Volunteering at the Hospital

Volunteering at the Hospital / en Sun, 15 Jun 2025 19:54:47 -0500 Mon, 08 Oct 18 13:11:19 -0500 AHA Honors Nineteen Hospital Volunteer-Driven Programs /press-releases/2018-10-08-aha-honors-nineteen-hospital-volunteer-driven-programs WASHINGTON (October 8, 2018) – The �� Association (AHA) honored 19 hospital volunteer programs with its Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE). The AHA HAVE Awards Program is in its 35th year and highlights the extraordinary efforts of volunteers and volunteer programs, as well as the value and positive impact their contributions have on the patients, hospitals, health systems, staff and communities they serve. &nbsp; The recipients fall into four categories: community service programs, community outreach and/or collaboration programs, fundraising programs, and in-service hospital volunteer programs. Recipients of this year’s prestigious awards hail from Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Representatives from these programs received their awards at the 35th Annual HAVE Awards Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 30, during the 50th annual Association for Health Care Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP) conference in Chicago. An additional 15 hospitals were recognized as 2018 HAVE finalists. &nbsp; For more information on the 2018 HAVE awards, please contact Ursula Pawlowski at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>. &nbsp; The 2018 HAVE recipients and finalists are: &nbsp; Community Service &nbsp; Winner <ul> <li class="Pa12">Family Caregivers of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa </li> </ul> Finalists <ul> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Integris Grove Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary-Souper Bowl Saturday, Integris Grove Hospital, Integris Health, Oklahoma City</li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Moore County: They Immunize Kids Early (MCTIKE), First Health of the Carolina, Inc., Pinehurst, N.C. </li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Morris Hospital Patient Transportation Program, Morris Hospital &amp; Healthcare Centers, Morris, Ill. </li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Munroe Auxiliary Healthy Home, Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala, Fla. </li> </ul> &nbsp; Community Outreach/Collaboration &nbsp; Winner <ul> <li class="Pa12">HSHS St. Joseph Community Garden, HSHS St. Joseph Hospital, Chippewa, Wis.</li> </ul> Finalists <ul> <li>Flu Clinic Volunteer Program, Enloe Medical Center, Chico, Calif.</li> <li>Grand River Meals on Wheels, Grand River Health, Rifle, Colo. </li> <li>The H.O.P.E Program/Having an Opportunity to Prepare for Employment, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn. </li> <li>Winchester Medical Center Hurst Hospitality House, Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Va. </li> </ul> &nbsp; Fundraising &nbsp; Winner <ul> <li class="Pa12">Tackle Kids Cancer, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, N.J.</li> </ul> Finalists <ul> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Art in the Barn, Advocate Good Shepard Hospital, Barrington, Ill.</li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Glitz Gala Jewelry Auction, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, Hannibal, Mo. </li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">UnityPoint Health Des Moines, Iowa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary Not New Shop, UnityPoint Health Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa </li> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Volunteer Memorial Day Program, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Northwest Health, Riverhead, N.Y. </li> </ul> &nbsp; In-Service &nbsp; Winner <ul> <li>Trauma Survivors Network, The MetroHealth System, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio </li> </ul> Finalists <ul> <li>Art Therapy Program, The Medical Center, Navicent Health, Macon, Ga. &nbsp;</li> <li>OR Suite Volunteer, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. </li> <li>Reiki for Staff Volunteer Program, The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, N.J.</li> </ul> &nbsp; &nbsp; Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Marie Johnson, 202-626-2351, <a href="mailto:mwatteau@aha.org">mjohnson@aha.org</a> Colin Milligan, 202-638-5491, <a href="mailto:cmilligan@aha.org">cmilligan@aha.org</a> &nbsp; ### &nbsp; About the �� Association The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at <a href="http://www.aha.org">www.aha.org</a>. &nbsp; About the Association for Health Care Volunteer Resource Professionals Founded in 1968, the Association for Health Care Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP), a professional membership group of the �� Association (AHA), is the premier membership society for health care volunteer services, retail operations and related support services disciplines. AHVRP provides timely and critical support through thought leadership, learning and knowledge sharing, professional development, certification, recognition for personal and professional achievements, networking, collaboration and advocacy resources for leaders in health care volunteer management as well as auxiliary leaders, volunteers, students, faculty and retirees who are interested in issues relate to healthcare volunteer resources, retail operations and advocacy. