Volunteers are part of the care team across Sinai Health System. This week, for National Volunteer Week we’re illustrating this by sharing photos of some of our volunteers with staff members in the units and areas they support. Staff also shared with us a little bit about how much our volunteers mean to the care and service we provide. These are just a few examples. There are more than 1,100 volunteers across Sinai Health who give their time, talent and energy.
Thank you all for your dedication and commitment. Happy National Volunteer Week!
“Volunteers play an important part of our program at Bridgepoint. They perform multiple essential duties that improve our class efficiency, including assisting in setting up the gym prior to the class, providing equipment and cleaning equipment during the class, and returning equipment and re-arranging the gym after the class. They also ensure patient comfort during the class with their kind smiles, offering attentive ears, providing patients with water, and informing the primary physiotherapist or physiotherapy assistant of any patient’s questions or concerns. I am grateful for their help and want to thank our volunteers for all the work that they do.” – Usman, Physiotherapist, Ambulatory Care, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare
“Volunteers and co-op students are an invaluable asset to the Surgical Skills centre (SSC). We are grateful for the immense support, positive outlook, competences and willingness to learn these students demonstrate on a daily basis. They are integral to providing the best possible service to medical students, surgical residents and faculty that work at the SSC. We learn from every single one of them! It’s always amazing to see how each and every one of them brings a unique perspective, experience, and set of skills. Every year I look forward to the bright and cheery faces that will be coming through the centre.” – Dez, Technician, Surgical Skills Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital
“At Circle of Care, our volunteers play many roles but, no matter which service they are providing, each in their own way truly makes a difference to the quality of life of our senior clients. Their impact is seen every day, whether it is delivering a kosher meal, holding the hand of a terminally ill client, befriending a lonely senior, escorting a frail client to a medical appointment or providing entertainment and social activities to a person with Alzheimer’s. Circle of Care volunteers are the heart and soul of many of our services that could not run without them. It is a privilege and honour to work with such a wonderful group of volunteers. “ – Lisa, Volunteer Resources Manager, Circle of Care
The MAUVE (Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement) volunteers are a group of highly caring and skilled individuals who have quickly become an integral part of the Emergency Department team. Their ability to connect and engage with patients and visitors in a time of uncertainty –and often crisis– in a meaningful way has had a very positive impact. We have hear from numerous patients and families expressing their thanks to these volunteers.”
– Gillian, Nursing Unit Administrator, Emergency Department, Mount Sinai Hospital.
“Our volunteers –Both human and canine– are superheroes. They are an important part of our success as a team in delivering excellent care to our patients.”
– Vince, Physician Palliative Care Unit, Bridgepoint
“Volunteers are the foundation of the Kosher Meals on Wheels program at Circle of Care. Our volunteers’ commitment to the program and to their clients has allowed Circle of Care to serve nutritious meals for over 50 years. When I think about our volunteers, I find it difficult to put into words the full impact their dedication and hard work has on the program. They do so much! They contribute their time, talents and energy to deliver meals, socialize with clients, provide “safety checks”, report changes in clients’ condition, organize routes for delivery, advocate for the clients. The list goes on!”
– Inna, Kosher Meals on Wheels Supervisor, Circle of Care
The Therapeutic Recreation department at Bridgepoint works with over 40 caring volunteers to deliver a wide variety of Therapeutic Recreation programs and to ensure that patient needs are met. Some of these programs include; bingo, gardening, manicures, friendly visits and pet therapy. The volunteers are a valued member sof the Therapeutic Recreation team and their selfless contributions have a direct impact on our patient’s quality of life. The individual support that they provide assists patients and families with coping during an often difficult time. The role of the volunteer at our Therapeutic Recreation programs is a vital contributor to enhancing the patient experience.” – Mary, Professional Practice Lead, Therapeutic Recreation, Bridgepoint
“Our Volunteers offer invaluable support to our NICU Parent Programs particularly to our Journey Bead Program, where parents track their milestones in the NICU by creating a string of colourful beads. They also play a key role in Parent education sessions. Without their dedicated time it would be challenging to facilitate these programs in an organized and efficient way.”
– Kasia, Social Worker, Mount Sinai Hospital
“They say it’s the little things that make a difference. We see that every single day when our volunteers come in the door and greet each of our clients by name, making them feel special. One volunteer, knowing a client loves butterflies, came in one day wearing pants that were covered in butterflies, just to make the client happy. Another volunteer told her cardiologist she was going to sign a 20 year contract to continue volunteering at the Day Centre, so she will be well over 100 when she officially retires from volunteering! There are no words to express how grateful we are to our volunteers –not only for their time, but for the love that is put into every single interaction with our clients. Our volunteers tell us they need us just as much as we need them and there can be no better situation than that.”
– Madeline D’Arpino, RN, Adult Day Program