May 05, 2004

Heath Authority thanks volunteers
The Record

AMHERST: During National Volunteer Week, the Cumberland Health Authority took the opportunity to recognize the countless volunteers who give of their time and talent in support of health care across the district.

Special events were held throughout the week in celebration of the hundreds of individuals - young and older alike - who serve their friends and neighbors through their volunteer efforts. CEO Bruce Quigley praised the dedication of all the volunteers as "remarkable".

"Whether volunteers are delivering meals on wheels, reading to a patient, comforting a family, giving directions to a visitor or assisting with fund raising," said Quigley, "their obvious commitment to the betterment of the health care system is incredible."

"The CHA is extremely fortunate to serve a county where such a true volunteer spirit is alive and well," he added.

Quigley also recognized all the members of district health authority for their volunteer efforts. "The Board of Directors is truly a dedicated group of volunteers," he said. "These individuals are often faced with difficult decisions but they address each situation with a focus on the delivery of the best health care services possible."

Board Chair Bruce Saunders made special mention of the members of the three community health boards that serve Cumberland County. "Several of the community health board members have been active participants on those boards for many years, commented Saunders. "That kind of dedication is rare in these time of competing priorities and busy schedules," he said.

Many of the special events were organized by the CHA's Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Angela Best. The establishment of the Hospital & Healthcare Volunteer Program position in mid 2003, funded in large part by the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, has provided a more focused approach to organizing volunteer services.

"The CHA is grateful for this partnership with the Cumberland Health Care Foundation," said Saunders, "and for the shared vision that provided for this much-needed position that was beyond the fiscal capacity of the Board alone."

Volunteer hours within the Cumberland Health Authority are dedicated to a multitude of activities including serving on the district health authority, community health boards, foundations and auxiliaries as well as working directly with patients, visitors and others through staffing gift shops and the information desk, delivering meals on wheels and providing comfort at the bedside in all five health care facilities.