Vidant Chowan Hospital Volunteers Earn 5 Star Award

Sept. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Seven volunteers from Vidant Chowan Hospital recently attended the North Carolina Hospital Volunteer Conference in Greensboro, NC.  The annual meeting allows volunteers to network with other hospitals across the state and to learn information related to volunteering within a medical setting.  

For the fourth year in a row, Vidant Chowan volunteers earned the “5 Star Award” for Hospital Volunteering Excellence.  The award is based on a points system consisting of community projects, community service, education/development, volunteer relations and hospital activities, to name a few.  

“We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteers who help carry out our mission,” said Jeffrey Sackrison, president of Vidant Chowan Hospital.  “We appreciate all that they do for our hospital.”  

With a warm smile, volunteers provide directions to visitors and give words of encouragement to patients when they are in the hospital.  They perform a wide array of services, but mostly interact with patients, family members and visitors.  Additionally they assist with various projects.  Four volunteers serve on the Patient Experience and Measurement Team which works to enhance the patients overall experience.  Others serve on the hospital Foundation Board that raises funds to support local healthcare.      

Volunteers work in Outpatient Surgery, Outpatient Clinics, Emergency Room Waiting, provide coverage of information and customer service, assist in the gift shop, cafeteria, intensive care unit, various offices and visit patient rooms.  Additionally, ordained ministers volunteer their time to serve in the clergy program.

Volunteers also award a $4,000 scholarship to an eligible John A. Holmes graduate each year.  

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please stop by the Gift Shop and pick up an application, or contact Kelly Cross, manager of Volunteer Services at 252-482-6270 or kelly.cross@vidanthealth.com.