Celebrating the impact of Sinai Health’s volunteers

From passing down the value of volunteering to future generations to empowering patients to achieve greater independence, meet some of Sinai Health’s volunteers who share their time and energy to make a difference for our patients and our people.

“As we celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 16 to 22, we express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated team of volunteers for the tremendous impact they have on our patient’s lives,” says Theresa Shiel, Senior Manager of Volunteer Resources at Sinai Health.

One of the Information Desk volunteers, Heather Halpert, shared her experience, saying, “My mother’s volunteer work inspired me to start in 2006. I joined her in the gift shop during summer vacations, and really enjoyed it. Volunteering was a family ethos. Seeing how important it is to help others, no matter what area you’re in, motivated me to continue. Whether it’s about supporting a staff member or a patient needing directions, you’re making a difference. I’ve been volunteering for almost 15 years now, and I hope to pass on this value to the next generation.”

Sharing her rewarding journey of empowering patients, Afshan Sultana, a Volunteer at MAP and in the Ambulatory Care Gym at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital says, “I started volunteering in the meal assistance program (MAP) and eventually became involved in other areas like physiotherapy and quality data collection. As a MAP volunteer, I assist patients experiencing eating difficulties while empowering them to be as independent as possible. The most rewarding part of volunteering is the emotional compensation and rewards I receive. I leave my volunteer shifts with a strong sense of pride and identity, knowing I’m contributing something valuable to people’s lives.”

Rima Biback, a volunteer in the Cancer Care Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I started volunteering at Mount Sinai’s emergency department almost 40 years ago. After working for 35 years, I came back to volunteering after retirement because I remembered how rewarding it was. At present, I volunteer at the Cancer Care Clinic and I receive more than I give – it’s far greater than what I expected. From the staff, the nurses, the physicians, and of course, the patients that I meet, I hope I’m able to give them a positive experience. I leave with a full heart that I have received so much from everybody.”