(MELROSE PARK, Ill.—June 5, 2008) Gottlieb Memorial Hospital celebrated the contributions of the more than 150 adult volunteers at an annual appreciation dinner on Wednesday, May 21. From May 2007 to April 2008, volunteers donated 27,826 hours of service to the hospital. Delivering newspapers and flowers, directing visitors and visiting with patients are just a few of the many duties the team of pink or maroon coated good samaritans perform every day of the week.
Lorraine Bronoski, 88, of Northlake was specially recognized for celebrating an unprecedented 25 years as a volunteer with the hospital. "I’ve worked in every department at Gottlieb from Payroll to Same Day Surgery plus I have served at every single hospital health fair for the past 25 years," said Bronoski, formerly of Schiller Park. "I have made many friends at Gottlieb and continue to be fascinated by the medical field," the former medical stenographer added.
Volunteer Coordinator, Lucille Gorney, presented commemorative pins to the men and women correlating to hours donated. "In an age when volunteerism is going by the wayside, Gottlieb is fortunate to have this corps of dedicated, hardworking individuals," said Gorney.
Those with the most hours accumulated overall include: Ruth Albeck of River Grove, 12,611; Frances Canzoneri of River Grove, 10,742; Lucille Peters of Elmwood Park, 11,060; and Evelyn Raffin of River Grove, 10,548.
Volunteers who accumulated the highest number of hours this past year include:
Shirley Kutz of Chicago, 548; Lori Hartnett of Elmwood Park, 548; Evelyn Jankiewicz of River Grove, 490; and Narandas Mody of Schiller Park, 477.
The Gottlieb volunteer program was created in 1961, the year the hospital was founded. Volunteers work in just about every department at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, including the Gift Shop, Surgery waiting room, Admitting, Central Supply, Child Care and Nursing units. Gottlieb also hosts student volunteers in the summer.
Volunteers are feted with several lunches and dinners each year and they also receive special extras including a free meal in the cafeteria on the days they volunteer, pharmacy and gift shop discounts and free flu shots. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact 708/450-4969.
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1961, has more than 350 physicians on staff, approximately 1,400 employees and 150 volunteers. Gottlieb is best-known for emergency care as a Level II Trauma Center; comprehensive heart care, including open-heart surgery; a full range of cancer care services; advanced neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery; comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology services; and advanced diagnostics that include digital mammography. The Gottlieb Health & Fitness Center is the Midwest’s first medically based health and fitness center, offering innovative exercise programs, two pools, an indoor running track, a vast array of cardiovascular equipment, strength and weight training, and much more. Go to gottliebhospital.org for more information.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
