Penn Medicine Princeton Health observed National Volunteer Week and thanked its volunteers for their countless contributions to the organization with a luncheon Friday, April 5, at the Mercer Oaks in West Windsor, N.J.
The luncheon included an awards ceremony that honored numerous volunteers, including Brenda Mihan and Sallie Campbell, both of whom have been volunteering at Princeton Health for 50-plus years — more than half of the organization’s history.
After the awards, volunteers took to the dance floor, spurred on by the musical offerings of volunteer/DJ Steven Knox.
The Department of Volunteer Services reported that 860 volunteers served Princeton Health in 2018, donating approximately 65,000 hours combined. Volunteers serve in clinical and non-clinical units through the Princeton Health system, supporting staff members and physicians and helping to promote an exceptional experience for patients and visitors.
Highlights of volunteers’ contributions in 2018 include:
- 50 volunteers donated more than 500 hours to support patients during PennChart implementation.
- 45 volunteers supported hospice patients and their families in the community by providing visits, massage therapy, and pet therapy.
- Hospice volunteers also supported patients through No One Dies Alone, a program to ensure patients have someone by their side when loved ones cannot be there.
- 16 pet-assisted activity (often called pet therapy) teams donated more than 1,500 hours at Princeton Medical Center, Princeton House Behavioral Health locations and to hospice patients.
- 12 college students participated in the Pre-Health Professionals Program, with each serving more than 200 hours on nursing units and in the Emergency Department.
- 17 students from Montgomery High School and Community Options School to Employment programs served more than 8,000 hours. These partnerships allow individuals with disabilities an opportunity to develop or enhance professional and life skills and explore various types of careers.
- 60 Red Coat Ambassadors provided more than 11,000 hours to support patients and families with way finding and obtaining patient and other information.
- More than 10 groups donated over 500 hours to make comfort kits, designer pillow cases, knitted items, and more for patients.