MedWest-Haywood Volunteers honored for service excellence

10/24/2011

CLYDE, N.C. – The North Carolina Hospital Volunteers, a group that supports volunteerism in healthcare provider organizations statewide, recently awarded the MedWest-Haywood Volunteers with its highest rating for excellence in volunteer work. 

At the North Carolina Hospital Volunteers annual meeting last month in Greensboro, the MedWest-Haywood Volunteers received the statewide group’s Five-Star Award Certificate – its highest rating -- for volunteer work performed through June 30. 

The award was based on a variety of criteria evaluating the MedWest-Haywood Volunteers, including their volunteer services, fundraising, community service, education and development, communications and publicity, and volunteer relations. 

“We are very proud of the award,” said Judy Ross, a past president of the MedWest-Haywood Volunteers who will become president of the group again next month. “It’s rewarding helping patients, visitors and staff,” said Ross, who has been a volunteer with the hospital since 1985. 

“I think we are all there to be of service to the community,” she said of herself and the more than 100 other volunteers who serve at MedWest-Haywood. “We love our hospital. All of our volunteers are very devoted.” 

MedWest-Haywood Volunteers will be honored at a luncheon in November and will be given pins representing their individual efforts, including their hours of service, Ross said. 

MedWest-Haywood Volunteers help in a variety of areas at the hospital including in the Emergency Department, the Progressive Care Unit, the Intensive Care Unit, the outpatient unit, and the fitness center. Volunteers staff the information desk in the main lobby of the hospital, answer phone calls, operate a library cart, escort patients, arrange pediatric tours of the hospital, run errands and assist family members as necessary. 

MedWest-Haywood Volunteers also provide financial support to the hospital by raising funds for the hospital through gift shop sales and fundraising events. 

For information about volunteering at MedWest-Haywood, call (828) 452-8301 or stop by the Information Desk in the main lobby of the hospital.