The United Hospital Fund hosted its 22nd annual Hospital Auxilian and Volunteer Achievement Awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria, honoring 84 volunteers and auxilians. Among them were many local Bronx who provide service to 60 hospitals or hospital divisions throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. NY1 News’ Cheryl Wills was the special guest at the event on Fri., Mar. 13th, which drew nearly 700 attendees to the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The honorees were chosen from among New York City’s thousands of hospital volunteers, who collectively provide millions of hours of service annually. They range in age from their teens to their 90’s and come from all walks of life—student, customer service representative, accountant, writer, artist; retired teacher, nurse, social worker; parent and grandparent. They have provided, on average, more than ten years of volunteer service—some first motivated by their own experiences as patients—in virtually every hospital setting, from gifts shops and fundraising departments to emergency rooms and clinics. “This annual event spotlights the extraordinary dedication and contributions of caring volunteers, who share their time and talents to support patients and their families and provide valuable extensions of hospital services,” said Jim Tallon, President of the United Hospital Fund. “Story after story, I am reminded of how much these giving people care, as well as the impact of their caring.” Each of the honored volunteers has an inspiring, often compelling story to share. Yunirda Acosta was SBH Health System’s (St. Barnabas Hospital’s) honoree at the United Hospital Fund’s Hospital Auxilian and Volunteer Achievement Awards. In the featured photo, she stands in the center with Wills (left), and Sally Rogers, senior vice president for communications and development at United Hospital Fund. Acosta has been an invaluable volunteer, assisting in the Volunteer Office and with the Patient Portal called Followmy Health, a secure, convenient way for patients to manage their personal health record. Other local honorees included: Alan Epstein (Montefiore Medical Center) assists the Family Caregiver Support Center by roaming the hospital in search of—and reaching out to—patients’ family members who might benefit from the center’s supportive services. Frances Powell (North Central Bronx Hospital) has, for the past ten years, volunteered in the Psychiatric Emergency Department—the very department she managed for 25 years before her retirement. Theresa Lorusso (New York Methodist Hospital) volunteers in the Cuddler program, comforting babies born prematurely who are receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The United Hospital Fund’s Hospital Auxilian and Volunteer Achievement Awards are part of the Fund’s broad efforts—including grantmaking to support innovative programs—to mobilize the energies of volunteers, recognize their achievements, and open new avenues for volunteer involvement in health care. The United Hospital Fund is a health services research and philanthropic organization whose primary mission is to shape positive change in health care for the people of New York. For more information, please visit www.uhfnyc.org.
UHF Honors Volunteers
