More than 200 individuals volunteered greater than 12,000 hours of their time at Our Lady of the Lake in 2017 in various programs throughout the hospital, helping to provide exceptional care to patients and their families.
As part of National Volunteer Week, Our Lady of the Lake recognized volunteers from the Silver SAINTS for their commitment to service. The Silver SAINTS (Seniors Available in Needful Times Sharing in Service) are a group of hospital volunteers age 55 and over who spend their time in many parts of the hospital including pastoral care, oncology, admissions, and senior services, among others.
Silver SAINTS were honored for their hours volunteered in 2017 and their years of service. Awards were presented in Joyfulness of Spirit, Most Years of Service, Most Volunteer Hours in 2017, Most Volunteer Hours Overall, and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award.
“Our volunteers do incredible work for our patients, visitors, and team members. Last year, our volunteers committed more than 12,000 hours of their time to serve those walking through our doors,” said Carletha Quincy, supervisor of volunteer services at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. “It’s an inspiration to see their commitment to service and we are grateful to have them as part of the Our Lady of the Lake team.”
Awards were presented to the following Silver SAINTS:
Joyfulness of Spirit
This award is given to individuals who uphold Our Lady of the Lake’s core value of Joyfulness of Spirit – an awareness of being blessed by God in all things. These volunteers enter each day with a smile on their face, ready to serve our patients, guests, and team members. This year's recipients are:
-Melba Weiss, a retired LPN nurse, began volunteering at Our Lady of the Lake in June of 2014.
-Fran Haydel began volunteering in September of 1995 as a Eucharistic minister, serving communion to patients and their families.
Most Years of Service
Cecelia St. Romain has volunteered with Our Lady of the Lake for 28 years.
Most Volunteer Hours in 2017
-June Crump volunteered more than 700 hours in 2017.
-Mike Cullen volunteered more than 600 hours last year.
-Antonio Carrillo volunteered more than 500 hours in 2017.
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given to individuals who have completed 4,000 or more hours in their lifetime. Along with the ultimate honor of presidential recognition, recipients receive a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion, or coin, and a congratulatory letter from the president of the United States.
This year's recipient of the award is Patty Taber, a retired LPN, who began volunteering in 2011 at the front desk of the Assisi Village building and has since volunteered more than 5,000 hours of her time. Patty was also honored this year for Most Hours in a Year, with 1,000 hours served, and Most Hours Overall, reaching a milestone of more than 5,000 hours.
Taber is pictured above.