June 8, 2001

They are the unsung heroes of the hospital, devoting hours of unpaid time to better the lives of those around them, and often bettering their own lives in the process. MGH volunteers and their contributions were acknowledged at the MGH Volunteer Recognition Day ceremony, held under the Bulfinch Tent June 5. The event — organized by the MGH Department of Volunteer, Interpreter and Ambassador Services — featured remarks by James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH, and Evelyn Bonander, MSW, director of MGH Social Service. Edward Lawrence, chairman of the MGH Board of Trustees, presented special awards to outstanding volunteers.

Pictured, clockwise from top left, Rubenstein, Epstein, Pat Rowell, director of Volunteer Services, and Robbins

Betsy Rubenstein received the Jessie Harding Award, in recognition of her hard work for both the Central Information Desk and the main Volunteer Office. The staff of the Ladies Visiting Committee (LVC) Retail Shops, headed by director JoAnne Ellison, received the Trustees' Award for the staff's appreciation of volunteer contributions.

Special recognition awards were given to Joan Epstein — a 10-year volunteer in the Gray Family Surgical Waiting Area — and Kathleen Robbins, a former MGH Radiology employee. Robbins formally retired from the MGH Volunteer Program this year, after serving as an Information Desk volunteer since 1975. Now at the tender age of 100, Robbins expressed her gratitude to the program and to the MGH: "It isn't so much about what I have given to the hospital; it is more about what you all have given to me. Thank you one and all for everything."

Service awards also were presented to: Wang Information Desk volunteer Heather Cole; Central Information Desk volunteer Newton Lee; Discharge volunteers Debra Dabaghian, Tony Santaniello and John Lauritzen; Chaplaincy volunteers Maria de Borbon and William Graham; Pediatric Child Life Program volunteer Sophia Taglieri and Blum Patient and Family Learning Center volunteer Bob Williams.