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Mon, 08 Oct 2018 13:11:19 -0500 Volunteering at the Hospital Engaging Health Care Volunteers to Pursue the Triple Aim /issue-landing-page/2018-03-15-engaging-health-care-volunteers-pursue-triple-aim <h2>Introduction</h2>Health care is changing as never before. New reimbursement models, pressure to reduce costs, increased emphasis on prevention and relentless focus on the patient experience and clinical outcomes require attention to patients and families in new ways.As hospitals, health systems and other providers navigate this evolution, health care volunteers stand out as key contributors in the success of pursuing the Triple Aim, a framework developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement that outlines an approach for maximizing the performance of the health care system. The intent is that every activity or process be aligned with these three domains:<ul><li>Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction);</li><li>Improving the health of populations; and</li><li>Reducing the per-capita cost of health care.</li></ul>High-performing health care organizations are striving to adhere to these principles as they seek to best serve their patients, families and communities.This resource showcases how Volunteer Services strategically supports the Triple Aim. The information comes from interviews with volunteers, auxilians, directors of volunteer services and chief executive officers, who shared critical success factors in engaging volunteers in these efforts. It features case examples depicting how volunteers support the Triple Aim, including programs dedicated to:<ul><li>Reducing avoidable readmissions</li><li>Improving the patient experience</li><li>Improving HCAHPS scores</li><li>Enhancing community engagement</li><li>Improving quality</li><li>Increasing health care access</li><li>Lowering health care costs</li><li>Improving patient safety</li></ul> Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:25:24 -0500 Volunteering at the Hospital Volunteers and Auxiliary Leaders /issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-volunteers-and-auxiliary-leaders <div class="outlineContent clearfix wide"><div class="clearfix"><table bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="/issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-committee-volunteers">Committee on Volunteers</a></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="/issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-state-auxiliary-leaders-sals">State Auxiliary Leaders (SALs)</a></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="/websites/2017-12-11-aha-hospital-awards-volunteer-excellence-have">Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE) Awards</a></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="/issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-engaging-health-care-volunteers-pursue-triple-aim">Engaging Health Care Volunteers to Pursue the Triple Aim </a>– New!</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="/issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-case-examples-volunteers-transforming-health-care">Case Examples of Volunteers Transforming Health Care</a></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" border="0" bordercolor="#ebebeb" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><h4 class="table" align="left"><a href="http://link.videoplatform.limelight.com/media/?channelId=eddcea3e1a864d178f15d9695a7694fa&amp;width=544&amp;height=381&amp;playerForm=516e66ade3044023993b820795bf9a66&amp;deepLink=true" target="_blank">Volunteer Engagement Video</a></h4></td></tr></tbody></table>As health care transforms to better meet the needs of patients and communities, volunteers play a strategically critical role in supporting that evolution.This video highlights the breadth and scope of health care volunteer efforts and their impact on improving health in communities all across the country.Feel free to use this video in a variety of settings:<ul><li>Recruitment efforts</li><li>Volunteer appreciation events</li><li>Websites/newsletters</li><li>Community outreach</li><li>Meetings with administrators</li><li>Orientation and training</li><li>View the video by clicking on the <a href="http://link.videoplatform.limelight.com/media/?channelId=eddcea3e1a864d178f15d9695a7694fa&amp;width=544&amp;height=381&amp;playerForm=516e66ade3044023993b820795bf9a66&amp;deepLink=true">video</a> player below, visit AHA's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49EpGsICkI&amp;list=UU4D02WtzbawS64WfQ3UrZ6g">YouTube channel</a>, or download and save the video file to your computer by <a href="https://aha.box.com/powerofonevideo">clicking here</a>.</li></ul><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49EpGsICkI&amp;list=UU4D02WtzbawS64WfQ3UrZ6g">View the video on the AHA Channel on YouTube.</a><hr>For more information, please contact Ursula Pawlowski, AHVRP Governance and Operations Manager, at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>.