Sinai Health has over 1,200 volunteers at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare and Mount Sinai Hospital who typically support our patients, visitors and people in different roles. April 18 to 24 is special as we are celebrating National Volunteer Week. It is a chance to recognize volunteers, whether they are onsite, remote or waiting to return. Volunteers play an important role in our purpose of caring and creating possibilities for our patients.
“Our volunteers are truly missed. Their dedication is inspiring as they reach out to see how they can support us during this time. Our hospitals have not been the same since we had to pause many of our volunteer programs,” says Theresa Shiel, Senior Manager, Volunteer Resources at Sinai Health.
Suzanne Shuchat, remote Mount Sinai volunteer
Due to the pandemic, a number of our volunteers, such as Suzanne Shuchat, have moved to remote positions. Suzanne is part of a team of knitting volunteers who have been working through the pandemic to create sweaters and hats for babies and families leaving Mount Sinai Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. “At the end of the day, I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile,” says Suzanne.
At Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, our Essential Care Partner (ECP) Support Volunteers are acting remotely as liaisons between essential care partners and our clinical teams. They help schedule patient visits and promote a safe environment for our patients, people and essential care partners.
Sarah Kim-Hak, remote Bridgepoint volunteer
“This year is my fourth year volunteering at Bridgepoint,” says Sarah Kim-Hak, who has transitioned from her role at the Information Desk to being a remote ECP Support volunteer. “I enjoy assisting visitors and I deeply miss speaking to patients looking for advice, or just a friendly face to speak with.”
Matthew Cormie agrees that one of the best parts about volunteering is helping patients and families. “I love being able to end a shift knowing that I have made a positive impact on someone’s day.
Matthew is part of the Ask Me wayfinding team at Mount Sinai Hospital, who greet each and every one of our patients and essential care partners. These volunteers have been integral during the pandemic, guiding patients to their appointments, promoting physical distancing in our elevators, delivering packages to patient floors and more.
Nicole Cevallos and Matthew Cormie, Ask Me volunteers
For Nicole Cevallos, a big perk of her role on the Ask Me team is the hospital experience, “Volunteering provides me the opportunity to develop new skills and health care knowledge. My goal is to be a registered dietitian.”
Likewise, our remote research volunteers have attained valuable experience and skills assisting our scientists and investigators with projects across Sinai Health. “I decided to volunteer at Sinai Health to network, gain research experience and become more familiar with Canadian research environments. I’ve enjoyed working with nice, ethical and educated people,” says Gina Modarresi.
Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers who help us deliver high-quality, safe and compassionate care. Happy National Volunteer Week!
To read more about our volunteer programs, click here to learn about our MAUVE coordinators.
While we aren’t accepting new volunteers at the moment, check out our Volunteer Resources page and stay tuned for future opportunities.