MUSC volunteers play vital role in missionby Cindy AbolePublic Relations National Volunteer Week is the time to thank one of America’s most valuable assets—volunteers—and call the public’s attention to all that they do to improve our communities. Next week, Lowcountry individuals who volunteer at MUSC will be celebrated during National Volunteer Week, April 18 to 24. Each year, hundreds of MUSC volunteers play significant roles in the lives of others through their generous work and service. Last year, MUSC volunteers contributed almost 32,000 total hours working at the Medical Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Institute of Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital. Since 1974, National Volunteer Week was celebrated annually through the leadership of the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. But at MUSC, volunteers have been formally recognized for their service to patients, families and staff since 1971. MUSC volunteers are comprised of young adults, age 16 and older, men, women, senior citizens, cancer survivors, retirees and others in the community. MUSC volunteers are committed to their weekly work and complete a minimum of 100 service hours a year. Each participant undergoes specific training in MUSC’s policies and procedures. Volunteers can be found working in more than 80 areas of the hospital and university. At the Children’s Hospital, volunteers contributed a total of 6,438 hours since last year. Many of the 182 men, women and students are dedicated to fulfilling the hospital’s mission to provide the best quality health care for the children and families they serve. Volunteers work with children and staff within inpatient areas and clinics, assist families through guest relations, conduct administrative support and other services. “Our volunteers have a great impact in the quality of care at the Children’s Hospital by working directly with kids, families, nurses and staff,” said Christine Messick, MUSC Children’s Hospital volunteer coordinator. “Their efforts have contributed to the great team relationships within our medical center and throughout the community.” With 393 volunteers working throughout the Medical Center, volunteers contributed approximately 25,356 service hours in 2004. They provided countless services from delivering flowers and magazines, answering phones and providing administrative support to providing companionship to patients and assisting families. “These men and women of all ages donate their time on a daily basis to the staff and patients with the sole intention of making someone’s day easier and happier,” said Katy Kuder, interim manager of MUSC Volunteer and Community Services. “It is amazing how much our volunteers do to help our patients have an overall positive experience at MUSC. We have volunteers in our hospital at all hours of the day—seven days a week. It is humbling to work along so many dedicated and kind-hearted individuals on a daily basis.” MUSC employees and staff are encouraged to show their appreciation and recognize volunteers throughout the week. To learn more about volunteering, visit the Medical Center Volunteer Web site at http://www.muschealth.com/volunteer. For more about the MUSC Children’s Hospital Volunteer Program,
visit http://www.musckids.com/mad/volunteer.htm.
Friday, April 15, 2005
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