</div><div class="ie">&nbsp;</div></div> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital State Auxiliary Leaders (SALs) /issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-state-auxiliary-leaders-sals <div class="outlineContent clearfix "><div class="clearfix">State Auxiliary Leaders (SALs) are the presidents, president-elects and legislative chairs from state volunteer and auxiliary associations. These associations guide their states' volunteer programs; lead effective volunteer involvement in grassroots advocacy to increase volunteer action, awareness and involvement; identify and develop educational material and programs that meet the needs of their members; and enhance communication among members and their healthcare governing boards, management, and hospital staff.<hr><a href="/content/17/17salroster.pdf">Roster</a><a href="/content/14/salfaq.pdf">FAQs</a><a href="/content/13/salupdateform.doc">Update Form</a><a href="/about/volunteers/saleducation.shtml">Education</a>Insights Newsletter<ul><li><a href="/content/17/17winter-volunteernews.pdf">Winter 2017</a></li><li><a href="/content/16/16summer-volunteernews.pdf">Summer 2016</a></li><li><a href="/content/16/15fallinsightsnewsletter.pdf">Fall 2015</a></li><li><a href="/content/15/15salinsights.pdf">Summer 2015</a></li><li><a href="/content/14/14fallinsightsnews.pdf">Fall 2014</a></li><li><a href="/about/volunteers/insights/Insights_Newsletter_Summer_2014_062614.html">Summer 2014</a></li></ul>Resources<ul><li><a href="/system/files/2018-03/17engagingvolunteerstripleaim.pdf">Engaging Health Care Volunteers to Pursue the Triple Aim</a> – New!</li><li><a href="/content/14/salcaseexamples.pdf">Case Examples of Volunteers Engaging With Nursing</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ahanews.com/">AHA News Now</a></li><li><a href="http://www.advancinghealthinamerica.org/">Advancing Health in America</a></li></ul>Advocacy<ul><li><a href="http://www.protecthealthcare.org">Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care</a></li></ul><hr>For more information, please contact Ursula Pawlowski, AHVRP Governance and Operations Manager, at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>.</div><div class="ie">&nbsp;</div></div> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital Committee on Volunteers /issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-committee-volunteers <div class="outlineContent clearfix "><div class="clearfix">The Committee on Volunteers, a specialty committee of the Board, is concerned with the roles, responsibilities, and services of organized volunteers and auxilians, as well as the community perspective they provide for the health care field. The committee supports the AHA mission and policy agenda by its activities in public policy development; participating in AHA grassroots advocacy; providing the Association with the benefit of its community perspective on issues related to the health care field; and serving as the selection committee for the AHA's Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE Awards).<hr><a href="/system/files/2018-01/17covfactsheet.pdf">Fact Sheet</a><a href="/system/files/2018-01/16covfaq.pdf">FAQs</a><a href="/system/files/2018-01/17covroster.pdf">Roster</a><a href="/system/files/2018-01/17covbios.pdf">Member Bios</a><hr>For more information, please contact Ursula Pawlowski, AHVRP Governance and Operations Manager, at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org?subject=Request for more information on COV from AHA.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>.</div><div class="ie">&nbsp;</div></div> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital Case Examples of Volunteers Transforming Health Care /issue-landing-page/2017-12-11-case-examples-volunteers-transforming-health-care <div class="outlineContent clearfix "><div class="clearfix">Volunteers play a critical role in supporting quality experiences and healthy outcomes for patients, their families and communities. View these innovative case examples of how volunteer programs across the country are helping transform health care:<ul><li><a href="/about/volunteers/2016havewinners.shtml">2016 Winners and Finalists of AHA’s Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE)</a></li><li><a href="/about/volunteers/haveawardarchive.shtml">HAVE Archives</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/">AHA Community Connections</a><ul><li>Click on “browse case studies” and type “volunteer” in the keyword search box</li></ul></li><li><a href="/about/volunteers/tripleaim.shtml">Engaging Health Care Volunteers to Pursue the Triple Aim</a> - New!</li></ul>Does your hospital have an innovative volunteer program? Submit a nomination to the <a href="/about/volunteers/haveawards.shtml">AHA Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE)</a> program!To promote this valuable resource, AHA is pleased to send copies at no cost of <a href="/content/15/volunteercaseexflyer.pdf" title="Volunteers Case Examples">the flyer</a> to the left. To order, please contact Ursula Pawlowski, AHVRP Governance and Operations Manager, at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>.<hr>For more information, please contact Ursula Pawlowski, AHVRP Governance and Operations Manager, at <a href="mailto:upawlowski@aha.org">upawlowski@aha.org</a>.