Heywood Hospital Honors Volunteers at Annual Dinner

GARDNER, Mass. - May 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Heywood Hospital held its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner to honor the over 300 active volunteers who keep the hospital running every day.

In 2012 alone, Heywood Hospital volunteers donated over 40,000 hours of time in over 50 departments, equating to a value of over $1 million dollars. Additionally, roughly 120 volunteers each donated 100 hours of time over the past 12 months.

Marsha Alger, Herb Barclay, Sally Hartshorn, Kevin L’Ecuyer and Judy Prescott all donated more than 400 of their time over the past year. Georgia Canfield gave 500 hours; Beverly Cloutier, 800 hours and Steve LeGuern volunteered over 1,000 hours of his time in 2012.

Dawn Casavant, Vice President of Philanthropy for Heywood Hospital knows the impact the volunteers make on the patient experience. “Heywood Hospital volunteers give generously of their time, talents, and hearts. They are an important thread in our fabric and add distinction to the patient experience at Heywood Hospital.”

Sue Deacon, Volunteer Services Manager, has nothing but high praise for her staff. “Our Volunteer Dinner gives me a wonderful opportunity during National Volunteer week to recognize and publicly thank the 280-plus men and women who donate their time and their talents in assisting Heywood Hospital's patients and staff throughout the year. These ‘Exceptional People with Extraordinary Hearts’ work in over 50 areas and departments of the hospital, spreading their cheer, skills, caring  and multiple talents which are so vitally needed and greatly appreciated by our patients and staff. I couldn't be more proud of what they give to the overall atmosphere and success of Heywood Hospital and to our Volunteer Department. They make my job a joy each and every day."

Ms. Deacon also had the privilege to present two volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, created by Former President George W. Bush in 2002, this honor is bestowed upon individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard - measured by the number of hours served over a 12 - month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime. Lorrie Glovins and Reverend David Cote were both presented with this award at the dinner.

Lorrie Glovins, a retired nurse, teacher and counselor has been volunteering at Heywood for over eight years in various roles. She has served as a Patient Advocate in the Emergency Department, volunteered time for the SBIRT Program and served as a community representative on the Hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee and Patient Family Advisory Council.

Reverend David Cote has been a Heywood volunteer for over 22 years. He is an ordained Lutheran Minister who began his service as Chaplain for the Social Services Department and Emergency Medical Services. He serves on the Hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee, MultiCultural Task Force, Schwartz Center Rounds, and the Greater Gardner Suicide Prevention Task Force and is an essential member of the Multicultural Services Department’s Spiritual Service Program. He also serves on the State of Massachusett’s Chaplains Team, Montachusett CISM Team, and on the Board of Directors for Onsite Academy. Reverend Cote also responded to NYC Ground Zero after 9/11 to assist first responders and families with the attack on the twin towers.

About Heywood Healthcare

Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system located in the North Central region of Massachusetts. It is comprised of Heywood Hospital, a non-profit, 153-bed acute-care hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25 bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; Heywood Medical Group with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region; and four satellite facilities -Winchendon Health Center and  Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon, West River Health Center in Orange and Heywood Rehabilitation Center in Gardner.

About Heywood Hospital

Part of the Heywood Healthcare system, Heywood Hospital is a 153-bed acute care hospital in Gardner, MA, which provides a broad range of high quality medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and behavioral health services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital’s Centers of Excellence include the Watkins Center for Emergency and Acute Care; the LaChance Maternity Center; the Diabetes Center; and the Heywood Heart Center, an affiliate of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care.