Erlanger celebrates National Healthcare Volunteer Week
Looking back on National Healthcare Volunteer Week, Erlanger spotlights some of the hospital’s extraordinary volunteers.
Health care in America is changing. More than ever, there is an emphasis on serving the needs of patients through prevention, education, outreach, and quality care. Few understand that service as well as the volunteers who selflessly provide their time to make our country’s hospitals a better place for patients.
That’s why Erlanger was proud to participate in National Healthcare Volunteer Week, April 12th- April 18th, so that we may recognize those individuals that help make Erlanger one of the best hospitals in the country.
“It’s impossible to describe the profound impact Erlanger’s volunteers have on our patients and guests,” said Emilia Pastina Jones, Erlanger’s Volunteer Services Manager. “These generous individuals create a circle of service by giving back to the communities they are a part of.”
Created in 1974 by President Richard Nixon, National Healthcare Volunteer Week is a time to not only honor those individuals who make an extraordinary effort to improve American communities, but to inspire the rest of the nation to serve in much-needed volunteer roles.
Erlanger is proud to celebrate the efforts of the following volunteers and all of our volunteers who have given thousands of hours of their time to help us provide the highest level of care.
If you are interested in joining Erlanger’s elite team of volunteers, submit an application today. And thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!
Auxiliary President Amelia Sullivan has been volunteering as a Cuddler in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger for 15 years. Amelia has served nearly 6,000 volunteer hours, and also serves on the Children’s Hospital Foundation Board.more
Carol Browder is an American Red Cross volunteer who oversees the Flower Desk at Erlanger Health System. She has been volunteering for 8 years. Flower Desk volunteers have the cheery job of delivering flowers to patients. more
Connie Campbell is an Erlanger Health System retiree. As a volunteer in the Plaza Center, she aids staff and patients in the outpatient surgery center.
Dorothy Gary and Marilyn Vincent are volunteers in Erlanger’s Auxiliary Gift Shop. Dorothy has been volunteering at Erlanger for more than 30 years, serving more than 10,000 hours, and Marilyn has been volunteering at Erlanger for nearly 10 years, serving almost 2,000 hours.more
Evelina Galas is a Pre-Med/Biology major at UTC and hopes to become a pediatrician. As a Child Life volunteer, she helps sick and injured kids feel more at home by playing games, coloring and hosting fun events, such as ice cream socials. more
Herb Cohn is President-Elect of the Erlanger Auxiliary and a volunteer on the Main Information Desk. Herb can be found every Thursday bringing a smile and comfort to the many people who walk through the main door. He also volunteers during holidays, including Christmas Day, so staff can have the day off. Herb has been volunteering at Erlanger for 17 years, and has nearly 6,000 volunteer hours.more
Janice Clark volunteers in the Newborn Nursery at Erlanger Health System. Newborn Nursery volunteers have the important role of transporting babies between their mothers’ rooms and the nursery.
Lamar Rankin volunteers at the Main Information Desk at Erlanger Health System and as a patient rounder in the Hospitality Program, which includes visiting patients to see if they would like a beverage, extra blanket or simply a visit with a friendly face. Lamar began volunteering at Erlanger around 20 years ago and has served more than 9,000 hours.more
Panny Rankin volunteers in Erlanger’s Auxiliary Gift Shop. Doug Parker is the Gift Shop Manager. Panny has been volunteering at Erlanger for around 20 years and has served nearly 13,000 hours. Doug has been managing the Auxiliary Gift Shop for more than five years.more
Paul Lefkoff has been volunteering at Erlanger Health System since 2013. As a Guest Services volunteer, he logs many miles around the campus as he pushes patients in wheelchairs to physician offices, testing areas and throughout the hospitalmore
Ray Myers has been volunteering at Erlanger Health System Cross for 22 years. At least three times per week, Ray can be found pushing a new mom and her baby in a wheelchair to her family upon discharge, helping a patient get to a testing area or giving directions to visitors.more
Stephanie Rhyne and Ericka Reyes are Biology majors at UTC, and volunteer in Guest Services at Erlanger. Guest Services volunteers transport patients and guests by wheelchair to doctors’ offices, testing areas and throughout the hospital.more
Volunteer Sylvia Hall has shared 15 years and 5,000 hours of her time and talents at Erlanger Health System. She cuddles newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, coordinates Auxiliary fundraising sales and volunteers at special events.more
Vallerie Greer and Carl Ellis are patient rounder volunteers in our Hospitality Program. Volunteers in this program visit patients, room by room, to make sure they are comfortable and have all they need, including nice conversations.more
Feeling inspired by these incredible volunteers? Want to help others too? Apply to volunteer at Erlanger by clickinghere!