BWH’s Volunteers of the year- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
BWH’s Volunteers of the year- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Skip to contents
April 3, 2000
Browse the archive
Current issue
In This Issue:
Comfort and compassion
BWH’s Volunteers of the year
Are you “Prepaired” for JCAHO?
April Calendar
Join Team Brigham on Marathon Monday
National Laboratory Week
They come from all walks of life. They speak more than 20 languages and range in age from 14 to 93. They lend their time and talents to more than 100 departments throughout the hospital. From escorting patients and advising on hospital policy to conducting research and stuffing envelopes, BWH's 820 volunteers contribute to the hospital in innumerable ways. On May 4, the hospital will thank these individuals at the 2000 Volunteer Recognition Celebration at 4:30 in the Bornstein Family Amphitheater and will pay special tribute to the five individuals who have been named the 2000 Volunteers of the Year. "Because they know the hospital well but remain grounded in their own communities, volunteers are uniquely suited to meet the needs of our patients," says Nelda Quigley, director of Volunteer Services and Community Access. "They offer their professional and personal interests and skills to the hospital, and they approach their work from a customer-service point of view." Those who exemplify BWH's mission and values are honored each year as Volunteers of the Year. One of this year’s honorees is Leonard Einstein, a retired psychiatrist who for the last eight years has offered gentle, compassionate support to patients and their families in the cardiac intensive care unit. While the patient is in surgery, Len waits with the family, providing support and assistance. He then brings the family to the patient when he or she is ready to have visitors, all the while offering his caring support. At a recent meeting of 8th Floor volunteers, he provided training to other volunteers on how to visit most effectively with patients recovering from heart surgery. Said Sarah Thompson, RN, Nurse Manager on the 8th Floor, "Leonard is a gift to patients, families, and staff on the 8th floor, and it was an honor and a privilege to recommend him for Volunteer of the Year."