April 21 - 27, 2009
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Page 11
Volunteers at UM Hospital help to make a difference BY STEPHEN CABEZA
Hospital can work on nursing floors, in the different business offices, and in the When Charlotte Powell dons her medical areas, which allow them to learn University of Miami green and orange more about the people who deliver care colors it isn’t to go to a football game, and how the various services work togethalthough as a UM alumnus with a finance er to meet the patient’s needs. degree she might. “There’s an added benefit of volunteerInstead Charlotte heads to the ing at a hospital that most people don’t University of Miami Hospital where, as think about,” said Sonia Martinez, who chair for volunteer recruitoversees volunteer servment, she is hard at work ices as part of her helping to build a network responsibilities as direcof energetic and communitor of Consumer ty conscious people to lend Relations at UMH. a helping hand through“Healthcare is complex out the facility. and navigating through “As a child I always volany hospital system can unteered,” Powell said. “I be a little daunting, especame from a family with cially one as large, promedical backgrounds and, gressive, and sophisticatbecause this is my universied as UHealth. As a volty, it was just a perfect fit.” unteer you get to know When the hospital offithe staff and physicians, cially joined UHealth, the and gain an ‘insiders’ Charlotte Powell University of Miami Health view of how the process –––––––––––––––––––– System, as its flagship hosworks.” pital in December 2007, Charlotte began University of Miami Hospital wants the task of building a volunteer base to potential volunteers to know they are valsupport the not-for-profit medical center. ued and offers benefits to those who “We have a great need for volunteers spend at least four hours a week at the here and anything someone would like to facility. Each volunteer receives a free do will help.” meal in the cafeteria; every year volunWhile today the volunteers are small in teers receive free flu shots and tuberculonumber, they are mighty in their commit- sis screenings; free parking is available for ment to the hospital and helping the staff volunteers and a pickup service is providand patients. Volunteers come from all ed for volunteers who don’t drive. Each walks of life including young profession- year the hospital honors volunteers durals to retirees seeking the opportunity to ing a recognition luncheon. Volunteers stay active while helping others. are able to select their own schedule, “I’m a retired teacher,” said Mary which makes it possible for working proSiefken, who assists in the hospital’s fessionals to find time to volunteer on the Consumer Relations Office and helps ori- weekends. ent new volunteers. “To me volunteering at To find out how you can become a a hospital affiliated with the University of University of Miami Hospital volunteer, Miami Miller School of Medicine is terrific. you can contact Charlotte Powell at 305We have both a healing and learning envi- 444-6000 or Volunteer Services at 305ronment that makes this hospital special.” 325-5529. Mary and Charlotte point out that stayUniversity of Miami Hospital is a 560ing active is vitally important to maintain- bed hospital with 1,000 doctors. ing good health and a positive social net- Community physicians and University of work as people get older. Some research Miami Miller School of Medicine faculty indicates that active people live longer physicians working side by side to provide and are physically healthier than those care in more than 50 medical specialties. who are socially isolated. The hospital is the flagship facility of “What better way to maintain our alert- UHealth-University of Miami Health ness and good health than to volunteer System, which includes more than twohere,” Siefken said. “Volunteers can pick dozen outpatient facilities and the their area of interest anywhere in the hos- nation’s top eye hospital. As the only acapital and we’ll work with them to develop demic medical center in the region, a fulfilling assignment that truly makes a UHealth provides patients breakthrough difference in the lives of our patients, treatments as a result of the medical family members, and staff.” research and clinical trials developed at Volunteers at University of Miami the Miller School of Medicine.
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