</div><div class="ie">&nbsp;</div></div> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital AHA Honors Four Hospital Volunteer Programs for 2017 /press-releases/2017-03-02-aha-honors-four-hospital-volunteer-programs-2017 <div class="outlineContent clearfix">The �� Association (AHA) will honor four hospital volunteer programs with its Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE). The AHA HAVE Awards Program is in its 34th year and highlights the extraordinary efforts of volunteers and volunteer programs and the positive impact their contributions have on the patients, hospitals, health systems and communities they serve.The winners fall into four categories: community service programs, community outreach and/or collaboration programs, fundraising programs, and in-service hospital volunteer programs. Recipients of this year’s prestigious award hail from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Representatives from these winning programs will receive their awards at the HAVE Awards Breakfast on Monday, May 8, during the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.The 2017 HAVE winners are:Community Service Programs“Camp Charlie”Abington-Jefferson Health – Willow Grove, Penn.Camp Charlie is a free expressive arts bereavement camp run by the volunteers and staff of Safe Harbor, Abington-Jefferson Health’s peer support program for grieving children, teens and families. The five-day camp for youth who have lost a parent or sibling is an intensive experience for healing held each June and features activities related to music, art, drama and movement.The camp is an extension of the regular Safe Harbor peer-support groups offered free of charge from September through May. The Camp Charlie curriculum focuses on four tasks of grieving: acknowledging the death, saying goodbye, reliving memories and memorializing their loved ones.In the first 10 years, Camp Charlie, which began in 2007, served 550 grieving children and teens. The first camp had 33 participants. In 2016, with the help of 30 volunteers, the camp served 65 campers and peer-buddies. After attending the camp, 96 percent of the children and teens report feeling more hopeful about the future and 79 percent indicate it is easier to talk to their families about the death of their loved ones.Camp Charlie volunteers design and implement a variety of projects, team games and individual activities. Volunteers include teen-buddies, who are high school students who attend camp in a peer-support role. Many shy, unsure campers have found new friends and courage through the gentle support of their teen-buddies. Campers leave camp knowing they are not alone in their grief, recognizing that despite continuing to miss their loves ones, it is OK to be a child who laughs and plays.Community Outreach and/or Collaboration“AOMC Poison Prevention Program”Arnot Ogden Medical Center – Elmira, NYVolunteers with the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Poison Prevention Program empower young children to take an active role in personal safety through education presented in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade classrooms. Using a message coordinated through the regional poison prevention center and made age-appropriate through a volunteer-created story, illustration and props, volunteers make more than 250 visits annually to schools in a six-county, two-state area.Through an enthusiastic presentation of a simple message, the volunteers aim to leave every child with a lifetime reminder: “If you don’t know what it is, stay away.” The curriculum was created at the prompting of emergency department nurses at a time when accidental child poisoning was more prevalent. Since launching in 1994, the Poison Prevention Program curriculum has reached more than 68,000 children through 3,700 presentations. In the 2015-2016 school year, 10 volunteer presenters educated more than 5,000 children through 258 presentations in 67 schools in six counties. Surveys indicate 100 percent of the schools report the program is effective and age-appropriate, and that they are interested in a return visit.A hospital volunteer and former educator incorporated poison prevention messages into an original story featuring fictional characters: “Twitch and Twiggle Learn to Stay Away from Poison.” The stories and activities include warnings about drinking under-the-sink poisons and pills, as well as laundry detergent pods and e-cigarette flavorings. In the 1950s, there was an average of three child poisonings reported in the area per week. In 2015, Arnot Health recorded no cases for the entire year.Fundraising Programs“Friends of the Heart”Doylestown Health – Doylestown, Penn.Friends of the Heart Institute is an all-volunteer organization consisting of dedicated community members and caregivers who are committed to ensuring patients and their loved ones have access to the very best cardiac and vascular care close to home. Since its founding in 1978, Friends of the Heart Institute has raised more than $1.6 million for state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment, patient-friendly exercise equipment used for cardiac rehabilitation, and staff training and continuing education for the cardiac and vascular clinical teams. Friends of the Heart Institute also focuses on community wellness and prevention by funding “Walk With A Doc,” an exercise program which encourages physical activity and community camaraderie every month.Friends of the Heart Institute raises funds through annual memberships, donations and special fundraising events like the popular spring Heart Brunch, now in its 17th year, and the always-fun Cardiac Cook-Off, which pits teams of cardiologists and local top chefs against each other in a heart-healthy friendly competition.Friends of the Heart Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the