NEW BEDFORD – Southcoast Health has recognized three individuals and The Concordia Choir as its 2018 Volunteer of the Year recipients.
The three individual volunteers are Wareham’s Jean Alves, patient information desk greeter at Tobey Hospital; Dartmouth’s Tracey Burke, an office volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital; and Fall River’s Roger Hebert, a greeter at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Southcoast Health announced.
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Members of The Concordia Choir include Susan Dickow, Linda Bardwell, Sandra Haworth, Tina Lorenzen, Elaine Dandrea, Kathy Levine, Mary McCarthy, Denise Kelleher, and Pru Cass, according to the company.
Alves has been volunteering since 2011 and has donated more than 1,900 hours at Tobey Hospital. She can be found at the Patient Information Desk, ready to greet people with a warm smile, usually followed by a witty comment, Southcoast said, adding she has been retired for several years and is committed to giving back to the community in which she was born and raised. Her peers, along with visitors and patients, “gravitate toward her gentle and caring ways, which makes for a happy workplace.”
Burke assists in the Philanthropy Department and in the Employee Health Department, as well as with any office duties assigned. Her positive attitude and willingness to help has been an inspiration to the departments, Southcoast said in its announcement.
Hebert has volunteered for several years as a greeter, welcoming everyone on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Charlton Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. Hebert greets everyone with a warm smile and a giant “Hello!” Southcoast said. He makes sure the needs of every patient and visitor are met by giving direction, escorting and assisting with wheelchairs, according to Southcoast.
The Concordia Choir offers comfort to people who are ill or nearing the end of their life so that they and their loved ones feel at peace, Southcoast said. The choir has visited two families every other week since 2012 as part of Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association’s supportive care team.
“They are simply a gift to patients who invite them to sing in their homes. They believe that music can heal, open hearts, quiet fears and touch all who are present,” said Maureen Boyle, public information officer at Southcoast Health.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
