HHC holds luncheon for volunteers

Special to the Journal

Houston Healthcare recently recognized the volunteers that

serve through the Auxiliaries of Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital for

their efforts and hours of service with a special awards luncheon at the

Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter as part of National Volunteer Week,

which was April 21 through April 27.

More than 200 adults and young people serve as volunteers

through the Auxiliaries. They work in almost every area of Houston Healthcare,

performing any number of tasks from working the information desk to filing

records, operating the gift shops and delivering patients and mail to patient

rooms.

According to Melissa Phagan, Director of Volunteer Services

for Houston Healthcare, the Auxiliaries welcomed 80 new volunteers last year in

addition to the 65 youth who participated in the summer Volunteer program at

Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital. “All combined, our new volunteers

spent 41,000 hours in our facilities this past year, resulting in a labor

savings of $512,500 for the hospitals,” explained Phagan.

The Auxiliaries also give back to the hospitals as well as

the Houston County Volunteer Medical Clinic and other charitable organizations

the money they raise through sales in the gift shops and other activities. Most

recently, members of the Houston Medical Center Auxiliary donated furniture for

the Cardio Rehab area, Lucas equipment (CPR Equipment) for the Emergency

Department, 11 Broselow Kits, used for advanced life support for pediatric

patients, to the Houston Healthcare Emergency Medical Service so that every

Houston Healthcare ambulance will be stocked with a Broselow Kit. In addition,

members of the Houston Medical Center Auxiliary donated $10,000 to the Houston

County Volunteer Medical Clinic.

Donations from members of the Perry Hospital Auxiliary have

assisted the hospital in assisting with the creation of the healing garden,

purchasing new wheelchairs for transporting patients and in renovating patient rooms

as well as purchasing new furniture for the main lobby along with patient and

family waiting areas.

HHJ News