UTMC volunteers lauded for contributions

April 25, 2014 | Features, UToday, UTMC
By Vicki L. Kroll



They’re always there to help, ready to share a smile and lend an ear.

UT Medical Center has some 340 volunteers who put in an average of 3,000 service hours a month in more than 100 departments.

Satellites Auxiliary members and MCO retirees Jean Brenner, left, Rose Tammerine, center, and Carolyn Stone chatted at the luncheon held during National Volunteer Week.

Satellites Auxiliary members and MCO retirees Jean Brenner, left, Rose Tammerine, center, and Carolyn Stone chatted at the luncheon held during National Volunteer Week.

“We want to thank and celebrate these individuals who make such a big difference in the lives of so many,” said Amy Finkbeiner, UT service excellence operations manager.

About 75 volunteers attended a recent luncheon held in their honor during National Volunteer Week.

“Our UTMC volunteers have provided 47,424 volunteer hours during the past year,” Diane Ammons, assistant to the vice president for medical affairs, said at the event.

“Our volunteers have and continue to demonstrate their collective allegiance by making a difference. They continue to demonstrate determination and desire to meet our daily challenges and to accomplish our goals — and we thank them,” added Ammons, who spoke on behalf of Dr. Carl Sirio, vice president for medical affairs and associate dean of clinical affairs in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, and chief medical information officer, who was unable to attend the luncheon.

Finkbeiner said volunteers are an integral component of the hospital as they provide an extra dimension of care and service to patients, understand and empathize with families and visitors, provide support services for hospital and University staff, and offer research assistance in laboratories and University facilities.

“Our volunteers help us improve the human condition one person at a time at UT Medical Center,” Finkbeiner said.

Twelve volunteers were honored for their dedication. Those recognized and the number of hours he or she worked during the past year were:

• Jo Rita Fox — 692;

• Jim Harrington — 635;

• Donald Lemle — 834;

• Betty McKenzie — 504;

• Peter Nguyen — 644;

• Kush Patel — 542;

• Soohi Patel — 590;

• Pooja Singla — 669;

• Sreekiran Thotakura, 688;

• Leelasri Vanguru — 963;

• Judy Williams — 995; and

• Theresa Wisniewski — 1,049.

The Satellites Auxiliary consists of non-dues-paying volunteers who provide support for patient programs in accordance with the needs and approval of hospital administration, as well as conduct fundraising events and community outreach, and help staff the gift shop.

“Our Satellites Auxiliary volunteers are an amazing group of community men and women willing to give dedicated service to improve the human condition of our patients, their families and our employees,” Satellites President Lynn Brand said.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the auxiliary may contact Brand at 419.385.6700. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

For information on the UTMC Volunteer Services Program, contact Finkbeiner at amy.finkbeiner@utoledo.edu or 419.383.6336 or Patty MacAllister, support services coordinator, at Patricia.Mac2@utoledo.edu or 419.383.3206.

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