health and well-being of those who choose Doylestown Health's Richard A. Reif Heart Institute for their heart care.In-Service Hospital Volunteer Programs“Hospital Elder Life Program”Clara Maass Medical Center – Belleville, NJTo address the needs of its older patients, volunteers in the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) provide extra attention and care to senior citizens admitted to the hospital. HELP volunteers engage with patients aged 70 and older with interventions that address a broad scope of geriatric issues to prevent cognitive and functional decline.HELP volunteers use a holistic approach and consider each patient as a whole individual, with many aspects affecting recovery, emotional state and overall wellbeing. Staff implement individualized interventions after assessing the patients for their risk of cognitive/physical decline utilizing evidence-based screening tools. Patients are screened for falls, pressure ulcers, frailty, disorientation and incontinence. Volunteers then engage the patients in activities related to cognitive orientation, therapeutic techniques (board games, relaxation and music therapy), mobilization and range of motion exercises, hearing and vision aids, feeding assistance and fluid repletion.In a recent two-year period, 577 patients were enrolled in HELP. With the volunteers’ assistance, 48 percent of the patients improved their baseline functioning and 45 percent maintained it. In addition to aiding the patients physically, HELP volunteers often establish an emotional connection with the patients, alleviating their anxieties and fears of the unknown. The program has volunteers with many of the same backgrounds, languages, cultures and religions as the patients. Some 19 HELP volunteers donate 150 hours per week working with patients. Many of the volunteers are students who use their volunteer service as a means of exploring health careers.<h2>About the AHA</h2>The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at <a href="/">www.aha.org</a>.</div> Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital Margie Beadles to Chair AHA's Committee on Volunteers /press-releases/2017-01-09-margie-beadles-chair-ahas-committee-volunteers <div class="outlineContent clearfix">Margie Beadles, volunteer/auxilian at CoxHealth in Springfield, MO, is the 2017 chair of the �� Association’s (AHA) Committee on Volunteers.The Committee on Volunteers is concerned with the roles, responsibilities, and services of organized volunteers and auxilians, as well as the community perspective they provide for the health care field. The committee supports the AHA mission and policy agenda by its activities in public policy development; participates in AHA grassroots advocacy; provides the Association with the benefit of its community perspective on issues related to the health care field; and serves as the selection committee for the AHA's Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE Awards).Beadles serves as an auxilian/volunteer and as a member of the Hospital Advisory Board at CoxHealth. She served as a steering committee member in the development and implementation of the CoxHealth Patient and Family Advisory Committee in 2012. She is a past president of the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries. In 2010 and 2013 she served on AHA’s Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals conference planning committees. As a past president of her local Rotary chapter and board member of the Finley River Community Foundation, she stays active in her community. As one of five founders, she currently serves as the first president of Impact 100 Ozark promoting philanthropy among women. A retired educator and administrator, Margie received her bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University.Lynn Smith, volunteer/auxilian at CHI St. Vincent-Hot Springs, Hot Springs, AR, is the immediate past chair.New appointees elected to serve on the council for three-year terms are: Jerry Berley, volunteer at Ouachita County Medical Center, Camden, AR; Marlene Cochran, volunteer/auxilian at Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Sandra Marshall, CAVS, director of public relations, philanthropy and volunteer services at LRGHealthcare, Laconia, NH; Nancy Viele, volunteer/auxilian at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI; Yolanda Voigt, CAVS, director of Aspirus volunteers, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau, WI (serving a one-year term); and Kristy Fidler, CAVS, director of volunteer services at Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV.<h2>About the Committee on Volunteers</h2>The Committee on Volunteers is concerned with the roles, responsibilities, and services of organized volunteers and auxilians, as well as the community perspective they provide for the health care field. The committee supports the AHA mission and policy agenda by its activities in public policy development; participates in AHA grassroots advocacy; provides the Association with the benefit of its community perspective on issues related to the health care field; and serves as the selection committee for the AHA's Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE Awards).<h2>About the AHA</h2>The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at <a href="/">www.aha.org</a>.</div> Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Volunteering at the Hospital