Sharing Gratitude to Our Volunteers and Wishing All a Happy Thanksgiving!

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of honoring our dedicated volunteers during a special reception. This event was held on Monday, which marked the 60th Anniversary of the Volunteer Auxiliary’s very first board meeting in 1963. It was during that meeting that volunteers made a promise to help build a hospital for this community. Celebrating this anniversary as we lead into the Thanksgiving holiday seems very fitting – the generosity our volunteers have shown over the past six decades gives us much to be thankful for.

In this picture I'm joined by Jessica Schlee,
Assistant Director of Volunteers; Carmen Baeza,
Director of Volunteer Services; and Shirley Lewis,
Spiritual Support volunteer and pianist.

Not only did our volunteers keep the promise they made in 1963. But they have also continued to build upon it in remarkable ways. Collectively, they have provided more than 3 million volunteer hours of service. Time is precious, and I could not be more thankful that our volunteers have selflessly given so much of their time to us.

In addition, the Volunteer Auxiliary has donated more than $30 million dollars to our health system, including a $3 million lead gift, which was paramount to the success of our Promise Project. Without that support, our newly opened Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building would not have been possible.

Reflecting on the fact that more than 500 individuals actively choose to support what we do at GBMC HealthCare, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Their commitment has translated into countless hours of care, support, and comfort for our patients and their families.

GBMC HealthCare could not be the system of care, treating patients like our own loved ones, if not for the service of our volunteers.

Once again, thank you to our incredible volunteers; and Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

Transgender Day of Remembrance 

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a national observance held annually on Monday, November 20. It was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a black transgender woman who was killed in 1998. On Monday, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee/Greater Pride employee resource group hosted a vigil where we honored the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in the last year due to acts of anti-trans violence. Click here to view a list of names in remembrance of the lives lost. 

Those of us in healthcare play an important role in bettering the lives of transgender individuals, who often encounter prejudice when accessing medical services. Understanding and supporting their unique needs can significantly improve their healthcare experience.