with the Volunteens Corps to  senior citizens, cancer survivors, retirees, and other participants in the community. Volunteers undergo training and can be found in more than 80 areas of the hospital and university. Each year, an award is presented to a volunteer recognized for his/her service, dedication, and dignity. Named after MUSC's former first lady, the Ann D. Edwards Volunteer award will be presented at a formal banquet and ceremony on June 2.  MUSC Volunteer Week April 18 through 24 “We’d like to go into nursing, hopefully at MUSC, and volunteering gives us a good opportunity to experience the career field while helping people in the community.” —Melissa and Chelsey Henslee, Recovery, MUSC Hospital Twins Melissa and Chelsey take time out of their busy schedules at the College of Charleston—the sisters are both students and cheerleaders—to help recovering patients at MUSC. Since January, the relatively new volunteers have brought enthusiasm to the hospital, whether they’re returning patients to rooms, cleaning and preparing the unit for incoming patients, or “doing pretty much anything the nurses ask us to do.” “I’d really like to become a pediatrician, and volunteering at MUSC lets me see the children. They’re the reason why I’m working and studying so hard. I want to be here some day.” —Miriam Crawford, Atrium, Children’s Hospital In her second year as a volunteer at MUSC, The Citadel sophomore spends her time getting to know the patients and talking to the children about home, family, and school. By getting them interested in different activities, she tries to take their minds off of whatever the patients are battling. “I just want to make the hospital stay easier for the kids. The most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing them smile.” “I love the babies, and I enjoy working with the staff. Everyone here is very appreciative, and there’s no place I’d rather volunteer.” —Julie Debrux, Newborn Nursery, MUSC Hospital For the past five years, Debrux has donated her time to the new babies and mothers at MUSC. In the midst of her second stint as a volunteer (10 years total), she helps the nursery staff by making charts and checklists for the newborns’ care and occasionally rocking the babies. She also uses her experience to train newer volunteers. “After working here in various nursing capacities for more than 30 years, I am aware of how overwhelming the hospital atmosphere is for our  patients and families, and how difficult it may seem to get around this large place. I enjoy making people feel welcomed and comfortable while they're here. I'm proud of MUSC and the opportunities that working here provided me during my career.” —Chris Christopher, MUSC Volunteer, Greeter During her career at MUSC, Christopher worked in general surgery, coronary care, diabetes education, the cardiac rehabilitation program and the physician's liaison program. After retiring two years ago, Christopher decided she wanted to continue an MUSC focus on better customer service commitment and now floats through the halls of the first and second floors to help patients and families find their way around the hospital. “I love kids, and I love to give back to the community. It’s a wonderful feeling, knowing that the time we spend with the children helps them as much as it does.” —Heath Richardson, Atrium, Children’s Hospital  Another new face among the volunteers at MUSC, Richardson has volunteered his time in the Atrium for nearly six months. A senior in high school, he visits the children each week, and the activities in the Atrium are of little importance to him, as long as the children are happy. “If it’s a little girl, we’ll draw or color. The boys are more aggressive, so we’ll play basketball or use the Xbox. It’s their time to have fun.” “Volunteering makes me feel very fulfilled, like I can do a little something for the children here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” —Diane Frizzell, Pediatric Cardiology ICU, Children’s Hospital An international volunteer, the Canadian Frizzell has volunteered at MUSC for almost three years. During the previous 18 months, she’s donated her time in various forms to the staff and children in the PCICU. She’ll often spend time at the children’s bedsides, reading to them or offering reassurance and comfort to those who haven’t been in a hospital. Other times, Frizzell helps nurses with paperwork and answers the phones. She gives much credit to the PCICU staff for making her feel like she’s a part of the unit.             Friday, April 23, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.