Hospital Thanks Its Volunteers

Black River Memorial Hospital honored its volunteers April 22nd at a Volunteer Awards Luncheon at Comfort Inn and Suites in Black River Falls.  Twelve members of Partners received recognition for accumulated hours of service to the hospital and many other members were recognized for leaving a board position or for chairing or working on committees for fundraisers this past year. In addition to members of Partners, Lifeline and Hospice volunteers were also honored. This luncheon is sponsored each year during National Volunteer Week by the hospital in appreciation to its volunteers for their services this past year. 

The theme for the recognition was “Volunteers – Plant the Seeds of Kindness.”  Mary O’Brien, manager of public relations and volunteer services, welcomed the nearly 80 volunteers in attendance and extended appreciation to them for their time, talents and energies they gave to the hospital and the community this past year. “As hospital volunteers you all truly deserve recognition,” she said.  “We appreciate everything you do for our hospital and our communities.”

The Partners President Jill Kaphengst conducted a brief business meeting, which included the announcement of upcoming events including the Baby-sitting Clinic June 22, 23 and 24 at the Black River Falls Middle School, Gigantic Garage Sale August 14 at the National Guard Armory and a special End-of-Life Issues Program June 16 at the Comfort Inn and Suites.  Kaphengst and Gift Shop Manager Bonnie Harmes then presented two checks totaling $10,000 to Holly Winn, the hospital’s Vice President of Human Resources and Ancillary Services. This is the second installment of Partners’ $30,000 pledge to the hospital for specialized homecare equipment.

Winn extended gratitude to the Gift Shop volunteers and all members of partners for the funds and for “all they do for Black River Memorial Hospital, its staff, patients, visitors and the community.  We appreciate having so many dedicated and caring volunteers.”  She then highlighted many of the significant events of the hospital this past year including the “Excellence Always” initiative and its impact on customer satisfaction, receiving the Laureate Award for Workplace Excellence, and receiving a gold certificate for the governor's Worksite Wellness Award that recognizes the efforts of the hospital to promote wellness in its workplace.

Leading to the presentation of awards to Partners, O’Brien said last year Partners donated approximately 8,500 hours of service to the hospital.  “With the current value of a volunteer hour now at $20.25, that represents a value of $172,125,” she said. “This is a representation of the dollar value of our Partners’ time to our hospital this past year.”  She then presented a large check in that amount to Holly Winn.

Assisting O’Brien with the award presentations were Jenni Hill, public relations and volunteer services coordinator and Holly Winn.  Partners who received awards for hours of service were: 200 hours – Jeanne Gabrys, Barb Gates, Dorothy Kalina; 200 and 500 hours – Barb Brower, Nancy Lee; 500 hours – Ann Pederson; 1,000 hours – Patsy Elrod, Jill Kaphengst; 3,000 hours – Gertrude Bernhardt, Emily Halverson; 4,000 hours – Barb Hanson; and 7,000 hours – Clarice Salsbery. 

The following Partners who left a board position this past year were also recognized.  They were Barb Hanson – President; Emily Halverson – Treasurer; Sue Michaelson – Gifts and Memorials; Patsy Elrod – Health Education; and Lynn Overman – Programs.  Fundraiser committees or chairs recognized were: Brunch with the Easter Bunny ’10 - Carolyne Hensel, Jenni Hill, Jill Kaphengst, Debbie Marg, Mary O’Brien, Sarah Osegard, Ellen Relyea, Rosemary Smetana; Home Tour –Barb Hanson; Holiday Tea and Dollhouse Raffle - Barb Hanson, Ann Pederson; Love Lights - Kathy Peterson; and Gift Shop -  Joanne Capper, Bonnie Harmes, Clarice Salsbery.

Following the awards to members of Partners, Cindy Clark, Hospice volunteer coordinator presented awards to the following Hospice volunteers who donated the most time, made the most visits and put in the most miles: Becky Callihan, Marilou Peterson, Marie Eddy and Audrey Wathen.  Their names will be engraved on a gold plate and placed on the Tribute Wall in the hospital’s Memorial Garden.  The following transition volunteers were presented a certificate: Janice Rehberg, Gerry Rudkin, and Robin and Tilman Luther.  Other Hospice volunteers who were recognized were Jill Kaphengst, Joy Sieg, Margaret Legois, Tony Rebarchik, Duane Bowen, Peter Hoffman, Pat Brey, Cindy Ellenbecker, Mary Olson, Charla Schapfel and Sue Theiler.

Clark said that Hospice now has 57 active volunteers.  “We have all ages, all interests and all levels of involvement including teens, transitions, regular volunteers and helpers,” she said.  “We had 98 hospice admissions in 2009. Our average daily census was about 28. The state mandates that 5 percent of direct patient time is made up of volunteer hours and last year our volunteers logged an average 8.5 percent monthly, with a peak of 11.6 percent. This saved our program $17,213 in direct care time alone.  Our volunteers reported 7,356 miles in 2009, for a total savings to our program of $3,715 in mileage. Adding in the bereavement volunteers and office hours brings our total hospice volunteer savings to $22,882.  Plus, the volunteers raised $2,161 in fundraising activities, making the total value of volunteers to our hospice program a little over $25,000.”

Kathy Laudon, Patient and Family Services Department manager, and Carrie Trautlein, Lifeline coordinator, presented certificates to the following Lifeline volunteers: installers Alice Rae Evenson, Barb and Gene Mason, Gerry Rudkin, Mary Van Gorden, Ron and Ethel Engebretson, Tim Hopkins; test callers Barb Salveson, Lynn Overman, Mardi Fries; and Harriet Thompson who sends Christmas cards to subscribers.  Another volunteer Laudon recognized was Rosie Smetana who helps stock the Emergency Department with clothes for patients and fills baskets for new mothers when they have not been able to purchase items for their new baby.

“Our Lifeline volunteers are so valuable to our program,” said Laudon.  “Many of our volunteers have been with the Lifeline Program for over 10 years, and some have been with the program since it started, almost 30 years ago.  They do test calling, installing and office-type work. Lifeline has had a positive impact on the lives of our subscribers and provided peace of mind to their family.  Due to the wonderful work of the Lifeline Coordinator Carrie Trautlein and the many dedicated volunteers, the Lifeline Program has grown to over 310 subscribers. The words ‘Thank You do not seem to be enough to let you know how beneficial each of you has been to the success of this program.”

Mary O’Brien concluded the program by saying the volunteers deserve gratitude and applause for all they do for the hospital.  “The time, energy, skills and talents you generously lend, again and again, are priceless,” she said.  “Your efforts and dedication help make our hospital better and our community stronger.  We salute you today for planting so many seeds of kindness and for making such a tremendous difference in all these programs and services.”