In Touch newsletter: September 2014

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INTOUCH SEPTEMBER 2014

The Titanium Club differs from previous recognition programs by honoring hours of service as opposed to years at St. Michael’s. It also honors all volunteers who have reached the 2,500-hour milestone, including those who are retired from volunteering. “It’s become a bit of an alumni club,” said Kidd. The volunteers appreciate the sense of community at St. Michael’s. Dan Har Li, a volunteer in the Medical Daycare Unit, said she enjoys the dayto-day contact with patients. “It’s like family, especially when you get to know them,” said Li. She often experiences the highs and lows along with her patients. “I celebrate when patients tell me they won’t be back for another year,” she said. Li was encouraged to volunteer by her goddaughter, who was a nurse at St. Michael’s. She has been a volunteer for 12 years, and joined the Titanium Club last year.

Dan Har Li makes her rounds on the Medical Daycare Unit. (Photo by Liam Sharp)

St. Michael’s Titanium Club – membership has its privileges By Greg Winson

Organizations from hotel chains to Starbucks have a gold or platinum level membership. When volunteers at St. Michael’s reach 2,500 hours of service, they automatically become members of the Titanium Club. Printed on 100 per cent recycled paper

“These people have been significant contributors to St. Michael’s for some time,” said Michael Kidd, director of Volunteer Services. With most volunteer shifts averaging three to four hours, it takes more than 600 shifts to make the 2,500-hour milestone.

John Metcalfe has been a regular volunteer in the gift shop, racking up the 2,500 hours to become a Titanium Club member just five years. After working at Sears Canada for 35 years, the retail environment was a natural fit for him. “I work with a great bunch of people, and it gives me a bit of exercise.” Like Li, Metcalfe understands the important role volunteers can play in overall patient experience. “Volunteers are a main contact with the patients quite often, and (the support) means a lot to them,” he said. Metcalfe recalled one statutory holiday when he helped a woman find a friend in the hospital who had been in a serious car accident. “She was sitting in a chair just outside the gift shop,” said Metcalfe. “Her Continued on page 6 SEPTEMBER 2014 | IN TOUCH | 1


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In Touch newsletter: September 2014 by St. Michael's Hospital - Issuu